Vanguard News Network
VNN Media
VNN Digital Library
VNN Reader Mail
VNN Broadcasts

Old December 1st, 2003 #1
Tami
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Help with Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.

Help with Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the way we use aromatic plants in health management, for pleasure and just because we can. Medication has it's own roots in plant seeds, saps, barks, flowers and leaves. Aromatherapy deals with the extracts in their natural state before they are chemically altered. Smell has always been a powerful instinct and Aromatherapy works hand in hand with the senses helping to heal and relax and also altering moods for the better.

Aroma from plants fill the air on a summers day helping to create that "summer feeling" the light happy feeling we all get around summer time. Some poor unfortunate people do not like the summer times because of allergies to pollen… this is no different to people suffering side effects from chemical medicines ("modern medicine").


Where do we get essential oils from?
Essential oils are extracted most often by distilling seeds, flowers, peal, zest, grass, leaf's, root's, and woods of plants. Vats are filled and the oils are obtained by steam distillation. The cooled water has the layer of oil and this is then collected giving a pure essential oil.
Different parts of plants give us different oils; An Orange tree, for example, gives us Orange and Neroli.
Pure essential oils are collected in different ways to the more costly Absolute essential oils. Absolutes are collected by solvent distillation which is a long process that entails using a centrifuge - this is because the heat of steam distilling would ruin the oils from delicate plants like jasmine.

How can I be sure my oils are of a good grade?
You can never be 100% sure, but if you can find a distiller or an outlet that buys directly from the distiller, you will increase your chances of buying fresh oils …
It is important you keep your oils out of direct heat and sunlight. All essential oils should come in a dark glass "Amber Glass" bottles or other variations of a dark glass bottle. Never a plastic bottle.
Most oils in common use will last for up to two years some oils will cloud before this date and when that happens they will not be as good as fresh oils.
Oils like frankincense are like good wines - they mature with age, whereas oils that are blended will go off like a cheap wine after about three months.

Carrier oils
Sweet almond oils is a great oil to use. Oils such as grapeseed, apricot, kernel, olive, soy, sunflower seed are also effective carrier oils.

Cautions
Some people may not be suited to some oils!
Never take oils internally and don't use them directly on the skin (blend them first)
Don't use oils in or too close to the eyes.
If you're not sure about your sensitivity to oils, try them blended on a small area of skin first.
Some oils should not be used on children, some oils should not be used in pregnancy and some oils should, at all times, be avoided if you have a diagnosed medical condition that would be aggravated by the use of the particular essential oils.

Ways of applying and using essential oils
Massage gives contact and deep penetration of the skin area. It is a relaxing and pleasurable method of applying oils to the body. With massage you have the additional benefit of manipulating muscles. If the massage is only for relaxation, it's fairly easy to do, if however you are using massage to help with a medical problem, you need to read up on massage techniques.
Bathing - By relaxing in an aromatic bath you can soothe away aches and stresses. Bathing is a good and effective way of letting the oils work with your body and mind.
Inhaling - By using an essential oil (or blends of essential oils) in this manner you will find that you can treat lots of hay-fever, head-ache and congestion problems.
Compresses - this is a good way of applying oils to bruised, sprained or aching joints.
Oil burner's and room fragrancers - By adding oils to burners and using them in various ways as a room fragrance, you help to created not only a scented atmosphere but one that can help to relax and improve concentration and set various other moods.

Easy to use Oils
Firstly, it is important to get the amounts right, we can discuss which oils to use later.

Massage - Use a carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil) 12ml sweet almond oil and 6 drops of essential oils or a blend of up to six drops in total. Increase/decrease the amount as required, keep things simple, work on a ratio of 2½ % of essential oil to 97½ % base oil.
Bathing - Add 5 drops of oil or a 5ml blend of carrier/essential oils to running water.
Compresses - Use 2 drops of oil in hot water. Let the oil form a film on the top of the water then place a cloth over the film, lift out, fold and use as needed.
Oil burner: Up to 5 drops of oil in about 10mls of water.
Use a few drops of oil on a radiator or in a saucer of water and leave in a warm part of the house. (Keep away from children and pets).
Add a few drops of oil to the dust bag of your vacuum cleaner.
There are many ways of getting the aroma from the oils diffused throughout your home - have fun experimenting!

Tami
 
Reply

Share


Thread
Display Modes


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:55 AM.
Page generated in 0.12041 seconds.