AROMATHERAPY Tips

Aromatherapy is the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. Find out the various benefits of aromatherapy.

WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY???

Aromatherapy is the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. This it is a treatment using fragrance from different kinds of essential oils. Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs are believed to offer both psychological and physical benefits; not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) of the essential oil are drawn into the lungs and can also supply physical benefit.

Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has proven therapeutic benefits for a variety of conditions.

Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has proven therapeutic benefits for a variety of conditions.

*Emotion based benefits
Depression Frustration
Grief Hysteria
Anxiety Insomnia
Lack of Concentration Irritability
Fear Poor Memory
Hopelessness Moodiness
Panic Attacks Nervous Tension
Sadness Worry

*Medicinal benefits
Bruises / Sprains / Strains
Burns (including sunburn)
Wounds and Scars
Nervousness / Tension / Stress
Motion Sickness o Fatigue
Respiratory Conditions including colds, flu, sore throat, asthma and bronchitis
Purifying the Air
Muscular aches and pains
Fungal infections such as athletes foot and nail fungus
Reduce skin inflammation
Enhance wound healing
Digestive disorders such as Constipation

*Skincare benefits
Dermatitis Stretch Marks
Eczema Acne
Psoriasis Mature Skin
Varicose Veins o Dry Skin
Cellulite Wrinkles
Enhanced wound healing
Antifungal activity
Antibacterial activity

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Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts which are distilled from a variety of aromatic plant material including grasses, leaves, flowers, needles & twigs, peel of fruit, wood and roots. Specific essential oils have their own special properties to heal specific ailments. You can use essential oils as compresses, in a bath, in a massage, or in steam inhalators.

The Top 20 Essential Oils are as under:

Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus or Eucalyptus radiata: Eucalyptus has a refreshing effect on the nervous system and is useful in treating tiredness, poor concentration & headaches. It is also helpful in treating respiratory problems, such as coughs, colds, and asthma. Also helps to boost the immune system, and relieve muscle tension. Its antibiotic properties make it helpful in the treatment of skin infections, wounds, herpes and ulcers.

Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata: Ylang ylang has a calming effect on the nervous system and is useful for treating anxiety, stress, depression & tension. Helps one to relax, and can reduce muscle tension. Ylang ylang is an excellent aphrodisiac for both men & women. It is also very beneficial in balancing the sebum secretions of the skin and is suitable for both dry and oily skin types.

Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens: The cooling and calming effect of geranium make it useful in treating anxiety, palpitations and panic attacks. Helps to balance hormones in women. It is good for balancing the sebum secretions of the skin and is suitable for both dry and oily skin types. Can be both relaxing and uplifting, as well as antidepressant.

Peppermint, Mentha piperita: Useful in treating headaches, muscle aches, digestive disorders such as slow digestion, indigestion, belching, diarrhoea, food poisoning, nausea, morning sickness, travel sickness and flatulence. It is useful for treating coughs, spasmodic coughs, asthma, sinusitis, head colds & migraine.

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia: Its cooling effect relaxes the mind and body, and also useful in treating wounds, burns, and skin care. It is very useful to treat irritability, depression, insomnia, hysteria, shock and nervous tension.

Lemon, Citrus limon: Very uplifting, yet relaxing. Helpful in treating wounds, infections, and house cleaning and deodorizing.

Jasmine, Jasminum officinale: It is a very relaxing and anti depressant oil. Jasmine is excellent aphrodisiac oil and is also beneficial for menstrual cramps. It helps relieve labour pain.

Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea: Natural pain killer, helpful in treating muscular aches and pains. Very relaxing, and can help with insomnia. Also very helpful in balancing hormones. It has hypotensive properties and can be used to treat high blood pressure.

Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia: Tea tree is a germicidal & antibacterial oil, good for treating all sorts of fungal infections including vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, athletes foot, and ringworm. Also helps to boost the immune system. It is very useful in treating respiratory infections like colds & flu.

Cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylancium: Cinnamon, a stimulating & tonifying oil, is useful for strengthening and tonifying the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. The strong antiseptic properties of cinnamon make it good for treating colds & flu.

Roman Chamomile, Anthemus nobilis: Very relaxing, and can help with sleeplessness and anxiety. Also good for muscle aches and tension. Useful in treating wounds and infection.

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis: Very stimulating and uplifting, good to help mental stimulation as well as to stimulate the immune system. Very good for muscle aches and tension. Stimulating to the digestive system. Rosemary is also used in the treatment of colds, flu & coughs. Its aphrodisiac properties make it very beneficial in the treatment frigidity.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum: It is relaxing and uplifting and is an ideal remedy for mental fatigue, headaches & insomnia. Helpful to women who have PMS problems.

Clove, Syzgium aromaticum: It is a powerful antiseptic and is very useful in treating infectious diseases and septic wounds & ulcers. Its anti-neuralgic properties make it very useful for soothing the pain of toothache or an abscess.

Chamomile, Matricaria recutica: Chamomile is soothing and calming oil and helps relieve insomnia, irritability and nervousness. Helps to balance hormones in women and is a good treatment of menstrual cramps. Its anti inflammatory and soothing properties make it very suitable for allergic skin conditions.

Sandalwood, Santalum album: Sandalwood is a calming and relaxing oil which helps calm anxiety, aids meditation and soothes the nervous system. Sandalwood is also very useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections like cystitis, gonorrhea & smelly discharges. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it very soothing for dry itching and inflamed skin.

Carrier oil is a base oil, used when essential oils are used for massages. Since essential oils are so powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. To apply essential oils to the skin, "carrier oils" which are pure vegetable oils are used to dilute the essential oils and "carry" them to the skin. Base oils are normally pure vegetable oils such as almond, olive oil or sunflower seed. Following are a few carrier oils.rs.

Wheat germ oil:It is rich in protein and in vitamins B and E. It is suitable for dry, damaged, ageing skin and will help to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Do not use wheat germ oil if you have a wheat allergy.

Avocado oil:It is rich in vitamins A, B, and D and all of these vitamins are good for skin problems.

Jojoba oil:It is not oil, but rather a wax from fruit of the desert plant simmondsia chinensis. The wax is useful as a base for hair oils. It is a balancing oil, good for treating acne & oily skin as well as dry & dehydrated skin.

Soya oil: It is very nourishing and easily absorbed oil. Soya oil can be used in a massage for Acne sufferers.

Olive oil: Contains useful levels of the essential fatty acid alpha linoleic acid. It is particularly beneficial for treating rheumatism, aches & pains and dry or inflamed skin.

Sunflower oil: Sunflower oil contains Vitamins A, B, D & E. it makes an excellent massage oil base.

Almond Oil: It is non-irritant to most skin types and is easily absorbed by the skin (its specially good for itchy skin conditions).

Hot compresses:
Hot compresses can be used for migraine headaches, sinus headaches and sore muscles. Recommended oils are rosewood, peppermint and neroli. To prepare a hot compress, add a few drops of oil to a bowl of very hot water. Soak a clean cloth or bandage in the water. Wring out excess water, and place the cloth over affected area. Repeat this step as often as necessary.

Hot Bath:
A hot bath with four to six drops of oil will not only help soothe skin and relieve mucus buildup in the lungs but will also relax the mind and body and relieve tension. Recommended oils are rosemary, grapefruit, and sandalwood. Hot Bath with essential oils can have profound effects on the healing of skin disorders, alleviating muscular aches and pains, enhancing respiratory functions, reducing levels of stress, as well as increasing and supporting blood and lymph circulation.

Aromatherapy Massage:
An aromatherapy massage relieves tension and stress in the body. Recommended oils for a body massage are rosemary, basil, cedarwood, lemon and sandalwood.

Steam Inhalation:
Steam inhalation helps to clear the lungs and sinuses of congestion and infection. This method will affect the respiratory and blood supply immediately. Bring 2 cups of water to boil, reduce heat and let water cool for 5-10 minutes. Add 2-5 drops of essential oil (or a combination of 2-3 essential oils). Inhale vapors for 5-10 minutes. You can also place a towel over your head to increase concentration. Inhalations can be used 2-3 times a day in treatment of specific respiratory disorders. Recommended oils for steam inhalation are grapefruit, cinnamon, eucalyptus and tea tree oil.

NOTE: If you are using an essential oil for the first time, be sure to do a skin patch test, to avoid any allergic reaction. To test, put a drop of oil on a cotton ball and apply it to the inside of the arm, the back of your wrist or under the arm. Place a band aid over the patch and leave for 24 hours. If there is a reaction, such as itching or redness, do not continue to use.