You can use essential oils in any number of ways. For example, add them to body lotions or carrier oils, and then apply them topically.
Try enhancing a facial toner, shampoo, or conditioner with essential oils. Or incorporate them into liquid soap, toothpaste, or mouthwash. You can also diffuse or spritz the oils throughout a room or pour them into a bath. You can find an aromatherapist by using an online directory.
Or ask at a spa or yoga studio. Together, you can come up with an individual treatment plan to meet your goals and manage your symptoms. You may have a few sessions with your aromatherapist, or you could decide to have ongoing sessions for a longer period of time.
Since aromatherapy is a complementary therapy, you should talk to your doctor before starting your sessions. There are also courses you can take to learn more about aromatherapy. Consultations with an aromatherapist will vary depending on several factors, including where you live. Most essential oils are safe to use. But there are some precautions you should take when using them, as well as side effects you should be aware of, especially if you take any prescription medications.
Always use a carrier oil to dilute the oils. Remember to do a skin patch test before using essential oils. Children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should use essential oils with caution and under the supervision of a doctor. You should avoid some oils and never swallow essential oils.
As you explore the uses of essential oils, pay attention to how the different oils and methods of use affect you. Always talk to your doctor before starting any aromatherapy treatment. Remember that aromatherapy is meant to be a complementary therapy. If your asthma treatment regimen is no longer working, you may consider using an alternative. Find out if essential oils like peppermint and clove, or….
Candles for aromatherapy are everywhere these days, from grocery stores to clothing boutiques. These are the best candles to shop for. Lemon essential oil is a natural home remedy. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants for healing. Although the word "aroma" makes it sound as if the oils are inhaled, they can also be massaged into the skin, or rarely, taken by mouth. You should never take essential oils by mouth without specific instruction from a trained and qualified specialist.
Whether inhaled or applied on the skin, essential oils are gaining new attention as an alternative treatment for infections, stress, and other health problems. However, in most cases, scientific evidence is still lacking. Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. Each contains its own mix of active ingredients, which determines the use of the oil.
Some oils are used to promote physical healing. For example, to treat swelling or fungal infections. Others are used for their emotional value, they may enhance relaxation or make a room smell pleasant. Orange blossom oil, for example, contains a large amount of an active ingredient that is thought to be calming. Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6, years.
The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Essential oils were also commonly used for spiritual, therapeutic, hygienic, and ritualistic purposes.
He then started to analyze the chemical properties of essential oils and how they were used to treat burns, skin infections, gangrene, and wounds in soldiers during World War I. By the s, massage therapists, beauticians, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and other health care providers began using aromatherapy. Aromatherapy did not become popular in the U. Today, many lotions, candles, and beauty products are sold as "aromatherapy" products. However, many of these products contain synthetic fragrances that do not have the same properties as essential oils.
Researchers are not entirely clear how aromatherapy works. Some experts believe our sense of smell may play a role. The "smell" receptors in your nose communicate with parts of your brain the amygdala and hippocampus that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories.
When you breathe in essential oil molecules, some researchers believe they stimulate these parts of your brain and influence physical, emotional, and mental health. For example, scientists believe lavender stimulates the activity of brain cells in the amygdala similar to the way some sedative medications work. Other researchers think that molecules from essential oils may interact in the blood with hormones or enzymes.
Aromatherapy massage is a popular way of using essential oils because it works in several ways at the same time. Your skin absorbs essential oils and you also breathe them in. Plus, you experience the physical therapy of the massage itself. Professional aromatherapists, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, and massage therapists can provide topical or inhaled aromatherapy treatment. Only specially trained professionals can provide treatment that involves taking essential oils by mouth.
At an aromatherapy session, the practitioner will ask about your medical history and symptoms, as well any scents you may like. You may be directed to breathe in essential oils directly from a piece of cloth or indirectly through steam inhalations, vaporizers, or sprays. The practitioner may also apply diluted essential oils to your skin during a massage. In most cases, the practitioner will tell you how to use aromatherapy at home, by mixing essential oils into your bath, for example. Aromatherapy is used in a wide range of settings, from health spas to hospitals, to treat a variety of conditions.
In general, it seems to relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation. In fact, several essential oils, including lavender, rose, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood, and others, have been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. Several clinical studies suggest that when essential oils particularly rose, lavender, and frankincense were used by qualified midwives, pregnant women felt less anxiety and fear, had a stronger sense of wellbeing, and had less need for pain medications during delivery.
Many women also report that peppermint oil relieves nausea and vomiting during labor. Similarly, preliminary studies suggest aromatherapy may be an effective approach for post-operative nausea. Other studies suggest aromatherapy in conjunction with massage can help reduce symptoms of colic in infants. Massage therapy with essential oils combined with medications or therapy may benefit people with depression.
The scents are thought by some to stimulate positive emotions in the area of the brain responsible for memories and emotions. But the benefits seem to be related to relaxation caused by the scents and the massage. A person's belief that the treatment will help also influences whether it works. In one study, Neroli oil helped reduce blood pressure and preprocedural anxiety among people undergoing a colonoscopy. In test tubes, chemical compounds from some essential oils have shown antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Some evidence also suggests that citrus oils may strengthen the immune system and that peppermint oil may help with digestion. Fennel, aniseed, sage, and clary sage have estrogen-like compounds, which may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS and menopause.
However, human studies are lacking. Pregnant women, people with severe asthma, and people with a history of allergies should only use essential oils under the guidance of a trained professional and with the full knowledge of their doctors.
People with high blood pressure should avoid stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary and spike lavender. People with estrogen-dependent tumors such as breast or ovarian cancer should not use oils with estrogen-like compounds such as fennel, aniseed, sage, and clary sage.
As with any new therapy, people receiving medical care for any illness should talk to their doctors about any aromatherapy they are planning on using. The effectiveness of nurse-delivered aromatherapy in an acute care setting. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Rochester, Minn. Nasiri A, et al. Effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.
Press-Sandler O, et al. Aromatherapy for the treatment of patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A descriptive analysis of RCTs. Sapmaz HI, et al. The effect of lavender oil in patients with renal colic: A prospective controlled study using objective and subjective outcomes measurements.
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