Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy - a big trend these days. However, the practice of aromatherapy dates back thousands of years.

An individual who practices aromatherapy may use essential oils, herbs, and other natural ingredients to assist in promoting, among other things, emotional well-being, aiding in weight loss, and even providing emotional and physical benefits to their pets. One should use every precaution, always making sure any oils are safe to use on pets.

I didn't realize it until recently but I practice aromatherapy nightly. I have a favorite cream that I like to lavishly use before bedtime. I rub it onto my arms and hands especially - even a little on the tip of my nose. I snuggle down into my pillow, pull the sheet over my head, and there, I have my own little aromatherapy tent.

It works! I usually drift off to sleep immediately.

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Aromatherapy for Health - Uses and Benefits
Author: Juliet Cohen

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials. It is a holistic treatment of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint. Essential oils are complex, highly fragrant and volatile substances, with varying degrees of complexity, fragrance, and volatility. Aromatherapy, as it is practiced today, began with the Egyptians, who used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants which were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming. Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients. In Aromatherapy it is held that once extracted, the chemical constituents of a particular essential oil will determine its primary action. Generally, essential oils consist of chemical compounds which have hydrogen, carbon and oxygen in their building blocks Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs.

Aromatherapy has also been used for many centuries in India. Aromatherapy has roots in antiquity with the use of aromatic oils. Aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine adulteration, and to stir the memory. Aromatherapy is already slowly getting into the mainstream. Nurses, doctors, massage therapists, osteopaths and trained aromatherapists are some of the people who practise aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is one of the most popular forms of complementary therapy and is widely used by people buying over-the-counter oils, and by health professionals in a range of settings. Various massage techniques may be used although Swedish massage is the most common. Aromatherapist will take a medical history and then determine which oil, or combination of oils, will be the most beneficial for you. Essential oils will be diluted in a carrier oil, such as almond or grape seed, and then massaged into your neck, shoulders and upper back, or given as a full body massage, or a facial. the oils should not be swallowed or otherwise taken internally, unless under expert medical supervision, as they may be toxic. Allergic reactions are also possible. It's best to test for this by applying a small amount of diluted oil on the back of the wrist or ear lobe as test before using it fully.

Aromatherapy Uses and Benefits

1.Aromatherapy can be used to relax and soothe the mind and body, to energize or even to arouse.

2.Aromatherapy derived from the use of essential oils to solicit specific emotions.

3.Essential oils can be used in Aromatherapy, to scent potpourri, lotions, cosmetics, perfumes, food flavorings and medicinally.

4.Essential oils can also be used via the bath, diffusion, massage, or compress. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use.

5.Essential oils can be mixed in a cream essential oil combinations are applied directly to the skin for beauty care or treatment of sores or irritations. By using different essential oils, you can control the nature of those benefits.

6.Essential oils come from plants while fragrance oils are artificially created and often contain synthetic chemicals.

7.Essential oils are taken from a plant's flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots. The yield of essential oil differs with individual plant species-ranging in most cases from about 0.2 to 2.0%. That's why literally tons of plant material are required for just a few hundred pounds of oil.

8.Anxiety and stress seem to be the most prevalent benefits of aromatherapy oils.

9.Aromatherapy oils are used in different ways such as being made into candles and incense and burned, used as massage oil or placed in diffusers or burners to heat the oils in order to disperse the aroma throughout an area.

10.Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils to benefit your daily life and encourage a holistic lifestyle.

11.Bath-4-8 drops added to a full bath and swirl the water around. Try Twinkle pure essential oil blend, or the healing benefits of our Mineral Spa Bath Salts.

12.Inhalation-1-2 drops on a cotton ball or handkerchief, or 1-2 drops on a cotton ball on the underside of your pillow (avoiding eye contact). See Lavender pure essential oil blend.

13.Humidifier-2-10 drops in a humidifier for a sick room.

14.Sauna or Steam Shower-1-2 drops. See Breathe Easy, or Mystic pure essential oil blends.

15.Hot Tub-8-10 drops in the hot tub after entering and turning on the pump. See pure essential oil blends.

About the author: Juliet Cohen writes articles on aromatherapy nebulizer, beauty tips, and makeup tips

Watch this video for interesting information about aromatherapy and essential oils.

Relieve Stress Naturally With Aromatherapy Tips
Author: George Kakaris

Nowadays, almost everybody experience stress in his life. Stress term describes any mental, emotional or physical reaction that is abnormal. Stress is a natural part of our life. Sometimes it is beneficial because it keep us focused and persistent on our goal (work, study, etc.), but generally stress is one of the major threat of our mental and physical health. Feeling stress, especially on a daily basis and for a long period, may cause several health disorders, such as anxiousness, headaches, blood pressure, hair loss, depression, even heart attach. According to recent surveys, the 3 major causes of stress in developed world are job, family and health issues.

Many stress management strategies have been developed recently by psychologists. However, nobody can claim that every patient who may follow his treatment will totally eliminate stress from his life. In this article we will present you some of the most efficient aromatherapy tips that can help you reduce stress level and achieve emotional and physical well-being.

Throughout history, some scented plants and their aromatic water have been used for relaxing and smoothing purposes. Holy basil is a native herb of India (where it is known as tulsi), sacred plant of the Hindu civilization and used for thousands of years for healing. Scientific studies on natural properties of Holy Basil have found that it reduces body hormones named corticosterone and cortisol, which are intimately connected with stress, anxiety and mental clarity. Consequently, Holy Basil is one of the best antidepressant therapeutic grades and its essential oils are highly recommended for stress alleviation.

Other, more well-known, essential oils which can be used for soothing nervous tension and reducing stress are: Lavender essential oil, Ylang-Ylang essential oil, Chamomile essential oil and Geranium essential Oil. Lavender's scent has calming and anti-depressant properties. Ylang-Ylang is described as euphoric essential oil that helps in uplifting mood. Chamomile essential oil can relax body and mind and can provide restful and peaceful sleep. Geranium oil, is another sedative and relaxing essential oil, that can balance adrenaline.

Before, suggesting some aromatherapy recipes for stress relief, I want to underline that dealing with essential oils might be dangerous especially for inexperienced persons. Keep in mind that essential oils are concentrated potent substances and should never be placed directly on skin. Use carrier (base) oil for dilution and after you can apply it on skin. Moreover, remember that only few essential oils can be taken internally and used during pregnancy.

Aromatherapy oils can be used in burners and diffusers. Add 5-10 drops of your favourite essential oil to water in the bowl and heat it. Sit back and relax, while the essential oil vaporises and its perfume creates a soothing atmosphere. Another way to benefit from essential oils is by inhaling them. Put few drops on a tissue or a cotton pad, put your nose near and just inhale. Keep in mind, that this is the easiest and the only one way to benefit from essential oils when you are outside your home and you want to relieve tension (at work for example).

Additionally, you can reduce stress with aromatherapy bath and massage. Add 4-6 drops of essential oil to your warm bath water and stay in it for at least 15 minutes, allowing the oil to penetrate your skin and indulge yourself with the advantageous vapours. Finally, you can add 5 drops of essential oil to every 10ml of base oil and massage your body. The ideal parts of your body for relaxing massage are around the neck, shoulders and back.

In conclusion, stress is an unavoidable piece of our modern way of living, but there are some easy to follow techniques that can enhance the body ability to cope with emotional and physical stress. The most sweet-scented is Aromatherapy.

About the author: George Kakaris is a freelance writer living in an island of Greece. He is very interested in natural health and alternative active life style and owner of an information site about Aromatherapy and Essential Oils, where you can read about essential oils and hydros ols among others.

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