Aromatherapy
The Healing Power of Scent
Learn what aromatherapy is, how it enhances health and wellbeing, the use of simple home treatments.
Disclaimer: The following material is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. All of the following recommendations are believed to be effective, but since the actual use of essential oils by others is beyond the author’s control, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of their use can be given and no liability taken.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to assist in bringing the body back to its original state of wholeness. Before I elaborate further, I believe that it is important to explain what an “essential oil” is, and what it is not.
Essential oils are ultra concentrated; taking pounds of dried herbs, leaves, roots or plant stems to produce a mere ounce of the plant, herb, or roots “essence.” Essential oils are the most important group of chemical molecules in plants that make smells what they are. True essential oils are those which have been collected through a process of steam distillation.
Herbal infused oils are not to be confused with essential oils. Infused oils are made of herbal or plant products which are left to cool in warm oil. The leaves and plant by-products are then strained leaving a fragrant oil. This includes some of the fragrant oils sold at many beauty boutiques and swap meets. Fragrant oils can also include a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or almond oil. Read the bottle label carefully to ensure that you are purchasing a true essential oil.
It is also important to read the bottle label to make sure that there were no chemical additives added into the oil. Some oils out in the market place are extracted with industrial chemicals such as hexane and should be used with caution. If you see anything listed in the ingredients other than 100% pure essential oil, then it is not the real thing.
How To Use Aromatherapy To Enhance Health
So how are essential oils used and how do they enhance health and wellbeing? In Aromatherapy the nose knows and its “scent-sational”! When scent molecules stimulate the smell receptors in the nose they set off an impulse that travels along the nerves that connect to the olfactory bulb. The aroma is then carried to the brain stimulating or calming the body, or perhaps even imparting feelings of peace and harmony to the entire physical and spiritual being. The definition of "aromatherapy" now is quite clear.
Modern research has found that essential oils contain the following qualities: antiviral, anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antinuerologic, antidepressant, analgesic, sedative, digestive, circulatory-stimulant, and diuretic. This is just a small sampling of the qualities of essential oils.
“One of the most satisfactory aspects of using essential oils medicinally and cosmetically is that they enter and leave the body with great efficiency, leaving no toxins behind. The most effective way to use essential oils is not orally as one my think, but by external application or inhalation. The methods used include body oils, compresses, cosmetic lotions, baths – including sitz, hand and foot baths – hair rinses, inhalation (by steam, direct from the bottle or from a tissue) perfumes, room sprays, and a whole range of room methods.” Valerie Ann Woorwood, Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy.
Professional aromatherapy is usually combined with massage. Massage’s effects are magnified when combined with aromatherapy. The beneficial effect of essential oils on blood circulation is well founded. The increase of blood flow in the tissues improves the immune systems efficiency and decreases blood viscosity.
Some essential oils are ingested in the body in teas, water or other liquids such as wines or vinegars. The oils powerful elixirs; pure essences presented in their most potent, concentrated form. A drop or two of peppermint oil in hot or cold water can help an upset stomach. A drop or two of ginger in a cup of hot water can help to improve circulation or to help ease gas, and a few drops of eucalyptus in a cup of hot water with honey can help to break up chest congestion. Warning: check the labels on your particular brand of essential oil to see if your brand of oil is consumable. Some essential oils are consumable in their herb or plant form but are toxic in their essential oil form. Stay clear of ingesting essential oils of bitter almond, cumin, yellow or brown camphor, genet (Spanish broom), hyssop, mace, narcissus, nutmeg, rue, Brazilian sassafras, tonka, and wormwood. Know your essential oils and their characteristics, and always study and essential oil before ingesting it.
10 Essential Oils and Their Uses
The following ten essential oils are helpful “primary care” oils for your basic aromatherapy healthcare kit.
Lavender: Lavender oil is used as an aromatic, a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, nervine and detoxifier.
Geranium: Geranium oil is an antiseptic, antioxidant, astringent, ad sedative.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus oil is an antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and external analgesic.
Rosemary: Rosemary oil is a stimulant, antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.
Lemon: Lemon oil is used as an aromatic, antibacterial, and antiseptic.
Peppermint: Peppermint oil is used as a digestive aid, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant.
Tea Tree: Tea Tree oil is an effective ancient multipurpose oil used by the aboriginal people of Australia. It is used as an antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and stimulant.
Chamomile: There are several varieties of chamomile oil, but in general it is used as a antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, diuretic, and sedative.
Thyme: As with chamomile, there are many varieties of thyme oil. Thyme oil is used as a diuretic, antiseptic, antiviral, antibiotic, and general stimulant. Do not used thyme oil directly on the skin without first diluting it!
Clove: Clove oil acts as an antibiotic, antibacterial, analgesic, antiseptic, antioxidant, and antihistamine. Like thyme oil it should not be used undiluted on the skin.
Basic Health Care With Aromatherapy
Learn how to use aromatherapy to remedy headaches, nausea, insect bites, halitosis, cuts and wounds, common cold, and sinusitis.
Note: Mix your oils in a glass or ceramic vessel. Avoid mixing in plastic or other porous containers. After mixing, make sure you wash your containers thoroughly with antibacterial dish soap and hot water.
Headaches
For a general headache place either 3 drops of peppermint or lavender oil with 1 drop of vegetable oil in the palm of your hand. Mix with one of your fingers and massage the oil into your temples, along your hairline from your temples to the top of your forehead, and along the hairline at the base of your skull.
Nausea
Dissolve 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup in one cup of hot water (not boiling). Add one drop of peppermint oil and mix well. Sip mixture.
Insect Bites
Spider Bites: Combine 3 drops of lavender or tea tree oil and 2 drops of chamomile oil to one tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol (or Vodka). Apply to the bite area and allow to dry. Do this three times a day for one to two days.
Mosquito Bites: Add one undiluted drop of lavender oil or tea tree oil directly onto the bite area.
Halitosis
Bad breath can be the secondary cause of many underlying health conditions such as gum disease, and digestive problems. You can place one drop of peppermint oil in 8 ounces of room temperature water and drink for a quick breath pick up. You can also mix 4 drops of either peppermint or lavender oil along with 1 teaspoon of Vodka or Brandy into a shot glass and fill the rest of the shot glass up with warm water. Use as a mouth wash.
Cuts and Wounds
For minor cuts or wounds, cleanse the area thoroughly with warm water. Place 2 to 3 drops of tea tree or lavender oil onto a piece of gauze and cover the area (do not place the oils directly into the open wound). Change the gauze and apply a fresh one with oils three times daily for two days. On the third day remove the gauze and allow the area to breathe.
Common Cold
In a bowl of hot water place one drop of clove, tea tree, thyme, and lavender oils. Close your eyes and inhale the steam deeply.
In one teaspoon of vegetable oil add 3 drops of rosemary, 2 drops of eucalyptus, and one drop of lemon oil. Massage this mixture into the chest, neck, forehead, nose, and underneath the eyes.
Sinusitis
To one tablespoon of vegetable oil add 3 drops of rosemary, 1 drop of eucalyptus and one drop of either geranium oil or thyme. Massage around the neck, jaw, behind the ears, the nose, cheekbones and forehead. Or you can add the oils to a cup of hot water and inhale the steam (do not drink this mixture).
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