How to make your own Aromatherapy Dough

Photo by katharos.

Play dough infused with essential oils can be played with to aid relaxation, help reduce stress, improve flexibility and mobility in the finger and wrist joints, and reduce stiffness and pain in the hands. It’s also great fun. Ready made aromatherapy dough is available but I thought in this post I would explain how to make your own aromatherapy dough.

To make your dough, you will need: 2 cups flour, 2 cups warm water, 1 cup salt, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tbsp cream of tartar, food colouring (optional), essential oils of your choice

Mix all the ingredients together (except the essential oils) in a saucepan and place over a low heat, stirring continuously. When the dough starts to form a clump in the middle of the pan, remove from the heat and allow to cool. The dough shouldn’t be sticky so if it is, you need to cook it for a bit longer. Once it has cooled, make a hollow in the dough ball, add your essential oils to it, and need well to distribute the oils throughout the dough. And there we have it – your very own aroma dough! In between use, store your dough in an air tight container.

Add lavender, neroli, sandalwood or frankincense essential oils for stress relief and relaxation. Add eucalyptus, cajuput, plai, black pepper or ginger essential oils for rheumatism, arthritis, and repetitive strain injuries.