Aromatherapy Chat

Aromatherapy Candle

Scented candles are very popular and can be found in gift shops, kitchen ware stores, mail order catalogues and in internet stores. Care should be taken to check the quality of the oils that are added to the candles. Synthetic fragrances are often used instead of real essential oils. Synthetic scents are generally overly sweet with a fruity flavor.  With some practice it will become easy to tell the difference.

Simply light the candle and enjoy the wonderful scented atmosphere it creates. One disadvantage of ready made scented candles is that if you leave the candle on a counter top it will continue to emit the scent even if the candle is not lit. You may not want the same scent in the room day after day.

So the other option is to scent your own unscented candles with the essential oils you want. The wick absorbs the essential oils fragrance and when you light it, voila, the scent is realeased to be enjoyed. One disadvantage of this method is that you may need to infuse the wick each time you light it.

 Reviyve Stress Relief Station  supplies candles that can last as many as 75 hours - a good place to start. Check in the Aromatherapy category.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Stomachic -  Relievng to gastric complaints. Stimulates the appetite. Substances which give strength and tone to the stomach

Essential Oils that can be used as a stomachic:

There are many essential oils that aid the digestive system.

Some are: Basil, Chamomile, Peppermint, Clary Sage, Lemon, Melissa, Myrrh.

Lemon (Citrus Limonum) 

Almost nobody likes to suffer with pain. Pain, however, has a good reason to exist. It alerts us to the fact that something is physically wrong and something should do something about it. Severe pain is a signal to see a doctor and this is where allopathic medicine can be very beneficial. With minor pain essential oils usually help and sometimes as effective as over the counter drugs and much safer.

Essential oils can help in six different ways.  These are just examples of ways to  relieve pain. 

1) numbing the pain, (as in using a Clove Bud for a toothache),

2) reducing swelling (as in using Lavender for  bruising),

3) producing heat and penetrating pain (as in warming up muscles and connective tissue with Ginger),

4) telling your brain to pretend that the pain isn’t there. How? By depressing the cerebral cortex part of the brain so that the brain doesn’t register the pain. Lemongrass essential oil works here.

5) Dampen pain causing substances such as prostaglandin which causes some types of headaches. Birch essential oils works well for this. It contains the same compound as aspirin.

6) Relaxes and sedates, (as in stiff, sore muscles) causing pain relief. Chamomile and Melissa (lemon balm) work well for this.

The essential oils for pain relief can be used via a massage, compress, gargle (for sore throat). A good aromatherapy guide book will offer many other suggestions for pain such as intestinal pain, insect bites and arthritis.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Styptic -  stops external bleeding. Styptics are usually external applications for restraining discharges of blood.

Essential Oils that can be used as an styptic:

Cypress, Lemon

Lavender Bulgaria (Lavandula latifolia)

The more I learn about essential oils the more I am amazed at the versatility of Lavender oil. Check 2008-10-22, 2008-10-16, and 2008-09-17 for other blog entries. As with most essential oils Lavender can be used alone or with other oils. Here is a recipe you can make yourself that is popular in Europe as a facial oil.

• 8 drops geranium oil
• 5 drops lavender oil
•  5 drops carrot seed oil
• 4 drops chamomile oil
• 2 drops sandalwood oil
• 1 drop patchouli oil
• 1/4 cup hazelnut oil (0r apricot kernal oil) as a carrier oil

Lavender oil can help to keep a burn from blistering. Just add 2 or 3 drops directly on the affected area. It’s great for sunburn too - mix one ounce of lavender oil with one ounce of aloe vera juice and apply to the burn.

Tired? Try dabbing your wrist or temples with lavender oil. It promotes calm and at the same time it revives.

Sore throat?  Add one drop of lavender and one drop of sandalwood oils to 4 ounces of warm water and gargle.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Escharotic -  treats warts

Essential Oils that can be used as an escharotic:

Cinnamon Leaf, Garlic, Lemon, Santolina

Aromatherapy Guide - Leah Morgan 

In my last blog entry I encouraged the use and care of a qualified doctor. When medical science, however, does not seem to offer help for chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma, exzema, and headaches, and after trying suggestions given by your doctor in the first place, and finally being told that you’ll just have to live with it, you are free to try alternative medicines. Aromatherapy is one such alternative. You can also use herbal medicine in conjuction with aromatherapy. And don’t forget diet and lifestyle.

What are some of the ways to use aromatherapy medicinally? The answer comes in the way essential oils are used. The molecules in pure essential oils are the medicinal ingredients in aromatherapy. Fragrant herbs also count as aromatherapy because the essential oils in the herbs are released during the preparations of the medicinal herbs.

Here are some suggestions. Consult an aromatherapy manual or an aromatherapist for more detailed instructions on the amount of essential oils to use in various cases. An aromatherapist will also be able to give guidance as to how long to use a treatment or how many times a day to apply the treatment.

• Rub essential oils on your skin (diluted with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or olive oil). Add 6 to 8 drops of the essential oil per ounce of the carrier oil and use as a healing massage.
• Add 3 to 6 drops of a healing essential oil to your bath water, or 4 to 6 drops in a foot bath and hand soak
• Use as an inhalant.  Bring the essential oils into your sinuses and lungs by adding essential oils to some steaming water and simply breathe in the healing molecules. Add 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to about one liter of water.
• Dilute an essential oil with water and use as a mouth wash, skin spray, air refreshener, and even hair rinses.
• Compresses with added essential oils work great for headaches or injured areas.
• Essential oils can be used with an aloe-based preparation for skin problems. Great for burns and exzema

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Depurative  -  purifies and cleanses the blood

Essential Oils that can be used as a depurative:

Carrot seed, Coriander, Cumin, Eucalyptus, Juniper berry, Parlsey, Rose, Caraway.

Niaouli (Malaleuca viridiflora)

Aromatherapy is a healing therapy that uses the aromatic molecules in fragrant plants to assist the body in healing itself. However, the care of a qualified doctor should not be ignored and the care of a qualified aromatherapist should also be used.

There are many benefits derived from aromatherapy that can be even better than conventional drugs. Colds, headaches, or indigestion and such common complaints that can be easily treated with essential oils

Advantages of using aromatherapy: Can be used with drugs, can be used in conjunction with herbal remedies, work with you and not against you, usually work quickly, side effects are usually non existant, do not linger in the body so an accumulation does’nt happen, is inexpensive and easily carried with you when you need to travel.

An important consideration when using aromatherapy products is that the oils help the body to heal itself which is what holistic healing is all about. They help to kill the bad bacteria and leave alone the good bacteria and do not create a resistance to bad bacteria as recently reported in the overuse of conventional anti-biotics.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Decongestant -  Loosens mucous in our bodies

Essential Oils that can be used as a decongestant:

Garlic, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Peppermint, Pine, Lavender

Geranium Egyptian (pelargonium graveolens)

There are many things throughout the day that can cause anxiety, fear, worry, apprehension and even anger. We are often looking for ways to keep our emotional equilibrium. Aromatherapy with essential oils offers us ways to balance our emotions.

Lavender and Sandalwood encourages our minds to relax by increasing the alpha waves in the brain. These oils can be used when we meditate because they decrease idle chatter that we are often plagued with. It was found that just sniffing neroli, valerian, and nutmeg helped in calming down  and regaining balance.

Some essential oils can work as both a stimulant and sedative indicating that the scents have a balancing effect. If a stimulant is needed the aroma works as a stimulant. If a sedative is needed the aroma works as a sedative. This dual use is called an adaptogen because they adapt to the need at the moment. Geranium and Valerian work in this way.

And if depressed or just feeling a little down Ylang Ylang, Melissa, Clove, Petitgrain, Bergamot, among other essential oils can help.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Adaptogen -  also called a tonic. - invigorates, balances, and stengthens the system

Essential Oils that can be used as an adaptogen:

Geranium, Valerian

Ylang Ylang (cananga odorata) 

Had a hard day? The kids are stressed? Feel a little blue? There are several essential oils that can be used to help you and your family relax. Here is a suggestion for a recipe that really works.

Combine these ingredients.

5 drops of lavender oil

1 drop chamomile oil

1 drop Ylang Ylang oil

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Aperitif -  stimulates the appetite.

Essential Oils that can be used as an aperitif:

Caraway, Ginger, Fennel, Thyme, Caraway, Cardamum

We all like to treat our skin with exfoliants and moisturizers. These ensure that our faces look glowing and radiant. These help ensure a youthful and healthy look.

But we also often neglect to treat our feet. And these our footsies are the most hardworking parts of our bodies, because they take us anywhere we need to go. Treat your feet to a foot spa once in a while to remove calluses and corns, so they are ready to face the world in sandals and slippers. 

Want to go all natural? Then try using organic essential oils in your beauty routine. These are extracts from natural sources that promise a multitude of benefits for health and beauty.

Do a little research on essential oils and what they can do for you. Whether you’d like to de-stress, energize, or cure a common ailment like a cold, there is an essential oil that is sure to fit your needs. Check out online catalogues for more information.

Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)

Dry skin is one of the main causes of developing wrinkles and a bad complexion. Even when we are young we can develop dry skin, although young skin normally contains naturally moisturizing factors such as healthy oil glands. As we get older it becomes more necessary to treat our skins with moisturizing assistance. Using essential oils and aromatherapy products are a good way to do this.

Some other factors that take their toll on our skin and causes dryness and wrinkles are lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, poor diet, faulty digestion, sluggish liver, smoking, fair skin (burns easily in the sun and dries more quickly in the wind), and stress.

So it makes sense to do all you can to stay healthy which, among other things, results in good looking skin. And good skin care products used regularly is also important.

Some essential oils blended with organic carrier oils that are especially helpful for skin care are Carrot seed, Frankincense, Geranium, Rosemary, Neroli, and Lavender.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Essential Oil Property:

Hepatic - Stimulates and promotes the well being of the liver and gall bladder.

Essential Oils that can be used as a Hepatic:

Angelica, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Lemon, Peppermint, Verbana, Carrot Seed, Chamomile, Cypress, Rose, Violet leaf.