HOW AROMATHERAPY WORKS

One of the most powerful, but the least utilized, senses among humans is the sense of smell. Humans have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells. However dormant, different smells have a profound effect on the human mind and body. Aromatherapy is a tested science that employs essential oils to stimulate our sense of smell and bring in positive effects on both mind and body. It is a natural, healing modality employing essential oils extracted from aromatic plant sources to treat and balance the body, mind and spirit.

Smell stimulates parts of our brain that control our emotions, moods, memory and learning. Smell reaches these parts of the brain through cilia, which are the fine hair lining the nose. However essential oils also work on the physical level. Research has validated that essential oils help our body fight against harmful bacteria and viruses, fungal infections, inflammation, rheumatism, toxicity, depression and much more besides the energizing effect they provide.

Essential oils are made of chemical compositions, which, when reach the brain can exert specific effects on the mind and body. Each essential oil has its own healing property. These oils can be used in isolation or in different combinations depending on the different levels - physical, emotional and mental where the healing is to take place. This science has been recognized for its potent effects and is used widely in medicine the world over. Aromatherapy is a non-physically invasive alternative stream of medicine offering remedies not available with traditional medicine.

AROMATHERAPY FOR COMMON AILMENTS

Aromatherapy can prove beneficial in curing a range of problems but has been found highly effective in treating stress, anxiety, and psychosomatic induced problems, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders and women-specific problems, such as Post Menopausal Syndrome (PMS), menopausal complaints and postnatal depression.

Behavior

Scientifically it has been proved that fragrant compounds and aromatherapy have a profound effect on human mind and behavior. Studies conducted on hyper excited mice (high on caffeine), showed that the aroma of lavender, sandalwood, and other oils sprayed into their cages calmed them considerably. The same mice were found to get highly irritable when exposed to the aroma of orange terpines, thymol, and some other substances. These oils were all detected in their bloodstream after about an hour. The study holds good for humans too since genetically there exists a close similarity in the chromosome structure of mice and human beings.

Sleep

The effect of aromatherapy on insomniacs can be gauged from a study reported in the British Medical Journal Lancet, which stated that elderly patients slept "like babies" when a lavender aroma was wafted into their bedrooms at night. Prior to aromatherapy these patients had complained of sleeplessness and had to resort to sleeping pills to get sleep.

Postpartum Discomfort

A study conducted on 635 women showed that applying lavender oil to their perineal area (part of the body between the vagina and the rectum) after childbirth provided a high level of relief from post partum discomfort. A distinct improvement was reported between the third and fifth day.

Colds

The goodness of Chicken soup as a remedy for common cold is well known both historically as well as scientifically. Studies however have proved that more than the steam emanating from the chicken soup, it was the effect of the aroma of the chicken soup on the lining of the nostrils that brought in a marked improvement in the cold.

Stress

Aromatherapy as a means to reduce stress is well known. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York, was witness to a study conducted among patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These patients were exposed to the aroma of vanilla before being subjected to MRI. The patients reported 63 percent less claustrophobia while undergoing the checkup. However, there was no change in their heart rate proving that aromatherapy had no negative effects on the cardiovascular system.

Another study was conducted among 122 patients who were in an intensive care unit. These patients were administered with the oil of lavender. These patients reported feeling much better as a result of aromatherapy as compared to when they were simply given a massage or allowed to rest. Again, no changes were observed in the patients in terms of blood pressure, respiration, or heart rate.

Aromatherapy also helps in increasing alertness, which is evident from a report from Japan, which reported fewer mistakes by keypunch operators when exposed to fragrance.

Male Sexual Response

Treatment with Licorice, Doughnut with black licorice or lavender with pumpkin pie has been seen to immensely increase circulation to the male sexual organ. Men who are considered to have a high libido responded well to lavender, cola, and oriental spice with older males preferring the fragrance of vanilla. Aromatherapy is an effective therapy for the treatment of male impotence as a result of blood vessel disease or from psychogenic factors.

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are used for multiple purposes and applications. Essential oils are generally used in the following ways to utilize their therapeutic properties and dispensing their fragrances and scents.

• Now we present a brief description of all the methods. In one or method can be used according to individual requirements.
  
  1. Body And Facial Oils
  Essential Oils can be used to nourish the skin. For this purpose add one 1% essential oil to carrier oil and 3% for the body for an effective healing.
  2. Foot Bath
  To rest to your feet add 4 -5 drops of thyme, rosemary or peppermint oil in a large tub of hot water and keep your feet in the tub for 15 minutes.
  
  3. Handkerchief:
  To treat colds, headaches, pains and running nose it is advisable to drop 3 - 4 drops of eucalyptus or any other recommended oil on the handkerchief and inhale it frequently.
  
  4. Therapeutic Massage:
  These massages are used to trigger the natural healing process of the body. These massages stimulate the lymph fluid and blood circulation of the body. Massage also tends to act upon the emotional centre in the brain and affects our thinking process. For massage mix 1 – 3 % solution of oil to base oil and then massage the body.
  
  5. Inhalation:
  Steam inhalations can be used to treat colds and other respiratory disorders. For this purpose take a bowl of hot water, add 6 – 10 drops of essential oil. Now place a towel over your head and bend over the bowl such that you cover the entire bowl with the towel. Inhale deeply. This will help in clearing blocked respiratory passage.
  
  6. Compress:
  Hot and cold compresses can be used in case of back pains, sprains and to reduce swelling of the joints. Take a piece of cloth or towel and pour 5 – 10 drops of essential oil in hot water about 160 ml. Soak the cloth squeeze the water out and then place it on the ailing body part. Let it in this position for few minutes and when it turns cold remove it and repeat the entire process.
  
  7. Hot Tub
  Add 10 -1 5 drops of geranium, sandalwood or Ylang Ylang in the bath tub and then enjoy the hot tub.
  
  8. Room Spray:
  To make a room spray, add 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice with 100 ml of water add a preservative like pure alcohol. Shake the solution and than fill in a sprayer.
  
  9. Sauna:
  To detoxify and cleanse your body, add 2 drops of essential oil of pine or eucalyptus to 300 – 330 ml of water and throw over the coals of evaporation.
  
  10. Scented candles:
  Scented candles can be used to add fragrance to your room. You can alternatively add few drops of essential oils of your choice to an oil lamp to derive similar effect.
  
  11. Humidifiers:
  Add 5 drops of essential oil to a small bowl of water that should be placed on a radiator’s top or to water of a humidifier.
  
  12. Wood Fires:
  Drops of pine, cypress or cedar wood can be sprinkled over logs of wood for some effect. But oil should be add an hour before lightning the fire.
  
  13. Showers:
  Soap your body and then rinse. After rinsing dip a wet sponge in essential oil and squeeze the sponge and now rub over your entire body while you are under the shower. 
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