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| Aromatherapy for Healing |
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| Even though the term "aromatherapy" came from French pharmacist Rene Gattefosse in 1928, aromatherapy can be traced back from the Avicenna of Arabia (980-1037). It was believed that the oils of various plants had healing powers and that extracting those oils was close to touching the plant's spirit. Extraction and use of these oils is considered not only as a science but also as an art. Use of oils can affect the whole person: physical symptoms, mood and spiritual attunement. When used properly, essential oils are completely safe. Before starting a treatment of any kind, please consult your doctor to find out if any oils are contraindicated. Various forms of aromatherapy can be used: steam inhalation, compresses, baths, direct application, massage and ointments. Vaporization can also be used such as burners, aromastones, radiator diffusers and lightbulb rings. A very important note: a carrier oil should be used to dilute any oil that will be applied directly to the skin. Only good quality vegetable oils should be used, preferrably cold pressed as it will retain all the minerals and vitamins. My favorite carrier oil is sweet almond oil (bitter almond oil is NOT used in aromatherapy)---it is good for sensitive skin and makes a good skin softener as well as lubricant. Other good carrier oils include: peach kernel oil, soya oil and grapeseed oil. For a massage oil, a good rule of thumb is four to six drops of essential oil to three to four teaspoons of carrier oil. Below is a brief listing of oils for various symptoms. |
| Abodominal Pain: Mint, Chamomile, Thyme Acne: Mint, Orange, Savory, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Patchouli, Lavender,Myrrh, Myrtle, Neroli, Juniper Amenorrhea: Sage, Chamomile, Cypress, Parsley Analgesic: Eucalyptus, Juniper, Chamomile, Sage, Lime, Lemongrass, Ginger Antianxiety: Sadnalwood, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Basil, Chamomile, Lavender, Cedarwood, Neroli Antibacterial: Rose, Tea Tree, Lavender, Bay, Lemon, Neroli, Immortelle Antidepressant: Neroli, Lavender, Geranium, Rose, Sandalwood, Lime, Lemongrass, Melissa (Lemon Balm) Antifungal: Myrrh, Tea Tree Anti-inflammatory: Clary Sage, Patchouli, Geranium, Peppermint, Bay, Eucalyptus, Myrrh , Rose, Yarrow, Sweet Fennel, Honey, Mimosa, Immortelle Antiseptic: Ylang ylang, Cinnamon, Clove, Lemon, Myrrh, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Lavender, Tea Tree, Geranium, Pine, Rose, Sage ,Thyme, Yarrow, Myrtle, Vetiver, Ginger, Elemi, Ocen Pine Aphrodisiac: Ylang ylang, Neroli, Clove, Jasmine, Cedarwood, Basil, Patchouli, Rose, Vetiver, Ginger Backache: Lavender, Nutmeg, juniper, Pine, Rosemary, Mandarin, Thyme Bruises: Cypress, Geranium, Marjoram, Mint, Parsley,Lavender, Thyme Burns: Lavender, Patchouli, Clary Sage, Benzoin, Eucalyptus Circulatory: Thyme, Rosemary, Bey, Juniper, Cypress, Lemon, Neroli, Nutmeg Cold Sores: Tea Tree, Chamomile,Thyme, Savory Colic: Fennel, Orange, Lavender, Pine, Caraway, Chamomile Confusion: Bergamot, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Basil, Anise, iris Constipation: Fennel, Tarragon, Rosemary Cystitis: Cedarwood, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Pine, Sandalwood, Parsley, Fennel Dandruff: Patchouli, Thyme, Rosemary, Lemon, Ylang-ylang, Chamomile Decongestant: Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Cypress Diarrhea: Thyme, Oregano, Bay Digestive: Cinnamon, Neroli, Clove, Bergamot, Myrrh, Juniper, Lavender, Chamomile, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Basil, Marjoram, Anise, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Yarrow, Lemongrass, Cumin, Nutmeg, Orange Diuretic: Lemon, Cypress, Juniper, Sage, Yarrow, Angelica, Lemongrass, Sweet Fennel, Iris Eczema: Juniper, Orange, Geranium, Lavender, Clary Sage, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Chamomile, Rose, Patchouli, Balm Edema: Parsley, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Cypress, Rosemary, Chamomile Energy/Renewal: Myrrh, Lemon, Bergamot, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Jasmine, Basil, Pine, Yarrow, Angelica, Lemongrass, Melissa (Lemon Balm), Immortelle Flatulence: Basil, Marjoram, Lemongrass, Savory, Nutmeg, Oregano, Angelica, Cumin, Balm Halitosis: Parsley, Thyme, Mint, Tarragon, Myrrh, Fennel, Chamomile, Nutmeg Hayfever: Pine, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Parsley, Chamomile Headaches: Clary Sage, Lavender, Chamomile, Rosemary, Juniper, Tea Tree, Geranium, Balm Insomnia: Lavender, Neroli, Melissa, Basil Muscle Relaxant: Thyme, Anise, Marjoram, Basil, Peppermint, Chamomile, Lavender, Juniper, Vanilla PMS: Calendula, Mint, Orange, Sage, Basil, Thyme, Neroli, Chamomile, Parsley, Immortelle, Balm Respiratory difficulties: Frankincense, Clove, Bergamot, Myrrh, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Basil, Ppine, Marjoram and Thyme, Ocean Pine. Sedative: Neroli, Ylang, ylang, Lavender, Marjoram, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Lime, Myrtle, Vetiver Sciatica: Juniper, Pepper, Mustard Sinusitis: Benzoin, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Tea Tree Sunburn: Lavender Toothache: Mint, Clove Baths 5-15 drops of oil to water, mix so a light film is on entire surface of water. I personally use only 5 drops and find that it really brings out the scent and does what it is supposed to very well. One of my favorites is 5 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Lemon---what a way to go! Heavenly. ***Relaxing: Lavender, Rose, Neroli, Chamomile ***Stimulating: Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Peppermint ***Refreshing: Bergamot, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon ***Aphrodisiac: Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Cinnamon |
| Individual Aromas |
| Yarrow: Sweet and spicy Angelica: Earthy, sweet Frankincense: Rich and warm Ylang ylang: exotic floral Chamomile: Strong, dry Lime: Light, citrus Neroli: Sweet floral with fruity undertones Bergamot: Light but spicy Lemon: Crisp and sharp Myrrh: musty Cypress: Tenacious Lemongrass: Lemony, rich Eucalyptus: Very distinct, clean, invigorating Sweet Fennel: spicy and peppery Jasmine: exotic floral Juniper: Peppery, fresh Lavender: Floral with woody undertones Tea Tree: Warm, clean Melissa (Lemon balm): Tangy floral Myrtle: Penetrating Basil: sweet-spicy Marjoram: Heavy, warm Geranium: Sweet Pine: Sharp, fresh Patchouli: earthy and spicy Rose: deep floral Rosemary: minty herbal Clary Sage: Nutty Sandalwood: Woody, exotic Vetiver: Smoky, earthy Ginger: Spicy, warm |
| Brands I recommend Aromaland Young Living |