Gives an overview of Aromatherapy and its uses. Also includes some simple recipies for promoting healing.
For centuries, long before the invention of the prescription drug, mankind has made use of the plant kingdom to heal its vast array of illnesses and emotional disorders. In addition, aromatic plant extracts were also a fundamental addition to the spiritual and religious rituals of many ancient civilizations. Unlike modern herbal practices of today however, which utilizes either dried or liquefied forms of plant matter, aromatherapy uses a portion of plant life known as its essential oil. An essential oil is known to actually be the “life force” of a plant, similar to its blood coursing through it veins. Essential oils contain both the fragrance and therapeutic properties present in any given plant. To create an essential oil, large volumes of plant material, such as flower heads, seeds, or leaves are gathered and placed in a distilling chamber, in order to release the precious vapors, so they can be collected and bottled for sale and use.
To practice aromatherapy, one of two basic methods are used: 1) by inhaling the oils in some fashion, or 2) by applying the oils usually diluted in a carrier substance such as a massage oil or lotion directly onto the skin. Various ways of inhaling the oils include placing 10-20 drops in a diffuser or aroma lamp and allowing the oils to disperse into the air, placing a few drops on a kleenex and inhaling, or placing 6-8 drops in a bowl of hot water and leaning over with a towel covering the head and breathing deeply. To apply the oils to the skin, creating massage oil blends by adding 5-15 drops of essential oils to approximately 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, such as almond or peanut is a popular method. It is important to note that aromatherapy can be extremely versatile, and is only limited to ones imagination in terms of incorporating the scent of an aromatic essence to ones own body or environment.
Some of the most popular applications for the use of aromatherapy include the realm of psycho-physiological imbalances, which would involve such problems as stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, energy fluctuations and depression. Other common uses for aromatherapy would be in helping prevent or lessen the duration of viral and bacterial infections, since many essential oils are known to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. Aromatherapy is also considered a supportive form of therapy to almost any type of illness, but it is recommended that the lay person check with a qualified practitioner before undertaking such an endeavor on their own. In fact, most essential oils do have certain contra-indications (restricted ges) depending on the oil, so it is wise to check before making use of it. Some of the more common contra-indications would include use of many of the oils during pregnancy, in combination with prescription medication or when being exposed to direct sunlight or tanning beds shortly after applying citrus oils to the skin.
Although aromatherapy is gaining in popularity in the United States, it still lags behind in ge to such modalities as herbal remedies and dietary supplements, but this is expected to change within the next 3 to 5 years when overall profits nationwide are expected to triple. New research which is being conducted on essential oils and their ability to help heal specific illnesses such as Aids and epilepsy, are said to be a factor in the growing emergence and interest in this field. As more and more Americans begin to explore this budding field, new uses and information will continue to flourish on this ancient healing art. 2 SIMPLE RECIPES AND THEIR USES: 1) STRESS BLEND: LEMON 5 DROPS LAVENDER 5 DROPS PATCHOULI 3 DROPS PEANUT OIL 1 TEASPOON Fill a bath with water as warm as desired. When tub is full place the blend in the water and swirl around with fingertips. Enter the tub immediately before vapors evaporate and enjoy a relaxing bath. 2) COLD AND FLU BLEND: EUCALYPTUS 4 DROPS PEPPERMINT 4 DROPS SANDALWOOD 2 DROPS PEANUT OIL 1 TEASPOON Apply this formula to the upper chest up to 3 times per day to help clear sinuses and fight infection.
About the Author
In her diversified career as a holistic practitioner, Tracy Norwalk has conducted corporate stress relief programs, taught classes in Aromatherapy as a certified practitioner, and worked as a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist for state-of-the-art spas in both Pennsylvania and California. She has designed and sold her own all-natural bath and body line, and done freelance newspaper writing on topics pertaining to alternative medicine. In addition, she has studied and works with various forms of energy healing techniques. Web address: www.geocities.com/naturelady42