Make my own aromatherapy?

I'm a spearmint freak. If it tastes like spearmint, consider it eaten. If it smells like spearmint, I could sniff for hours.

On my last online buying binge of spearmint shampoo, soap, and body wash, I also bought a vial of spearmint "essential oil". I'm not sure why. I think you're supposed to use it to make your own soap or shampoo, which I really didn't intend to do.

So I have this vial of spearmint smelling stuff, then I start reading posts on this forum about aromatherapy in conjunction with CPAP. I know you can buy kits. But can I make my own? What would I need? What do I need to put the spearmint essential oil in - some kind of diffuser or something?

Has anyone done their own aromatherapy in conjunction with a CPAP/BiPAP machine? If so, I'd appreciate any instructions.

Thanks,

Jeff

Some years ago I remember another person on another forum posting the first info about aromatherapy.

Seems he had a big golden lab that liked to sleep cuddled up around his CPAP machin on the floor.

One night it seems the dog had a big meal of something very foul and passed a big bunch of gas into the inlet.

It did not take him long to get his mask off and find his dog a different sleeping place.

I doubt this would be a welcome aroma for pur sleep,

Tomjax. Not funny and unnecessary comment.

jla930 wrote:I'm a spearmint freak. If it tastes like spearmint, consider it eaten. If it smells like spearmint, I could sniff for hours.

On my last online buying binge of spearmint shampoo, soap, and body wash, I also bought a vial of spearmint "essential oil". I'm not sure why. I think you're supposed to use it to make your own soap or shampoo, which I really didn't intend to do.

So I have this vial of spearmint smelling stuff, then I start reading posts on this forum about aromatherapy in conjunction with CPAP. I know you can buy kits. But can I make my own? What would I need? What do I need to put the spearmint essential oil in - some kind of diffuser or something?

Has anyone done their own aromatherapy in conjunction with a CPAP/BiPAP machine? If so, I'd appreciate any instructions.

Thanks,

Jeff

If I didn't already have a Pursleep kit, I would probably use a small plate like a teacup saucer, and place it near the back of the air intake filter on the back of my Respironics machine. A little square of microfleece would probably suffice to place the drops of essential oil on.

There are a real lot of suppliers of essential oils on the internet.
I'm not sure spearmint would be my choice for a sleeptime EO, because it seems to be more stimulating than calming. But if it works for you, go for it...

tomjax wrote:Some years ago I remember another person on another forum posting the first info about aromatherapy.

Seems he had a big golden lab that liked to sleep cuddled up around his CPAP machin on the floor.

One night it seems the dog had a big meal of something very foul and passed a big bunch of gas into the inlet.

It did not take him long to get his mask off and find his dog a different sleeping place.

I doubt this would be a welcome aroma for pur sleep,

_________________

Now that is funny!

Vader wrote:I'm not sure spearmint would be my choice for a sleeptime EO, because it seems to be more stimulating than calming. But if it works for you, go for it...

Hmmm, interesting. I never thought of spearmint as a stimulant rather than a calming agent. It's funny, because I see soaps, shampoos, and body washes that are spearmint eucalyptus, specifically labeled "Aromatherapy". Eucalyptus seems like a really jolting aroma to me, yet it looks like it's considered relaxing.

Thanks for your comments and instructions.

Jeff

Hmmm, interesting. I never thought of spearmint as a stimulant rather than a calming agent. It's funny, because I see soaps, shampoos, and body washes that are spearmint eucalyptus, specifically labeled "Aromatherapy". Eucalyptus seems like a really jolting aroma to me, yet it looks like it's considered relaxing.

I have some Eucalyptus Spearmint shampoo & conditioner, as well as some lotion. On the bottles, it says it's supposed to be calming/relaxing, & releive tension. As far as I can tell, it works.
This week I've been waking up with my neck feeling really sore and tight, which also gives me a headache. When I use the Eucalyptus Spearmint stuff, it helps a little with the muscle soreness.

As with most things in aromatherapy, individual responses will probably vary.

jla930 wrote:I'm a spearmint freak. If it tastes like spearmint, consider it eaten. If it smells like spearmint, I could sniff for hours.

Here's a link to some really awesome spearmint. I bought one little pot of it, and in no time it spread all over my yard!
It wouldn't be very easy to make your own EO, but it's good to grow in a large pot for whenever you may want fresh mint for tea.

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/me ... catacv.htm

I used a cotton cosmetic ball, and a glass tea light holder. I put the cotton ball in the holder, put a few drops of EO on the cotton ball, and positioned it underneath the air filter of my M Series APAP.

BTW, Aura Cacia is making a nifty mix of Lavendar and Sandalwood that I think would make a great sleep mix!

www DOT auracacia DOT com

PurSleep is great. Nothing against it at all. But if you want to make your own, try the above. You just need a cotton ball and a holder that is shorter than your air intake. The glass tea light holder was the perfect size.

Cheers,
Barbara

Thanks for the link, Vader. (What if I want fresh mint NOT for my tea, but for my julep??? Whoops, I'm not supposed to admit I like that drink.)

Amandalee, you seem like a woman after my own heart - or my own nose!

Jeff

Thanks for the link, Babette!

Thanks to you all for the responses and suggestions!

Jeff

Is there any danger of ruining any equipment, i.e. mask or machine? Or making the smell permanent and impossible to get out?

Thanks,

Jeff

I don't think there is any danger of ruining the machine by placing an EO in a tray on the outside of the machine. I did notice that when I switched scents, the previous scent stayed in the mask/hose for a while. If you prefer spearmint and stick to that, you wouldn't have that issue.

I would use caution in two areas: Make sure the dish will not let the oil leak through to your nightstand and make sure the item used for the drop of oil is not so lightweight that it gets sucked into the back of the machine blocking the air.

If I were doing this, I would use one of those flat cotton makeup remover pads instead of a ball of cotton and I would place something small/heavy in the center to weigh it down if the suction from the back of the machine seemed strong enough to pull it.

Babette wrote:Aura Cacia is making a nifty mix of Lavendar and Sandalwood that I think would make a great sleep mix!

Exactly what do they call it, so I can order it?

Thanks,

Jeff

jla930 wrote:

Babette wrote:Aura Cacia is making a nifty mix of Lavendar and Sandalwood that I think would make a great sleep mix!

Exactly what do they call it, so I can order it?

Thanks,

Jeff

I've bought EO's from a place called the Massage Warehouse.
They've got quite a good selection.

HERE'S A link:

http://tinyurl.com/2mtaye