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Posts Tagged ‘Aromatherapy’

Reaching Back in Time

Aromatherapy always conjured up for me simple ideas of nice smelling things to relax you. I truly had little interest in those racks of little bottles in the health food store. But some friends of mine encouraged me to have a look at the science as to essential oils being healing medicines. Never in all my schooling were the volatile components of plants mentioned, or if they were, it was cursory, within a look at plant physiology. Now I’ve been through a series of science-based aromatherapy books and research papers, and here’s my discovery of aroma-medicine, something practitioners using aromatic oils have known all along.

So Much More Than Just Aroma

I have been using natural and alternative wellness treatments for my health for years, yet I had only associated aromatherapy with getting a massage or putting lavender on my pillow for a better night’s sleep. Unbeknownst to me, aromatherapy has been used for centuries and currently used in medical facilities in France. Now, with a rising interest and even demand for alternative and complementary medicine (CAM), research is being conducted on the benefits of aromatherapy for infections, psyche, nerves, hormones and to some extent inflammation, allergies and metabolic conditions.

Aromatherapy is Aroma-Medicine

Contrary to my own vague association, aromatherapy is more than smelling certain scents. Jane Buckle, RN, Ph.D. concludes that there are four main types of aromatherapy: clinical, stress management, beauty therapy and environmental fragrancing. I think many of us have an association of aromatherapy when it comes to beauty therapy and good smelling fragrances from the aroma of essential oils, yet the clinical and stress management aspects of aromatherapy have been hidden from view.

Still, to wrap my science-slanted mind around what truly is aromatherapy, I needed to get more of a workable definition. The gist of the meaning of aromatherapy is that it is therapeutic uses of essential oils of aromatic plants. These oils, usually extracted from plants using water or steam distillation, are mainly used in diffusers as well as topically. Once the aromatic essential oils are extracted, the oils are quite volatile. When the oils are exposed to air, they change from a potent liquid into an aromatic vapor within seconds.

In Advanced Aromatherapy, Dr. Schnaubelt explains that the main chemical component of essential oils are terpenes and it higher homologues as well as phenylpropane derivatives. Yet it must be pointed out that the synergy of each oil has it own unique qualities as well as specific chemical components.

Reacquainting with Nature

The affects of this high-tech civilization that we live in are far reaching. Yet, one that is often overlooked or forgotten is the loss of nature – both in our surroundings and in personal knowledge and interaction. In this modern age, it seems that humans have separated mind from body and body from soul. Aromatherapy simply is nature in a bottle.

Probing into my biology textbook, I read about plant defenses in a whole new light. Plants produce chemical compounds, mostly terpenoid compounds, in order to defend themselves against predators such as insects and animal herbivores as well as against fungai and other microbes. These terpenoid compounds also are used in plant to plant competition, where established plants inhibit germination of other plants. And of course plants use scent in attracting beneficial insect and bat pollinators. Thus, it is evident that the role of essential oils is vital to the continual establishment and growth of plants.

Creatures and Aroma

Remembering my general observation of various animals, I wonder now why the usage and medicinal properties of plants is so unfamiliar in our culture. I have known for years that horses select various plants to facilitate detoxing of metabolic toxic buildup, as well as select certain plants for antiviral and antiparasitic uses. I remember in learning in one of my graduate classes about Chimpanzees eating certain plants to cleanse their accumulation of internal parasites.

And, I know from my graduate work in entomology that insects have fairly well developed chemoreception and some are attracted to plants by their scents. It tugs at my reasoning why plants and their essential oils are not more widely used in everyday life, but as I have pointed out above that is now changing. In part two of this paper, I will dive into the physiological aspects of how aromatherapy is absorbed into the human body and the current research on clinical and stress management uses.

The team at Ananda has designed an essential oils ‘use chart’ for your convenience. Enjoy high vibe learning.

Aromatherapy utilizes organic oils from flowers and for a number of body and mind uses. It has long been utilized by massage therapists as a means to help people relax.

Direct inhalation, aerial diffusion, and topical application are the three primary application for aromatherapy. Purity of aromatherapy treatments is very important and so the application method and tools are very important to the process.

There are essential oils and other organic compounds that are known to have a range of beneficial effect on mood, focus, and energy. Many herb species are popular as a method for scenting the air in a home or work space. There are thousands of plants that have been shown to exhibit aromatherapy benefits.

Lavender, for instance, is known to have a calming influence on mood and is common in potpourri. Basil, normally used in cooking, has been the subject of many academic tests as a possible cure for depression. Current data indicates that it does have a healthy impact as a mood enhancer amongst other benefits.

There has been growing study on the possible medical benefits of aromatherapy and initial findings are encouraging. In France, where much of the health work is happening, they make tremendous use of organic herb compounds as disinfectants, antibacterial treatments, and antibacterial treatments.

There is still much research to be done to discover how aromatherapy works. It is now understood that there are two ways that organic flowers oils can promote health; the impact of their scent on the olfactory system and the pharmacological effect of certain psychoactive herb compounds. Scientists are still in the process of learning how these two processes work and what role they might have in future treatments.

The delivery technique for aromatherapy is another area that is currently experiencing rapid advancement. The three main modes of delivery are; direct inhalation, aerial diffusion, and topical use. New advancements in aromatherapy diffuser design has created very accurate and efficient designs. A number of herbal vaporizers are able to be set at very specific temperatures and are effective at activating essential oils.

The writer has authored a number of articles on the potential of aromatherapy and various organic oils and aromatherapy diffuser

Aromatherapy diffusers and vaporizers are exceptionally good techniques for taking advantage of the benefits of aromatherapy. These devices are utilized to activate helpful chemicals removed from flowers and are able to be used for aerial diffusion or direct inhalation.

Current designs are constructed with high quality components and of clinical grade quality. They are able to be set to highly accurate temperatures and are able to activate just desired compounds, ideal for medical and home uses. These high worth machines can provide substantially more efficient aromatherapy uses than traditional methods for warming chemicals.

There are several ways for aromatherapy to be used and natural herbal oils to be heated; direct inhalation, aerial diffusion, and topical application.

Topical use is when oils are massaged right to skin as in some massage therapies. This has the potential to cause problems for people contingent on individual sensitivities.

Aerial diffusion is the process of activating compounds and dispersing them into the environment and direct inhalation is breathing in vaporized plant oils.

These systems work by warming essential oils to their active threshold, at which time they become gases and airborne. These techniques are preferred by many aromatherapists because they are able to be very precise in the heat levels the reach and consequently what oils are activated. Even oils that are not of the purest level are able to make extremely pure aromas if used with a premium diffusers.

The critical components of vaporizers are the heating element and control mechanism. The warming component is the part that is utilized to gently raise the heat level of flower matter. The highest worth units are made of ceramic, that produces extremely clean aromas. Ceramic is known for warming evenly and lasting a long time as long is it is properly cared for.

The control mechanism is vital as they key to aromatherapy is heating chemicals to extremely accurate temperatures. Diffusers and vaporizers are able to either have digital controls and displays or analog such as a knob.

A number of beginning users prefer digital units as they are extremely convenient to operate. Any high quality model should be effective with the ability to heat and steadily hold suitable temperatures for aromatherapy treatments.

The writer has written many of pieces on the uses of aromatherapy and different organic chemicals and oil diffuser

The Concerns of Cancer Make Top News

At the top of the list of American concerns is most likely the development of cancer. Headlines from magazines, newspapers and websites denote a rise in cancer among young and old alike. Concerns vary from cancer being an inevitable death sentence, to how to pay for this disease if diagnosed, as well as how to choose from the myriad of methods in preventing the development of cancer in the first place.

Another shift in headline news is alternative treatments to often expensive and sometimes invasive forms of health care. More and more individuals are seeking ways to gain freedom from dependence upon pharmaceuticals, intensive scans and often impersonal treatments to both body and soul.

Essential oils are non-invasive and a highly effective method of treating ailments and supporting overall good health. These plant extractions are low in cost compared to often overarching methods of modern medical treatment and can be used safely by all ages.

This paper specifically addresses the rising interest of essential oils in research, specifically on the effectiveness in preventing and treating cancer. It also addresses how essential oils when used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment can decrease the side effects of these modern methods.

Brief Description of Cancer

Cancer in general terms is growth of abnormal cells. The mechanism (found in the mitochondria of the cell) to stop the growth of the cell is interrupted or turned off. Once this process begins, these abnormal cells either invade or replace normal tissue. Such a process can occur within any parts of the body.

There are two main groupings of cancer cells: solid and non-solid. Cancers that form in solid tissues like the liver, bone or brain are solid, whereas cancers that do not form solid structures and proliferate in the blood and lymph systems, such as leukemia and lymphomas are of course non-solid in nature.

Causes of cancer formation within the body can originate from various sources. Most cancers are now attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle; dietary choices such as a diet rich in processed foods; genetics, as well as hazardous chemical exposure either though air, water or direct contact.

According to a 2005 paper produced by the American Cancer Society , over one million new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed in the United States alone. According to this publication, cancer is the second leading cause of death, taking the lives of one in four Americans.

Essential Oil Research

Conventional or orthodox medical treatments of cancer currently in use are chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Yet in the last few years, there is a rising interest among American laboratory researchers on the effectiveness of essential oils in preventing as well as treating cancer or combining essential oils with conventional treatments.

European practitioners have been using essential oils to treat various illnesses for years, even centuries. Yet, in the United States, it is now just stirring the interest of medical practitioners and researchers. In the paragraphs below a brief overview of current research on essential oils and cancer is provided.

A Look at the Current Research

Numerous studies looking at various essential oils on the cytotoxic (killing of cells) properties of cancer cells have been conducted. The results are promising and hopeful. In the last three years alone, studies have found isolated compounds in essential oils to have noticeable cyotoxicity on cancer cells.

In 2007, a study published in the September/October Anticancer Research jounal performed at the University of Calabria, Italy, noted that essential oils from the Lauraceae families inhibit human tumor cell growth in vitro (out of living cells, such as in a test tube or Petri dish) environments. In the January 2006 Journal of Ethnopharmacol, University of Quebec, Canada researchers identified compounds in the leaf essential oil of Croton flavens L. that are cytogentic against tumor cells.

Lemongrass, after Frankincense, may next most commonly researched essential oil for anti-cancer activity. In the May 2009 journal of Chemico-Biological Interactions, researchers tested Lemongrass essential oil against 12 human cancer cell lines. Colon cancer and neuron cancer cell lines were found most susceptible to the essential oil. In a Canadian study, researchers even found conventional aromatherapy treatment to increase the cytoxicity of a commonly-used cytotoxic drug was significantly increased.

One of the interesting features of these studies is that each used different essential oils and found a similar result: essential oils killing cancer cells. That’s not to say all oils will do this, and it is likely within those that do, some will eventually be found significantly more effective than others. And, the value of simple inhalation of essential oils should not be overlooked as an important complementary medicine.

The author highly recommends aromatherapy as a wellness practice. Read more about aromatherapy and ‘emotional well-being‘.

The first one is called the Swedish massage. This is a typical find in the United States. It is known to be done in such a relaxing and gentle way. With this kind of massage therapy, the masseur or masseuse makes use of the long strokes that are basically made up of the circular and kneading movements on the muscles by using either oil or lotion for a more relaxing effect.

Clear enough, it is safe to assume that there is typically an exception to every rule. Simply put, there are several other health conditions which are not to be addressed by massage alone. There is a much better medical solution that is apt for them.

The next one is termed as Aromatherapy. This is the term used simply because the professional masseur or masseuse uses one or more of the known scented plant oils in the execution of the massage session. You will be asked to choose the oil of course. Among the many plant oils, the lavender is one of the most sought-after because of its recognized effect in the alleviation of stress, both physically and emotionally.

Studies show how this kind of therapy can truly endanger the life of a cancer patient. Cancer is a serious illness that should be addressed following the right healthcare precautions. Some of the risks involve the following: Bone fractures. Cancer treatments often lead to the weakness of the bones. There is a tendency that during the massage, the application of some pressure may cause the bones to break.

Bleeding. Cancer-afflicted individuals often bleed profusely. For one, the deep tissue massage may cause them the life-threatening internal bleeding. Spread of the cancer tumors. While this is yet being taken under a heated debate, there are some specialists who claim that a strong pressure on the tumor area will lead it towards metastasis. This may not yet be proven but it still calls for an extreme form of caution.

It is advisable that parents learn the basic techniques and a lot other methods which they may use prior to starting with the massage session. The mood of the child has to be set by letting the word “massage” sink into his consciousness.

It has been discovered that those children who are given the therapy show lesser unacceptable behavior and are turning socially attentive. They are less likely to withdraw from their environment too. Autism may be very frustrating but give the massage therapy a chance too. It can do wonders on the child.

Thank you for reading my article on message therapy, I also right about remy hair and remi hair, Don’t miss out on reading them as well!

Health is all over the news. It seems like everyone is looking for things they can do to improve their overall health. Sure, we all know about eating right and getting exercise, but what are some other things that you can do to improve your overall health and well-being? Let’s talk a little bit about essential oils and the role they can play in living a better, healthier life.

First of all, let’s talk a little bit about what essential oils are. These are oils that are distilled from plants and have the distinctive scent of the plant that they come from. There are many ways that these products are used. You’ll see them in bath products, perfumes, and some are even used medicinally as skin and cancer treatments.

All throughout history these oils have been used in different ways. The Bible is full of references to oils being used in incense, and to heal and anoint the sick. You can also find record of oils be used in other civilizations as well.

In today’s world essential oils have found many good uses as well. They are used in nutritional supplements, massage therapy products, aromatherapy products, and other personal care items. And they are still finding ways to use these oils to benefit people’s lives!

Some of the more popular oils include eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint. Eucalyptus is used to increase awareness, and can also be used as an anti-inflammatory or detoxifying antiseptic. Lavender is commonly used to relieve tension, headaches, and as an antiseptic as well. Peppermint is for similar purposes.

Now that you know a little bit about essential oils and their health benefits, you’re probably wondering where you can buy them. There are plenty of stores such as Bath and Body Works that carry lines of oils, or you could go with companies like Young Living that focus on high quality products. The Young Living products were developed by the company’s founder D Gary Young.

If you haven’t started using any of these great oils in your daily life, using some of the Gary Young essential oils is a great way to start. You can also pick up other brands at malls and stores across the country. Once you start using them, you’re likely to notice a difference in your calmness level and overall health.

Gary Young essential oils or oils from other companies can be a wonderful way to make your life healthier. Products from D Gary Young are known for being high in quality and are a good place to start.

There is nothing other like a fine massage if you choose to relax and enliven your muscles. There are various types of massages you can enjoy for your wellbeing and revitalized. The Swedish Body Massage, Ayurvedic Body Massage, Japanese Body Massage, etc. Are just a number of the unique types. Though the techniques differ, there is one thing shared in all the types and that is the use of body massage oil.

Body Massage oil acts as a lubricant for smoother movement of hands on the skin. This lubricate does not aid just this purpose. A good number body massage oils are developed from extracts of herbs and flowers and therefore have proven beneficial when the personal property are combined with body massage.

Essential oil has better absorbency than any lotion, a body massage helps it go in further into the skin. Oils are known to contain lots of nourishment, depending on which one you desire. This nourishment can fill lost nutrition from the skin. After a massage your skin will become more soft and elastic.

Essential oil also reduces dryness and increases elasticity. You can use essential oils which can truly relax your mind as well as body muscles, in that way granting you complete overall optimistic wellbeing effect. These are also beneficial to skin and relieve aches and pains along with aforementioned positive effects.

You need not go to a body massage parlour regularly, a number of of these massages can take place at your house. Especially the ones involving face, limbs, hair, etc. However, a body massage parlour would be the best if you would like to include an all body massage that includes body massage.

There are loads of qualities that body massage oils hold, these are antifungal, aromatic, rich in Vitamin E and proteins, are absorbed better by the skin and increase softness. These also have curative qualities. You may find some of the injuries being resolved after a good body massage. However, these injuries are small injuries like scratches, etc. Large injuries should be taken care of medically.

Body Massage followed with a sauna will provide you a encouraging wellbeing effect. Sauna’s hot environment will help the skin to absorb Essential oil more effectively. This would mean better effects of massage and sauna as well. It is not a must to use oil prior to sauna. When the oil has been absorbed by the skin, its work has been completed and needs to be removed from the skin. This can be done with no trouble by steam inside sauna. Also ensure you take a lovely bath after massage and sauna.

Body Massage after a sauna will ensure complete relaxation and skin care. I hope you enjoyed reading my article, if you would like to read more about oil massage please click on oil massage now.

Want to find out more about Oil Massage, then visit Marc Carson’s site on how to choose the best Oil Massage for your needs. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress in some form or another. And the strain we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, feelings and minds.

Feeling strung out, worn out by fatigue or simply having a unhappy day, the neatest thing to do is chill-out, but what is the easiest method to relax?

Watching TV might be a sort of relaxation for some, but is not a recommended system by experts. When we watch television we are inundated with commercials, ads, sounds and photos.

So how can we achieve complete relaxation?

If there are thousands of ways we can get stressed, one of them is not meeting cut off dates, there are many ways we are able to relax.

In up to date studies, experts have determined that heart Problems is interlinked with anger and evil temper and linked to mental stress. Too much stress brings about high blood pressure that can end up in or cause a heart attack. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this matter.

Managing your fury and point of view is significant to heart health, and relaxation will help you manage stress.

1 method of relaxation is transcendental meditation.

Fresh studies have also shown this system might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for coronary and stroke. People practice transcendental meditation by repeating letting out relaxing sounds while meditating, this is to reach total relaxation.

The researchers discovered that disciples of transcendental meditation significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared to folks who did not practice transcendental meditation.

Another study on another system of relaxation, acupuncture, seems to reduce high blood pressure by initiating many body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, ease pain, and reduce hysteria.

One amazing way of relaxation is getting a full body beauty massage with natural aromatherapy concentrated oils at your local beauty salon.

To gain full relaxation, you want to totally surrender to the handling and touch of a professional expert.

There are some types of massages that also give various levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation, while you are there your trained consultant will debate with you different sorts of beauty therapy and body care to compliment your beauty regimen.

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions and minds.

Feeling strung out, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a unhappy day, the smartest thing to do is relax, but what is the best way to relax?

Watching TV might be a sort of relaxation for some, but is not a recommended method by gurus. When we watch TV we are snowed under with commercials, adverts, sounds and pictures. So how can we achieve relaxation?

If there are thousands of ways we will be able to get stressed, one of them is not meeting cut off dates, there are also many ways we will be able to relax.

In up to date studies, experts have determined that heart illness has a link to anger and irritation is linked to mental stress. Too much stress brings about ischemia that can cause or cause a coronary. Relaxation takes on added importance given this matter.

Managing your anger and attitude is important to heart health, and relaxation can help you manage stress.

One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation. Latest studies have also shown that this system might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for heart attack and stroke. Folks practice transcendental meditation by repeating uttering soothing sounds while meditating, this is to attain total relaxation.

The analysts discovered that disciples of transcendental meditation significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared with people who failed to practice transcendental meditation.

Another study on another technique of relaxation, acupuncture, appears to reduce high blood pressure by initiating many body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, decrease pain, and reduce foreboding.

One good way of relaxation is getting a beauty massage with natural aromatherapy concentrated oils.

To gain full relaxation, you want to absolutely surrender to the handling and touch of a pro consultant.

There are several sorts of massages that also give assorted levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation, whilst you are there your trained specialist will debate with you other types of beauty treatment and body care to compliment your beauty regimen.

Would like to know more about aromatherapy? You’re confused about exactly what aromatherapy is. So let’s talk a little bit about the history of aromatherapy and how it can be used.

The term aromatherapy comes from around 1920. At that time a French chemist by the name of Maurice Gattefosse had a vat of lavender oil in his laboratory as he was studying the healing effects of essential oils. There was a fire in his laboratory.

One of the results of fire at the laboratory was that his arm was burnt so he put his arm into the back of lavender oil. The experienced immediate pain relief and found that the burns healed extremely fast without scarring.

Following the work of Maurice Gattefosse more work was done by other scientists studying the effects of using essential oils from plants on burns and wounds suffered by soldiers during the Second World War.

In fact aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years under various names. It has always been the art of using various oils from plants and the scents that those oils produced for very pleasant and sometimes healing effects on people with health conditions.

Whilst aromatherapy has restorative properties it is not considered to be a “cure” for any illnesses. Rather it is geared towards helping sufferers cope with their conditions and to help improve their psychological stresses by improving their mental states. If it is claimed that aromatherapy actually cures illnesses this is incorrect.

It seems that there are indeed a range of psychological benefits from the beautiful scents derived from essential plant oils and these psychological benefits to assist sufferers of illnesses to cope with their disease. Whilst aromatherapy does not cure the disease it does elevate the mood, reduce fear and stress and relax disease sufferers. This helps them cope with the illness.

And it is also possible in some cases that aromatherapy can help reduce a sufferers reliance on prescription drugs such as indigestion tablets, sleeping tablets and painkillers.

Particular scents have a different effect on different people. Do you find, for example, that a perfume that relaxes you that you love just doesn’t do it for your friends? Everyone has a different reaction to various scents, and so aromatherapy is a very personal thing. And many people apply the principles of aromatherapy to their lives without even knowing it. For example many use various oils, perfumes and lotions with all sorts of soothing scents in their homes because the nice smell makes them feel good. That’s aromatherapy at work.

So if you have a disease that you are confronting, and wondering about the role of aromatherapy, don’t investigate aromatherapy hoping that it will be a magic cure for all your ills. But don’t discount it either, it can do wonders for your moods and for your emotional and mental state, and these can be no less important in some cases. Aromatherapy can, and will often, make a big difference to how your illness, or the cure, progresses.

I have a complete book on my website explaining all about Aromatherapy