Aromatherapy
The Aromatherapy, which has ancient origins, is pursuing the harmony of body, mind and spirit, resulting, for example, one of the most effective natural methods to relieve stress related to disturbances.
It is based on the use of essential oils, which, extracted from trees, flowers and shrubs, have a unique peculiar chemical composition.
Essential oils, which derive their therapeutic qualities from the many oligos elements and organic compounds containing, they are real concentrated of energy (for example, indeed, they need of thousands of petals to extract a single drop of rose oil) that contain all the properties and quality of the plant from which they come from.
The aromatherapy is used both at physical and psychological level, according to a holistic approach that seeks to treat the body in its whole, with the search for a state of complete balance that guarantees a good level of general wellness. It should not be, however, even underestimated the role that the aromatherapy has had increasingly in recent years in the field of beauty treatments.
Essential oils can have different solutions to use:
– through massage (with aromatic massage is exploited the therapeutic effect of essential oils both through inhalation or through skin absorption)
– through an aromatic bath,
– inhalation (it is needed to add a few drops of oil in a bowl of steaming water and breathe it, covering the head with a towel, if it id felt a noise necessary stop treatment immediately),
– by means of lotions and creams,
– through packs (to practice a pack, whether hot, cold or frozen, it is necessary, after adding a few drops of essential oil in a bowl containing water, soak a bandage inside to be applied later on the painful side, operation that, obviously, goes carried out several times).
But how can, for example, an inhaled aroma improve our wellness?
Smell is the sense of immediate perception, odor’s molecules, which dissolve themselves in the nasal mucus, with millions of nervous receptors, determine, through the nervous fibers themselves, the sending of messages to the brain which reacts by releasing chemicals that communicate with the nervous system to relax or stimulate it.
Through the breathing, also, an infinitesimal part of essential oil can enter in the circulatory system and through the blood reach every part of the body.
The circulatory system, however, is achieved by the essential oils through the skin especially when you practice massage, aromatic baths and wraps or with the use of creams and lotions.
Indeed, massaged into the skin in the form of lotion or cream, or incorporated in the water of the bath, the essential oils work, absorbed through the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) both locally and reaching the capillaries in the dermis (the inner layer of the skin) and entering, therefore, into the circulatory system, in general.
When we use for the first time an essential oil it is necessary verified that we are not allergic to them, so, the advice is to put a drop of oil on a cotton ball to apply and maintain for 24 hours, with a patch that isolates it from water, on the bend of the elbow. If there are any redness and itching it will be necessary to suspend the use of that oil.
The essential oils are comprised within a healthy body for about 6 hours, while can reside in a sick organism, before being deleted, even for more than 12 hours.
To avoid dangers is absolutely recommended:
– Not holding the flacons containing oils away from children,
– Not taking them by mouth (except medical prescription),
– Avoiding contact with eyes or mouth,
– Washing hands carefully after having been in contact,
– Not adding them to foods or drinks.
In view of the very numerous requests we put as an appendix a list of essential oils that could be very useful against cellulite..
“The essential oils useful to fight cellulite, to be used added to the bath water or for a massage towards the heart, we can distinguish, in relation to the properties, in:
– oils with detoxifying effects (Angelica, Geranium, Juniper)
– oils with diuretic effects (Fennel, Tangerine, grapefruit, Rosemary),
– oils with decongestant effects (Patchouli, lavender),
– oils with stimulating effects for circulation (Lemon, Cypress, Sandalwood, Cedar of the Atlantic, Scots Pine)”
The aromatherapy is delicate but effective if used correctly and if you let to it the time to act: although the treatment may show itself immediately relaxing or revitalizing, the effects tend to be short-lived. To restore the balance of body’s systems it is necessary a regular treatment: if you are stressed or ill, several weeks of treatment can serve before noticing any improvement. The practice of aromatherapy is not just using the fragrance of some essential oils to heal the mind and body; it comes to penetrating oils to alter the chemistry of the body, supporting its functions and improve mood and emotions.
When are applied to the skin, the essential oils start to act immediately on the tissues. The molecules are so tiny that the oils are absorbed through the pores of the skin, and then to the bloodstream, that brings them in the whole body.
However the fragrance is important. No one knows exactly how the aromas affect the mind, but it has been suggested that the receptors of the nose transform odors into electrical impulses that are transmitted to the limbic system of the brain. The smells that reach the limbic system has a direct effect on mood and emotions and improve mental alertness and concentration.
Aromatherapy treats the person rather than the disease. It is a gentle therapy, so it is suitable for people of any age and health status. This therapy has proved particularly effective to prevent and treat disurrbances associated with stress and anxiety, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive problems, menstrual irregularities, menopausal disturbances insomnia and depression. The essential oils can be used alone or mixed together. They are mixed for two reasons: to create a more sophisticated fragrance, or to enhance or modify their therapeutic actions. The mixing changes the molecular structure of essential oils and, when they combine them well, therapists can create a “synergy” mixture, in which the oils act in harmony and with great efficiency. To therapeutic purposes usually are mixed together only three or four oils. If you want to mix the oils at home, you must choose two or three complementary.
Generally oils of the same group are well mixed (citrus, floral, spicy etc.) and those that contain similar constituents.
Using the right proportions, indicated in the several descriptions of the aromatherapy techniques, you can create a mixture using reduced quantities of oils more aromatic and bigger amounts of fragrances less intense. Let you guide by your taste: often the best mix for you is the one that you find most pleasing.
How to use
Nebulizers of aromas
Through the smell sense, as they perceive the smell, you can give benefit to the organs of respiration, influence emotions and creativity, instill a pleasant feeling of comfort, calm and relax the mind, increase concentration in the study or work . You can purify and refresh the rooms, ionize the air and remove noisy insects. To create a pleasant perfumed atmosphere you fill the pan of the nebulizers of water and there are added 5-10 drops of essential oil (or mixture of oils). The heat from the candle below make evaporating the flavored water and the environment is filled by a delicate fragrance.
Baths
For a pleasant scented bath there are enough 5-10 drops of essential oils. The bathtub is filled of water and there are added essential oils; these are not soluble in water, it is suggested to emulsify with honey, cream or natural soap. We can choose oils that relax, refresh, stimulate or simply suitable for skin care.
Massages
For an ideal scented oil to massage the body, mix 20-30 drops of essential oils (20 drops correspond to about 1 ml) in 50 ml of vegetable oil. How base are used vegetable oils obtained from the first cold pressing. The most indicated are those with almonds, sesame, jojoba, wheat germ, black cumin to choose about your skin type. The content of essential oils is different according to whether it should just be a physical disturbance (3-4%) or of emotional nature (1-2%).
Tablets and packs
They are used effectively to relieve pains and in case of inflammation. To prepare a packs or a tablet, adding 2-3 drops of essential oil to a container of water. Wetting a gauze or a sponge cloth with flavored water, squeeze it on the affected part. It will use hot water in case of back pain, rheumatism, arthritis, and diseases of a chronic nature. The cold water will be used instead to traumas or acute pathologies such as headaches, sprains, strains, barrels and swellings.
Footbaths
They are indicated in case of tiredness and excessive sweating. Putting 3-5 drops of essential oils in a sing of warm water and keep our feet to soak for about 10 minutes.
Irrigations
They are very useful in case of urogenital infections, candida, cystitis. Adding 3-4 drops of essential oils to a liter of water and use for a bidet or for irrigation.
Inhalations
They are very useful in case of sinusitis and bronchial cable infections. Pour a few drops of essential oil in a bowl of very hot water and inhaling the steam for a few minutes, covering your head with a towel.
Sauna
For the sauna add 5 drops of essential oils with a ladle of water and sprinkle the stones hot. Never put pure essential oils in contact with heat sources because these are flammable.
Perfumes and lotions for skin and hair
Some essential oils are particularly adapted for the treatment of the face’s skin, body and hair. They are used by mixing 2 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of vegetable oil (jojoba for the hair and for normal or oily skin, and wheat germ for dry skin) to gently massage on the affected area. To prepare a perfume combine approximately 20 drops of essential oil or mixture of oils combined according to the taste and fantasy to 10 ml of alcohol or jojoba oil (this latter is recommended because it retains the essence of the aroma and plays a beneficial effect on the skin).
Perfumed handkerchiefs
To cool off, relax, or for colds put 2 drops of essential oil adapt for a tissue and sniff from time to time.
Hydrolates
You can find products already on the market (they are given from the aqueous residue of the distillation process) or they can be prepared at home by adding 20-30 drops of essential oil to 100 ml of source water. Essential oils are not soluble in water but they give to it the perfume and properties, therefore we recommend to stir the mixture before use. They are very useful to tone and purify the skin and to treat problems like acne, dermatitis and eczema.
Internal use
The essential oils being substances with high concentration (and in some cases also high toxicity) are not suitable for orally administration except as part of a medical therapy. You can use some oils in very small quantities only for the preparation of aromatic dishes; to dress our foods add about 10 drops of essential oil in 100 ml of olive oil cold pressed. The most suitable species are basil, coriander, cumin, lemon, marjoram, oregano and rosemary. We can also flavor desserts, yogurt and beverages by adding a drop of essential oil mixed with honey or cream.
Precautions and warnings
The essential oils are easly flammable and therefore must be kept in safe places and out of reach of children. They should not be approached in the eyes and mucous membranes. For good conservation should be kept away from light and heat, in special bottles of dark glass. We recommend the use of essential oils only pure and natural, of quality and origin guaranteed. Do not use essential oils in the treatment of serious physical and psychological disturbances. In these cases it is important to consult an experienced doctor of natural therapies and aromatherapy.