Aromatherapy
Maybe you've heard of aromatherapy, but you know little to nothing about what it is or the benefits it can provide. Aromatherapy uses plant aromatics for the holistic healing of mind, body, and spirit. It combines the physical and emotional effects of gentle massage with the medical and psychotherapeutic properties of essential oils. Together with a well-balanced diet, enough exercise, and a daily intake of plenty of spring water or herbal teas, aromatherapy helps to keep our bodies in top condition.
Aromatherapy not only relaxes and improves mood but it also is a successful treatment for many minor disorders for which doctors cannot always find a solution. With the correct combination of scents, you can stimulate the immune system, ease muscular aches and pains to promote muscle relaxation and tone, lower blood pressure, reduce stress levels, and combat insomnia and other stress related disorders.
Many essential oils are also superb skin care agents and can heal medical disorders such as athlete's foot and cold sores. What are essential oils, you might ask? Essential oils are concentrated aromatic plant extracts, usually collected through a process of steam or oil distillation. Orange-flower water and lavender water are 2 essential oils produced during oil distillation. They can be used in hair and scalp formulas to improve the circulation of the scalp, prevent dandruff and promote healthy hair growth. Aromatherapy is also extremely useful as a first aid measure for all the little accidents most likely to happen at home (such as minor burns and cuts) and common problems like sore throat or a stuffy nose.
In addition, common methods of using oils include inhalation, vaporization, massage, bathing, and compresses. Essential oils, except in rare exceptions, should never be applied directly to the skin in an undiluted form. Follow the following directions to receive the benefits of aromatherapy in your health regime.
Steam Inhalation
Add two drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Covering your head and bowl of water with a towel, inhale the healing vapors.
Vaporization
Four to five drops of a single oil or combination of oils are sufficient. To scent a room, place the drops in a vaporizer or in a small container of water set on a radiator. You can also place a drop or two onto a light bulb. For individual therapy you can place a drop or two of oil onto a tissue or pillowcase.
Baths
For relaxation, pleasure, stress relief, or soothing achy muscles, a soak in bath water that has been treated with a few drops of essential oils is a delight.
Personal Care
Treat yourself by adding romantic oils to your skin lotions, face creams, and mild shampoos.
Massage
Essential oils are blended into a base oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed oil.
Compresses
Applying essential oil compresses is an effective way of relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
Common Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy
Calming/Refreshing: Sandlewood, Geranium, Lemon, Orange
Romantic: Grapefruit, Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang
Joyful: Sandlewood, Ylang Ylang, Orange, Bergamot, Cinnamon
Energizing: Grapefruit, Palma Rosa, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Basil, Lemon
Relaxing: Geranium, Clary Sage, Lemon, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Lavender
Soothing: Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, Geranium, Chamomile
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