Aromatherapy: Using Essential Oils to Enhance Your Well-Being
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The value of natural plant oils has been recognized for more than 6000 years. They are appreciated for their healing, cleansing, preservative and mood enhancing properties, plus they smell great!
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Today these properties are being rediscovered as we look for new ways to restore our balance. Stress, pollution and an unhealthy diet have really wreaked havoc with our bodies and spirits. Aromatherapy uses the pure essences of aromatic plants, flowers and resins to restore the harmony of our bodies and spirits by touching on our most powerful of our senses, smell and touch.
It is believed that the Chinese discovered the medicinal powers of plants around 4500B.C. But it's the Egyptians who must be credited for recognizing and exploiting the beneficial properties of aromatic essences. The natural antiseptic properties of the essential oils and resins made them ideal for the purpose of preserving corpses. The discovery of well-preserved mummies up to 5000 years proves this to be true.
Because essential oils are easily dissolved in fats, they are able to penetrate the skin easily and work into the body by mixing with the fatty tissue. Also as you inhale the oil, it penetrates the sensitive cells that line the nasal passages. These send messages straight to the brain where the emotions and the major functions of the body can be affected.
Essential oils are able to influence all aspects of the body's functions, from our tissues to our organs, to our body fluids and cells, as well as our emotional and our spiritual state.
No one can deny the importance of smell to the human being. For example, if a food smells good it can make us hungry. Some smells can awaken memories, either good or bad. We sometimes pick our mates through smell or pheromones.
Essential oils are powerful and concentrated. It's best to use a base oil to dilute most essential oils, as they can irritate the skin if used straight. A good base oil to use is castor oil, in older times called " The Palm of Christ." Castor oil has amazing healing properties and absorbs almost immediately into the skin. When used with a good essential oil it's a powerful combination. Other oils such as almond, jojoba or even olive oil are great as base oils too. Look for cold pressed, organic if possible.
Note: Tea Tree oil and Lavender can be used directly on the skin while all others should be diluted.
Try a few of these essential oils for day to day problems:
Lavender: for relaxation, a drop or two in your bath is a wonderful stress reducer.
Tea Tree oil: fights infection, heals and fights acne, (be careful using essential oils around your eyes). It also makes a great household cleaner and disinfectant. Put 5 drops into your dish soap, add a couple drops of lemon and then shake and use it to clean and disinfect your house safely. You'll love the smell!
Eucalyptus (3 drops) and Peppermint (2 drops): add to one pint hot water in a glass or stoneware bowl and inhale to clear nasal congestion and tiredness.
Add five drops of your favorite essential oil to your humidifier, it will clean the air and lift your spirits all at once. Add five drops of Tea tree oil to fight the bacteria that sometimes occurs in humidifiers. Change water daily.
There are many, many essential oils and even more uses and benefits. So go to the bookstore or your nearest health food store and browse their essential oil aisle. Smell your way to a healthier life. Enjoy!
Caution: essential oils are highly concentrated, please follow the guidelines below. Seek the advice of a qualified
- aromatherapist if your problem persists. If in doubt, seek a medical opinion before using.
- Never take essential oils internally, unless professionally prescribed.
- Except for Tea tree and lavender, always dilute your essential oils before using. Approximately 3 to 6 drops essential oil to 2 teaspoons carrier oil.
- Do not use the same oils for more than one or two weeks at any time.
- If blending your own oils, do not use more than three oils in any one treatment.
- Do not use oils during pregnancy, first seeking professional advice. Most people will agree lavender is a safe essential oil for pregnancy.
- For anyone with sensitive skin, dilute the oils even more and discontinue if skin irritation occurs.
- Read up on any essential oil before using it.
- If it doesn't smell good to you, don't use it. (That's our body's way of telling us it isn't good for us.)
- Be extra careful with anyone who has asthma or epilepsy. If they have a reaction, stop using the oil.
- Keep out of eyes! Never flush with water, use oil instead.
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