| Even before the term alternative medicine
| |
| | these factors is important: getting about
|
| was formally used, aromatherapy was
| |
| | 5 teaspoonsful of oil could entail the
|
| already being practiced 5000 years ago by
| |
| | use more than 220 pounds of rose petals.
|
| Egyptians. At that time, oil was
| |
| | This process is what makes pure essential
|
| extracted from aromatic plants through
| |
| | oils costly, although their effectiveness
|
| infusion and used for embalming,
| |
| | is not compromised because a treatment
|
| cosmetics and medicinal purposes. This
| |
| | can entail the use of only a few drops to
|
| knowledge was passed on to the Greeks and
| |
| | generate the target effect. An option is
|
| served as the basis for more discoveries,
| |
| | the less-expensive synthetic oils,
|
| including the relaxing and stimulating
| |
| | although they do not offer the healing
|
| effects of the fragrance of some flowers.
| |
| | properties of their natural counterparts.
|
| Going back further, ancient man's
| |
| | 5. How It Works
|
| dependence on the environment for all his
| |
| | Essential oils work by stimulating the
|
| basic needs and survival led him to
| |
| | olfactory system and later the brain or
|
| discover natural ways of food
| |
| | limbic system. The fragrance, other
|
| preservation and the treatment of various
| |
| | properties and effects of the oil
|
| conditions using herbs and aromatics.
| |
| | determine how these body systems and
|
| 1. Eastern Roots
| |
| | their parts are stimulated. During a
|
| The use of aromatics is also reflected in
| |
| | massage, these oils are inhaled and
|
| a Chinese herbal book by Shen Nung dated
| |
| | absorbed by the body at the same time,
|
| 2700 BC, showing specific details on more
| |
| | penetrating the skin and eventually
|
| than 300 plants and their various
| |
| | reaching the organs and body systems. The
|
| applications. Ancient Chinese also burned
| |
| | absorption can be as short as 20 minutes
|
| incense and wood as part of religious
| |
| | and possibly extend to 2 hours or more,
|
| practices that a good number of their
| |
| | making some experts advise to avoid a
|
| modern counterparts still observe today.
| |
| | shower or bathing immediately after the
|
| Aromatics was also a part of acupressure,
| |
| | massage to maximize the desired effect.
|
| massage and other therapies identified
| |
| | 6. Effects Last Days, Not Hours
|
| with the Chinese.
| |
| | The longevity of a fragrance also varies
|
| 2. Modern Health Treatment
| |
| | from 3-24 hours to 2-3 days and even
|
| Today, many individuals place a high
| |
| | longer to about a week. Eucalyptus,
|
| premium on health and well-being. The
| |
| | peppermintthyme, and bergamot are among
|
| cost of traditional or conventional
| |
| | oils with a short-lived scent, while the
|
| medicine such as surgery and medicare,
| |
| | scent of hyssop, lavender, balm, and
|
| however, has made a high number of people
| |
| | other oils last between 2-3 days.
|
| turn to aromatherapy, or essential oils
| |
| | Jasmine, sandalwood, ginger and cedarwood
|
| therapy, and other forms of alternative
| |
| | are among the oils that take as long as
|
| medicine.
| |
| | one week before completely evaporating.
|
| 3. Basics
| |
| | 7. Achieve A Sense Of Calm
|
| - Facilitates an equilibrium of physical,
| |
| | The desired health balance of an
|
| mental and spiritual health through
| |
| | individual also requires the creation of
|
| natural means
| |
| | a balanced perfume, or a combination of
|
| - In some cases, these alternative
| |
| | the three types of oils based on
|
| treatments are now considered as strong
| |
| | longevity. These various combinations or
|
| and effective complements to regular
| |
| | aromatherapy blends can be mixed into a
|
| medicine
| |
| | warm bath to relax and calm an
|
| - The main component of aromatherapy is
| |
| | individual, eliminate stress and
|
| essential oils
| |
| | depression, energize and sooth the body
|
| - Essential Oils are highly concentrated
| |
| | or aching part. The healing or calming
|
| essences known for their healing effects
| |
| | effect of a massage can be enhanced by
|
| 4. Essential Oils
| |
| | applying essential oils. However, this
|
| These aroma-producing oils come from the
| |
| | would require the use of carrier oils to
|
| flower, as in the case of a rose; leaves
| |
| | prevent irritation or any other negative
|
| (basil is an example); twig; bark; fruit
| |
| | skin reaction. Some of these carrier
|
| rind and other plant parts. Experts say
| |
| | oils, which help dilute essential oils,
|
| that the extraction process can be
| |
| | include avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower
|
| time-consuming, complex and require much
| |
| | oil, wheatgerm oil, almond oil, soya oil
|
| patience. Recognition and acceptance of
| |
| | and hazelnut oil.
|
