Aromatherapy

Archive for November, 2008

When you feel anxious, or seriously stressed, you can’t operate as well. Your home, family and work life suffers. You aren’t yourself and everyone around you feels as though they have to tread lightly or else they fear they’ll set you off. Nobody likes to feel this way but there is something you can do about it. Aromatherapy and anxiety have often gone hand and hand. By using certain aromatherapy scents, you can relieve anxiety and stress and you can go back to being the normal you. Your friends, family and coworkers will thank you for it and you’ll feel better and more able to tackle the world and all its problems.

Various Means

Aromatherapy and anxiety relief doesn’t necessarily have to come from candles, though this is a great way to go about it. By using a lavender scented aromatherapy candle, you will begin to feel relaxed, especially when used in conjunction with a hot bath, or other aromatherapy scents. Aromatherapy and anxiety relief can also come from incense sticks, oils, aromatherapy herb filled neck wraps and more. Using all of these products in combination or even just one by itself, can send you into a deeply relaxed state, which is essential for stress and anxiety relief.

When you learn about aromatherapy and anxiety relief, you will learn about the various herbs and what action and reaction they are intended to bring about. There are aromatherapy scents to ease pain, to rejuvenate the body and senses and there are even aromatherapy scents designed to enhance a romantic experience. To learn more about aromatherapy and anxiety relief, you can pick up one of the many books on the subject, you can search online or you can take an aromatherapy course. Taking a course will open new opportunities for you, such as being able to go into business for yourself to make money off your aromatherapy and anxiety relief knowledge.

So, the next time you feel really stressed and anxious, don’t make others around you feel uncomfortable and don’t think that you have to remain that way until it fades. Because the fact is, it may never fade, not unless you address it. It’s not natural to feel as stressed as we sometimes do and that’s why it’s imperative to do something about it, such as using aromatherapy and it’s anxiety relieving properties, so that we can go back to living and enjoying life.

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Aromatherapy is making a positive impact in the world today, and as it becomes popular more and more people are starting to believe in the power of aroma and smell to heal illness and disease. So by using liquid plant extract (essential oils), we can change a persons mental or physical health in a very positive way. The different plant extracts can be blended together to help many types of illness, including stress.

The three basic styles of aromatherapy:

1. Home aromatherapy.
2. Clinical.
3. Aromachology

We will discuss each of these 3 types of aromatherapy in this article and this will hopefully serve as an overview of this topic.

Clinical aromatherapy:

A knowledge of plant extracts and their synergistic effects on the body is required for making decisions in the clinical use of aromatherapy.  It is very important to know the correct dosage and duration of the oil in terms of which essential oils to use for a treatment.

Nevertheless, aromatherapy it is regarded as a "complementary treatment" to the main stream health practices, and is seen as legitimate healing discipline by many doctors. It is also very unlikely that aromatherapy will be used as a treatment in any major clinical facilities,  It is more likely you will find it in use at some of the more holistic healing centers in your area. At this time it would probably be better to only use aromatherapy as a complement to excepted medical treatments, until the medical proof is established to enable it to be used as a comprehensive treatment.

Using aromatherapy in the home:

The statement “home aromatherapy” is used to describe the use of the essential oils and other materials in a very basic way. This is often the technique used when a person is stressed and is in need of relaxation,  aromatherapy massage will most definitely help here. Some of the oils used in home aromatherapy include essential oils such as lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, grapefruit oil and also absolutes. Absolutes are oils extracted from aromatic butter’s, one that is very well-liked and successful is rose absolute. Rosewater is another popular essence used in aromatherapy at home. This is known as a hydrosol because it is the by product in aqueous form from a distillation process.

Aromachology:

This is described as the study of how a variety of plant extracts used in aromatherapy actually affects the brain and the physiological makeup of the human body. Simply put, it is about how we act and react to individual fragrances and how our body and brain reacts when we experience them.

Therefore, by studying the effects that smell and aroma has on human  behavior, aromachology can confirm what benefits will be offered to modern medicine in the future. The medical field already know that some plants act as stimulants while other create a relaxing affect.

There are many great benefits of using aromatherapy and essential oils and some of the benefits may have never crossed your mind. Did you know that the right kind of essential oils can help with acne and skin blemishes? It is true—you can use essential oils to help your skin look and feel great. Here are some tips you need to know. Why not try natural remedies before you invest in expensive medications and doctor visits?

First of all, you need to understand a little more about aromatherapy before you start using it. You can essential oils in a variety of ways, but when you use them right, you can use them directly on your skin. You can also inhale the scents for added benefit. There has been a lot of research into acne and skin blemishes when it comes to essential oils. It works.

The next thing you need to know when you want to help you skin acne is what kind of oils are the right ones to use. You need to know that some of these oils that can help acne are very strong, so you will use them with a carrier, lotion, soap or cream if you plan to use them directly on your skin. If you use pure essential oil on your skin, it can cause allergies and serious skin irritations.

Do your research so you can know which ones are right. Tea tree oil is a very popular and effective essential oil that can help your skin. In fact, tea tree oil acts as a natural antiseptic, so it can kill bacteria on your face. Tea tree oil is widely available and research shows that it is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide. They are both effective, however, tea tree oil gets the added bonus of being all natural.

Of course tea tree oil is not the only type of essential oil that works for acne and skin blemishes. Lavender and peppermint are especially helpful and effective. Jasmine, which is known for it’s sweet, floral scent can also combat acne. Sandlewood is also very good for this purpose.

Knowing how to use these oils is just as important as knowing which ones to use, too. You can head off to your local whole foods market or natural healing center and find great products made with these essential oils. You can also find essential oil blends that work well. Many of these are ready made products that you can rub on your skin or shower or bathe with. Of course, you can also make your very own product. Aloe is a good carrier when you want to use it for your face or body. You can actually mix a little aloe, along with your choice of oil and purified water. Spray this on the affected area.

When you suffer from acne and skin blemishes, then you will want to look into treating it naturally with essential oils. This is the best way to treat your skin.

There are many roles that aromatherapy can play in your health. One of the great uses of essential oils includes using aromatherapy during labor and delivery. Many women like the idea of giving birth the natural way. You want to bring your child into the world in a safe, relaxed world and when you opt to give birth the natural way, then aromatherapy can play a positive and helpful role.

What is aromatherapy? If you have never used essential oils or aromatherapy, there is no time like the present to start. Aromatherapy is using essential oils with a carrier or in a diffuser to help create a relaxed or even invigorating environment. When you choose your essential oils, you will pick them for their healing properties—and each one has their own unique properties. Essential oils can be used in candles, massages and even just to scent the air. Used in child birth, the right essential oils can help relax the mind and body and even help reduce labor pains when used correctly.

Before you begin using any essential oils, it is important for you to understand a little more abotut them. Many people find that the smell of essential oils to be highly personal. What works for one person may not affect another person in the same way. Therefore, before you go into labor, it is always best to experiment a little with essential oils so you can find the ones that you like the best. In addition, it is important to remember the essential oils are highly concentrated and some people may have allergic reactions to them. Mix one drop with a carrier and test on your skin before using it. You will also find that some essential oils should never be used when you are pregnant, so use caution and do your research before investing money.

There are a couple of ways to effectively use essential oils during childbirth and labor. Many women enjoy a good massage during childbirth. Mix your favorite essential oils with a carrier, such as sweet almond oil and have your partner massage your aching body. This can help soothe your painful labor pains and help relax your mind and you body. You can also light candles in the room. Find a good mix of the essential oils that you enjoy and burn them. Inhale the scents for relaxing feeling. You can also put your favorite essential oils in a diffuser for added benefit.

If you are having trouble deciding on the right kind of essential oils to use during childbirth, then you might want to look into some of the following, which are known to help. There are a variety of citrus oils such as grapefruit, lemon, orange and bergamot that are wonderful. Rosemary, lavender and chamomile are known for their relaxing effects on the mind and the body. Neroli and rose can both serve as an anti-depressant, which will make them great to use after child birth. Ylang ylang, which does have a very distinct scent can actually help lower blood pressure.

Many of us have early childhood memories, perhaps even fond ones, of antiseptics. Grandma getting the bottle of iodine tincture to dab a little on our wounds, with an almost reassuring “this will only hurt a little.” Followed by the true reassurance of a few M&M’s. Now we have the tools to make these memories even more fond for our children; imagine their recollection of a dab of Lavender and a bribe of a strawberry fruit roll – that might not even hurt at all. Here’s a review of the antimicrobial nature of essential oils, and some simple home remedies to use aromatherapy as part of your natural health and wellness program at home.

It turns out that nature has been doing a remarkable job of therapeutic blending of essential oils as antiseptics. Plants have evolved these volatile chemical mixtures called essential oils in-part as defense mechanisms against bacteria, viruses and fungi. The antiseptic properties of the oils provide the plant with protection from disease and microscopic invaders. We have significant advantages in using oils for our own microbial defense as humans: The defense mechanisms of plants have been evolving throughout history; these mechanisms are up-to-date with the evolution of the microbes being defended against. Combinations of chemical constituents found in essential oils have been shown in laboratory studies to be some of the most potent antibacterial agents available today.

Research exists describing the effective, broad-spectrum of antimicrobial action from essential oils, yet it is important to select the right oils in the right amounts. Topical application of Oregano may be the best solution for a case of stubborn nail fungus, yet this is far too intense for use on soft tissue of any kind, particularly for children. Often, home mand formuals of a potent antiseptic with a known soothing oil can improve the overall effectiveness. Here we will briefly profile these highly-regarded oils, and look at some recipes and methods of application: Tea Tree (Maleluca alternafolia), Lavender (Lavendula angistifolia), Oregano (Oregano vulgar), Geranium (Geranium asperum) and Lemon. (Citrus limon).

Tea Tree may be the hands-down most popular antiseptic essential oil. Tea Tree is a must for every natural first aid kit for the home. One of the safest and most effective ways of controlling minor infections is the immediate intervention action of Tea Tree. Tea tree’s tolerability allows it to be used for longer periods of time without the slightest irritation. A drop on a Band-Aid can keep the reddening indication of infection from children’s cuts and scrapes, and when combined with Lavender, makes a soothing rendition of popular over-the-counter antibacterials. Tea tree can also be used directly on minor wounds for those with less sensitive skin, and is highly useful as an acne treatment – some individuals can use it ‘neat’, while others should dilute it in Hazelnut oil (a ‘non-oily’ base oil that will not exacerbate an over-oily skin condition).

Lavender essential oil is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory (AND stress reducer, especially for kids), and is helpful in the healing of small burns, cuts and insect bites. Lavender is a brilliant soothing agent for nearly every situation; its aroma will bring calm – a useful effect in many situations where an antiseptic is required. For healing unbroken skin such as burns, apply Lavender ‘neat’ to the wound several times a day; insect bites also get a ‘neat’ treatment. For cuts and scrapes, keep a one-to-one blend of Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils available for the best all-purpose antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving solution. for the young ones. This soothing, antiseptic formula can be applied directly to the skin in small amounts, or applied to dressings before application.

When more serious antibacterial action is necessary, natural medicine professionals turn to Oregano essential oil. Oregano’s use in day-to-day applications are relatively limited due to its extreme potency – it should not be used topically except under the advice of a qualified practitioner, and then only in low dilutions for a limited period of time. Oregano is being studied extensively, however, for its potential use as a natural, effective antibiotic – particularly as many dangerous bacteria become resistant to pharmaceutical preparations. Oregano capsules are available at many health-food stores, and may be of use for systemic infections such as of the candida fungus or other bacteria; if you feel you or a family member could benefit from such immune system support, consult a qualified medical professional for advice.

With a softer aroma and gentle effect on skin, Geranium is versatile choice for frequent use. Harmonizing and balancing, Geranium essential oil has the quality of equalizing hormonal and emotional extremes. These properties extends to the skin, where it creates balance between oily and dry states; Geranium helps to cleanse the skin while restoring balance, tone, and suppleness (experiment with your skin care formulas at concentrations between one and three percent of your base mixture). A non-drying, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and general tonic, Geranium is traditionally indicated as a remedy for acne, dermatitis, eczema, and weeping wounds. The ‘asperum’ species is generally considered the most potent Geranium for its antimicrobial action, with a wonderful sweet and herbaceous aroma.

Lemon essential oil is a powerful antiseptic and bactericide that performs many tasks around the house, as well as for your health. Lemon has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system, additionally providing relief from insect bites and tension headaches. Use this pleasant antimicrobial blend with confidence to clean counter tops, windows, and door handles: two drops each of Lemon, Pine, and Eucalyptus Radiata essential oils in four ounces of distilled or spring water. Keep a spray bottle of this solution handy for your day-to-day cleaning; it’s not only an effective antiseptic, but its aroma will bring a smile to your face.

These are but a sampling of the antiseptic and antimicrobial essential oils available. They are easy to use, and offer a excellent means of bringing natural medicines and cleaners into your life. Many oils have specific action against certain microbes; if you or a friend or loved one needs more directed treatment, seek the advice of a licensed or degreed natural health professional, and consult a doctor to ensure the safety of any complimentary essential oil application. The acceptance of essential oils as valid medicines continues to grow. If you’re new to the field, dive in with some of the suggestions here – you’re sure to enjoy these great gifts of nature.