Aromatherapy
is the science (and art), of using oils extracted from aromatic
plants to enhance health, well-being and beauty. By using essential
oils therapeutically one can treat a wide range of problems
from stress and insomnia, to acne, menstrual cramps, depression
and fatigue. Essential oils (also known as essences) are obtained
from the distillation of herbs, plants and flowers. They all
have different therapeutic effects on the body. Aromatherapy
has a long history of use in ancient Egypt, China, and India.
You may
not even realize that you already use aromatherapy. When you
burned that scented candle last week, you were practicing aromatherapy.
When you walk through a fragrant garden, you are doing it again.
Almost all of the bath and body care products we use contain
some form of essential oils - the basis of aromatherapy.
The Power of Scent
People often
don't realize how strongly they are affected by scents. The
smell of home made bread or of the ocean can bring back memories
from years before; of happy time or bad times too. This is because
the olfactory sense, the sense of smell, is interpreted by the
part of the brain that is concerned with our emotions. Scents
have a powerful effect on our moods. Adding different essential
oils to your massage oil or bath oil can enhance the relaxing
or invigorating effect of the massage or bath.
Some
History: In 400 B.C. Hippocrates wrote, "The way
to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every
day," There are numerous references throughout history to the
use of aromatic oils. The term aromatherapy was coined by a
French chemist named Rene Gattefosse, in the 1920s. Several
years earlier he had noticed the therapeutic effects of essential
oils after burning his hand badly while working in his laboratory
and accidentally dunking his hand into lavender oil. His hand
healed very quickly and left no scars (so history tells us).
Some Research
Research
in the 1990s testifies to the strength of this link. Dr. Gary
Schwartz, professor of psychology and psychiatry of Yale University,
has found that certain odors can lower blood pressure. The scent
of spiced apples was shown to be particularly effective -- it
lowered the blood pressure of healthy volunteers by an average
of three to five points. Other scientific research has shown
that pleasant smells such as peach and plum can reduce pain,
and that essential oils can change peoples moods: jasmine, ilang-ilang
and peppermint can life depression, geranium and bergamot relieve
anxiety; and rose and carnation restore energy.
Essential
oils are a complex mixture of chemicals with many different
properties. As well as affecting mood, some are antibacterial,
antiseptic or anti-inflammatory. The chart on the next page
lists some of the most common oils with the properties ascribed
to them. The diversity of claims made for essential oils sometimes
several claims for one oil, can cause confusion. A single oil
may be described as both calming and stimulating. This sounds
like a contradiction, causing skeptics to dismiss the whole
subject. However, someone suffering from nervous tensions might
first be calmed by the scent, and then, with this new freedom
from tension, reclaim his natural energy and feel refreshed
and energized.
Buying Essential Oils
The
price of essential oils varies greatly; for a small quantity
of lavender oil you might pay only a fraction of the cost of
the same amount of rose oil. This reflect the facts that it
takes about 400 pounds of rose petals to product just a liter
of rose oil, whereas 400 pounds of lavender flowers yields about
6 liters of essential oil. Most health food stores sell essential
oils. They should always be sold in brown glass bottles (sometimes
cobalt blue) to keep the light out -- which can alter them chemically.
They are sold in small quantities as only 3 - 5 drops goes a
long way.
Blending Oils or “Carrier Oils”
Essential
oils are extremely concentrated and must always be diluted,
otherwise they can sting and even cause allergies. To use them
during a massage, you need to dilute them in a carrier oil.
The most commonly used carrier oils are almond, olive, soya,
grape-seed, avocado, hazelnut, peach and wheat-germ oils. Many
of these are very expensive. Wheat germ oil is rich in vitamin
E and acts as an antioxidant but it is a bit thick and heavy,
so add just a little to a light carrier oil to prevent your
massage oil from turning rancid. To
dilute an essential oil, mix one to three drops with a 5 ml
teaspoon of carrier oil. (Most essential oils will have directions
on their label). If you want to make up a larger quantity, add
15 to 30 drops to 2 fluid oz. (50 ml) or carrier oil. Use a
more diluted mixture on sensitive skin and on the face.
Essential
oils are not very oily, but they are very volatile liquids that
evaporate quickly after use. Store them and your blended massage
oil in a cool dark place in air tight bottles. Now, you might
be asking, do I have to go to all this trouble? Not really.
Today there are some wonderful products on the market that are
already mixed for you. I got a very nice -Tranquility Blend"
at a chain vitamin shop online. For example: it has oils of
lavender, patchouli, sage, orange, grapefruit, and cypress.
It is in a base of jojoba oil, macadamia oil, vitamins E and
A and some preservatives to keep it fresh longer. Other products
may use hazelnut and cocobutter as their carrier oils. Read
the labels to see what is in them and make sure you can sample
any body lotions before you buy them. Many shops in the malls
now do have sample size lotions and essential oils. There are
also some wonderful bath oils available also for whatever mood
you want your bath to create. Just make sure to buy products
that are in dark blue or brown bottles since the essential oils
will change when exposed to light.
Essential
oil candles have become very popular, they work, but not as
well as a lotion or oil-mix. If you are pregnant or nursing,
check with your obstetrician before using any essential oil
products. When I was trying to get pregnant my OB suggested
I used the tranquility blend, but he practiced naturopathic
medicine as well as traditional. SO, please check with your
doctor or practitioner or midwife first. Here is a short oil
chart, you can probably find very long ones in any health food
store that sells essential oils. Most of the time they are free.
Important Guidelines for Using Essential Oils
Keep oils
away from mucous membranes and eyes and never use them below
your waist! If you have sensitive skin, test some oil on a small
patch of skin -- inside of your elbow is a good spot, before
using it. Wait 24 hours, if irritation, redness, itching, or
burning occurs, you should not use that oil!
When using
aromatherapy on children age six to twelve and the elderly,
cut all doses in half. If you have any questions at all, ask
your health care provider if she or he thinks aromatherpy is
safe for an elderly or ill person. Most practitioners do NOT
advise using essential oils on infants. Do not use essential
oils if you have high blood pressure or are on medication for
high blood pressure. When in doubt, ask your health care provider!
And of course
never take essential oils internally.
Aromatherapy
is the science (and art), of using oils extracted from aromatic
plants to enhance health, well-being and beauty. By using essential
oils therapeutically one can treat a wide range of problems
from stress and insomnia, to acne, menstrual cramps, depression
and fatigue. Essential oils (also known as essences) are obtained
from the distillation of herbs, plants and flowers. They all
have different therapeutic effects on the body. Aromatherapy
has a long history of use in ancient Egypt, China, and India.
Research
in the 1990s testifies to the strength of this link. Dr. Gary
Schwartz, professor of psychology and psychiatry of Yale University,
has found that certain odors can lower blood pressure. The scent
of spiced apples was shown to be particularly effective -- it
lowered the blood pressure of healthy volunteers by an average
of three to five points. Other scientific research has shown
that pleasant smells such as peach and plum can reduce pain,
and that essential oils can change peoples moods: jasmine, ilang-ilang
and peppermint can life depression, geranium and bergamot relieve
anxiety; and rose and carnation restore energy. 
Essential
oils are a complex mixture of chemicals with many different
properties. As well as affecting mood, some are antibacterial,
antiseptic or anti-inflammatory. The chart on the next page
lists some of the most common oils with the properties ascribed
to them. The diversity of claims made for essential oils sometimes
several claims for one oil, can cause confusion. A single oil
may be described as both calming and stimulating. This sounds
like a contradiction, causing skeptics to dismiss the whole
subject. However, someone suffering from nervous tensions might
first be calmed by the scent, and then, with this new freedom
from tension, reclaim his natural energy and feel refreshed
and energized. 
The
price of essential oils varies greatly; for a small quantity
of lavender oil you might pay only a fraction of the cost of
the same amount of rose oil. This reflect the facts that it
takes about 400 pounds of rose petals to product just a liter
of rose oil, whereas 400 pounds of lavender flowers yields about
6 liters of essential oil. Most health food stores sell essential
oils. They should always be sold in brown glass bottles (sometimes
cobalt blue) to keep the light out -- which can alter them chemically.
They are sold in small quantities as only 3 - 5 drops goes a
long way. 
Essential
oils are extremely concentrated and must always be diluted,
otherwise they can sting and even cause allergies. To use them
during a massage, you need to dilute them in a carrier oil.
The most commonly used carrier oils are almond, olive, soya,
grape-seed, avocado, hazelnut, peach and wheat-germ oils. Many
of these are very expensive. Wheat germ oil is rich in vitamin
E and acts as an antioxidant but it is a bit thick and heavy,
so add just a little to a light carrier oil to prevent your
Essential
oils are not very oily, but they are very volatile liquids that
evaporate quickly after use. Store them and your blended massage
oil in a cool dark place in air tight bottles. Now, you might
be asking, do I have to go to all this trouble? Not really.
Today there are some wonderful products on the market that are
already mixed for you. I got a very nice -Tranquility Blend"
at a chain vitamin shop online. For example: it has oils of
lavender, patchouli, sage, orange, grapefruit, and cypress.
It is in a base of jojoba oil, macadamia oil, vitamins E and
A and some preservatives to keep it fresh longer. Other products
may use hazelnut and cocobutter as their carrier oils. Read
the labels to see what is in them and make sure you can sample
any body lotions before you buy them. Many shops in the malls
now do have sample size lotions and essential oils. There are
also some wonderful bath oils available also for whatever mood
you want your bath to create. Just make sure to buy products
that are in dark blue or brown bottles since the essential oils
will change when exposed to light. 
