Authentic Aromatherapy: The Art Of Medicine
"The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while Nature cures the disease."~-Voltaire
Aromatherapy has become a very popular and over commercialized word, but what is really meant by the term “aromatherapy?” (And no it 's not Febreze®)
Authentic Aromatherapy is a comprehensive healthcare modality that utilizes therapeutic plant extracts called “essential oils” to evoke the body’s own intrinsic healing power. (Thanks to a great Hydrotherapy teacher who taught me this) Essential oils support the body in achieving what it does naturally – seeking homeostasis and balance. Aromatherapy health is a vastly different concept than the current commercial idea of “recreational” aromatherapy comprised of scented candles, bubble bath, …show more content…
perfume oils, fragrance plug-ins which are made up in a lab, oh since I brought up the scented candles just a quick note on paraffin wax candles. These candles, which are made from petroleum, are a source of known human carcinogens and indoor pollution, instead try Soy candles.
Surprisingly during my research I learned that aromatherapy is not chiefly about aroma, but rather the processes that occur in the body after its application. Using extracts of aromatic medicinal plants called “essential oils,” aromatherapy facilitates the body’s own healing power at the cellular level, allowing the body’s systems to balance, repair and restore health. Some of the most common aromatherapy remedies treat indigestion, swelling, and infection. Most everyone knows that adding a few drops eucalyptus to a steaming pot of water and inhaling the steam destroys infection when you have a sinus infection. A liniment that contains peppermint warms muscles and eases away pain. Essential oils easily penetrate the skin to decrease underlying inflammation.
Spotlight on important essential oils:
Studies have verified the therapeutic qualities associated with pure essential oils; many of which have effective anti-bacterial and antiviral benefits.[1]
Thyme oil
Its highly antiseptic properties are not irritating.[3]
Neroli oil
Its rejuvenating properties produce an effect similar to hormones. Neroli is also utilized to prevent stretch marks.[3]
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Known to regenerate cells and improve metabolic activity in the inner layer of the skin. There are a number of varieties of rosemary oil which have different chemical compositions. The most expensive type is rosemary verbenon, which is used in aromatherapy skin care.[3]
Everlast (Helichrysum italicum)
Possibly the most efective anti-inflammatory agent in aromatherapy. It has tissue-regenerating abilities on scars. It can prevent herorrhaging and swelling after sports injuries or bruising when applied topically. In addition, it contains ketone (an organic chemical derived by oxidation of alcohol) and therefore should be used in minute rations (less that 2 percent).
Carrot seed oil
An effective tissue revitalizer excellent for use on the face.[3]
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata)
Also known as Eucalyptus australiana. Commonly used to regulate overproductive sebaceous glands-which help to retain body heat and prevent sweat evaporation. It is an antiviral and expectorant agent. It is best used through a diffusor, or topically as a chest rub.[3]
Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum)
A fragrant oil with antifungal and antiviral properties. It is often applied gently on the skin.[3]
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
The popular, classic oil of aromatherapy. It can be used undiluted on burns, small injuries, and insect bites. It also has a calming effect (high ester content). In fact, the discovery of lavender 's astonishing effects on severe burns led to the emergence of aromatherapy as an alternative therapy. This discovery caused many health care specialists to pay closer attention to the healing power of many essential oils.[3]
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Has calming properties and a pleasing fragrance.
It is a top choice to relieve anxiety. It typically permeates a room when used with a diffusor (to be dispersed).[3]
Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
Calms respiratory allergies, is a vitalizing, balancing agent for overactive and oily skin, and helps with hemorrhoids (in the nonacute stage).[3]
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
Has a pleasing fragrance and is an excellent antiseptic/antiviral agent for skin care and in the treatment of herpes.[3]
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
A drop on the tongue of this oil provides excellent relief for nausea and travel sickness. It is also effective for irritable bowel syndrome and as a stimulant for the liver during convalescence (this fact has been studied in France, where peppermint oil is given frequently to patients).
Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
A drop rubbed on the solar plexus can bring rapid relief of mental or physical stress. It can calm an anguished mind or body.[3]
Spikenard (Nardostachys …show more content…
jatamansi)
This oil is from the root of a plant from the Himalayan mountains.
It is believed to have a never ending life span and a complex, misunderstood life cycle. It is often used to benefit the psyche rather than the skin (as most essential oils tend to benefit the skin instead of the mind).[3]
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
A nonirritating antiseptic, tea tree has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Applied topically, it is useful in healing pus-filled wounds and for treating many types of mild or chronic infections.[3]
Lemon
This essential oil has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It can prevent infectious diseases, treat cold, bronchitis, fever, insect bites, sore throat, varicose veins, and heartburn. Lemon purifies the air, strengthens, energizes, and refreshes. It helps to stimulate the body 's immune system, aiding in the production of white blood cells.[3]
Lergamot
Bergamot essential oil has strong antiseptic properties. It is useful in the treatment of digestive disorders, lost appetite, gingivitis, cystitis, sore throat, vaginal infections, fever, and flatulence. This oil is used psychologically to balance and normalize emotions. It is effective in treating anxiety, stress, depression, and nervous
tension.[3]
As we all know from our research this week, historically the therapeutic nature and protective qualities of plants have been highly revered. Every ancient culture has used aromatic plants for health, healing, prayer, beauty and purification. The use of aromatics is well documented in Egyptian hieroglyphs as well as in ancient Eastern medical texts from China and India, and steam distillation of aromatic botanicals was perfected in Persia. During the 1800s when tuberculosis took millions of European lives, the people working in the herb and flower fields were not succumbing to the disease. It was hypothesized that the medicinal qualities of the plants protected them, and this, in fact, is what led to the first scientific studies on the antimicrobial effects of aromatherapy and essential oils.[2]
While on jumping from link to link for this paper I came across a great site, Edu Cations Sky, they have posted a great article on "Aromatherapy Therapeutic Touch And Learning Disabilities" if you have a chance stop by and read the link below will take you there. http://www.educationssky.com/?p=429 References: http://www.homeremedycentral.com/ http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/aromatherapy-000347.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/24206/therapies/aromatherapy.html
Aromatherapy has become a very popular and over commercialized word, but what is really meant by the term “aromatherapy?” (And no it 's not Febreze®)
Authentic Aromatherapy is a comprehensive healthcare modality that utilizes therapeutic plant extracts called “essential oils” to evoke the body’s own intrinsic healing power. (Thanks to a great Hydrotherapy teacher who taught me this) Essential oils support the body in achieving what it does naturally – seeking homeostasis and balance. Aromatherapy health is a vastly different concept than the current commercial idea of “recreational” aromatherapy comprised of scented candles, bubble bath, …show more content…
perfume oils, fragrance plug-ins which are made up in a lab, oh since I brought up the scented candles just a quick note on paraffin wax candles. These candles, which are made from petroleum, are a source of known human carcinogens and indoor pollution, instead try Soy candles.
Surprisingly during my research I learned that aromatherapy is not chiefly about aroma, but rather the processes that occur in the body after its application. Using extracts of aromatic medicinal plants called “essential oils,” aromatherapy facilitates the body’s own healing power at the cellular level, allowing the body’s systems to balance, repair and restore health. Some of the most common aromatherapy remedies treat indigestion, swelling, and infection. Most everyone knows that adding a few drops eucalyptus to a steaming pot of water and inhaling the steam destroys infection when you have a sinus infection. A liniment that contains peppermint warms muscles and eases away pain. Essential oils easily penetrate the skin to decrease underlying inflammation.
Spotlight on important essential oils:
Studies have verified the therapeutic qualities associated with pure essential oils; many of which have effective anti-bacterial and antiviral benefits.[1]
Thyme oil
Its highly antiseptic properties are not irritating.[3]
Neroli oil
Its rejuvenating properties produce an effect similar to hormones. Neroli is also utilized to prevent stretch marks.[3]
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Known to regenerate cells and improve metabolic activity in the inner layer of the skin. There are a number of varieties of rosemary oil which have different chemical compositions. The most expensive type is rosemary verbenon, which is used in aromatherapy skin care.[3]
Everlast (Helichrysum italicum)
Possibly the most efective anti-inflammatory agent in aromatherapy. It has tissue-regenerating abilities on scars. It can prevent herorrhaging and swelling after sports injuries or bruising when applied topically. In addition, it contains ketone (an organic chemical derived by oxidation of alcohol) and therefore should be used in minute rations (less that 2 percent).
Carrot seed oil
An effective tissue revitalizer excellent for use on the face.[3]
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata)
Also known as Eucalyptus australiana. Commonly used to regulate overproductive sebaceous glands-which help to retain body heat and prevent sweat evaporation. It is an antiviral and expectorant agent. It is best used through a diffusor, or topically as a chest rub.[3]
Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum)
A fragrant oil with antifungal and antiviral properties. It is often applied gently on the skin.[3]
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
The popular, classic oil of aromatherapy. It can be used undiluted on burns, small injuries, and insect bites. It also has a calming effect (high ester content). In fact, the discovery of lavender 's astonishing effects on severe burns led to the emergence of aromatherapy as an alternative therapy. This discovery caused many health care specialists to pay closer attention to the healing power of many essential oils.[3]
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Has calming properties and a pleasing fragrance.
It is a top choice to relieve anxiety. It typically permeates a room when used with a diffusor (to be dispersed).[3]
Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
Calms respiratory allergies, is a vitalizing, balancing agent for overactive and oily skin, and helps with hemorrhoids (in the nonacute stage).[3]
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
Has a pleasing fragrance and is an excellent antiseptic/antiviral agent for skin care and in the treatment of herpes.[3]
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
A drop on the tongue of this oil provides excellent relief for nausea and travel sickness. It is also effective for irritable bowel syndrome and as a stimulant for the liver during convalescence (this fact has been studied in France, where peppermint oil is given frequently to patients).
Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
A drop rubbed on the solar plexus can bring rapid relief of mental or physical stress. It can calm an anguished mind or body.[3]
Spikenard (Nardostachys …show more content…
jatamansi)
This oil is from the root of a plant from the Himalayan mountains.
It is believed to have a never ending life span and a complex, misunderstood life cycle. It is often used to benefit the psyche rather than the skin (as most essential oils tend to benefit the skin instead of the mind).[3]
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
A nonirritating antiseptic, tea tree has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Applied topically, it is useful in healing pus-filled wounds and for treating many types of mild or chronic infections.[3]
Lemon
This essential oil has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It can prevent infectious diseases, treat cold, bronchitis, fever, insect bites, sore throat, varicose veins, and heartburn. Lemon purifies the air, strengthens, energizes, and refreshes. It helps to stimulate the body 's immune system, aiding in the production of white blood cells.[3]
Lergamot
Bergamot essential oil has strong antiseptic properties. It is useful in the treatment of digestive disorders, lost appetite, gingivitis, cystitis, sore throat, vaginal infections, fever, and flatulence. This oil is used psychologically to balance and normalize emotions. It is effective in treating anxiety, stress, depression, and nervous
tension.[3]
As we all know from our research this week, historically the therapeutic nature and protective qualities of plants have been highly revered. Every ancient culture has used aromatic plants for health, healing, prayer, beauty and purification. The use of aromatics is well documented in Egyptian hieroglyphs as well as in ancient Eastern medical texts from China and India, and steam distillation of aromatic botanicals was perfected in Persia. During the 1800s when tuberculosis took millions of European lives, the people working in the herb and flower fields were not succumbing to the disease. It was hypothesized that the medicinal qualities of the plants protected them, and this, in fact, is what led to the first scientific studies on the antimicrobial effects of aromatherapy and essential oils.[2]
While on jumping from link to link for this paper I came across a great site, Edu Cations Sky, they have posted a great article on "Aromatherapy Therapeutic Touch And Learning Disabilities" if you have a chance stop by and read the link below will take you there. http://www.educationssky.com/?p=429 References: http://www.homeremedycentral.com/ http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/aromatherapy-000347.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/24206/therapies/aromatherapy.html