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Post by gemmamarygold on Apr 6, 2009 20:28:20 GMT 1
My area! ;D
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Post by gemmamarygold on Apr 6, 2009 21:53:18 GMT 1
Module One – Assignment One
1. What is an Essential oil? Write a definition in a short sentence. Essential oils are aromatic liquids derived from plants (leaves, flowers, roots, seeds). They are not really ‘oils’ but are a highly concentrated liquid that contains the ‘essence’ of the plant. As well as determining its aroma, they defend plants from insects, harsh environmental conditions and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve and adapt to its surroundings.
2. Who was Rene Gattefosse and what did he do that is significant in modern Aromatherapy? Rene Gattefosse was a French cosmetic chemist, working in his family’s cosmetic company. At the time essential oils were used exclusively in the cosmetic industry. There was an explosion in the laboratory when he burnt his hand severely. Immediatley, he stuck his hand into some lavender essence nearby. The burn healed incredibly quickly with no scarring. It was this incident that led him to begin investigating the medical properties of plant essences and their effects on skin conditions. The book that he wrote, Aromatherapies, was well received by other experts who went on to do their own research. 3. Write a short description of one method of extracting the Essential Oil from plant material.
Steam Distillation: Steam distillation is done using a Still. Fresh, or sometimes dried, botanical material is placed in a closed container of the still. Pressurized steam is generated. It enters the container and circulates through the plant material. The heat of the steam forces intercellular pockets holding essential oils to open. Tiny drops of the essential oil evaporate and attach to the steam. The seam is passed through a cooling system. The steam condenses to give water, and the plant essence, which, as it is less dense, sits on top of the water. The oil is then decanted.
4. What factors would you take into consideration when choosing a supplier to buy Essential Oils from? The most important factors to consider when buying essential oils are purity and quality. A pure oil is one that has no adulterations or additives. Quality refers to the therapeutic potency of the oil. Only genuine essential oils, which are pure and of high quality, will deliver the best results. Other factors to consider include:
• Avoid buying oils in clear glass as light will damage the oil. Brown glass will prevent this. • Similarly, avoid oils in plastic bottles as the oil can dissolve the plastic. • Avoid vendors that sell all their oils at the same price. This may indicate that the oils are not pure. • Terms such as ‘perfume oil’ or ‘fragrance oil’ should be avoided, as they indicate that the oils aren’t pure essential oils. • Organic oils may be superior to non-organic oils.
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Post by Dragonmaster on Apr 7, 2009 19:58:47 GMT 1
Good work , Gemma. (You will see Tansy is impressed!) As you chose to explain Steam Distillation a diagram of a still would go well beside the answer. We can't put one on here but I'm sending you all a picture so if you do your work in Word for a file you can add it in.
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Post by gemmamarygold on Apr 22, 2009 22:44:09 GMT 1
Assignment Two:
What method(s) of using oils would you use for
a) a cold Steam inhalation or bath. Perhaps massage if the person is also suffering from aching muscles. Suggested oils: eucalyptus, tea tree, sandalwood (for catarrh), cinnamon (shivering), ginger, cypress (frequent sneezing).
b) sore muscles after hard work Massage or bath. Suggested oils: Lemongrass, rosemary, black pepper, clary sage, marjoram
c) a small cut or burn (as if you caught your hand on the oven or the iron) that is sore Cut: Put some lavender oil onto a piece of cotton wool and dab directly on the cut. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to water which is then used to clean the wound.
Burn: add a few drops of oil to the water you immerse the body part (e.g. hand) in. If this is not possible, add a few drops of oil to water and use it with a cold compress. Lavender is the only oil recommended for burns.
d) feeling stressed and on edge. Bath, massage or a diffuser (e.g. oil burner). It can also be helpful to add a few drops of oil to a tissue or hankerchief to be inhaled as required.
Suggested oils: lavender (not too much as it can be a stimulant), cedarwood, clary sage, neroli.
e) back ache. First of all, you need to obtain medical advice to ensure that proper, medical treatment is not required.
If the problem is muscular, then bath or massage. If the ache is in the joints, then a bath is the best method to use.
Suggested oils: If the ache is due to muscle soreness, then the oils suggested for sore muscles above. If it is the joints then either lavender or juniper are suggested.
Explain why an aroma has an effect on our emotions. When an aroma is inhaled, the odour molecures are registered by the nerves in the the olfactory membranes in the nasal lining. These molecules trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. This then transmits impules to the amygdala and then to other parts of the limbic system of the brain. The amygdale is where emotional memories are stored. The limbic system is connected to parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone levels. So essential oils can have significant physiological and psychological effects. The only way to stimulate the amygdala is through the sense of smell – none of the other senses stimulate it. In other words, the emotional brain responds only to smell.
How would you use essential oils to help baby/young child to get to sleep? What oil(s) would you use.
The only oils that are recommended for use for babies and young children are roman chamomile or lavender (and tea tree for children over a year old). Only one drop of the oil should be used. The oil can either be added to bath water, to a carrier oil for massage or used as a room fragancer. A drop could also be added to a pillow.
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Post by Dragonmaster on Apr 23, 2009 0:43:48 GMT 1
Good work, Gemma. Using oils in a room burner is great for people with a cold, and sandalwood is wonderful for clearing catarrh, especially good as a facial massage for blocked sinuses. (then get the box of tissues as the sinuses clear). My favourite for stiff muscles is lavender and marjoram in bath. For cuts and burns you can drop the lavender directly onto the injury, you don't need to use cotton wool. It would depend how big and how bad it was. Lavender oil in a rollerball applicator is great for instant first aid. Quite comprehensively answered. Well done.
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