Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils
extracted from plants for many uses- physically, mentally, and psychologically.
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years- stemming back to Egypt
where they would use it for perfume, makeup, and even as an aphrodisiac. The
Chinese culture would use it for more spiritual purposes, such as providing
harmony and balance. By the 15th & 16th centuries, essential oils were used for
medicinal and apothecary purposes. Now it is known that aromatherapy can
honestly help just about any condition under the sun. Yet, not as many know
about it as you would think.
So, how does aromatherapy work? Well, we humans
have a strong sense of smell and certain aromas can have a big impact on how we
feel. What happens is the molecules from the oils are immediately exposed to
our nose and reaches what is called our Olfactory nerves in the nasal cavity,
which is directly connected to the brain. In smelling the aroma of the oil or
oils, it will send a message to the brain, depending on the oil’s qualities and
purpose, not to mention its effects when used on the body.
Oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting,
cooling, warming, revitalizing, and stress-relieving- just to name a few of
their influences. They can also help soothe muscles and joints, heal scars and
dry skin, ease symptoms for allergies, colds & flu, and even be detoxifying
and help boost our immune system.
They can be used in a variety of ways- topical
application, in a mist or spritzer for aromatic use, evaporation or diffusing.
You can also find essential oils such as Lavender and Tea Tree in many health
& beauty products such as shampoo, soap, and even makeup because of their
versatile beneficial properties. Most cleaning products contain citrus oils,
such as lemon, because of its anti-bacterial elements. And yes, some oils are
used for cooking & baking too!
Using aromatherapy with your massage or alone
can help improve your quality of life in so many ways. Whatever condition,
ailment, or adversity you face, essential oils are bound to find you relief. Of
course there are always precautions when using essential oils, and avoiding the
use of specific essential oils if you have a condition that can be worsened by
their use. And results do vary, but finding the right blend and if used
properly on a regular basis, aromatherapy can naturally help improve your
well-being.
That’s why I have taken a special aromatherapy
course and am constantly studying and learning about essential oils. I know
when essential oils shouldn’t be used, as well as the right combination blends
and application use for each particular need.
Common Useful Oils:
You always hear about Lavender in just about
everything- well, that’s because it does just about everything! It’s calming,
helps with stress, eases muscle & joint pain, assists in respiratory and
nasal congestion relief, improves mood, and relieves burns. Some specific
conditions it’s used for are Arthritis, Asthma, Cold & Flu, ADHD, and
Depression.
Another infamous oil is Tea Tree. It is found
to be an excellent antiseptic, as well as partnering up with lavender to
relieve symptoms of bronchitis, asthma, colds & flu. It is also great for
cuts, wounds, insect bites & acne, not to mention having anti-fungal
properties as well.
Lemon is a great anti-bacterial oil. The best
household cleaners contain this essential oil, not just for the great smell.
This is one oil that can be used in cooking and baking instead of lemon
extract, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Ever heard of Scurvy?
It was a disease sailors contracted from lack of Vitamin C, so they used lemons
and oranges to cure them. All citrus contains Vitamin C, also known as Absorbic
Acid. Another great use is for oily- and blemish-prone skin. Any citrus
oil is going to cause photo-sensitivity, so sun exposure should be avoided if
applied to skin.
Those three oils are the most common because
they have so many beneficial properties and are some of the least harmful. So
these are definitely a few of must-haves in your own medicine cabinet, not to
mention Eucalyptus, Chamomile, and Rosemary. But there are hundreds of
different essential oils, and some oils are extracted differently or grown in
different climates which will give those different qualities and properties.
*Important precautions to take with essential oils:*
Aromatherapy is a rapidly growing self-care practice, but it is picking up so much popularity that it is becoming a fad with lack of knowledge on the subject, and it is not something to use lightly.
First of all, it is very important to at least have a very thorough informational book handy such as The The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. Even better than that, I *highly* recommend taking a class from a certified professional. They will know the chemistry precautions to take with blending as well as application, interactions with drugs and allergies.
Also, make sure you do your research and footwork on buying quality essential oils. Essential oils need to be obtained from plants grown around the world, because of the difference in climate, soil and conditions in which they would thrive alter their chemical properties and potency. They can also be extracted in different methods and different parts of the plant used can change the whole constitution of the oil.
Purchasing from a company that is reliable will not be very well-known unless you are amongst the hardcore aromatherapy crowd. These companies test all of their oils for potency and purity. You can even request to see the test results if they are not already available online. I do not recommend purchasing from work-from-home company consultants, as while they may do their research, they have not had formal training and there is a lot of liability on the line.
As long as you take the right precautions, aromatherapy can be such an amazing health benefit for the mind, body and spirit.
transferred- original post date 04/17/2011
