Aromatherapy & Essential Oils
The Holistic Therapy of Essential Oils
Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years throughout many cultures in medicine and in households to help to fight viruses, bacteria, fungi, stress, aging and emotional imbalances, as well as to create a peaceful, healthy and relaxing environment.
How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils have an effect on the body and the mind. Through the nose, their small molecules have an effect on the brain, and have a beneficial influence on the memory and nervous system. In massage their small molecules penetrate through the skin, reach the blood stream, and help to regenerate the body’s systems and organs. Some Essential Oils are known to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, antibiotic, anti-fungal properties.
People suffering from serious conditions should always look for professional advice from their Physician or from a qualified Aromatherapist. Caution should be applied when using Essential Oils with children and during pregnancy.
The Importance of Pure & Natural Oils
For best results, Essentials Oils have to be pure and natural. It is not rare to find Essential Oils which have been modified with synthetic “nature identical” or mixed with cheaper oils of lesser quality, or “extended” by adding alcohol or vegetable oils. Such practices do not give the full benefit of Essential Oils.
WHEN TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential oils can be used safely and effectively at home for aches and pains, for relaxations and for stress reduction, for skin and hair care, as well as for cuts, bruises, and burns.
People suffering from serious conditions should always look for professional advice from their Physician or qualified Aromatherapist. Caution should applied be applied when using Essential Oils with children and during pregnancy.
Recommend Uses of Essential Oils
Caution: Never take Essential Oils internally without Medical advice, they are very potent and can create major health problems if misused.
In OIL DIFFUSERS, AROMA LAMPS:
Diffusers keep the air pure, and can be used to help to fumigate the air during infectious illnesses. They can also create a wonderful mood for meditation or work, relaxation, romance and sleep.
Use: 6 to 15 drops in ½ cup of water. Diffuse with water in container over candle or light bulb.
STEAM & INHALATION:
Will help to clear your skin and will have effect on your limbic and respiratory system and your throat. Be cautious if your suffer from hay-fever, asthma or any other allergies.
Use: 2 drops in a bowl of steamed water, then put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam for a few minutes. Discontinue if causes discomfort.
BATH & FOOTBATH:
Will help to relax and to relieve many pains and aches from the action of the oil on your skin and in the water vapor.
Use: not more than 3 to 5 drops of Essential Oils in a bath and stir the water to disperse the oils before entering the bath. Relax in the bath for about 10 minutes. Some oils are not suitable for bath and may cause irritation. Check oils before using them in a bath.
MASSAGE:
Massage stimulates the blood circulation and is a very effective way to use Essential Oils.Use: Essential Oils should always be used diluted when applied to the skin. Only few of them can be used pure on the skin (neat) without danger. The ratio should be 2 drops in a teaspoon, or 15 5o 30 drops in a 30ml glass bottle of vegetable oil such as jojoba, grape seed, or sunflower oil for example.
COMPRESSES:
Use compresses cold or hot: cold for acute conditions, sprains, bruises, swelling and headaches. Hot for long-standing conditions, rheumatic and arthritic pains and backaches.
Use: 2 to 6 drops in a bowl of cold or hot water. Skin surface with cloth, wring out and apply over area. Repeat.
HISTORY
It is known that Egyptians and Greeks already used Essential Oils, but the name “Aromatherapy” was given in 1937 by a French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefossé after he burned his hand and immerged it precipitously in a jar of lavender essential oil and realized that it had an amazing healing power for burns. This incident spurred his curiosity and he dedicated the rest of his life to explore and develop the healing powers of essential oils.
It was the beginning of Aromatherapy and of a worldwide renewed interest for essential oils as we know them today. During World War II, the French surgeon Jean Valnet used essential oils to heal soldier’s wounds, showing and proving the medical benefits of aromatherapy.