AROMATHERAPY 2012 Chronic Pain and Depression All Rights Reserved.

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2 WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY? BALANCE & HARMONY OF BODY & MIND Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these "Aromatherapy" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Aromatherapy oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing. A form of alternative medicine, aromatherapy is gaining momentum. It is used for a variety of applications, including pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive function. AROMATHERAPY HIISTORY Little is known about the history of aromatherapy, or where it originated specifically, but the Egyptians are credited with developing one of the first distillation machines to extract oils from certain plants. Oils of cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians to embalm the dead. The practice of using infused aromatic oils as a mood enhancer, however, is thought to have roots in China. The Roman emperors were famous for their extravagance. They had saffron sprayed from fountains and used as a strewing herb. The Greeks also played a role in the history of aromatherapy. Megallus, a Greek perfumer, developed a fragrance he called megaleion, which consisted of myrrh. The "father of medicine" Hippocrates is said to have practiced aromatherapy (before it was dubbed so) for healing purposes. Greek mythology claims the gods were gifted with the knowledge of perfume and fragrance. The actual term "aromatherapy" first originated in 1937 when French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse invented the word after a burn incident spurred his curiosity about the healing power of Aromatherapy 2012 Chronic Pain and Depression - All Rights Reserved. Page 1

3 oils. On the heels of Gattefosse's "discovery" that lavender oil helped to cure his burn, French surgeon Jean Valnet used Aromatherapy oils to help heal soldiers' wounds in World War II, proving the medical benefits of aromatherapy. AROMATHERAPY ACTIIONS Aromatherapy oils have three modes of action, which are: 1. PSYCHOLOGICAL Imagine that you have gone back in time to your childhood home. Now close your eyes and picture yourself walking through the door. Chances are, in addition to the familiar object you visualize, certain smells will also spark your memory. Scents like your mother's perfume, the smell of baking cookies -- Aromatherapy oils have a remarkable ability to influence your psyche by evoking moods and memories. 2. PHARMACOLOGICAL Chemical changes take places as the body reacts to the application of Aromatherapy oils. The European doctors who study phytotherapy (which is the study of the whole plant) are trained to use herbs and Aromatherapy oils internally to supplement the body's health systems. Aromatherapy oils have a remarkable ability to work in harmony with the body in maintaining overall good health. 3. PHYSIOLOGICAL Aromatherapy oils applied externally take physiological action. The action is more subtle than oral application and less likely to cause undesired effects. As an example, Rosemary and Peppermint stimulated, while Roman Chamomile and Lavender both sedate. Rosemary is a hypertensor (supports energy boosting) and Geranium is a hypotensor (which assists in relaxation). This is one of the reasons Aromatherapy oils should not be used internally without qualified medical advice. For those people with abnormalities within their body systems, ingestion of Aromatherapy oil that has a direct action of the affected system could cause their conditions to worsen Chronic Pain and Depression - All Rights Reserved. Page 2

4 HOW TO USE AROMATHERAPY OIILS Here just a few ways to enjoy more aromatic fragrances in your life. 1. Heat some water: If you live in an apartment or an interested in scenting a small room, all you need to do is add a few drops of oil to a bowl of hot water. The vapors will release the fragrance into the air. 2. Spray some on: For a quick burst of fragrance take a small plant misting bottle, fill it with water, and add some Aromatherapy oil. This works especially well with gentle floral oils. You can spray the air or even use the mister to spray on to skin that is too sensitive to touch. 3. Use a diffuser: For around fifty dollars you can buy an aromatherapy diffuser that disperses micro-particles of the Aromatherapy oil into the air. Diffusers are useful for respiratory conditions. AROMATHERAPY APPLIICATIIONS 1. BATHS Adding aromatherapy oils to your bath is an easy way to cash in on their health benefits. Simply add a few drops to the bathwater and blend it before submerging yourself. The aroma will trigger your olfactory sense, which will in turn enhance your circulation and help to bring about physical balance. 2. AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE Probably the most popular method of aromatherapy application is massage. Blending drops of essential oil with carrier lotions can affect the body both psychologically and physiologically -- depending on which oil you use. Peppermint is known to energize the senses whereas lavender is a known relaxing agent. When used in massage, essential oils are not only inhaled, but absorbed through the skin as well. They penetrate the tissues and find their way into the bloodstream where they are transported to the organs and systems of the body. The penetrating characteristic of essential oils greatly enhances their ability to be effective. These oils will penetrate into the body when applied to the skin. Aromatherapy oils placed on the sole of the foot will be distributed to every cell in the body within 20 minutes. They will even penetrate a finger, or toe nail to treat fungus underneath Chronic Pain and Depression - All Rights Reserved. Page 3

5 3. AROMATHERAPY VAPOR INHALATION One of the cornerstones of aromatherapy treatment is the vapor technique. Since many Aromatherapy oils are thought to alleviate sinus or respiratory issues, steam inhalation is a very popular application method. A rule of thumb for many Aromatherapy oils is to add five drops to steaming water and inhale the aroma using a towel tent (place the towel around your head so the aroma doesn t escape while you inhale it). 4. LOTIONS/CREAMS/SALVES Add a few drops of Aromatherapy oil to your favorite carrier lotion, massage oil or cream (cocoa butter, shea butter, any unscented lotion base to create your own fragrant blend) to stimulate healing properties. 5. COMPRESS Add a few drops of your preferred Aromatherapy oil to a bowl of warm water. Dip a washcloth into the blend and wring out. Using the washcloth as a compress, apply it to areas of the body that need pain relief, such as muscles, forehead or stomach. Warm Aromatherapy oil compresses are great for menstrual cramps as well. AROMATHERAPY MOOD BLENDS Aromatherapy is based on the principle that natural fragrances, or aromatherapy oils, from certain plants or flowers can affect our moods, and consequently how we think or feel at any given time. In fact, practitioners of Aromatherapy base their entire belief system on the ideology that aromatherapy oils, or essential oils, have medicinal benefits including antidepressant and antibacterial properties, and plenty in between! Certain aromatherapy oils can trigger physical or emotional effects on their own. For instance, lavender is a widely known calming agent, whereas peppermint is a mood lifter. Other oils are blended to achieve a desired physiological or psychological effect. Blending ylang ylang with grapefruit relieves stress. The following are popular Aromatherapy oils (and blends). Add a few drops into a diffuser, a pot of hot water, or simply to a cotton ball to achieve the desired effect. *Do not apply drops directly to your skin; blend with carrier oils or lotions if you want to apply it that way Chronic Pain and Depression - All Rights Reserved. Page 4

6 RECIIPES FOR YOUR CONVENIIENCE Recipe: Stress Relief Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Patchouli, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang Recipe: Anxiety/Fear Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood Recipe: Isolation Roman Chamomile, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Rose Recipe: Memory Boosters Basil, Cypress, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary Recipe: Self Esteem Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary Recipe: Agitation Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Mandarin, Sandalwood Recipe: Sadness/Grief Bergamot, Chamomile (Roman), Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang Fatigue Basil, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood 2012 Chronic Pain and Depression - All Rights Reserved. Page 5

7 SAFETY WIITH AROMATHERAPY OIILS Aromatherapy has many benefits, but it is imperative that safety precautions are taken when handling Aromatherapy oils. While they may seem harmless (they are extracted from plants, after all), many need to be diluted before applying directly to the skin. SAFETY TIPS Read all label warnings and cautions. Keep Aromatherapy oils away from your eyes. If oil comes into contact with your eye, flush it out with large quantities of warm water and immediately seek medical advice. Keep Aromatherapy oils away from children, who may think they can ingest them because of how they smell. Use only the suggested amount; misuse can lead to headaches and/or nausea. If you suspect you've used too much, drink plenty of water and get some air. Aromatherapy oils should be diluted before being applied to the body. Because they are so concentrated, it is not advisable to rub Aromatherapy oils directly onto the skin. This can cause redness, burning, itching and irritation. If the oil comes into contact with your skin, coat the area in a cream or vegetable oil and then wash with warm, soapy water. Never consume Aromatherapy oils, unless called for in specific recipes. If you do ingest the oil, drink and rinse mouth out with milk, and seek medical advice. Read the warnings on Aromatherapy oil packaging; some oils shouldn t be combined with other medication or alcohol, or taken if you have certain medical conditions (like epilepsy or low blood pressure) Aromatherapy oils have wonderful medicinal benefits, but if used improperly the effects can be hazardous to your health Chronic Pain and Depression - All Rights Reserved. Page 6