Living Healthier Through Aromatherapy
By C. Herrschaft
Stress is one of those things that no one can seem to live without. It, unfortunately, haunts too many of our busy lives.
Many people try to relieve stress by smoking, drinking, or taking pills. However, there is another way to distance ourselves from the stress of life.
About 40 years ago a French cosmetic chemist brought aromatherapy back into some popularity. Aromatherapy can provide an escape from stress and from minor illnesses that stem from it. Aromatherapy makes use of the two closely associated senses of touch and smell. It uses fragrance plants, or a combination of massage and aromatherapy oils. Aromatherapy oils are also given internally by some practitioners. Aromatherapy, a term coined in 1937, does not remove stress. It distances us from it and helps us to cope with it.
There are three types of aromatherapy that some 1500 aromatherapists use today. Holistic aromatherapy, which uses a combination of essential oils and massage, treats a wide range of disorders which may involve the mind and body. Clinical aromatherapy is a prescription therapy in which essential oils are usually given by mouth to treat infectious diseases. Aesthetic aromatherapists use aromatherapy oils, which are often ready blended by beauty therapists, to aid in weight loss or treat skin problems.
Aromatherapy is not new by any means. The Egyptians used infused oils and aromatic ointments to treat a wide range of ailments. An infused oil is made by placing a fragrance plant in vegetable oil and letting it soak in the sun for several days. Since the Persians invented distilling 1,000 years ago, you may be familiar with essential oil. Some people wear it as a perfume. It's a non oily and highly fragrant essence that's extracted from a plant by distillation. There are about 200 essential oils produced commercially in the world today and some 50 - 100 are used in aromatherapy.
Essential oils work on mental tension and massage works on physical tension. It helps to break the stress cycle (see diagram below). Once the mental tension is relieved sleep improves, which in turn relieves physical tension. Once the physical tension is eased, then energy levels are increased so we are more relaxed and alert. In short, we feel better.
The reason for this is somewhat complicated but it is in part due to the release of mood inducing chemicals in the brain and body known as neurochemicals. However, aromatherapy doesn't just have an effect on the physical body. Basically essential oils energize the subtle body or heal it in some way by using the life force or subtle energy that exists in essential oils.
The concept of life force is a very old one. The Chinese call it chi, the Japanese ki, the Egyptians ka, and the Indians prana. All living things have a non-physical life energy. We have it, plants have it, and natural essential oils have it. Reconstituted oils, which are synthetic versions of real plant oils do not. They are cheaper than natural essential oils but the smell is different and they lack the subtle energy that is so important in this kind of treatment.
While the life energy that exists in natural essential oils is important, the odor they emit is actually as important. The power of odors has been recognized since the earliest times. Aromatic woods, gums, and herbs were burned to drive out evil spirits and kyphi, an ancient Egyptian perfume, was said to lull one to sleep, allay anxieties and brighten dreams. Fragrance researchers have found that odors can influence moods, evoke moods, counteract stress, and reduce high blood pressure.
One of the beneficial aspects of aromatherapy is that aromas have an immediate access to the brain. This is denied by most other remedies or drugs. Smell is the only sense in which receptor nerve endings are in direct contact with the outside world.
Aromatherapy also bypasses the blood-brain barrier. The walls of the tiny capillaries that carry blood around the body are very selective. Although tiny oxygen and nutrient molecules can pass through them, most therapeutic drugs and blood can not.
According to some aromatherapists, massage is equally as important as essential oils. The simple act of massaging and relaxing, is followed by feelings of well being and an increase in our general energy level. The energies which were blocked by tension have been allowed to flow normally and we experience more energy.
More refined versions of massage are used to reach internal organs through pressure points. Such methods include acupressure and shiatsu. They are both based on acupuncture. Neuromuscular massage, a form of muscle testing, and reflexology, which works on hand and foot relaxes, are other forms of massage. At least one of these forms of pressure point massages is normally used in aromatherapy.
Some pressure point techniques could be described as a link between a purely physical treatment and one which works on subtle energy imbalances. Remember it is equally as important to balance the physical body as well as the rest of our subtle bodies. There are many chronic conditions which can only be treated by a physician or therapist If you want to go to a holistic therapist you'll want to find one who has been trained as such. Here is a list of suggestions when looking for an aromatherapist.
1) Do they have a bonafide qualification in aromatherapy? (They should have a diploma, not a certificate.)
2) Are they a full member of an aromatherapy association?
3) How long was their aromatherapy training? (It should be more than several months.)
4) They should blend their oils and make up personalized prescriptions for their patients.
5) Is aromatherapy a sideline for them or do they specialize in it?
While chronic conditions should not be treated at home, there are many relatively minor problems which can be relieved or even cured with the simple application of essential oils coupled with some common sense advice.
However, it is important to find a good book on aromatherapy and follow the author's guidelines. The amounts of dilution should be followed carefully or you could make matters worse. The remedies should be used occasionally rather than regularly. If the condition persists, please see a practitioner and remember that the remedies will not work for everyone.
Aromatherapy- Night Oil For The Face
Suitable for any skin type except sensitive
1 drop geranium oil
5 drops lavender oil
4 drops sandalwood oil
2 drops ylang-ylang oil
12 drops total
Mix into 25 ml of oil, preferably sweet almond, peach kernel, or apricot kernel. (Almost as good are grape seed, sunflower seed, and safflower seed). To apply, use gentle, upward movements. As you sleep the oils gradually seep into your skin, and get to work reducing oiliness, counteracting dryness, and stimulating cell renewal.
