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AROMATHERAPY
Our 5 senses give us the means to know the world around us. And although
some of us make do with less than all 5, our very survival is linked to
their use. Without them, we would be literally and figuratively lost in an
atmosphere of nothingness. A blanket depression would set in, digestion &
nervous system and immune function would become weak.
To
a small degree, this shutting down is what occurs when humans spend too much
time in a routine of driving, doing rote tasks on the computer, watching
TV, breathing stale air in sealed buildings and eating synthetic food or
food that isn’t fresh. When our senses are not being utilized, our reality
becomes stagnant and we become less alive.
To
quickly bring the vitality back, you can employ the art of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using plant chemicals (from plant
essences) to bring about a positive change in the body. Aromatherapy (like
pharmacy) can trace its origins back to the roots of herbalism It has been
used in some form for roughly 5000 years, starting with ancient China and
Egypt. Hippocrates (father of Holistic Medicine) who said “First, Do No
Harm” was also quoted as saying, ““the
way to health is to have a scented massage and an aromatic bath every day”.
Many years later, in 1928, the word “aromatherapie” was coined by Dr. Rene
Gattefosse. While studying the chemical components of essential oils, the
French scientist suffered a lab burn and was astonished that pure lavender
essence completely healed the burn. Several other French Doctors would
further the research and use of plant essences in their medical practices
before the first English language book on the subject was finally published
in the late 1970’s.
How
does Aromatherapy Work?
Plant essences are volatile plant oils (usually extracted via steam
distillation) containing a variety of chemical components which have certain
effects on the body. These essences
should not be ingested by
mouth,
but they can be taken into the body either through inhalation or though the
skin. Inhalation tools include air diffusers, heat diffusers, candles,
nebulizers and fans. Essence carriers for skin absorption include massage
oils, bath products, creams, ointments and sprays. Essences contain many
chemical components which give clues as to their usefulness. For instance,
terpenes, like the limonene found in lemon oil, are extremely
anti-viral. Chamomile has a heavy content of esters which are
sedative and anti-fungal. Aldehydes are mood balancing because they
are uplifting yet sedative. Essences containing these (lemon verbena, lemon
balm) seem to “feel” just right. When these chemicals are absorbed through
the skin, they enter our bloodstream and mix with our own body chemistry to
bring about a change. But don’t be alarmed, phytochemicals also enter the
bloodstream every time you eat a carrot.
Your
Sense of Smell
Because essences are extremely aromatic, they have a second affect on the
body. When the scent reaches our nose, the olfactory bulb directs
information to the prepyriform cortex, amygdala, hypothalamus and other
areas of the brain. These structures are part of the limbic system which is
responsible for memory and emotion. They send information to the dorsal
thalamus, orbitofrontal cortex, and lateral posterior orbitofrontal cortex
which are noted as being responsible for behavior and the processing of
thoughts. * In studies, EEG results have indicated that olfactory
stimulation influences the physiological response of the central nervous
system. More fascinating, the concentration of odor does not have to be
noticed consciously to have an effect on the central nervous system.
Studies have also shown that inhaling essences like lavender causes a
decrease in cortical function, an increase in alpha waves, a reduction of
systolic blood pressure and decrease in heart rate. This all equates to
relaxation and relief from anxiety symptoms. Do these physiological changes
affect mood? Of course. Our moods are often dependent on our sense of
physical comfort. Aromatherapy has long been dismissed as some
psychological slight-of-hand aimed at convincing someone to “perceive” that
they are now in a more relaxed mood. In actuality, there are studies which
show the effects are much more physiological than psychological.
(*
Still double verifying these brain parts)
What
is NOT Aromatherapy
Most of the shampoos, bath items, massage oils and perfumes that are found
on the shelves of drug stores, bath & body shops and gift boutiques are
neither” Natural” nor “Aromatherapeutic” despite what their label boasts.
Read the ingredients and if you find the word “fragrance” along with the
botanical ingredients you are getting a man-made cocktail that can include
up to 4000 different synthetic chemicals including pthalates*. Products that
have a lot of petroleum-based oils (mineral oil) or waxes (ster….) will form
a barrier on the skin that can block the entrance of the botanicals. True
aromatherapists use 100% naturally derived oils and waxes to carry the
botanicals.
*Pthalates have been removed from children’s plastic toys because it has
been shown that they adversely effect the reproductive system
Aromatherapy is Mind/Body Medicine:
The
mind and the physical body cannot be separated. Maintaining balance and
nurturing our central nervous system is crucial to prevent degenerative
disease and promote a strong immune system For certain situations,
aromatherapy is a gentle, natural alternative to complicated pharmaceutical
sedatives, anti-depressants and stimulants. Plant essences can also be used
to ward off bacterial illnesses, shorten the duration of viruses and ease
the discomfort of inflammatory conditions, stomach upset and muscular
tension. Topically, many plant oils (like tea tree, calendula, lavender,
geranium) are key ingredients in expensive, imported beauty treatments.
Manufacturers have found that they are skin cell regenerative, reduce acne
outbreak, deep clean pores and remove excess oil without irritation. With
so many advantages to these pure plant essences, why aren’t they more
mainstream? The answer is simple. You can patent a man-made, synthetic
chemical that behaves like tea tree essence, but you can’t patent Tea Tree
(the plant). So, there isn’t a lot of corporate profit to be made by
funding clinical studies on the effectiveness of plants. While herbs and
aromatherapy are one of the first lines of defense in the pharmacies of
England, Canada, China and Germany, the U.S. is not taking advantage of the
clinical data coming out of these countries. Our focus is on new and
inventive pharmaceuticals. But within the consumer market, perceptions are
changing.
AROMATHERAPY FACTS:
The
sense of smell is stronger in women (especially those of child-bearing
years) than men.
Our
sense of smell weakens after about age 49.
80%
of what we think we can taste, is actually aroma.
Perhaps because of the link between olfactory system and our memory
function, loss of sense of smell is one of the indicators of onset of
schizophrenia and alzhimers.
Subjects who study while inhaling a certain scent are more likely to
remember what they studied during testing if they whiff that same scent.
If
you rub a fresh clove of garlic on the sole of your foot, within hours the
smell can be detected on your breath.
Smoking, synthetic air fresheners, man-made perfumes, certain viruses, and
allergy/sinus medications, chemotherapy can seriously weaken one’s olfactory
abilities.
AROMATHERAPY SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Essential oils should never be ingested by mouth and should never be used on
the skin without first diluting.
With essential oils, less is more. Concentration should never be more than
2% of your formula (for therapeutic use).
Most essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy and the first 2 years
of life. Safe oils include lavender, chamomile, neroli, some citrus oils,
rose & ginger (at ˝ normal dosage).
Although they are natural, some oils can cause an allergic reaction in
certain individuals.
Always patch test a product before applying it all over.
Not all essential oils are suitable for aromatherapy. Oils with a high
ketone content are toxic and they include: wormwood, mugwort, tansy, rue,
bitter almond, wintergreen, pennyroyal.
Know the actions of your oils. For instance, rosemary is a circulatory
stimulant and hypertensive which is problematic for those high blood
pressure, heart problems or epilepsy.
Essential oils are highly flammable and dangerous if swallowed. Store in a
cool, dark place away from heat, light and children!
©2005 HERBAN AVENUES, LLC – All rights reserved. Reprinting
or internet posting of any portion of this article is prohibited without
permission from the author. For more information on herb and health related
topics, visit
www.chooseherbs.com . |
