emotional

Recipe

Essential Oils…Essential Fun!

developed by Church Health Center Wellness

This article was featured in the Summer 2016: Ecology and the Outdoors print issue. Click here to see the complete table of contents.

Aromatherapy has slowly permeated the medical field as a surprising alternative medicine to relieve headaches, alleviate stress, induce sleep, and boost energy levels. While not a cure-all kind of medicine, aromatherapy can be a helpful supplement to other medical practices.

Essential oils from plant materials all have varying effects when used in aromatherapy. Lavender, for instance, is known to be a helpful sleep inducer, while black pepper can help boost your energy. Aromatherapy is generally safe for all ages, including children. Those who may suffer from an attention deficit or sensory processing disorder can especially benefit from aromatherapy. One simple way to engage children in aromatherapy while keeping them entertained is to make your own playdough infused with essential oils that match the dough’s color.

Basic Playdough Recipe

2 cups flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon oil (such as olive or canola)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Food coloring (optional)
Drops of essential oils

Combine all ingredients, except for the essential oils in a large saucepan. Over medium heat, stir the ingredients with a spatula until a ball forms. Be careful not to overcook, which will dry the dough.
Remove from heat and cool on parchment paper.
Divide the cooled dough and knead in drops of the essential oils of your choice (and optional food coloring) to the divided pieces, adding 1 or 2 drops at a time until you have the desired level of fragrance.
Store in an air-tight container.

Benefits of Essential Oils

Lavender Oil
balancing, calming, relaxing, and promotes good sleep

Cedar Wood Oil
clarifying, strengthening

Lemon Oil
uplifting, refreshing, and cheering

Peppermint
invigorating, cooling

Grapefruit Oil
energizing and promotes mental clarity

*HINT*
For a more sensory-filled experience, you can add rice, beans, poppy seeds or another grainy item to the playdough for texture.

Tagged under:

homemaking
parenting
recipe
rest
wellness

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