AROMATHERAPY

What follows is a list of just some of the ways in which essential oils can be used , with their recommended qualities. There are many other methods not listed  which are described throughout these pages. There are articles on cooking , babies, children, gardening, pets, other domestic animals, celebrations and recommendations for general wellbeing and chosen lifestyles.

For example, the following chart has been broken down into three sections: body methods, water methods (hydrotherapy) and room methods. Although the quantities for the room methods can seem quite small , these are sufficient , and to gauge how strong the aroma really is prepare your method then leave the room, shutting the door behind you, and return in a few minutes. In this way your olfactory nerves  will get a true picture.

Entering a room filled with tobacco smoke for the first time as opposed to being in such a room for a while also has this different effect because we adjust so quickly to aromas. 

As prevention is better than cure, we start with a formula that reduces stress,improves the circulation and nervous system and also lowers blood pressure.

Heart Care Formula

Rosemary   1 drop
Hyssop       1 drop
Bergamot   1 drop

Use in a bath or in 1 teaspoon vegetable oil for self massage

in recent research carried out by Edinburgh University it was found that men who have had heart attacks of suffer from Angina have less essential fatty acids in their body than men with no heart trouble.

This implies that it is the lack of vegetable oils, fish and fresh green vegetables,rather than the over-consumption of saturated animal fats that causes the problems.

The two factors are of course related in that someone who uses butter regularly is unlikely to use polyunsaturated fats simply because he is already using one form of fat and none  of us  spreads our toast twice.

Also, if you have meat,which includes animal fat,for a meal that preludes you having fish. It's a question of choice,and in preventative heart care  it seems to make more sense to go for fish and vegetables  rather than steak and buttered baked potato. The researh is, however,merely a refinement on the old advice: lower your cholesterol intake.

Those who already have a heart problem,in addition to the above and following dietary advice, try to have an aromatherapy treatment once a month. If this isn't possible,adapt the self-massage techniques. Use essential oils at least once a week in your bath.

You might also like to look into chelation therapy which claims, by giving massive doses of vitamins, E,C,A,B-complex plus other vitamins,minerals and trace elements,to stimulate production of antibodies which break down the dangerous plaque coating the arteries.In China ginger has been known as a heart strengthner for thousands of years, and oil of ginger happens to be one of the essential oils recommended for use in heart care.

Choosinng from the two lists below, use the oils singly or in combinations - to a total of 5 drops in a bath, or a total of 30 drops per 30ml vegetable oil for the massage. You can create marvellously sensual aromas for youself that will also be doing you a great deal of good.

Heart Care Essential oils to stimulate circulation
Geranium-Rosemary-Rose Bulgar-Rose Maroc-Egyptian Rose-Hyssop-Black Pepper-Cardamon-Ginger

To alleviate stress and Strain
Bergamot-Clary-sage-Cypress-Basil

Many of these oils small spicy and masculine and are used in the most exclusive men's aftershaves and toiletries, and finding an oil or combination that suits your aroma preference won't be difficult.

Here is a formula you can try-either ina bath or massage oil. It is precisely because of heart-care considerations  that massage is always done working towards the heart, and in this case concentrate on your shoulders, the back of your neck, and both sides of your arms. This formula stimulates blood circulation  and strengthens the nervous system while dispelling anxieties and helping you to relax:

More Heart Care Formula
Cardamon    2 drops
Geranium     1 drop
Clary-Sage   2 drops
Bergamot     1 Drop
use in the bath or In 1 dessertspoon vegetable oil for a full body massage or In 1 teaspoon vegetable oil for self massage.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy; Valerie Ann Wormwood

Some of the health benefits of aromatherapy include its ability to reduceanxiety, easedepression, boost energy levels, speed up the healing process, eliminateheadaches, boost cognitive performance, inducesleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, improve digestion, and increase circulation.

Aromatherapy is a fascinatingalternative medicinethat involves the use of volatile plant materials, also known asessential oils, that can be aromatically inhaled by patients of a wide variety of health conditions. It is often used to improve mood, change cognitive states, and can also be utilized as a supplemental medicine.

Aromatherapy has been around in some form for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the 11th century when steam distillation first made it possible to properly remove the essential oils from plant materials. Since then, cultures around the world have utilized aromatherapy for a wide range of functions. Perhaps the most common countries to find aromatherapy being practiced would be inIndia, France, England, and the United States, although it can be found in dozens of other countries as well. There is more to it than simply using essential oils; aromatherapy can be quite complex, involving carrier oils, absolutes, herbal distillates, vaporizer oils, and phytoncides. These scientific elements would need an article in themselves to describe, so if you are getting involved in aromatherapy treatment, simply ask the administrator of the treatment for literature on the various components and applications.

An important element of aromatherapy is synergy, which is the combination of numerous essential oils that can actually create a more powerful effect than the oils would have on their own. This is why blending essential oils is such an important area of study for alternative healers, since the range of possibilities is almost endless. However, it is important to always do your consultation with trained aromatherapists, as some essential oils can  , and can actually be toxic if mixed improperly. Furthermore, most aromatherapytreatmentswith essential oils is diluted in a carrier oil of some kind, to make the effects slightly less potent. If you use too strong of aconcentrationof essential oils in aromatherapy, it can result in a wide range  of negative side effects

While there are an infinite number of combinations that have been tested and used around the world, not all of them would be approved or recommended by normal doctors. However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t legitimate or effective. That being said, you should pay close attention to your body and its reaction whenever you use aromatherapy as a therapeutic solution for a medical condition. Some of the most common health benefits of aromatherapy are explained in greater detail below.

Health Benefits of Aromatherapy

StressRelief:Perhaps the most widespread andpopular useof aromatherapy is for stress relief. The aromatic compounds from many different essential oils are known as relaxants and can help to soothe your mind and eliminate stress. -This is what most people who perform aromatherapy at home use it for, since the mixtures are very simple and the research on this aspect of aromatherapy is very well-known and widely studied. Some of the best essential oils for stress relief arelemon oil,lavender, bergamot, peppermint, vetiver, and ylang ylang essential oils. Certain studies have also shown thatlemonoil can improve mood and reduce outbursts of anger.

Antidepressant Capacity:Second to stress relief, aromatherapy is very commonly used toeliminate feelingsof depression, and due to the very complicated side effects of pharmaceutical Aromapsychology and Depression: this is a very important function of aromatherapy. While this is useful as a complementary treatment, psychological help or counseling should be sought out if depression continues or worsens. In terms of the best essential oils to use for reducing depression, most specialists suggest peppermint, chamomile, lavender, and jasmine.

Memory:One of the most frightening andwidespread diseasesaffecting older people is memory loss and the inability to form short term memories. While Alzheimer’s is still considered an incurable disease, there are certain ways to reduce or slow down the progression of the condition. Aromatherapy has often been turned to as an alternative or supplemental treatment fordementiaand Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have also shown the efficacy of aromatherapy on younger patients in terms of boosting their memory capacity for a certain amount of time after the treatment. This refreshing burst for the brain can be useful in all walks of life, no matter what age you are!Sage oil is the most commonly recommended oil for this sort of memory-enhancing effect.

Boost Energy Levels:We can all use more energy to get through the hectic daily tasks of modern life. However, stimulants likecoffee, cigarettes, energy pills, or even illegal substances can have very damaging effects on the body. While diet andexercisecan also help, many people turn to aromatherapy to put a bit more pep in their step. Many essential oils are known to increase circulation,raise energy levels, and generally stimulate the body and mind, without the dangerous side effects of other stimulating substances. The best essential oils for giving yourself an energy boost includeblack pepper,cardamom,cinnamon,clove, angelica, jasmine,teatree,rosemary, andsage.

Healing and Recovery:As stimulants, many essential oils can helpincrease the rate of healingthroughout the body. This can be due to increased oxygen and blood flow to wounds as well as more internal healing processes like those following surgeries or illness. The anti-microbial properties of certain essential oils also keep the body protected during these delicate healing stages of the body. Some of the most popular essential oils for speeding up the healing process of the body include lavender,calendula, rosehip, Everlasting, and buckthorn essential oils. A number of those same oils do more than heal wounds; they can also reduce the severity and discomfort fromskinconditions like psoriasis andeczema.

Headaches:Everyone gets headaches from time to time, and the bad ones can stop us dead in our tracks. Rather than relying on pharmaceuticals or dishing out a lot of money for an expensivemassage, aromatherapy can be a wonderful solution that can not onlyeliminate your currentheadache, but possibly reduce the stress, anxiety, or medical origin of your headaches to prevent them in the future. Some of the best essential oils that have been connected to reducing headaches andmigrainesare peppermint,eucalyptus, sandalwood, and rosemary essential oils. You can also mix these oils in a carrier oil and spread that oil onto your skin, scalp, neck, and temples. Some of the best carrier oils for headaches includealmond,avocado, coconut,apricotkernel, andsesame oils.

Sleep Aid:Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate or cause a huge range of medical conditions and can leave us feeling unproductive and devoid of energy. Luckily, aromatherapy comes through again and can provide us with a morebalanced sleep scheduleand can even realign our Circadian rhythms so our body naturally gets tired at an appropriate time, sleeps restfully through the night, and is energized in the morning to face the day. Some of the best essential oils for managing your sleeping habits and having a healthy, sedative effect on the body include lavender, chamomile, jasmine, benzoin, neroli, rose, sandalwood, sweet marjoram, and ylang ylang essential oils.

Immune System:It is far better to prevent than treat, as most medical professionals say, and aromatherapy can give you a seriousboostto your immune system if used properly. The anti-microbial effects, as well as the anti-fungal and antibacterial effects can protect you from any number of illnesses and infections that could damage your system. This area of aromatherapy is very popular and widely studied. Some of the most effective essential oils that boost your immune system includeoregano, frankincense, lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, andeucalyptus essential oils.

Pain Relief:Analgesicscan have a lot of different effects on the body as a side effect, even if they do relieve the pain. However, if aromatherapy can relieve dozens of different types of pain, then why not take advantage of it? Pain relief is one of the most useful applications of aromatherapy. The top essential oils, both for professional and personal use, include lavender, chamomile, clary sage, juniper, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils.

Digestion: Although this isn’t the most widely researched area of aromatherapy, digestive issues can certainly be treated by aromatherapy. It can easeconstipation, indigestion, bloating, and can speed up the metabolism sofoodis digested quicker. Citrus essential oils are normally the best fortreating digestive conditions, including lemon and orange, but there have also been some studies that have citedginger,dill,fennel, chamomile, clary sage, and lavender as being effective as well.

Whatever your condition, and whatever essential oils you choose to use, always consult your doctor before embarking on a new treatment plan. Also, be sure to only acquire essential oils from approved sources and don’t attempt to mix and use oils unless you have been trained as a professional aromatherapist. Happy Inhaling!

Reference:Organicacts

Although rational medicine declined in Europe after these early beginnings, it still continued in China and India. The Arabs, whose civilization advanced from the fourth century AD, were also keeping the scientific spirit alive. An Arab was one of the founders  of the famous medical school at Salerno, near Naples and the Arabian physician Avicenna`s book, Canon of Medicine, published in the eleventh century, remained a standard work until the mid-sixteenth century. Avicenna was also  thought to be responsible  for the invention of distillation as a means of extracting essences from plants,  and many of his principles  are still in use today.

Great explorers and colonisers, the Arabs spread their knowledge  throughout the known world. they were also great traders, and to a large extent  were responsible for introducing many new plants from the East-spices in particular-which were used both in cooking and medicine.

TheMiddle Ages in Europe, stretching from roughly the sixth century to the Renaissance in the fourteenth-century was not an inspired time in terms ofmedical advance. A few lone voices were heard, though -one of them was that of the thirteenth-century Abbess of Bingen, St Hildegarde, who wrote four treatises on medicinal plants. The works are still referred to today.

The Black Death, which hit Europe in the early fourteenth century, destroyed between a third and a half of Europe´s population, contemporary medicine offering no more advice than to carry aromatic herbal pomanders, or burn aromatics in houses and at the corners of the streets. This was aromatherapeutic in theory, of course, but it was too little and too late.

With the Renaissance came the years of the great explorations. Christopher Columbus, unusually  for this time, believed the world was round, and that he could reach the East-and its wealth of spices-by sailing to the West. He landed in 1492 in what he thought were the East Indies-in reality the Bahamas. it was from the opening up of America that many new plant species were introduced to Europe. The stimulant coca leaves chewed by the Incas were introduced from South America; and other plants used medicinally by the natives and the North American Indians, such as the balsams or baumes  (of Canada and Peru), entered the European pharmacopoeiae.  

Reference: Aromatherapy: The Encyclopedia of Plants and Oils and How They Help You: Daniele Ryman