|
An Introduction to Therapeutic Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy?
What comes to mind when you hear the term “aromatherapy”? Candles? Soaps? Potpourri to cover odors? Aromatherapy is an ancient system of healing that uses the essence of plants for healing. These “essential oils” are the compounds in plants that are essential to their life and function. They help plants grow and process energy and nutrients, attract insects for pollination, protect them from predatory insects and mammals, etc. Any part of the plant, from the flowers to the roots, from the bark to the seeds may be used to derive essential oils depending on the plant.
Essential oils are volatile oils. In other words, they naturally vaporize into the air, like the steam that rises from a hot cup of tea or a freshly baked pie. That is why they have a scent, an aroma. The compounds in essential oils are very small - smaller than most drugs - and can easily pass through the skin and the lungs into the blood stream.
Essential oils should be treated like any medicine and should be used carefully and with close attention to precautions. Many producers of essential oil products make dramatic claims about the efficacy of aromatherapy for all kinds of ailments. While there are cases of phenomenal results with the use of essential oils, they should not be taken with the expectation that they will cure major illnesses.
Medical aromatherapy may not cure every disease, but it can absolutely help with a physical condition, help with symptoms, improve your mood, help alleviate stress, uplift your spirits or help improve your well being in many ways. Aromatherapy has been shown to support the body’s immune system to improve joint flexibility, soothe the effects of chemotherapy and ease many of the symptoms both physical and psychological that patients and their families struggle with. When used with standard medical treatments, medical aromatherapy can greatly enhance the effects of antibiotics or other prescription drugs. In some cases, daily use of essential oils under proper guidance by a trained clinical aromatherapist can reduce or eliminate the usage of prescription medications. This is possible because essential oils contain dozens of compounds which not only help heal the body, but help stimulate the body’s own capacity to heal itself rather than just cover up symptoms temporarily.
Many of the diseases we suffer from have physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions. Essential oils have powerful healing effects on the body as well as the mind and spirit. For example, people often get tension headaches during stressful situations, or develop the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome after a traumatic emotional event. States of grief, anger and depression dampen the body’s natural ability to defend against infections. Essential oils affect our mood, so they can dampen the symptoms associated with bodily disorders. Essential oils also work directly in the body at the cellular and sub-cellular level to support the body’s natural maintenance and healing functions.
Aromatherapy can also provide significant benefits for a variety of common ailments such as assisting with indigestion, insomnia, colds, cuts, bruises, inflammation, headaches, bug bites, lethargy and focus.
"Aroma" vs. "Therapy"
Most products on the market today labeled “aromatherapy” such as candles, soaps and bath salts are 100% aroma and 0% therapy. They are scented with synthetic odors. Odors can have pleasant or relaxing effects to the mind, even when they are synthetic, because they tap into emotions and memory. However, they will not heal like natural odors do. The body and brain can detect a synthetic scent, even when you are not consciously aware of it, and reacts adversely to it. If you develop a higher level of awareness of your facial muscles, you will notice that your jaw and facial muscles tighten up when presented with a synthetic scent. Many people develop headaches or indigestion when even passing by a person wearing cologne or perfume.
Aroma MD™ is dedicated to safe and medically effective essential oil therapy. Our oils are 100% natural and medical-grade. Where possible, we use organic essential oils from small family farms.
Our products can be used in three ways: rubbed onto the affected area, taken internally or inhaled. They are safe for internal consumption when used as directed because they are diluted essential oils and not in their concentrated form.
Topical Applications
Essential oil products may be safely used on the skin, rubbed onto affected areas. The following advice is for diluted essential oils. Please use caution with undiluted essential oils. Even diluted essential oils may be irritating for the elderly, infants and those with sensitive skin. As with all nutritional supplements, please use Aroma MD™ products as directed on the label.
One drop covers one square inch of skin. In general, babies need only 1-3 drops of diluted aromatherapy rub for their chest, back or belly. Toddlers need about 3-5 drops. Children ages 5-8 need about 5-7 drops and for children age 8 to adults 5-10 drops is enough for the chest or back. For a belly rub, adults may require up to 50 drops applied in small aliquots of 10 drops at a time to allow for proper absorption into the skin.
- Illness with an emotional component: A drop can be rubbed on the temples.
- Mental issues, such as anger, concentration, memory, etc.: A drop can be rubbed on the temples.
- Headache: A drop can be rubbed on the temples.
- Head Colds: A few drops rubbed under the nose, in the nose, under the lower jaw and on the throat. In this way, the essential oils will work locally on affected lymph nodes for stuffy noses and sore throats. Also, the vapors will be inhaled and work on the throat and the lungs.
- Chest Colds: Use enough drops to cover the chest, back and throat. The essential oils work locally and the vapors are inhaled for maximal effect.
- Stomach Aches: Use enough drops to cover the belly. The essential oils work locally within minutes.
- Cuts, Scrapes: 1-2 drops can be applied to the affected area or applied to a bandage, the essential oil infused bandage can be affixed to the skin.
- Nausea: 1 drop can be applied to temples, to chest and below the wrists where the softness of the muscles can be felt in the middle of the arm (usually two finger breadths below the palm).
Use with sensitive skin, fussy children, encountering an unappealing scent, or when a person does not wish to present a particular smell around other people, medical aromatherapy products can be rubbed on the back or the feet. They will be absorbed into the blood stream and travel to the affected area; however, when applied in this manner they tend to work slower.
Internal Use
Aroma MD™ products are diluted to a safe level for internal consumption when used as directed on the label. Essential oils are powerful yet gentle healing agents. However, there are specific medical conditions in which certain essential oils should not be used or their use should be for a limited amount of time. Aroma MD™ products are marked with clear and specific warnings. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before changing your treatment plan.
There are several ways that diluted essential oil products can be safely used internally:
- Back of hand: A few drops can be placed on the back of the hand and lapped up with the middle of the tongue.
- Spoon-1: Count the recommended number of drops onto a teaspoon and then swallow. You may wish to have a drink or some food on hand to remove the taste from the mouth, if you do not find it pleasant tasting.
- Spoon-2: Count the recommended number of drops of Aroma MD™ product on a tablespoon, add some honey and then swallow. Honey is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children under 1 year of age due to possible ingestion of the deadly botulinum toxin.
- Mixed: Your Aroma MD™ product can be mixed in strongly flavored food, such as pudding, custard, yogurt or apple sauce, or in a fatty drink such as milk or kefir (the fat binds the essential oil mixture and keeps it from floating on the surface or sticking to the sides of the glass). Mix well and consume.
- Capsules: The least unpleasant, but most labor-intensive method is to place the recommended number of drops of your Aroma MD™ product in a gelatin capsule, such as a “00” or larger, and swallow.
Do not swallow undiluted essential oils except under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist.
Inhalation
Sometimes it is inconvenient to rub or swallow Aroma MD™ products. When dealing with emotional issues and their physical signs (such as a fast heart or queasy stomach from nervousness), upset stomach, or head and chest colds Aroma MD™ products can be inhaled to good effect. Inhale for 5-10 minutes for best effect.
- Open bottle or bottle cap: When using undiluted essential oils, inhale from the cap. When using diluted products, inhale from the bottle. Do not allow premature infants, or infants under 6 months of age, or individuals with a weak constitution to inhale strongly scented undiluted essential oils such as eucalyptus (certain species) or peppermint.
- Cotton ball, gauze or napkin: Place a few drops on a cotton ball, gauze, or napkin and inhale. The cotton ball can be placed in a resealable snack-sized plastic bag and reused throughout the day without significant loss of effect.
|
