In Aromatherapy the word aroma means fragnance and therapy means treatement. Aromatherapy is an alternative treatment in which the essential oils derived from different parts of a plant –roots,stem,leaves,flowers,fruits are used to affect the physical and mental health. These scents have powerful influence on the body so they are mainly used in cosmetic,medical industry.Essential oils are a mixure of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, ethers, phenols, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters which produces odors.
Different types of Aromatherapy
- cosmetic Aromatherapy: In this essential oils are used for cleansing, moisturizing, drying and toning of skin, face, body and hair. These are mainly used in facial products.
- Massage Aromatherapy: In this grape seed, almond oil and other essential oils are mixed with vegetable oil and massaged through out body.
- Medical Aromatherapy: For some clinically diagonised medical ailments massage with essential oils to patients is performed during surgery.
- Olfactory Aromatherapy: Inhalation of essential oils results in enhanced emotional wellness, relaxation and rejuvenates the body.
- Psycho Aromatherapy: In this certain states of emotions are obtained by giving pleasant memory to the patient through inhalation of essential oils.
Essential oils are not a replacement to medical treatement.
Plants contain certain chemicals to protect themselves from insects, bacteria and viruses. The active ingredients from the high yield medicinal plants are taken directly through distillation and they are preserved by mixing with alcohol. The finished product is highly concentrated and can be mixed with other substances .As they are highly concentrated for aromatherapy usage, they are mixed with some carrier oils before applied directly to skin.
Some of the carrier oils are almond oil,olive oil,coconut oil etc.
There are wide number of oils available which have healing properties of their own kind. Trained aromatherapist combines essential oils which gives better results rather than using them individually. Depending upon the nature of the skin the mixure varies.
Aromatherapy can be performed in different ways
- Massage the body by using the oils-which boosts circulation and increases absorption.
2. By oil infused bath.
3. Directly inhaling oils through nostrils from the bottle-which stimulates olfactory system
4. By diffusing essential oils in to the air.
Uses of Aromatherapy:
- In modern life apart from diet and exercise aromatherapy boosts the energy levels of the body.
- Oil massaging mainly reduces stress, and anxiety. Some oils stimulates the brain, nervous system, liver, spleen, excretory systems there by activating and optimizing them.
- Sage oil has anti fungal, anti viral, anti bacterial properties so it is used in skin care products also used in uterus related problems in women.
- Citrus oils boosts the immune system. orange and lemon oils are beneficial for improving mental health.
- For respiratory problems , sinus, cold, allergy, cough, the essential oils eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, lemon can directly rub on the chest, nose and neck and can directly inhale.
- Fragrant aromatherapy oils show positive effect on brain, which helps to control emotional response and behavior.
- Diffusing aromatherapy oils in the air during night helps to improve sleep quality. Lavender oil, rosemary oil, chamomile oil are sleep inducing essential oils. They release tiny particles in to the air and can be directly inhaled through nostrils which helps to create calm atmosphere.
- Tea tree oil when diluted is beneficial to reduce acne, dandruff, fungal Infections, rashes wound healing.
- To reduce arthritis pain ginger, turmeric, orange oils combined can be applied on the affected area.
- Lavender aromatherapy helps to reduce fatigue and rises alertness. calms the nervous system, lowers the blood pressure, heart rate, relaxes the mood.
- Toothache and mouth sore can be relieved by clove oil.
- Basil oil is useful to increase concentration and to relieve headache and migraine.
- Black peppar oil is used to stimulate circulation , reduce muscular pains. combined with ginger oil reduces arthritis pain.
- Citronella is an insect repellent.
- Bergamont is useful for digestive and urinary track problems. when combined with eucalyptus may relieve skin problems caused by chicken pox.
- Rosemary is useful to boost memory power and to promote hair growth.
- Ylang ylang oil calms down the nervous system leading to lower heart rate and blood pressure.
- Neem oil ,when massaged to muscles body relieves toxins.
- Brahmi oil is useful in treating the diseases of brain and improves memory.It is effective in reducing swelling for the people suffering from arthritis .
- Camphor oil is an excellent pain reliever ,heals burns, heightens physical energy.
How to use: Do an allergy test before applying it. Dilute the essential oil with carrier oil. Rub the mixure in the area ,observe for 24 hours, if there is no allergy it is safe to use.
Clary Sage: This oil ease tension and muscle cramps along with seductive activity. Its tonic is used for uterus related problems in women.It is also used to control acne, wrinkles in both dry and oily skins.
Eucalyptus: This oil is used to activate -nervous system for headache and neuralgia, immunity system boosts the immunity against cold, measles and chickenpox, respiratory system fights with throat infections ,cough, bronchitis, asthma and sinus related problems. skin problems like wound ,cuts, burns, insect bites, can be treated. The muscle and joint pains, rheumatoid arthritis pain can be relieved.
Geranium: Geranium oil is used in soaps and detergents for its fragnance. This oil is generally used to control emotions –anxiety and stress related problems. It is used in eczema, dermatitis and aging skin. Its oil is also used in sedative properties, in throat infections.It is an effective insect repellent.
Lavender: This oil is mainly used to support mental alertness, suppressing anxiety and aggression.oil is also useful in promotion of new cell growth ,skin problems, painful muscle. It contains Linalool and Linalyl acetate, which have great absorbing property from skin during massage with a depression of central nervous system.
Lemon: Lemon oil has antiseptic, astringent and detoxifying properties. It is mainly used to boost immune system, to accelerate white corpuscles production, to fight with acidity and ulcers through citric acid, which helps digestion. Citric oil is good in relieving the first stage labour pain. It is effective in controlling nausea and vomiting.
Peppermint: Peppermint oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-microbial , antiseptic, astringent, digestive, neurine stimulant. This oil is useful in the treatment of irritable bowl syndrome ,for the menstrual cycle pain and for headaches. It can relieve many fungal, bacterial, and viral infections when inhaled in the form of vapourbalm. For sinus and lung congestions this essential oil is very effective.
Roman Chamomile: This oil is useful in the treatment of inflammation, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain and hemorrhoids. The stress relieving properties ease out depression, worry and overactive mind.
Rosemary: This oil is useful in indigestion,constipation and colitis. It works as liver and gall bladder tonic. It regulates the blood pressure and relaxes the hardening of arteries. In winter it is useful to relieve rheumatic pain which aggrevates due to cold. Its stimulating activities are beneficial in hysteria and paralysis. It acts as a stimulater for hair growth and provides treatment for dandruff.
Teatree: Tea tree possesses antibacterial, antiviral, insecticidal and immune stimulant properties. This oil is used in cold sores, insect bites, dandruff, respiratory related problems-like cough, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough.
Ylang Ylang: It is anti depressive in nature thus giving the feeling of well being. Lowself esteem, women suffering from post menopausal syndrome have better results on them.
Side effects:
- When used in large amounts may cause skin irritation.
- Internal usage of oils can be sometimes toxic and harmful.
- Under severe medical conditions only with expert opinion oils should be used .
- With sensitive skin only diluted oils should be used and should be tested for rashes and swelling.
- Taking oils directly may damage kidneys and liver.
- An essential oil which is safe for general public could be hazard for lactating and pregnant women.
- Adultrated oils may cause problems depending upon the type of substance used.
SANATANA DHARMA 