AROMATHERAPY FOR HEALING
please click on chart to see list of oils.
Aromatherapy means
"treatment using scents". It is a holistic treatment of caring for the
body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and
peppermint. The essential oils are added to the bath or massaged into the skin,
inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room. Aromatherapy is used for
the relief of pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue and
invigorate the entire body. Essential oils can affect the mood, alleviate
fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they work on the
brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves.
The essential oils are
aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses
and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological
properties, which improve and prevent illness. There are about 150 essential
oils. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral,
anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. Other
properties of the essential oils which are taken advantage of in aromatherapy
are their stimulation, relaxation, digestion improvement, and diuretic
properties. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it should be made
from natural, pure raw materials. Synthetically made oils do not work.
Aromatherapy is one of the
fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home,
clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for
women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the
chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac
patients.
Aromatherapy is already
slowly getting into the mainstream. In Japan, engineers are incorporating aroma
systems into new buildings. In one such application, the scent of lavender and
rosemary is pumped into the customer area to calm down the waiting customers,
while the perfumes from lemon and eucalyptus are used in the bank teller
counters to keep the staff alert.
Essential oils stimulates the powerful sense of smell. It is known that odors we smell have a significant impact on how we feel. In dealing with patients who have lost the sense of smell, doctors have found that a life without fragrance can lead to high incidence of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. We have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells. It is believed that smells enter through cilia (the fine hairs lining the nose) to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning.
Studies with brain wave frequency has shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. Fragrance of Jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.
Scientific studies have also shown that essential oils contain chemical components that can exert specific effects on the mind and body. Their chemistry is complex, but generally includes alcohols, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and terpenes. The effect of these chemical components are summarized in the accompanying table.
Each essential oil contains as much as 100 chemical components, which together exert a strong effect on the whole person. Depending on which component is predominating in an oil, the oils act differently. For example, some oils are relaxing, some soothes you down, some relieves your pain, etc. Then there are oils such as lemon and lavender, which adapt to what your body needs, and adapt to that situation. (These are called "adaptogenic"). The mechanism in which these essential oils act on us is not very well understood. What is understood is that they affect our mind and emotions. They leave no harmful residues. They enter into the body either by absorption or inhalation.
A fragrance company in Japan conducted studies to determine the effects of smell on people. They have pumped different fragrances in an area where a number of keyboard entry operators were stationed and monitored the number of mistakes made as a function of the smell in the air. The results were as follows:
Who doesn't
love a massage?
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The use of essential oils in massage is a fantastic way to maximize the
healing power of the massage itself. When combined with essential oils, a
massage can have a powerful calming or energizing effect, depending on the
oil chosen and the strokes of the masseur (quick movements will stimulate
and slow movements relax). When
using essential oils in massage, always dilute the oils in a carrier oil
prior to application to the skin. As we've said before, essential oils are
very powerful concentrates, and unless indicated otherwise, should not be
directly applied to the skin or irritation can result. |
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Carrier Oils: |
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Carrier oils are just that. They are the oils that carry the essential
oil. There are a wide variety available including the following:
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The Massage: |
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Using a small funnel,
fill the container half full until you have about 1oz of carrier oil. To
the carrier oil, add 12-15 drops of essential oil and place the lid on the
container. Shake well (the container - not you!!). You can use only one
essential oil or combine up to three of your choice to comprise the 12-15
drops. And there you have it! Your very own blend of massage oil! Tip:
Make small quantities as outlined above or you may end up with leftovers -
blended oils will turn rancid fairly quickly. Store in a cool dark place
with the lid tightly closed and they will last up to three months. Let
your nose be your guide - if the blend no longer smells good, consider a
fresh mix! |
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WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS: BODY AND HAIR CARE Bath: fill the tub with bath water. Add & swish
9-10 drops of essential oil into the bath water. Some essential oils
are FOR YOUR SAFETY: o
Never take essential oils internally. o
Read about an essential oil before applying it. o
Essential oils are very concentrated substances and should be diluted
before applying them to the skin. Follow guidelines or recipes which
recommend a 2%-5% solution. o
Have a recipe’s concentration of essential oils when using with
children. Do not use essential oils with infants. o
Do not apply citrus essential oils, especially Bergamot before direct
exposure to the sun. These essential oils o
Essential oils are not soluble in water. Make sure you dilute or fully
disperse them when using water as a base. o
Essential oils can cause a prickly, irritating sensation to the skin. Do
not rub water on the area. Doing so will o
Keep essential oils away from your eyes. o
Keep essential oils out of the reach of children and animals. o
If skin irritation occurs or an allergic reaction occurs with any
essential oil or product with essential oils in it, o
Essential oils should not replace proper health care. If you are under
medical supervision consult with your health o
These suggestions for Your Safety are not to be considered complete and
all-inclusive.
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When
combining oils to be used in massage, have the proper supplies on hand.
Dark bottles (brown, blue, etc.) in a 2oz size work very well, and can be
obtained with relative ease.