Aromatherapy – All That You Needed to Know About It!

Here are some of the most important facts about the way that aromatherapy helps improve your health and well being.

Aromatherapy uses warm essential oils to activate your sense of smell and increase your sense of well-being. The oils are massaged into your skin, dropped into bathing water, or blended with other oils or steam for you to inhale. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are extracted from raw plant material, which may be flowers, berries, bark, wood, roots, leaves, resin, peel or seeds.

Only a small amount of essential oil is needed, which is blended with a larger amount of “carrier” oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed. Commonly used essential oils include flowers oils such as camomile, lavender, rose and jasmine, and oils extracted from trees such as eucalyptus and sandalwood.

Aromatherapy is also proposed as an inexpensive, non-invasive treatment for postoperative nausea that can be administered and controlled by patients as needed,” according to a research report by Dr Ronald Hunt of Carolinas Medical Center University, Charlotte, NC, and colleagues.

“The name is a bit misleading since there is far more to it than just smelling aromas. Hardly surprising it was met with ridicule for the first 10 years!”

Aromatherapy reduces nausea after surgery?

In a recent aromatherapy study, 301 patients reporting nausea after surgery were randomly assigned to receive one of four types of aromatherapy.

Two groups received true aromatherapy, with essential oil of ginger or a blend of aromatherapy oils (ginger, spearmint, peppermint, and cardamom) placed on a gauze pad.

Anointing oils are placed on different points of the body for the purpose of bringing us into the harmonious state of mind needed for magic and ritual. Certain scents are also believed to have specific effects such as increasing psychic vision.

An expanding body of research is exploring the questions of whether aromatherapy can improve sleep, ease pain and anxiety, reduce congestion of colds and flu, relieve constipation, reduce post-operative nausea and even help grow hair.

In most cases, further investigation will be needed before doctors in the united states are convinced that aromatherapy can influence health, but good evidence already exists showing that certain scents can help induce relaxation and improve sleep.

Aromatherapy reduces anxiety depression pain and insomnia

For example: a 1994 study at new york’s memorial sloan-kettering cancer center found that the vanilla-like aroma of heliotropin significantly reduced anxiety in patients undergoing MRI scans. In england in 2002, researchers found that applying lemon balm oil to the faces and arms of patients with severe dementia reduced their agitation by 35 percent.

There is some evidence that it might help with general well-being, anxiety and some side effects of cancer treatment. But we need more research. Some people can have side effects.

It has not been rigorously studied in Multiple Schlerosis (MS). One small, preliminary study in MS reported that multiple symptoms were improved by aromatherapy.

Limited studies in other conditions suggest that aromatherapy may relieve anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia, but these studies have not been consistent. Further study is needed to definitely determine whether aromatherapy has therapeutic effects in ms.

Background. Depression is one of the greatest health concerns affecting 350 million people globally. Aromatherapy is a popular cam intervention chosen by people with depression. Due to the growing popularity of aromatherapy for alleviating depressive symptoms, in-depth evaluation of the evidence-based clinical efficacy of aromatherapy is urgently needed.

Aromatherapy showed potential to be used as an effective therapeutic option for the relief of depressive symptoms in a wide variety of subjects. Particularly, aromatherapy massage showed to have more beneficial effects than inhalation aromatherapy.

How aromatherapy works ?

It is a practice where the natural plant oil, includes essential oils, are used for physical and psychological well-being. Essential oil when used in aromatherapy not only relaxes mind and body but also provide health benefits ranging from instant relief from pain, headache or respiratory issues.

Aromatherapy being one of the most popular therapies assists the body to heal, regulate or maintain itself. Essential oil used in aromatherapy contains aromatic molecules that are easily absorbed.

When essential oils are applied to the body they penetrate the skin via the hair follicles and sweat glands and are absorbed into the body fluids, where they not only help to kill bacteria and viruses but also stimulate the body's immune system, thereby strengthening resistance to further attack.

Well, the truth is we don’t really know exactly how aromatherapy works. Researchers think that aromatherapy might work by exposing the limbic system in your brain to molecules that stimulate that system. The limbic system is the part of the brain that’s responsible for emotions and memories.

Aromatherapy can be a great addition to your massage practice.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to treat a few types of health problems, sometimes those for which traditional medicine has not been effective. It can be used in cases of lameness not responding to other therapies, as an alternative therapy for arthritis, for ear infections/itchy skin, and even to control fleas and ticks. Aromatherapy has also been suggested as a way to treat some anxiety cases, like separation anxiety and phobias due to fireworks and thunderstorms.

Now, many studies show that aromatherapy can benefit patients with dementia, like those with AD. Some of the essential oils stimulate cognitive functioning and memory for patients with memory loss. In dementia, the hardest symptom to treat is agitation and aggression among patients. A study has found that essential oils, particularly lavender, bergamot and lemon balm, can help calm the patient and suppress aggression, agitation, and other psychotic symptoms in patients with dementia.

Aromatherapy- different ways to be used

There are a variety of methods for getting the benefits of essential oils. Whatever product you choose, look for pure essential oils, avoiding artificial scents. In addition to diffusers, other ways to enjoy the scent of essential oils include room sprays, baths, aromatherapy massage, and scented body products.

When you use essential oils at home, it's important to know how to safely use these powerful oils. Essential oils are highly potent. If you're going to use a diffuser, you shouldn't use it for prolonged time periods. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, check with your healthcare provider before using essential oils.

Their effect on the brain can either sedate or stimulate the nervous system, as well as possibly aid in normalizing hormonal secretions. Inhaling essential oils can ease respiratory symptoms, while localized application of diluted oils can be helpful for certain localized conditions.

Massage combined with essential oils provides relaxation, as well as relief from pain and muscle stiffness and spasms. Some essential oils applied to the skin can have anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, or anti-inflammatory properties. Although essential oils produce certain predictable effects, they also may affect different people in different ways.

The Best Ever Alternative Cancer Treatment?

Cancer is one of the major reasons that are responsible for causing a great number of deaths every year. Today there are so many alternative treatments that are used for treating cancer. People around the world are now aware about the importance of health and well-being; this is a reason why they choose alternative and natural methods to stay healthy and fit.

These days the interest in cancer fighting foods is growing continuously. In recent years various books have been published on cancer foods and the role of good nutrition. There have been various researches and scientific studies made on this subject.

Superficial skin cancer should be simple to treat with aromatherapy products. However, for those with more severe skin cancer which goes deep beneath the skin, a complete treatment plan should be devised using one of the complete treatment protocol articles.

Aromatherapy is not used as a treatment for cancer but as supportive care, to help manage symptoms of cancer or chemotherapy.

So what is it used for?

Some of the most common reasons that people use it, according to research done by the PDQ integrative, alternative, and complementary therapies board, include managing pain, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, overcoming symptoms of depression, soothing sore joints and even battling the effects of cancer.

Benefits of Using Herbal Medicine

Equally popular as conventional medicines, the use of herbal medicines dates back many years and is believed to be the foundation on which modern medicines were first established. Nowadays, they are seen simply as a way to get your health back on track.

The essential oils are proven to raise energy levels, improve blood circulation, and stimulate the mind and body, without the hazardous side effects of other stimulating substances.

Some of the most well-known essential oils to boost your energy instantly are cardamom, black pepper, clove, cinnamon, angelica, rosemary, and jasmine.

An aromatherapy massage includes all the benefits of a regular massage, (improved circulation, lymph drainage etc.) with the added benefit of a blend of essential oils tailored to your specific needs.

Ancient Greek, Roman, and Arab herbalists used lavender as a disinfectant and antiseptic, and also for washing buildings and their clothes.

Greek and roman public baths often offered lavender bath oils, for cleaning the body and adding a welcome lavender scent. Today, we know of many health benefits of this lovely flower and its essential oil.

It has been used in traditional folk medicine, and there is an increasing body of scientific research into the various benefits of lavender aromatherapy.

Use of lemon and its precious oil has been noted throughout history, as even famous authors and poets from the past have written of lemon's enticing aromas and benefits. Historically, lemon essential oil was used to treat various health concerns, and in fact, the oil was even used as an antidote for some poisons.

With its antiseptic properties, lemon oil was commonly used as cleansing and healing agent. Most famously, James Lind, starting in 1747, performed experiments using lemon oil while studying seamen who suffered from scurvy.

How to Use Aromatherapy Essential Oils for First Aid Treatment

A Dr. Gattefosse was involved in a laboratory explosion in France in 1910, and suffered severe burns.

He immediately covered them with lavender oil that he had nearby. He said in his 1937 book, aromatherapy, that, “both my hands were covered with rapidly developing gas gangrene. Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped the gasification of the tissue.”

This treatment was followed by profuse sweating and healing which began the next day. ”during WWII, a Dr. Valnet began using essential oils on patients suffering battlefield injuries.

He found, much to his surprise, the essential oils showed a powerful effect in fighting infections. He was able to save the lives of many soldiers who might otherwise have died.

Because of these findings, clinics have investigated, and found that antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties exist in essential oils.

Some essential oils can be administered internally in tincture, infusion, or suppository form to treat certain symptoms or conditions. However, this treatment should never be self-administered.

Footnote

Essential oils should only be taken internally under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. As non-prescription botanical preparations, the essential oils used in aromatherapy are typically not paid for by health insurance.

Aromatherapy is generally considered safe, but allergic/hypersensitivity reactions and contact dermatitis have been reported with lavender, bergamot, and other essential oils. The oils derived from ylang-ylang, lemongrass, jasmine, sandalwood, and clove are especially known for their contact-sensitizing (inducing allergic reactions) properties.

Aromatherapy treatment sessions from a professional aromatherapist are not covered by health insurance in most cases, although aromatherapy performed in conjunction with physical therapy, nursing, therapeutic massage, or other covered medical services may be. Individuals should check with their insurance provider to find out about their specific coverage.