What You Should Know About Aromatherapy
What You Should Know About Aromatherapy
Scent is a powerful thing. It has the ability to bring back memories from the ancient past and revive people that you haven`t seen in decades, just with a single whiff. Because of this, aromatherapy is something that has become very useful as a therapeutic aide.
Many people are aware that simple things like the smell of lemon smells clean and peppermint is often an aroma that reminds us of freshness and energy. But the actual amount of aromatherapy options out there can be overwhelming and there are quite a few things that those not steeped in knowledge of aromatherapy may not be aware of.
Some Oils Are Dangerous
Did you know that aromatherapy shouldn`t be used with all essential oils? Some oils are actually toxic and this may not be noted by the seller. Essential oils such as wormwood, camphor and rue are actually bad for you and shouldn`t ever be applied to the skin. It`s always good to know which oils shouldn`t be used in aromatherapy.
Other toxic herbs that shouldn`t be used with aromatherapy include wintergreen, sweet birth, Spanish broom, arnica, pennyroyal, onion, garlic and bitter almond. You may wish to talk to a professional before starting in on any aromatherapy work, just to be sure you know which oils are safe and which shouldn`t be used.
Aromatherapy Isn`t Just Mental
A common misconception is that aromatherapy is only a way to help your state of mind. It`s far more than that, though and you`ll find that some of the simplest smells can actually have a physical effect on your body, especially when applied to the skin. It`s important not to apply pure essential oil directly to the skin, you`ll need a carrier oil, first so it won`t burn you.
Drops of lavender oil on a pillow can induce sleep and a massage with peppermint is great for stimulating blood flow and waking you up. These herbs have physical effects, not just emotional or mental ones. Tea tree oil is perhaps one of the best known essential oils and is commonly used to heal all manner of maladies by simply applying it to the affected area.
The Methods of Aromatherapy
The great thing about aromatherapy is that if you don`t enjoy massage or prefer not to use a specific method of diffusing the smell, there are always other options.
Massage with an essential oil in a carrier oil can be very invigorating or relaxing, depending on the smells chosen. Diffusers are some of the most common methods of spreading the scent and consist of a heater (often a candle) and a container for the oil. Sometimes the oil is added to wax chips that release the scent as they melt. There are also aromatherapy candles on the market and sprays. You can also add a couple of drops of essential oil to a sink or tub of hot water or even onto a handkerchief or cloth to tuck inside your pillowcase or pocket.
Aromatherapy is a very useful way to treat problems or to enhance a state of mind. If you find that you are drowsy in the morning when you need to get ready for work, it can be a great idea to have a diffuser ready to go with an invigorating aroma. Likewise, a soothing one at bedtime eases the transition from being wide awake to sleep and has been used by insomniacs for hundreds of years now. Aromatherapy is a great way to connect with your family, as well, using their sense of smell to draw them in!
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Aromatherapy: What Should You Believe?
Aromatherapy: What Should You Believe?
Aromatherapy is both an art and a science, widely used by many, but never since the advent of modern medicines in the 20th century has it, or other holistic therapies, been accepted by many in the medical profession. The reason given being the lack of proof that it works. The lack of funds available to carry out clinical trials on the scale required will of course ensure proof will not be forthcoming. But does such scepticism really matter?
More and more aromatherapists are qualifying each year and they are treating a growing number of their clients for ailments ranging from skin complaints such as cellulite to eczema, sports injuries, stress etc etc. There are a growing number of colleges offering aromatherapy courses and these range from an introduction as part of a beauty course to a full 3 year degree covering detailed studies of 100 hundred or so essential oils, their chemical and biological make up and reactions with the human body. A survey in The Times revealed that 75% of people would like to see aromatherapy available on the NHS. The big question for the policy makers is how to integrate aromatherapy and conventional healthcare.
However the growth is happening at grass roots level in some hospitals where more and more nurses and midwives are becoming aromatherapists, using their own initiative. Also, many hospitals and other areas of care are encouraging aromatherapy treatments and a significant number are using essential oils in controlled research projects. Undoubtedly confidence is growing.
What examples are there of Aromatherapy in the NHS?
For example, over 70% of cancer centres offer aromatherapy in palliative care for cancer patients using appropriate massage techniques. Hammersmith, Royal Marsden and Charing Cross are amongst them.
The Neil Cliffe Cancer Centre has a comprehensive aromatherapy support service in place using essential oils and offers aromatherapy education for home use to its patients.
The adult leukaemia unit at the Christie Hoispital, Manchester has two aromatherapists offering support to patients, predominantly to improve the quality of life in a highly stressful environment. There are increasing examples of an aromatherapist being employed by hospice trusts. At Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, essential oils are used to promote improved quality of life and to provide help with such conditions as nausea, anxiety, depression, aching and stiff joints, as well as pain.
For a number of years now aromatherapy massage has been a key treatment strategy at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, in areas such as the management of chronic pain in sufferers of multiple sclerosis. Sufferers obtain symptomatic relief of pain and other benefits include improved sleep, relaxation, improved joint mobility and a sense of wellbeing.
Aromatherapy has been practised in the midwifery and obstetrics sector for a number of years, The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford has operated an aromatherapy service since 1990 and a survey of 8,000 patients over 8 years concluded that over 50% of women who used aromatherapy treatments during labour found it effective in the reduction of fear and anxiety.
Aromatherapy plays a role in many other environments. Working with the deaf and deaf-blind; with autism; attention deficit hyperactive disorder; and with addictions and allergies, and also with care of the elderly and mental health sufferers.
How long have we known about the powers of Essential Oils?
The evidence is all around us, aromatherapy is working and there are thousands of individual case studies to prove it, with thousands of years of history behind it. The ancient Egyptians were using essential oils for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes hundreds of years before the birth of Christ., The ancient Greeks were fond of aromatic baths and they discovered the spiritual power of flowers and their ability to help sleep, relax, refresh and revitalise, The Romans and Chinese have used plant extracts to treat all sorts of ailments. More recently, in the 19th century, French soldiers injured in battle, were treated in their hospitals with essential oils. It is also well documented that during the time of diseases such as yellow fever the workers in the perfume area of Grasse, in southern France who harvested flowers such as Lavender remained immune to the diseases.
But it was not until the 1930″s that the term “Aromatherapy” was first used by the Frenchman Gattefosse. He accidentally discovered the healing power of Lavender. Having burnt his hand he plunged it into a nearby container, thinking it was water. It wasn’t, it was Lavender and the burn healed quickly and without scarring. Since then many have promoted the use of Aromatherapy, but it is in the home, with use by trained therapists or anyone learning more about the essential oils and trying to experiment, that will see increased usage.
Perhaps some of the proprietary supermarket brands have gone over the top and do not do justice to the term aromatherapy in naming the shampoos and bubble baths as “aromatherapy” products, but there is nothing in law to stop them. Furthermore, I am not a great advocate of pure essential oils being freely available to anyone in a supermarket as they are potentially dangerous products if abused or even used incorrectly.
How can I find out more about aromatherapy?
Lastly, for those of you wishing to learn more about aromatherapy and perhaps even get a qualification at varying levels there are colleges throughout the country running courses under the umbrella of bodies such as ITEC, VTCT, NVQ, BTEC etc as well as a number of correspondence courses.
Duncan Bain is a Director of Natural Touch Aromatherapy and has been involved with essential oils for many years. He has visited many of the countries where essential oil are produced and is committed to buying direct from source, ensuring monies benefit local economies whilst at the same time ensuring quality of product.
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Aromatherapy, Believe, Should
What Everyone Should Know About Aromatherapy
What Everyone Should Know About Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has really taken off in the last few years. A quick walk down the aisle in any whole foods store will reveal dozens upon dozens of essential oils you can purchase. Yet many people don’t really understand aromatherapy. In this article, we’ll give a brief overview of aromatherapy, its approach and its uses.
An Overview of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a method of healing based on stimulating different parts of your brain using scents and smells. Both scientific and anecdotal evidence shows that breathing in scents has a real effect on a person’s health and well being. Aromatherapy is the art that’s been developed from those findings.
To sum it up, aromatherapy is the art of healing through smells.
Aromatherapy is considered by many to be a great alternative to more intrusive traditional medicines. It’s a great way to cure psycho-somatic diseases (physical diseases caused by mental or emotional issues.)
The Natural Healing Approach of Aromatherapy
One key thing about aromatherapy is its completely natural approach. One reason people turn to aromatherapy is because they want to avoid taking harmful medicines or altering their body with chemicals in order to cure their ailments.
Instead they choose aromatherapy, an approach with no outside chemicals apart from what’s produced in plants. A good essential oil or aromatherapy product will have no outside chemicals in it.
Although there are many companies taking advantage of the aromatherapy arena by producing synthetic oils in labs, a good aromatherapist will know how to choose only the best oils to ensure the best results.
Uses of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be used to cure a wide range of ailments. Many of the essential oils used in aromatherapy can serve to cure multiple ailments simultaneously. In aromatherapy the sessions are usually done using scent, but can also involve physical application of essential oils as well.
Some uses of common essential oils include:
Tea tree can be used to help relieve blisters on one’s feet as well as relieve athlete’s foot. Lavender can help with healing burns or scalds as well as accelerate the healing of bruises.
If you have a cough, Pine or Eucalyptus can help bring relief quickly. If you’re trying to quit smoking, Black Pepper can help reduce the addictive symptoms of nicotine.
Peppermint has the rare property of being able to help reduce jetlag.
Chamomile, lavender and rosemary can all help reduce anxiety. They all have a very calming effect. Jasmine and lavender can help you relax emotionally and physically and reduce stress.
The list of uses goes on and on. There are at least 90 different kinds of essential oils that have been used to create a variety of different effects. Each essential oil has a wide range of curative properties.
The best way to get started is to choose a good aromatherapist and try out a session. You can find an aromatherapist through online review websites or through friends who’ve experienced aromatherapy before. If you try it out once, you may find yourself amazed by the results.
For 10 years, Marilyn has been active as an advocate for Alternative Health Therapies, specializing in Essential Oils and Aromatherapy to increase wellness. Marilyn also writes Health Articles which showcase both essential oils and other alternative health modalities.
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Why You Should Try Aromatherapy
Why You Should Try Aromatherapy
There are many reasons why you should try aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has been around for a long time and has quite a history behind it. Aromatherapy uses botanical extract oils that offer many healing and therapeutic uses. If you have never tried aromatherapy before, you owe it to yourself to explore the amazing benefits of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy has become quite popular of the past few years. Aromatherapy uses plant oils known as essential oils in the treatment or prevention of diseases. More and more, people are beginning to see that all natural treatments such as aromatherapy are safe and effective as well as a great supplement to modern medicinal practices.
When used properly, the soothing combination of essential oils and other treatments such as accupressure massage work synergistically to regulate, balance and heal the body and as well as maintain an overall sense of well-being.
Medicinal Aromatherapy
Medicinal aromatherapy has been proven to heal a variety of health conditions. Speak to your doctor to see if this may be of benefit to you. You can also speak to an aromatherapy professional to get their advice.
Aromatherapy and Massage
Aromatherapy combined with massage is one of the most popular aromatherapy practices today. This typically involves some type of therapeutic massage combined with the use of essential oils. The essential oils often enhance the therapeutic and detoxifying properties of the massage as well to make the experience more relaxing and pleasurable. Make sure your massage therapist is experienced as using undiluted essential oils can be very harmful to the skin.
Other Applications
In addition to the above two treatments, there are various other applications in which a natural aromatherapy products can be used including adding a refreshing scent to the air, a botanical bath experience, and so many others. There are numerous websites that offer valuable information on the various uses of aromatherapy products.
When shopping for aromatherapy products, you want to read through the list of ingredients and get products that are all natural. You want want all natural products because they tend to be more healthy for the skin and offer better therapeutic properties.
Aromatherapy can be a wonderful experience and something to help keep you healthy, and feeling good. Try it – you will like it.
Julia Sabinzky writes for http://www.howdoesaromatherapywork.info and provides information about aromatherapy uses, aromatherapy products, as well as aromatherapy education. If you enjoyed this article, or just want to find out more about aromatherapy, please visit her website.
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Aromatherapy, Should