Learn and discover how aromatherapy came to be including how ecah nation contributed to the history of the alternative medicine.

Aromatherapy has been around for a very long time; it arguably began in Egypt, several thousand years ago, when the Egyptians used various plant oils for medicinal, fragrant, cosmetic, and spiritual uses. This marked the beginning of the story and

history of aromatherapy. Many of the substances used to preserve body parts during the mummifying process are used for healing in aromatherapy today.

The Greeks had several aromatherapy-type remedies for illnesses as well. The most well-known of these was megaleion, which was a myrrh-based lotion used for its anti inflammatory effects and wound healing potential. The history of aromatherapy was not greatly developed during the time of the Romans; whilst the Romans did perfect a distilling technique, they preferred using it to develop floral waters rather than essential oils.

By the twelfth century in history, lavender was well-known as a healing agent, and was commonly distilled for medicinal purposes. In the fourteenth century, an interesting phenomenon was noted: perfumers seemed much less susceptible to the Black Death than those around them. What caused this? Could it be their constant contact with potent fragrances that helped them? This opened a whole new window of speculation about the preventative and healing powers of plants.

Perhaps the greatest advance of aromatherapy history came in the 1900’s with the French chemist and scholar Ren Maurice Gattefoss, who is sometimes referred to as "the father of modern aromatherapy". When Gattefoss had the misfortune to burn his hand whilst working in a perfume plant, he thrust his hand into the nearest cooling liquid, which happened to be a bucket of lavender oil. He was amazed at how quickly the burn healed and how little scarring occurred. From then on, Gattefoss was devoted to researching essential oils. In fact, he was even the one who coined the term aromatherapie in 1928 for the title of one of his books!. 

Aromatherapy history helped us hone in the properties of this selective alternative medicine and we continue to develop further even today; with modern equipment, distilling is even easier and quicker than ever, our knowledge of this branch of healing continues to grow. Whilst some scientists are skeptical as to the actual healing merits of aromatherapy, many people have experienced recoveries as a result of this interesting science, and its following continues to grow.

Aromathrapy’s Anti-Anxiety Effects 

Technorati Tags: aromatherapy herbal, herbal aromatherapy, soap herbs

The Benefits Of Aromatherapy And Essential Oils

Learn how aromatherapy can help you heal and feel better

The practice of using volatile plant oils to enhance the psychological and physical aspects of an individual is called aromatherapy. The invigorating or uplifting scents of this process relies on elements, such as essential oils of well-known plants and flowers to provide an array of health benefits when used in the proper manner. To date, there is close to 100 essential oils used in aromatherapy techniques.

Essential oils are extracted from herbs, plants, fruits, and flowers, which work once they come in contact with the blood stream. Aromatherapy is also seen when an individual spreads a scented lotion or cream on their body and pleasantly takes in the enveloping scent. Additionally, one should take notice that perfume oils (such as "fragrance oils") are not in the same category as essential oils, as these options contain man-made chemicals that do more harm than good.

The Benefits of Aromatherapy

As the aromatherapy essential oils are inhaled into the lungs, a wide-range of benefits that affect the brain and body have been noted for many centuries. Reactions are triggered in the brain, while physical changes take place to ease the symptoms of many different common ailments - on of the reactions is the connection. Many people seeking natural approaches to achieve an improved status in health consider aromatherapy. Instead of relying on caffeine and prescribed medications, aromatherapy provides a treatment that carries very few side effects. A host of medical concerns are treated using aromatherapy, such as PMS cramps, high blood pressure, congestion, dandruff, blemished skin, minor aches and joint pains, tension headaches, insomnia, and a failing immune system.

Aromatherapy is also convenient, as it is a practice easily accomplished within the comforts of your own home. While professionals in the massage or spa business offer pricey aromatherapy sessions, those sticking to a budget can still benefit from the same techniques, but within their own controlled setting. For example, a simple scented candle is enough to send a person into the arms of relaxation.
                                              

Common Aromatherapy Scents

Depending on what you wish to achieve in aromatherapy, you will encounter a variety of selections that treat ailments spanning from bronchial coughs to stress. Accomplishing a state of relaxation, rejuvenation, and invigoration is often associated with aromatherapy oils of sage, lavender, and sandalwood. These selections contain components that possess the ability to ease the signs and symptoms of tension, anxiety, and insomnia.

To intensify the sense of wellbeing, essential oils are sometimes combined with therapeutic massage in order to enhance the overall process. As the oils are absorbed through the skin, they come in contact with the circulation of blood, which speeds up the effectiveness of the aromatherapy oils while still being absorbed through the nose.

Studies have even revealed that lavender can slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. It also works wonders by relieving muscle tension. Chamomile also allows one to relax. Encouraging a sense of motivation is associated with the essential oils of pine, mint, or citrus. When using candles and sprays that contain essential oils of lime, orange, lemon, or grapefruit - an uplifted spirit is the result. Peppermint and eucalyptus are known to create stimulation within the body. Aromatherapy has also been used to set the mood in the bedroom, as gardenia, sandalwood, and jasmine bring romantic scents into the air.

Overall, an individual can take advantage of aromatherapy by seeking the lotions, candles, gels, bath salts, room sprays, inhalants, and vaporizers that utilize the essential oils that correspond to their concerns.

By Lee Dobbins Published: 10/20/2007

Technorati Tags: essential aromatherapy, herbal aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a form of herbal medicine. It uses the scents in essential oils distilled from herbs, flowers and trees to improve health and vitality. Used properly, it can re-energize and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Aromatherapy comes in many forms. It can be used as oils, candles, lotions and soaps.

How Is The Scented Oil Extracted From The Plants?

Many herbs are used in the production of essential oils and waters for aromatherapy. essential oils are the aromatic compounds found in the herb. They are extracted by distillation. There are different methods of this but they are all basically the same.

The herbs are put into water which is heated until it produces steam. This releases and then carries chemicals, including the aromatic compounds. The steam is then chilled in a condenser and the material left behind is collected. Oils (which will become the Essential Oil) floats to the top of the distilled water and may be scooped off.

The distilled water part is called hydrosol. If you want to buy a herb or flower ‘water’ the best kind is a hydrosol as this is the by-product of aromatic distillation. Many ‘waters’ are essential oils added to water or alcohol and are not as good as true hydrosols.

Treat Aromatherapy With Respect!

Many people think that because the scented oils have ‘only come from plants’ that they can use as much as they like. Essential oils are very concentrated and are usually measured in drops. Strength wise - one drop would equal the volume amount of two cups. Ingesting one ounce of essential oil could prove fatal.

Unless you are a skilled aromatherapist, it’s best to use essential oils only on the skin. Always mix the drops of oil with a ‘carrier’ like sweet almond oil. Undiluted essential oil can burn the skin.

How Can Anything From Plants Be So Powerful?

Our pharmacology has developed from herbal medicine. Many medications in use today are still derived from plants.

There are more than 250,000 known plant species and yet less than 1% of them have been thoroughly tested for use in medicine. A quarter of our prescription medications are derived from this tiny 1%. The list includes morphine, atropine, ephedrine, warfarin, aspirin, digoxin, taxol, hyoscine - so plants are pretty powerful and care should be taken. Isn’t it amazing to think what other helpful medications are out there and as yet undiscovered!

Growing Herbs For Aromatherapy

A large area of crops is needed to grow herbs for aromatherapy purposes. This is because when calculated on the weight of fresh herbs distilled, plants only yield between 0.01% and 2% of essential oil. So a lot needs to be grown and distilled to produce reasonable amounts of oil.

To produce essential oils, the requirements are the plants, good soil (often organic), irrigation, reasonable shelter from harsh weather, harvesting and distillation equipment                                     

Hints And Tips On Essential Oils

1. Always read and heed advice on the labels on essential oils.

2. Keep them out of the sight and reach of children.

3. Never put essential oils near the eyes.

4. Always dilute with carrier oil before putting on the skin - or it will burn!

5. Essential oils are for external application only. Don’t ever ingest them.

6. As with any new skin preparation, test the oil first. Dilute a drop of essential oil with carrier oil and apply to the skin on your inner arm. If there is any irritation, discontinue its use.

7. Many herbs should be avoided by pregnant women and by people suffering some health conditions. Always check before use.

By Rebecca Prescott Published: 11/22/2006

Technorati Tags: essential oil herbs, health aromatherapy

Take advantage of the power of nature, using a simple warm bath infused with ancient remedies - natural bath salts, essential aromatherapy oils, and candle light - to nurture, heal, and soothe your body, mind, and spirit.

Stress  Relief and Relaxation with Natursoaps, aromatherapy oils, and bath saltsal Bath Salts and Aromatherapy Oils

The therapeutic qualities of seawater have been known for centuries. Hippocrates wrote about the healing affects it had on the injured hands of fishermen. The seawater reduced infection, and patients treated with seawater found that it also promoted pain relief.

Seawater is salty, and when the water is removed, we get these natural seawater ingredients in concentrated form - we call it ’sea salt’.

Not All Bath Salts Are The Same

Chemical companies start with sea salt as a raw ingredient to make other chemicals. They remove ‘impurities’ - other minerals and dried sea plants - from sea salt, refining the salt and removing important components along the way. At some point, after many important minerals have already been removed, they package it and sell it. They call it ‘bath salt’.

As minerals are removed from sea salt, the salt becomes more refined. Nearly 80 minerals are removed from sea salt to create other products. Each step along the way, minerals of natural sea salt are removed until only one is left - a pure crystal of sodium chloride.

This final crystal happens to be white and tastes salty, and we call it ‘table salt’.

The reason table salt is not used for baths is simply because it is so concentrated; it is very harsh to our skin.

(For these same reasons, table salt is also harsh inside our bodies, containing almost none of the nutrients we used to get from real salt. That is why we should buy sea salt to flavor our food, as well - all the ingredients we need for health are still there!)

The Best Bath Salts (and food salts) are All-Natural!

Natural sea salts come in a variety of colors - gray, brown, green, pink and other colors. These colors come from the minerals and other ingredients in that particular sea as the water evaporated over the centuries.

The natural buffers and other minerals contained sea salts allow us to feel the gentle ‘balance of the sea’, and the softness of warm bath water with sea salts is good for our skin.

One of the best sources of natural bath salts is the Bay of Brittany, France. This area is well known for its great wealth of algae, plankton, and rich sea life. Salt in this area is sun dried and hand harvested by the Celtic people, using ages-old harvesting methods that preserve the vital elements.

This salt is rich in 84 vital minerals, organic iodine compounds, microscopic algae and phytoplankton, and other trace elements. These natural salts are beneficial to us in ways we don’t understand and cannot measure. They are simply good for us.

Sea salt, when added to bath water, is like a seawater kit!

Sea salts in a bath create an effective therapy for many skin problems. People with psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin conditions can benefit from warm seawater therapy. Acne can improve with this as well - baths of sea salt help clean pores and detoxify the body.

(Detoxify means, the minerals in the sea salt bath pulls the waste materials out of the pores - such as the salty-sweaty stuff that we eliminate through the skin during the day - and the bath salts neutralize these things, leaving your skin fresh and really clean.)

In other words, a sea salt bath creates an environment that can help remove waste materials from the body, a comfortable and soothing way to detoxify our bodies.

And when natural herbs and essential aromatherapy oils are added, a bath with sea salts can improve our sense of well-being, too!

A Recipe For Relaxing

Start with natural sea salts from the Bay of Brittany. Add natural plant-based aromatherapy oils - use fragrances from essential oils of eucalyptus, cyprus, and peppermint. Sprinkle in organic herbal extracts of chamomile and calendula. Mix this in a warm tub, light a candle or two, turn off the lights, and climb in.

Then, just soak, relax, and breathe. Seawater from natural bath salts with herbal aromatherapy oils. Speak quietly to yourself, out loud, with some positive language. Say things like "I am okay", and "It is all good". Positive affirmations can be very helpful.

Imagine how this could improve your life, just doing this simple routine for yourself, on a regular basis!Take advantage of the power of nature, a simple warm bath infused with ancient remedies - seawater, aromatherapy, and candle light - to nurture, heal, and soothe your body, mind, and spirit.

 You are worth it!

Dr. McIntosh has had a wellness-based practice for 30 years. He and Lisa, his wife, live in Las Vegas. They teach women a safe, natural approach to osteoporosis, showing women how to stop and reverse bone loss without drugs. They teach women how to use simple, natural methods and products such as natural herbal  to reconnect with themselves for better health and wellness.

By Martin McIntosh Published: 12/11/2006

Technorati Tags: aroma therapy, Aromatherapy oil, aromatherapy organic, Essential Oils, herbal aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, Essential Oils and Benefits

                                                                                                   Here!

Aromatherapy uses essential oils for their curative properties. They give soothing effects to body and brain.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils for their remedial properties. All essential oils or essences can be divided into three classes: (i) terpenic (ii) oxygenated and (iii) sulphurized. All have antiseptic, healing and anti-bacterial properties and above all different chemical structures.

Essences are not only useful because of their bacterial action but also due to their healing effects obtained by means of a range of activities. They are also used in beauty products like soap, shampoo, perfumes and lotions. These aroma products with remedial properties help to treat acne and other skin disorders.

Essences can be divided according to these activities: antispasmodic or spasmolytic, stimulatory, hormonal and anti-fermentative. In this connection it is remarkable how the traditional use of certain plants has now been justified by qualitative analysis of their essences.

In old days people sprinkled themselves with the essence of rosemary, sage, thyme, and other fragrant plants as a protection against contagious diseases during epidemics.

It has been proved that many plants for example, produce substances with hormonal qualities similar to the female ovarian hormones and therefore behave in the same way. Sage, willow, hops, and liquorice have long been popular remedies to increase the milk flow of a nursing mother or to correct and stabilize the menstrual flow. There are most likely many other types of plant that produce such hormones or others that are akin to them. It is important, therefore, that these valuable natural resources should be discovered, classified and used under strict medical control to avoid dependence on ill-tolerated synthetic preparations.

Many people have the personal experience of the anti-putrefactive and anti-fermentative uses of certain essential oil-producing plants such as funnel, coriander and anise, which are especially effective remedies against such complaints as gastritis and colitis.

Know more on Home remedies at Natural cures guide - a health guide to make you and your family live better, fit and healthy.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

By Nick Mutt Published: 5/13/2008

Technorati Tags: essential aromatherapy, oils herbs

                              Aromatherapy  Herbs

Aromatherapy or scent-based remedy for certain ailments is an authentic science that has a long association with royalty and the crme de la crme of society. The use of essential oil herbs in the treatment, makes it unique.

Aromatherapy herbs is an alternative medicine application that involves the use of volatile liquid plant material. The extracted essence or essential oils and other strong scented compounds from plants are used as mood and health

enhancers and pain relievers. The chemical compositions of the essential oils usually recommended in aromatherapy differ from the herbal products also widely sold all over the world. The difference is due to the exclusive distillation process used in aromatherapy, which retains or extracts only the lighter phyto-molecules present in the base material. Aromatherapy essential oils are potent with sesquiterpenes, esters, monoterpenes, hydrocarbons and organic sulfides.

You can prepare a great aromatherapy gift basket for someone you love and enjoy indulging in - your mother, wife, hsuband, son, daughter, grandparent or even yourself. Yes, why not! When buying Christmas or Easter gifts for the family, put yourself on the budget too and indulge. You need to know what goes into effective aromatherapy, to put together a great gift basket. When conducting research and marketing for the aromatherapy products, it is essential to know that aromatherapy is a generic term applied commonly to traditions that use essential oils, either alone or in combination, with alternative medical practices. The therapy is also associated with spiritual beliefs. Not all medical treatment involving the use of such scents are included in the term ‘aromatherapy’.
Your aromatherapy gift basket should include one or many fragrant oils, like eucalyptus or grapefruit oil. These oils are also referred to as solvent extractions. There are ‘absolutes’ that are essence oils extracted from flowers and delicate plant tissues. Absolutes also include the essences of fragrant butters and enfleurage pommades. There are ‘phytoncides’ or voltile organic compounds that kill microbes. Among the variety of phytoncides available, ‘allium’ are not desirable due to their disagreeable odors. Then, you could include hydrosols, the aqueous by products. They also have culinary uses and are great skin care options. The common hydrosols are rose, chamomile and lemon.

Your aromatherapy gift basket could also include infusions or aqueous extracts of plants and carrier oils that are used to dilute essential oils for use on sensitive skin. You could make your gift basket special by including basil for sharpening concentration, getting rid of depression and migraines. However, if you are gifting the basket to someone pregnant, then you should leave out the basil oil because of the emmenagogue chemotypes present in it. Bergamot is a great oil to include and is very popular too. It makes an excellent insect repellent and the recipient of the gift basket will definitely bless you. The sharp and spicy aroma of black pepper should be included ina basket for your grandparents. It stimulates blood circulation and eases muscular aches and pains.

You can also consider geranium oil, which is an astringent, antiseptic and a diuretic. If you are gifting the absket to your spouse, you could get a little bold and include extract of jasmine, rose, sandalwood or ylang-ylang, which are used as aphrodisiacs. In the case of the aromatherapy gift basket going out to someone with children, inlcude lavender oil. It is a good antiseptic and soothes cuts and burns, while calming the person. Lavender extract also eases headaches and migraines. Considering lemon oil is also wise. It serves as an anti-stress agent. Tea tree oil and thyme oil can be considered as part of the gift basket too. Tea tree oil is used externally as an antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antiseptic.

If you are planning to gift the aromatherapy gift basket to a friend who has a history of sinus, them including yarrow oil is a good idea. It helps to relieve cold and reduces the resultant joint inflammation. Your aromatherapy gift basket should also include cotton swabs and cotton balls. The essential oils accompanied with a brief hand-written description on the uses of each speak volumes for the intent. Depending on your budget, you could indulge in one, two or an assortment of the essential oils easily available. There are a number of online resources that even market baskets that can be customized by you.

Technorati Tags: aromatherapy herb, herbal aromatherapy

  Here is a guide to methods of extraction of essential oils from various plant sources… There are several methods of obtaining aromatic substances from plant material, most of which are described below. But strictly speaking, essential oils are only those obtained by distillation or expression.

Distillation

Distillation is the most widely used and the most economical method of extracting essential oils. There is a great deal of skill involved in the process of distillation in the if the precious essential oil is not to be lost or changed in its composition. Some plants are distilled immediately after harvesting, whereas others may be left for a few days or even dried prior to extraction.

In distillation, the plant material is heated, either by placing it in water which is brought to the boil or by passing steam through it. The heat and steam cause the cell structure of the plant material to burst and break down, thus freeing the essential oils. The essential oil molecules and steam are carried along a pipe and channelled through a cooling tank, where they return to the liquid form and are collected in a vat. The emerging liquid is a mixture of oil and water, and since essential oils are not water soluble they can be easily separated from the water and siphoned off. Essential oils which are lighter than water will float on the surface, whereas heavier oils such as clove will sink.

Expression

This method is reserved exclusively for members of the citrus family such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin and orange. The essence yielded is found in small sacs which are located under the surface of rind. This process was originally carried out using simple hand pressure. The citrus essence was squeezed from the rinds and then collected in a sponge which, once saturated, was squeezed into a bucket. Due to the labour costs involved the majority of citrus oil is now expressed using mechanical presses.

Solvent Extraction

The process of solvent extraction does not yield essential oils. This method is employed for flowers, gums and resins and it produces ‘absolutes’ and ‘resinoids’. The technique is used for higher yield or to extract oils that cannot be obtained by any other process. Jasmine, for example, is adversely affected by hot water and steam.

Absolutes

To yield an absolute the aromatic plant material (flowers, leaves, etc.) is extracted by hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene or hexane. The plant material is covered with the solvent and slowly heated to dissolve the aromatic molecules. The solvent extracts the odour and then the solvent is filtered off to produce a ‘concrete’. A concrete is a solid, wax-like substance containing about 50 per cent wax and 50 per cent volatile oil such as jasmine.

To obtain the absolute the concrete is mixed with pure alcohol to dissolve out the aromatic molecules, and then chilled. This mixture is filtered to eliminate waste products and to separate out insoluble waxes. The alcohol is evaporated off gently under vaccum. The thick, viscous, coloured liquid known as the absolute is left behind.

Resinoids

Solvent extraction can also be used for gums and resins to produce resinoids. Resins are the solid/semi-solid substances which exude naturally from a tree or plant that has been damaged. Commercially, resins are obtained by cutting into the bark or stem, and the gum-like substance hardens once it is exposed to the air.

The natural resinous material is extracted with a hydrocarbon solvent such as petroleum ether, hexane or alcohol. These solvents are then filtered off and subsequently removed by distillation. A resinoid remains where a hydrocarbon solvent has been used (eg. benzoin resinoid). Resinoids are often employed by the perfume manufacturers as fixatives to prolong the aroma of a fragrance (as are concretes).

Enfleurage

The process of enfleurage also yields an absolute, although this method is virtually obsolete nowadays. It is very time consuming and labour intensive and, therefore, highly expensive. Formerly this was the main method of extraction for delicate flowers such as jasmine which continue to produce perfume even after they have ben picked. It involves the use of purified odourless cold fat which is spread over sheets of glass mounted in large rectangular wooden frames. Flowers are strewn upon this layer of fat which absorbs the essential oil. After approximately a day the flowers are removed to be replaced by fresh flowers. The process is repeated many times - even beyond months - until the fat is saturated.

Carbon Dioxide Extraction

The relatively new method was introduced only in the 1980s. The price is high because the equipment used is expensive. The process has been designed for the perfume industry. Oils which are extracted utilising carbon dioxide are supposed to be superior, pure and very close to the natural essential oil as it exists in the plant - and they are completely free of residues of carbon dioxide.

Hydrodiffusion/percolation

Hydrodiffusion or percolation is the most modern method of extraction. This process is faster than distillation, and the equipment is much more simple than that used for carbon dioxide extraction. Steam spray is passed through the plant material (which is suspended on a grid) from above. The emerging liquid composed of oil and condensed steam is then cooled. The result is a mixture of essential oil and water (as in the distillation process) which can be easily separated.

Maceration

For this process plants are placed into a vat of warm vegetable oil which causes the plant cells to rupture, causing the absorption of the essential oils. The vat is then agitated for several days. The resulting oil is filtered and bottled, and is ready for use as a massage medium. Examples of macerated oils are calendula, carrot and hypericum.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils
Essential oils are the concentrated essence of plant material widely used in aromatherapy. They are droplets of water-like fluid contained in the leaves, stems, bark, flowers, roots and/or fruits of different plants, and give the plant its unique .

Technorati Tags: essential aromatherapy, uses of aromatherapy

Three Useful Essential Oils With Health Benefits

 You can massage, inhale or use these essential oils in bath to get the benefits of their healing properties.

In this article you will know three useful essential oils with health benefits. You can inhale, massage or use them in bath to get the benefits of their healing properties.

1. Orange blossom

This essential oil is often called neroli. It is obtained from fresh orange flowers by steam distillation. This oil is one of the most expensive, along with rose and jasmine.

Orange blossom essential oil is helpful for:

1.Diarrhea: Blend in carrier oil and massage gently into the abdomen to relieve spasms.

2.Depression: Neroli is cheering oil. Try inhaling, or add a few drops to your bathwater.

3.Sensitive skin, high color: Blend in carrier oil and use to massage the affected area. Or, add a few drops to a bottle of orange flower water and use as a skin tonic.

4.Shock, fear: Inhale neat oil.

2. Petigrain

Made from the leaves of the orange blossom tree, this oil has similar properties to neroli and a pleasant, light scent. It is cheaper to produce than neroli, and often used in its place for economic reasons.

Petigrain essential oil is helpful for:

1.Fluid retention: Add to the bath, or mix with carrier oil for massage.

2.Memory: Inhale neat oil

3.Stress: Use in carrier oil for massage, or in the bath.

4.Spotty or irritated skin: Mix with carrier oil and use on the affected areas.

3. Ylang-Ylang

The Ylang-Ylang essential oil is obtained from the flower by steam distillation. This is used by the perfume industry as it has a lovely, exotic floral fragrance. It has a relaxing, sedative effect and is a pleasant oil to use in a burner to scent your home. It is said to have aphrodisiac powers!

Ylang-Ylang essential oil is helpful for:

1.Depression and nervous tension: Use in a burner, the bath or for massage.

2.High blood pressure: The oil is claming and can help to relieve high blood pressure. Use regularly in carrier oil for massage or in the bath.

3.Insomnia: Put a few drops on your pillow, use in the bath or a burner.

4.Panic, fear: Inhale neat oil.

5.Spotty skin: Use in carrier oil or dilute in water and use as a skin tonic.

Seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Know natural Home remedies for common diseases. Also read the benefits of Triphala and know how it can cure constipation.

By Nick Mutt Published: 9/11/2008

Technorati Tags: essential oils herbs, keywords essential oil herbs

  The Benefits Of Aromatherapy And Essential Oils

Learn how aromatherapy can help you heal and feel better

The practice of using volatile plant oils to enhance the psychological and physical aspects of an individual is called aromatherapy. The invigorating or uplifting scents of this process relies on elements, such as essential oils of well-known plants and flowers to provide an array of health benefits when used in the proper manner. To date, there is close to 100 essential oils used in aromatherapy techniques.

Essential oils are extracted from herbs, plants, fruits, and flowers, which work once they come in contact with the blood stream. Aromatherapy is also seen when an individual spreads a scented lotion or cream on their body and pleasantly takes in the enveloping scent. Additionally, one should take notice that perfume oils (such as "fragrance oils") are not in the same category as essential oils, as these options contain man-made chemicals that do more harm than good.
                   

       
                             The Benefits of Aromatherapy

As the aromatherapy essential oils are inhaled into the lungs, a wide-range of benefits that affect the brain and body have been noted for many centuries. Reactions are triggered in the brain, while physical changes take place to ease the symptoms of many different common ailments - on of the reactions is the connection. Many people seeking natural approaches to achieve an improved status in health consider aromatherapy. Instead of relying on caffeine and prescribed medications, aromatherapy provides a treatment that carries very few side effects. A host of medical concerns are treated using aromatherapy, such as PMS cramps, high blood pressure, congestion, dandruff, blemished skin, minor aches and joint pains, tension headaches, insomnia, and a failing immune system.

Aromatherapy is also convenient, as it is a practice easily accomplished within the comforts of your own home. While professionals in the massage or spa business offer pricey aromatherapy sessions, those sticking to a budget can still benefit from the same techniques, but within their own controlled setting. For example, a simple scented candle is enough to send a person into the arms of relaxation.
              
Common Aromatherapy Scents

Depending on what you wish to achieve in aromatherapy, you will encounter a variety of selections that treat ailments spanning from bronchial coughs to stress. Accomplishing a state of relaxation, rejuvenation, and invigoration is often associated with aromatherapy oils of sage, lavender, and sandalwood. These selections contain components that possess the ability to ease the signs and symptoms of tension, anxiety, and insomnia.

To intensify the sense of wellbeing, essential oils are sometimes combined with therapeutic massage in order to enhance the overall process. As the oils are absorbed through the skin, they come in contact with the circulation of blood, which speeds up the effectiveness of the aromatherapy oils while still being absorbed through the nose.

Studies have even revealed that lavender can slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. It also works wonders by relieving muscle tension. Chamomile also allows one to relax. Encouraging a sense of motivation is associated with the essential oils of pine, mint, or citrus. When using candles and sprays that contain essential oils of lime, orange, lemon, or grapefruit - an uplifted spirit is the result. Peppermint and eucalyptus are known to create stimulation within the body. Aromatherapy has also been used to set the mood in the bedroom, as gardenia, sandalwood, and jasmine bring romantic scents into the air.

Overall, an individual can take advantage of aromatherapy by seeking the lotions, candles, gels, bath salts, room sprays, inhalants, and vaporizers that utilize the
essential oils that correspond to their concerns.

Consider adding a few drops of pure Lavender essential oil to your bath and allow the relaxin…   Read more…

Adrenal Health | Organic Medicinal Herbs

By Lee Dobbins Published: 10/20/2007

Technorati Tags: aromatherapy herbs, essential oils herbs, keywords essential oil herbs

Aromatherapy Oil: Pamper Your Skin and Your Senses Will Thank You

 Aromatherapy oils are a great way to give your skin a natural boost that is great for your other senses too. Find out more about what essential oils to use and how best to use them.

Everyone needs to escape from their hectic schedule once in awhile. Picture this: You come home after a long day at work and need a little time to yourself. You light a few candles, maybe play some soft jazz and indulge in some take-out, or chocolate. The only thing missing is aromatherapy oil! So you pull out the oil and lightly mist the fragrance onto your skin. Immediately you feel yourself relaxing, and ready to end the day right.

Sure, it may sound like a clichd scene for self-indulgence. Most of us are overworked and just plain tired, however; and we need something to help us relax and rejuvenate our bodies and minds. One of the best ways of doing this is using a soothing substance such as an aromatherapy oil to calm our senses. Here is why aromatherapy oil is so good for you:

All Natural

Aromatherapy oils and the many different forms originate from essential oils, which are the saps and oils of the plant or tree the fragrance comes from (the lavender essential oil comes from the lavender plant). All aromatherapy oil is natural, but the only way to know before you buy that you’re truly getting the full benefit of the scent is to check the ingredients on the bottle. If there is no list of the ingredients on your aromatherapy oil product, or if it lists something like "fragrance oil" then it is not made naturally, and you will not get the full benefit of the scent.. You can purchase aromatherapy oil at outlets such as Bath and Body Works, or the nutrition section of any generic retail store.

Variable Usages

It isn’t all about self-indulgence. If you want to make your partner feel as good as you do, then take a night and relax each other with aromatherapy oil. The scent of the oil, plus the touch from your loved one will definitely make for an enchanting evening. Aromatherapy oil is also good if you have an aching muscle and don’t want to breathe in the unpleasant smell of ointments. It will soak into your skin the same, and leave a refreshing feeling in the end.

bottle of aromatherapy oil, or bath beads or salts, and letting the oils soak into your skin. It is also a way to bring you and your significant other together, physically and mentally. So let the drone of the day fade, and slip into tranquility with your favorite bottle of aromatherapy oil.

Learn how to relax and get the most out of life by invigorating your senses with aromatherapy oils. Not all fragrant oils are essential oils.

  Treatment For Acne And Scars Using Herb | Aromatherapy Skin Care

Technorati Tags: aromatherapy herb, skin aromatherapy, skin herbs

Aromatherapy Massage Oils

Aromatherapy massage oils are oils that have been extracted from flowers and plants to provide us with healing and energy.

History of Aromatherapy

The word "Aromatherapy" can be divided into two words, "aroma" meaning fragrance and "therapy" meaning treatment. Flowers, plants and their essences have been used for relaxation, healing and energy for as far back as 18,000 B.C.

Aromatherapy is reputed to be at least 6000 years old and was used by the ancient civilizations of India, Egypt and China. The Egyptians used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants that were used for medicinal, cosmetic and embalming purposes.

It is estimated that the Chinese were also using some form of aromatics at about the same time as the Egyptians. The oldest surviving medical book that dates back to 2700 B.C. contains information on about 300 plants. The Chinese burned aromatic wood and incense to show respect to God. Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine that has been practiced for more than 3000 years incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects.

Slowly but surely the knowledge of essential oils spread far and wide. Traders, physicians, chemists and doctors all learnt the importance of essential oils. Experiments were carried out to provide us with aromatherapy, as we know it today.

Using essential oils stimulates the mind and body. Each essential oil contains properties that can have subtle effects on the mind, body and emotion.

Benefits of Aromatherapy:

• The oils when applied to the body are believed to aid in health and beauty.
• When essential oils are inhaled correctly into the lungs they offer psychological and physical benefits. The aroma of the natural essential oil stimulates the brain to trigger a reaction and the natural constituents of the essential oils when inhaled provide physical benefits.
• Aromatherapy treatment is also used to help cancer patients dealing with chemotherapy, depression, anxiety, tension and sleep.
• Apart from the benefits referred to above, essential oils also act as a natural repellent and pesticide.

Names of a few essential oils with their properties:

Bergamot
This oil is used in clinics to treat depression. Bergamot relaxes the brain when sniffed. It is cooling, refreshing and calming. It helps in insomnia, releases stress and helps to deal with anxiety.

Cardamom
Cardamom is fresh and spicy. It encourages concentration, direction, straightforwardness, confidence and courage.

Cypress
Cypress is said to stimulate skin circulation, therefore it is used in massage blends to tone the muscles of the body. It is also very useful for cellulite, sore throat, varicose veins, muscle cramps, rheumatism, arthritis, stress and nervous tension.

Eucalyptus Lemon
A soothing and calming oil with a strong sedative effect, eucalyptus lemon is used for muscle and joint aches, it is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Apart from this, it is also a powerful antiseptic, used for athletes foot, and fungal infections. It is useful to use for a massage when a client is on the verge of getting a cold.

Fennel Sweet
Fennel sweet has a scent that is warm and slightly sweet. It is used for digestive, nausea and colic complaints. This oil also helps to keep the body and mind calm and free of stress and tension. This oil is best avoided in pregnancy.

Germanium
This essential oil is helpful for anxiety and stress relief. It balances female energy and hormones. It is oil that is wonderful for skin care, menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome and uplifting.

Helichrysum
This oil is one of the most ancient and valuable. It opens the heart and connects the body and spirit. Helichrysum is used for healing scar tissue, old or new. It is also very effective for joint pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This oil is also anti-inflammatory with analgesic and pain reducing effects.

Jasmine Sambac
Jasmine is an antidepressant and aphrodisiac. Romantic and sensual, this oil bolsters confidence and optimism. It is helpful for anxiety, fear and panic.

Peppermint
Peppermint is used for a host of problems like nausea, indigestion, headaches, liver problems and inflammation. Since peppermint is anti-spasmodic, it is used in massage for sports injuries. It is stimulating to the mind and provides mental concentration and memory. Pregnant women in their 1st trimester, small children and those with high blood pressure should avoid peppermint.

Technorati Tags: health aromatherapy, herbal aromatherapy