How to Use Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been around for nearly 6000 years and has been used in many ways throughout the years: for cosmetics, perfume, and even health and therapeutic purposes. Researchers aren’t clear exactly how it works, but believe our smell receptors communicate with the brain to stimulate certain brain activities, and even hormone or enzyme changes.

Why use aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy has been used throughout history for many things such as relieving pain, relaxation, improving moods, and improving your overall health. Different scents can provide different effects, so you may want to try a few different smells to find out what works best for you!

How do I use aromatherapy in my hot tub?

Your hot tub is already a powerhouse for relaxation - hot bubbly water soothing aches and pains while those wonderful jets help relax sore muscles. Using a hot tub on it’s own has many benefits itself and can help you sleep and wind down for the day with that relaxation effect or even get you energized and ready to go in the morning! Adding aromatherapy to your hot tub can help increase these benefits and take your spa experience to new levels of relaxation!

Don’t Use: Essential Oils

Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular as an effective way to use aromatherapy in the home. However, these oils are not meant to be used inside a spa and can cause many problems if any amount, no matter how small, is added to the spa water. These oils act the same way as any oil would in your hot tub water and can easily clog your hot tub filters and create a myriad of water issues - not to mention leave an oily, scummy ring around your water line.

Try Instead: Liquid Spa Scents

When made specifically for your spa, liquid aromatherapy products will not affect your water chemistry or filters and can be used safely in your hot tub to experience the joys of aromatherapy in your hot water, and usually are available in similar scents as essential oils.

Don’t Use: Bath Bombs

Like essential oils and epsom salt (read more about epsom salt below), most bath bombs contain a wide range of ingredients that can alter your hot tub chemistry and cause a wealth of water issues, including essential oils and epsom salt themselves, plus other oils and thick substances or even flower petals.

Try Instead: SpaScents Bath Bombs

Designed as a safe bath fizz alternative, these spa bombs work just like an average bath bomb, except are specifically designed to be used in a hot tub without affecting water chemistry or causing any disruptive problems like usual bath bombs or fizzes.

Don’t Use: Epsom Salt

Epsom salts are frequently used for muscle relaxation in hot baths, so you’d think they would be a good addition to the spa. Unfortunately, like essential oils, these products are not meant to stay circulating in your hot tub water and can cause a host of issues. The main problem encountered with epsom salt is that it is mildly acidic, which rapidly wreaks havoc on your pH and alkalinity levels when added to the water. In addition to disrupting your perfect chemical balance, epsom salt has a high level of total dissolved solids (TDS) which can quickly cause cloudy water and overall can lead to scale buildup and internal spa damage.

Try Instead: Hot Tub Aromatherapy Crystals

Specifically formulated for your hot tub, aromatherapy crystals are similar to using epsom salt, and even include a trace amount of magnesium sulfate, in a hot tub safe formulation. They also come in a wide variety of scents so you can find the perfect scent for your use.

Aromatherapy is a fantastic addition to your spa, from using a bright peppermint smell in the morning to help wake up to soaking in deep relaxation before bed with relaxing lavender. Just make sure when using aromatherapy in your hot tub to always use products specifically designed to work with hot tubs and spas, for wonderful smelling clean, clear water.