Aromatherapy: The Essential Oil Primer
"Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils to enhance physical and mental well-being" as quoted by James F. and Phyllis A. Balch in their wonderful book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing."
Essential oils are used in Aromatherapy and for much more thru the ages. They are useful in massage, in making skin oils and lotions, for hot and cold compresses, for hair care, in making flower waters, in baths, in vaporizers, as douches and internally by ingestion.
Essential oils are blended together for therapeutic, synergistic and esthetic properties. One could also make a personal statement by blending favorites into a specialized perfume uniquely your own !
Personally, I like to enjoy my favorite essences by placing a few drops in my vacuum cleaner so it freshens the air as I vacuum my home, and also in a tea light candle so I can enjoy the wonderfully invigorating scents while I burn my Himalayan salt tea-light lamps.
There are so many uses and so many essences that once you begin experimenting with Essential Oils, you may find a whole new field of enjoyment right at your fingertips!
Be mindful of the grade of essential oil you purchase. I always look for 'therapeutic grade' which is the purest form and can be used in foods and teas. In my online Holistic Health Shop, I only carry 'therapeutic grade' essential oils.
Here is a partial listing of pure Essential Oils, what they are used for and how you can best utilize their therapeutic properties today.
Ambrette Seed: cramps, fatigue, aches and pains, poor circulation
Bergamot: balancing oil, lifts melancholy and depression
Canadian Balsam: burns, cuts, hemorrhoids, wounds, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sore throat, cystitis, depression, nervous tension, stress
Cedarwood: antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, sedative. Normalizes sweat gland function; hair rinse, baths and massage. Good for fleas.
Chamomile: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic. Good for headaches in compresses; add to baths, hair rinse and great for massage
Cinnamon: antifungal; good aromatic; recent studies show it helps to metabolize sugars in the blood.
Clary Sage: aromatic, antidepressant, anxiety-reduction, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and aphrodisiac. Helps counteract insomnia.
Cypress: astrigent, antiseptic, antispasmodic and deodorant. Constricts blood vessels. Repels fleas. Reduces coughing and excessive perspiration.
Eucalyptus: antiseptic, antiviral, chest rub, degongestant, disinfectant, expectorant. Fever reduction, as ointment for muscular pain. Repells insects and soothes bites and stings.
Frankincense: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, sedative, expectorant. Promotes cellular regeneration. Cleansing and purification of home. Vaporization for bronchial distress.
Geranium: antidepressant, antidiabetic, antiseptic, hormone balance, insect repellant; good for PMS, nervous tension, skin concerns and neuralgia.
Grapefruit: appetite reduction, obesity, mood balancing, depression, cleanses the body of toxins, reduces water retention, cleanses and detoxifies the skin.
Hyssop: antiseptic, tonic, cleanser and detoxifier. Stimulates respiratory system. clears lungs of congestion.
Jasmine: antidepressant, antiseptic, sedative, anti-anxiety, frigidity and impotence.
Juniper: antiseptic, detoxifier, diuretic, internal cleanser. rids the body of toxins and parasites; reduces spasms, improves arthritis, reduces cellulite.
Lavender: antiseptic, calmative, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-depressant, sleep disorders, stress
Lemon: antiseptic, astringent, bacteriostat; increases body's defense against infection; good for varicose veins, soothing to stomach ulcers, anti-anxiety, depression, and digestive disorders. Emulsifies grease and oil; helpful in cleaning products, hair rinses and also wound cleaning.
Linden: calmative, sedative, soothing tonic, skin moisturizer
Mimosa: anxiety, nervous tension, over-sensitivity, stress; good fixative in perfumes
Orange: emotional uplift, antispasmodic, regenerative properties. Increase sun sensitivity.
Patchouli: used for bathing, cleansing, hair care. Good for dry skin. Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac; has fungicidal properties
Peppermint: helps with headaches, congestion, fatigue, fever, indigestion, muscle soreness, sinus problems and stomach problems. Antiseptic, antispasmodic, mental stimulant and regenerative. Oral care.
Rose: antidepressant, antiseptic, tonic astringent. Mild sedative; good for female complaints, impotence, insomnia and nervousness.
Rosemary: analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, atrinigent, mental stimulant. Enhances circulation. Impoves cellulite, dandruff, hair loss, memory problems, headache, sore muscles. Use diluted in carrier oil. Do not use neat on the skin.
Rosewood: antiseptic, regenerative. Calmative; anti-anxiety, cellular regeneration, depression, headaches, nausea, PMS and tension. Great for facial massage.
Sandalwood: antidepressant, antiseptic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, skin moisturizer; Good for bronchitis and nervousness. Mind soother.
Silver Fir Needle: respiratory complaints, fever, muscle pain, rheumatic pain, bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, colds, flu, fever. Helps clear the mind.
Tea Tree: potent anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral. Expectorant, fungicide and parasiticide. Good for athlete's foot, bronchial congestion, dandruff, insect bites, ringworm and yeast infections. Wonderful oral cleanser; gingivitis.
Yarrow: acne, burns, cuts, eczema, hair rinse, inflammations, rashes, scars, skin toner, varicose veins, wounds, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, cramps, flatulence, hemorrhoids, indigestion, cystitis, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, colds, fever, flu, hypertension, insomnia, stress.
This is merely a partrial listing of Essential Oils and intended as a primer to pump up your interest. Nature has provided for our needs in so many ways .. Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy are but one of a multitude of natural modalities useful in attaining and maintaining optimum health and well being.
I will gladly respond to any questions or queries in regard to use of aromaptherapy and essential oils; please don't hesitate to reach me here on Keen or Ether; always glad to chat !
For more information on Essential Oils and how to use them, please see my complete listing of Young Living™ Essential Oils with complete usage descriptions in my Holistic Health Shop at http://www.yournaturalalternatives.com/ and www.TheMoodMender.com.
Be blessed,
Dolphyn