Health and Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses the essential oils from plants and herbs to treat health conditions ranging from infections and skin disorders to immune deficiencies and stress.
Essential oils have been used throughout Europe for over 120 years, and system of medical health aromatherapy has been used throughout France. It is often used in conjunction with other healing therapies like massage.
It takes a large amount of raw plant material like leaves, shoots, flowers, bark or stems of the particular plant to make the essential oils which explains why they are often so expensive to buy, but the concentrated medicinal oils are absorbed by the skin particularly well. And so penetrates body tissue easily to treat various conditions.
Aromatherapy is very effective for bacterial infections of the respiratory system, immune deficiencies such as Epstein Barr Virus (that can cause glandular fever) and numerous skin disorders. It is also useful for herpes simplex viruses and cystitis. The immediate effect that essential oils can give makes it very useful for stress conditions.
How does Aromatherapy work?The chemical makeup of the plant’s essential oils gives them a host of beneficial properties for health. Essential oils also act on the adrenal glands, ovaries and thyroid, and can energise or pacify the body. Unlike drugs, essential oils are in a complete and balanced form that our bodies are designed to absorb and use beneficially.
Aromas interact with the nasal passages to send signals to the brain and acts on the “limbic” system which affects our emotions. The same (limbic) system is also directly associated with those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance.
Scientists have learned that inhaling oil fragrances may be one of the fastest ways to achieve physical or psychological effects. By inhaling oils, these essential oil vapours are absorbed into the bloodstream through lung tissue while they pass through the nerves connected with the brain.
A large research project in England studying health and aromatherapy has studied the effects of oil inhalation on brain wave patterns. Their findings show that oils such as jasmine, orange and rose have a tranquilising effect and work by altering the brain waves into a rhythm that produces calmness and a sense of wellbeing.
In the same way, the so-called stimulating oils – basil, black pepper, rosemary, and cardamom work by producing a heightened energy response. Inhaling the fragrance of certain essential oils can help clear sinuses or free congestion in the chest, as well as alter the neurochemistry of the brain to produce changes in mental and emotional behaviour. Even aromas too subtle to be detected can have significant effects on the nervous system.
Oils are easily absorbed through the skin. Therefore essential oils can be added to bath water, in massage oils, hot and cold compresses and sprays.
For certain health conditions, in can be better to take oils internally, but it is essential to seek the guidance of an expert in this field if using oils internally. Essential oils can also be used in suppositories, a method quite common in France.
Aromatherapy in the home
Aromatherapy is ideally suited for home use. Most health food shops now carry aromatherapy oils and many even have starter kits with selections of the oils most widely used. Following are some useful applications of essential oils to use for health in the home:
Anti-fungal foot soak: To a hot foot bath, add one cup of salt mixed with 10 drops of tea tree oil and palmarosa, plus 5 drops of clove bud.
Daily Hygiene:Gentle antiviral oils such as Eucalyptus radiate, Ravensara aromatica, and Niaouli can be spread over the skin before, during of after the morning shower. This strengthens resistance to sickness from the common cold and flu.
Digestive and stress-related discomfort: A drop of anise seed oil, mixed with a spoon of honey or by itself, helps to relieve stomach and intestinal cramps. Tarragon stimulates digestion and calms a nervous digestion.
Bruises and sports injuries Everlast relieves pain after injuries and prevents haemorrhaging and swelling.
Mosquito and other insect bites: Lavender is unsurpassed in treating itching or stinging from bites and stings. Burns: The restorative powers of lavender oil on burnt skin inspired the very emergence of aromatherapy.
Energy: Essential oils of black spruce and peppermint are effective stimulants that work by strengthening the adrenal cortex. Relaxation: Essential oils like citronella and Eucalyptus citriodora can be diffused in the air, or rubbed on the wrists and temples for quick and effective relaxation. Mandarin is a fragrance favoured by children and its calming qualities can slow down highly active children. Lavender oil added to the bath reduces tension.
Nausea: Peppermint is a classic oil for alleviating nausea and travel sickness. It is also beneficial for an irritated colon.
Cold sores (herpes simplex) on the mouth: dab on undiluted palmarosa until the lesions have dried. Then add vitamin E oil to palmarosa, tea tree or Ravensara oil and apply.
Genital Herpes: Dab on undiluted palmarosa with a cotton swab at the first sensation of an outbreak or on a lesion. Repeat up to five times a day.
Haemorrhoids: Combine ˝ oz each of aloe vera gel and witch hazel with 5oz each of lavender, German camomile, and helichrysum, and dab on with a cotton ball. Refrigerate for added relief.
Shingles: Combine 1 oz each of witch hazel and aloe vera gel and 10 drops of palmarosa and 20 drops each of ravensara aromatica and laurelwood to make an ointment. Apply generously.
Other alternative health therapies:
Learn the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
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