Aromatherapy essential oil, recipes and massage oils

Guide to aromatherapy essential oil

Aromatherapy is the practice of using the essential oils, from any of a variety of plants, to bring about certain changes in the body or the mood. Scent is a very powerful thing, for example: certain scents can trigger memories and others can bring about certain mental physical changes. Aromatherapy is the science of using these essential oils, and the scents from those oils, to bring about positive changes in the mind and the body.

Essential oils are not perfumes, and visa versa. A perfume is just a collection of synthetic chemicals. While it may smell very nice, it's not related to Aromatherapy. Practitioners of aromatherapy also warn that essential oils are powerful things and one should have some understanding of their proper and safe use before applying them in any manner.

Aromatherapy oils and their uses:

Eucalyptus : Aroma therapists use Eucalyptus to aid respiratory system ailments by enhancing deep breathing. It is recommended for muscle aches and pains.
Frankincense: Frankincense treats lung and genito-urinary compaints, ulcers, chronic diarrhea, breast cysts, and excessive menstruation. It is used on mature skin, acne, fungal infections, boils, hard-to-heal wounds, and scars.
Geranium: Relieves PMS symptoms, nervous tension, and stress-related conditions. Helps repair broken capillaries; fights burns, cuts, eczema. Used in many skin care products Geranium oil provides balancing properties to both oily and dry skins.
Jasmine: Relaxing, intoxicating, warming. Great aphrodisiac. Jasmine has a long tradition of being used in childbirth as a relaxing and supportive remedy. Jasmine is valued in skincare in aiding dry, sensitive and irritated skin.
Lavender: Aromatherapists use it to treat rheumatism, sprains, respiratory problems, abdominal cramps, depression, insomnia, tension-related problems, burns, sun-damaged skin, and various types of skin infections.
Patchouli oil has a beneficial effect on the skin, helping with infections, and insect bites It also helps with stress related problems and addictions.
Peppermint: used in treating asthma, nausea, colic, cramps, colds, fevers, fainting, headaches, mental fatigue, flatulence and nausea. Peppermint oil may also help to lessen or eliminate apathy, shock, migraines, nervous stress, vertigo and faintness.
Rose: Good for headache, nervous tension, stress redlated conditions, insomnia, and nausea. Use against broken capillaries, dry skin, and poor circulation.
Rosemary oil can be effective for mental fatigue, for circulation problems, as a pain reliever for the muscular system and can help the respiratory tract and congested skin.
Sandalwood : Relaxing, warming. Great aphrodisiac. Sandalwood is valued in skincare for its moisturizing and skin healing properties.
Sweet Orange - Aroma therapists use Sweet Orange to treat muscular tension, poor circulation, obesity, water retention, bronchitis, colds, constipation, and stress-related symptoms.

Tea Tree: strong disinfectant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal

Essential oils should never be taken internally. Dosages should be halved for children; professional advice should be sought for babies. They should be used sparingly and never applied undiluted to the skin or used near the eyes. Some oils shouldn't be used if you're epileptic, have asthma or high blood pressure, or are pregnant. This list is for general guidance only; always check with a qualified practitioner before using aromatherapy oils.

Ways of using aromatherapy:

Place a few drops of essential oil into a bowl of steaming water. Breathe the steam for 15-30 minutes. This is great for clearing sinuses and providing headcold relief.

Mix your favorite essential oil(s) with distilled water (no more than 15 drops of oil(s) per ounce of water) for a refreshing floral spray.

Place a few drops on a cloth. Use this cloth as a scarf or place it on your pillow case. Move cloth away when you have had enough. (Great for using while sleeping!)

Use during massage. This can have amazing effects. Beware that changes can happen EXTREMELY fast when doing this, so dilution with an oil carrier is recommended.

Aromatherapy bath salts are often both extremely relaxing and effective.

Compresses - add three to five drops of essential oil to 300ml of hot/warm water. Soak a clean flannel or soft cloth in the water, wring out and apply to affected part of the body (cold for bruises, sprains, headaches; warm for abscesses, boils, period pains, cystitis). Repeat two to three times a day until the condition improves.

Aromatherapy for Pets

Title: Aromatherapy for Pets

Author: Liz Santher

Article :
Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as
much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad
odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential
oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting
your pet's immune system, fighting off bacteria and
viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and
repelling insects.

Aromatherapy is used by enthusiasts, groomers and pet
salons to trea mild ailments such as skin inflammations,
itchy skin ear infections, rashes, bad breath, flatulence
and motions sickness. Psychologically, certain oils also
have a calming or relaxing effect on animals. For example
lavender oil not only helps kitties repel insects but it
also makes them feel sleepy or content. Roman chamomile
can be used to treat an ear infection as well as soothe the
nerves of a dog in pain.

Essential oils are also frequently used as home remedies.
However before you attempt to use aromatherapy on your own
pets, keep in mind that essential oils are always diluted
before they are applied to a pet's skin or sprayed on their
coat. Almond oil, olive oil and jojoba oil are common base
oils to which a few drops of the essential oil is added.
Usually all that is needed is about one ounce of the base
oil combined with two to three drops of the essential oil.

Essential oils can also be diluted in a spray bottle and
misted onto the pet or the pet's bedding. You can simply
dilute a few drops in distilled water or you can use water
and a mixture of aloe, witch hazel or cider vinegar. The
traditional recommendation is to use 20 to 30 drops of oil
per eight ounces of liquid. Any less might not be
effective and any more might be toxic to the pet.

Oils can also be diluted in vodka or brandy and dabbed on
the bottom of the pet's paws or on an acupressure point
such as the tips of the ears. This is the technique to use
if you are dealing with a panicky pet. Never feed your pet
alcohol or essential oil directly.

Essential oils are also effective flea and tick repellents
and are nearly as effective as sprays and powders that
contain a lot of toxic chemicals. Oils such as peppermint,
citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, geranium, bay and
myrrh have been components of herbal flea sprays and flea
collars for many years. You can easily make your own flea
and tick spray by combining about 25 drops of any of these
oils into eight ounces of water. Shake the mixture well
and spray it on your pet, being careful to shield its eyes
from mist. This mixture can also be sprayed anywhere that
you suspect there may be a breeding bug infestation.

When using essential oils it is also essential for you to
remember that a dog or cat's sense of smell is much more
acute than our own. Signs that an aromatherapy treatment is
too overwhelming for your pet are tearing eyes, sneezing,
pacing or whining. Cats may lick themselves excessively and
dogs may rub their head on the ground in order to escape
the smell. Many pets also have allergies to essential oils.
For instance, chamomile is related to the ragweed plant,
which is a common allergen for both pets and humans. This
is why it is so important to use a mild solution at first
and use your powers of observation the first few times you
use an essential oil mixture on a pet.

About the Author

*******
(c) 2005 Liz Santher - All Rights Reserved

Liz Santher is a aromatherapy enthusiast and freelance
author.

http://www.AromaTherapySecret.com
*******

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