 Aromatherapy
is the therapeutic use of essential
oils to heal and revitalize the body
and mind. These essential oils are
distilled or cold-pressed from plants
and flowers. Essential oils represent
what nature prizes most: pure energy
and vital force which enlivens the
plant. These precious essential oils
heal and enliven body, mind and spirit
by enchanting your senses!
Aromatherapy
is considered by many to be a branch
of herbal medicine. It is in fact
the use of herbs and flowers in their
most concentrated form. Medicinal
use of essential oils brings healing
on 3 planes; the physical, mental,
and the spiritual. Research has shown
essential oils to be some of the strongest
anti microbial agents; ridding the
body of toxins and fighting infection.
Others are known to affect mood and
have a historical reputation for increasing
libido. While still others are use
in ritual and ceremony to open and
heighten spiritual awareness.
What are essential oils?
They
are subtle, therapeutic-grade oils
distilled from plants, shrubs, flowers,
trees, roots, bushes and seeds. They
are oxygenating and help transport
nutrients to the cells of our body.
Without oxygen, nutrients cannot be
assimilated; therefore, the oxygenating
essential oils can help us maintain
our health.
Essential
oils are composed of tiny molecules
which are easily dissolved in alcohol,
emulsifiers and fats. This allows
them to penetrate the skin easily
and work into the body by mixing with
the fatty tissue.
As
these highly volatile essences evaporate
they are also inhaled, thus entering
the body via the millions of sensitive
cells that line the nasal passages.
These send messages straight to the
brain, and affect the emotions by
working on the limbic system, which
also controls the major functions
of the body. Thus in an aromatherapy
treatment the essential oils are able
to enhance both your physical and
psychological well-being at the same
time.
Each
oil has a distinct chemical composition
which determines its fragrance, color,
volatility and the ways in which it
affects the system, giving each oil
its unique set of beneficial properties.
What are the effects of using Essential
Oils?
Oils
can directly or indirectly affect the
body's physiological systems. For instance,
a couple of drops of peppermint taken
orally can aid digestion and inhalations
of mucolytic oils can relieve respiratory
symptoms. Used topically for their antiseptic
and soothing effects, essential oils
can successfully treat minor skin conditions.
It has been demonstrated that the
application of certain essential oils
to the skin can produce vaso-dilation
which in turn causes warming of underlying
muscles, however this is an indirect
effect of the oil acting on the superficial
tissues, it is not a pharmacological
effect produced as a result of the
oil entering the systemic circulation
via the skin.
In addition, because of the effect
of relaxation on the brain and the
subsequent sedating or stimulating
of the nervous system, essential oils
can also indirectly raise and lower
blood pressure and possibly aid in
normalization of hormonal secretion.
Because
of olfaction's direct connection to
the brain, sending electrical messages
directly into the limbic system, essential
oils can have effects on emotions
and mental states. Perception of odors
can have a major impact on memory,
learning, emotions, thinking and feeling.
As
therapeutic agents, essential oils
work similarly to tranquilizers but
in a subtle organic way. Most scents
uplift spirits and calm the nervous
system. For example, lavender is calming
and sedative; basil, rosemary and
peppermint are uplifting and stimulating;
and jasmine and ylang-ylang are exciting
or euphoric.
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