Post by Dragonmaster on Apr 18, 2009 23:51:40 GMT 1
Using Essential Oils
I think it is much easier to understand how aromatherapy works than many other ¡¥complimentary therapies¡¦ which are much more to do with energies. This is because at its¡¦ basic level aromatherapy is just chemistry. If you take this study further you will find that there is much more to Essential Oils than just chemistry, but this is a good place to start.
Plants are made of the same basic carbon-based structures as animals (including us) and therefore they work in harmony with our bodies. When we use Essential Oils the body takes what it needs and anything not required is expelled through our normal excretion systems in 3 ¡V 14 hours. It is believed that Essential Oils leave no toxic residues in the body. However the synthetically produced medicines we take can leave toxins in the body for a very long time which can build up and cause problems.
This is not to say that we should never use laboratory produced medicines and always use natural ones. Each has its place, serious conditions may require the drugs a doctor prescribes and ¡¥natural ¡¥ does not necessarily equal ¡¥safe¡¦. Belladonna and digitalis are natural, but also poisonous! However, for many common ailments Essential Oils can be a cheap, easy and effective first resort.
In order to have an effect Essential Oils need to enter the bloodstream where they will travel around the body and the chemicals they are made from will have an effect on the organs they have an affinity with. For example a detoxifying oil will have a stronger effect on the liver and kidneys whereas a muscle relaxing oil will go straight into muscle tissue. There are two ways that oils get into the bloodstream, by absorption and by inhalation. The chemicals that make up Essential Oils have extremely small molecules and are therefore very easily absorbed into the body either through the skin or through the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs.
INHALATION.
Think about your sense of smell. Aromas have an effect that is both physical and emotional. When you go to the supermarket and smell the baking bread or when you pass a fish and chip shop doesn¡¦t it make you feel hungry even if you were not before? Do certain smells make you feel physically sick? Do some scents evoke memories, or emotions?
This is because our olfactory organ at the back of the nose which detects smell is directly linked to the limbic system of the brain which is where the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are situated. Together these are responsible for emotions and the release of hormones into the blood. This is why aromatherapy can change your mood. Some oils are uplifting, invigorating and even anti-depressant in their effects, others are calming, relaxing and balancing. If the desired effect you want from an oil is to do with your mood or emotions then the best way to use it is inhalation. This can be as simple as putting a few drops of oil on a handkerchief and sniffing it occasionally or using a room burner.
Room Burner:- this is a method of diffusing the Essential Oil into the air where the minute particles are breathed in. In an average sized living room you would put 4 - 6 drops of your chosen oils (that is if using more than one oil then the total number of drops should not be more than 6) into the water in the bowl of the burner. As the candle heats the water it gives off vapour that contains the diluted oil particles. This shows what very small amounts of Essential Oil is required to have an effect. This method can be used for therapeutic purposes or just to make your room smell nice, for example lemongrass is very good for getting rid of unwanted odours such as cooking or pet smells. It is also the best way of using oils to enhance your mood, for relaxation, cheer you up, or clear your nose and chest of congestion when you have a cold. If people in the house are ill then burning one of the more highly antiseptic oils, like Tea Tree, will kill airborne germs and oils can also be insect repellent or insecticide. (Don¡¦t be surprised if you find dead flies or wasps on the carpet if you have been burning oils in the house in summer). Oils diffused into the air will affect anyone ¡V human or animal- in the room. Allow pets to leave the room if they wish and don¡¦t put the burner near a fish tank. It will take about 20 minutes of being in the aroma for the oils to have the desired effect, if you keep them burning longer they will have no further effect on someone who has been inhaling them for that time but will affect any new person entering the room until the oil itself has fully evaporated.
It is worth mentioning the design of the burner itself as these ceramic or glass devices are readily available and come in many shapes and sizes. It is even possible to purchase electric ones which heat a bowl without the need for candles. When choosing a burner the most attractive may not be the most effective. The ceramic needs to be heat resistant, with a wide shallow bowl that will hold about 25 -50 mls water (1 or 2 tablespoonsful). It should be easy to get the lit candle (tea light) inside so the hole should be big enough to get finger and thumb and the tea light in and not have a big lip. It is better if the sides are enclosed not open otherwise the heat from the candle dissipates rather than heating the water. There should ideally be about 2 inches (5cms) between the flame and the base of the bowl. Never put Essential Oils in the bowl without water, do not use blended oils as these contain vegetable oil that may catch fire, and don¡¦t let the bowl go dry. When all the liquid has evaporated extinguish the candle. Obviously be aware the burner will become hot to the touch so put a mat under it to protect surfaces and be aware of safety where children and animals are concerned, it is a naked flame after all.
ABSORPTION
The molecules in Essential Oils are extremely small and can travel through the layers of the skin with ease. This is why aromatherapy is usually associated with massage. As well as the soothing effects of the actual massage it is a very good way of getting Essential Oils into the body. Traditionally a few drops of the plant essence were added to a vegetable oil, probably olive oil in Mediterranean countries and whatever was local in other parts of the world. This allowed for the dilution of the essences, as very little is needed, and gave a good medium for lubrication of the skin in the massage. Also most vegetable oils themselves have properties which are good for the condition and suppleness of the skin.
However it is not necessary to have a full body massage in order for essential oils to be absorbed through the skin. Just rubbing diluted oil on to the pulse points on the insides of the wrists will get the Essence into the blood stream. If there is a pain in a particular area, such as muscle strain or headache, then apply the diluted oil directly to the problem.
To show how Essential Oils will travel through the body there is a test you may (or may not) like to try. One of the most absorbent areas is the soles of the feet, and it is said that if you rub the cut side of a piece of garlic on the sole of your foot within half an hour you will get the taste of garlic in your mouth. Actually, I have never tried this. ļ
For absorption Essential Oils are diluted into a ¡¥Carrier¡¦ . This is usually a vegetable oil but can be an unperfumed lotion. Essential oils do not dissolve in water, they float on the top, but they do dissolve in oil, fat and alcohol. The most commonly used carrier oils are Sweet Almond and Grapeseed. These can be bought from aromatherapy suppliers but the grapeseed you get at the supermarket for cooking and salads is the same, except it may be a bit ¡¥heavier¡¦ than that produced for massage use. The difference between qualities of carrier oils is down to the production method, with cold pressing producing the finest oil and heat extraction producing a heavier one with less beneficial properties. It is the same as the difference between Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Blended Olive Oil.
White Lotion is produced commercially for people who make aromatherapy products and is available from wholesale aromatherapy suppliers. It is the basis of any skin lotion you may buy, from supermarket own brand to the most expensive designer range. Lotion is a good base to use if you want to make up a blend for skin problems, or an antiseptic cream with lavender and tea tree for minor injuries.
In an emergency you could mix Essential Oils into full fat milk or vodka.....
I think it is much easier to understand how aromatherapy works than many other ¡¥complimentary therapies¡¦ which are much more to do with energies. This is because at its¡¦ basic level aromatherapy is just chemistry. If you take this study further you will find that there is much more to Essential Oils than just chemistry, but this is a good place to start.
Plants are made of the same basic carbon-based structures as animals (including us) and therefore they work in harmony with our bodies. When we use Essential Oils the body takes what it needs and anything not required is expelled through our normal excretion systems in 3 ¡V 14 hours. It is believed that Essential Oils leave no toxic residues in the body. However the synthetically produced medicines we take can leave toxins in the body for a very long time which can build up and cause problems.
This is not to say that we should never use laboratory produced medicines and always use natural ones. Each has its place, serious conditions may require the drugs a doctor prescribes and ¡¥natural ¡¥ does not necessarily equal ¡¥safe¡¦. Belladonna and digitalis are natural, but also poisonous! However, for many common ailments Essential Oils can be a cheap, easy and effective first resort.
In order to have an effect Essential Oils need to enter the bloodstream where they will travel around the body and the chemicals they are made from will have an effect on the organs they have an affinity with. For example a detoxifying oil will have a stronger effect on the liver and kidneys whereas a muscle relaxing oil will go straight into muscle tissue. There are two ways that oils get into the bloodstream, by absorption and by inhalation. The chemicals that make up Essential Oils have extremely small molecules and are therefore very easily absorbed into the body either through the skin or through the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs.
INHALATION.
Think about your sense of smell. Aromas have an effect that is both physical and emotional. When you go to the supermarket and smell the baking bread or when you pass a fish and chip shop doesn¡¦t it make you feel hungry even if you were not before? Do certain smells make you feel physically sick? Do some scents evoke memories, or emotions?
This is because our olfactory organ at the back of the nose which detects smell is directly linked to the limbic system of the brain which is where the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are situated. Together these are responsible for emotions and the release of hormones into the blood. This is why aromatherapy can change your mood. Some oils are uplifting, invigorating and even anti-depressant in their effects, others are calming, relaxing and balancing. If the desired effect you want from an oil is to do with your mood or emotions then the best way to use it is inhalation. This can be as simple as putting a few drops of oil on a handkerchief and sniffing it occasionally or using a room burner.
Room Burner:- this is a method of diffusing the Essential Oil into the air where the minute particles are breathed in. In an average sized living room you would put 4 - 6 drops of your chosen oils (that is if using more than one oil then the total number of drops should not be more than 6) into the water in the bowl of the burner. As the candle heats the water it gives off vapour that contains the diluted oil particles. This shows what very small amounts of Essential Oil is required to have an effect. This method can be used for therapeutic purposes or just to make your room smell nice, for example lemongrass is very good for getting rid of unwanted odours such as cooking or pet smells. It is also the best way of using oils to enhance your mood, for relaxation, cheer you up, or clear your nose and chest of congestion when you have a cold. If people in the house are ill then burning one of the more highly antiseptic oils, like Tea Tree, will kill airborne germs and oils can also be insect repellent or insecticide. (Don¡¦t be surprised if you find dead flies or wasps on the carpet if you have been burning oils in the house in summer). Oils diffused into the air will affect anyone ¡V human or animal- in the room. Allow pets to leave the room if they wish and don¡¦t put the burner near a fish tank. It will take about 20 minutes of being in the aroma for the oils to have the desired effect, if you keep them burning longer they will have no further effect on someone who has been inhaling them for that time but will affect any new person entering the room until the oil itself has fully evaporated.
It is worth mentioning the design of the burner itself as these ceramic or glass devices are readily available and come in many shapes and sizes. It is even possible to purchase electric ones which heat a bowl without the need for candles. When choosing a burner the most attractive may not be the most effective. The ceramic needs to be heat resistant, with a wide shallow bowl that will hold about 25 -50 mls water (1 or 2 tablespoonsful). It should be easy to get the lit candle (tea light) inside so the hole should be big enough to get finger and thumb and the tea light in and not have a big lip. It is better if the sides are enclosed not open otherwise the heat from the candle dissipates rather than heating the water. There should ideally be about 2 inches (5cms) between the flame and the base of the bowl. Never put Essential Oils in the bowl without water, do not use blended oils as these contain vegetable oil that may catch fire, and don¡¦t let the bowl go dry. When all the liquid has evaporated extinguish the candle. Obviously be aware the burner will become hot to the touch so put a mat under it to protect surfaces and be aware of safety where children and animals are concerned, it is a naked flame after all.
ABSORPTION
The molecules in Essential Oils are extremely small and can travel through the layers of the skin with ease. This is why aromatherapy is usually associated with massage. As well as the soothing effects of the actual massage it is a very good way of getting Essential Oils into the body. Traditionally a few drops of the plant essence were added to a vegetable oil, probably olive oil in Mediterranean countries and whatever was local in other parts of the world. This allowed for the dilution of the essences, as very little is needed, and gave a good medium for lubrication of the skin in the massage. Also most vegetable oils themselves have properties which are good for the condition and suppleness of the skin.
However it is not necessary to have a full body massage in order for essential oils to be absorbed through the skin. Just rubbing diluted oil on to the pulse points on the insides of the wrists will get the Essence into the blood stream. If there is a pain in a particular area, such as muscle strain or headache, then apply the diluted oil directly to the problem.
To show how Essential Oils will travel through the body there is a test you may (or may not) like to try. One of the most absorbent areas is the soles of the feet, and it is said that if you rub the cut side of a piece of garlic on the sole of your foot within half an hour you will get the taste of garlic in your mouth. Actually, I have never tried this. ļ
For absorption Essential Oils are diluted into a ¡¥Carrier¡¦ . This is usually a vegetable oil but can be an unperfumed lotion. Essential oils do not dissolve in water, they float on the top, but they do dissolve in oil, fat and alcohol. The most commonly used carrier oils are Sweet Almond and Grapeseed. These can be bought from aromatherapy suppliers but the grapeseed you get at the supermarket for cooking and salads is the same, except it may be a bit ¡¥heavier¡¦ than that produced for massage use. The difference between qualities of carrier oils is down to the production method, with cold pressing producing the finest oil and heat extraction producing a heavier one with less beneficial properties. It is the same as the difference between Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Blended Olive Oil.
White Lotion is produced commercially for people who make aromatherapy products and is available from wholesale aromatherapy suppliers. It is the basis of any skin lotion you may buy, from supermarket own brand to the most expensive designer range. Lotion is a good base to use if you want to make up a blend for skin problems, or an antiseptic cream with lavender and tea tree for minor injuries.
In an emergency you could mix Essential Oils into full fat milk or vodka.....
SYNERGY EQUINE: 
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