| Aromatherapy essential oils are the highly | | | | not only inhaled, but absorbed through the skin as well. |
| concentrated essences of aromatic plants. The oils | | | | They penetrate the tissues and find their way into the |
| are found in different parts of the plant such as the | | | | bloodstream where they are transported to the |
| flowers, twigs, leaves and bark, or in the rind of fruit. | | | | organs and systems of the body. Since essential oils |
| For example, in roses it is found in the flowers, in basil it | | | | have differing rates of absorption, generally between |
| is in the leaves, in sandalwood in the wood, and so on. | | | | 20 minutes and 2 hours, it is not recommended to |
| Essential oils have numerous uses but one of the most | | | | bathe or shower directly following a massage to |
| popular today is aromatherapy. Each of the organic | | | | ensure maximum absorption and effectiveness. |
| essential oils used in aromatherapy can be used either | | | | Different essential oils product different effects on the |
| alone or in combination to create a desired effect. | | | | nervous system such as energizing, calming, soothing, |
| Before using pure essential oils as part of an | | | | headache reliever, balancing, insomnia, etc. Let's look |
| aromatherapy treatment, it is important to understand | | | | specifically at the oils that are noted to promote |
| the effect that the oil(s) have, and how aromatherapy | | | | reducing stress. |
| works. | | | | Amber essential oil is known for producing harmony, |
| Aromatherapy is the art of using these oils to promote | | | | balance and providing a calming effect on the body. |
| healing of the body and the mind. The methods used | | | | Basil essential oil is soothing. |
| to extract the oils are time consuming, expensive and | | | | Basil Holy essential oil is best known for anti-stress. |
| require a high degree of expertise. Organic essential | | | | Bergamot essential oil balances the mind and |
| oils can be extracted using a variety of methods, | | | | increases a sense of well being. |
| although some are not commonly used today. | | | | Chamomile Blue essential oil is relaxing and soothing. |
| Currently, the most popular method for extraction is | | | | Clary Sage essential oil is famous for its ability to calm |
| steam distillation. To extract the essential oil, the plant | | | | and relax the mind and muscles. |
| material is placed into a still (very similar to a pressure | | | | Jasmine essential oil is relaxing and provides restful |
| cooker) where pressurized steam passes through the | | | | sleep. |
| plant material. The heat from the steam causes | | | | Lavender (French) essential oil is a must for relaxing |
| globules of oil in the plant to burst and the oil then | | | | and calming. |
| evaporates. The essential oil vapor and the steam | | | | Lime essential oil clears the mind and eliminates |
| then pass out the top of the still into a water cooled | | | | emotional confusion. |
| pipe where the vapors are condensed back to liquids. | | | | Mandarin Red essential oil is best for relieving stress, |
| At this point, the essential oil separates from the water | | | | tension, insomnia and anxiety. |
| and floats to the top. This is a process best left to | | | | Myrrh essential oil can be attributed to calming nerves |
| professionals. | | | | and fostering tranquility. |
| Did you realize that it takes in excess of 220 pounds | | | | Palmarosa essential oil is acclaimed as a stress |
| of rose petals to produce only 4 or 5 teaspoonfuls of | | | | reliever. It also clears the mind and calms the senses. |
| oil? Did you know that it takes more than 8 million | | | | Rosemary essential oil calms apprehension while |
| jasmine flowers to produce just 2 pounds of jasmine | | | | stimulating the spirit. |
| essential oil? Due to the large quantity of plant material | | | | Rosewood essential oil may help relieve tiredness, |
| required, pure essential oils are expensive but they are | | | | nervousness and stress. |
| also highly effective. Only a few drops at a time are | | | | Tangerine essential oil can help relieve stress and |
| required to achieve desired effects. Diffuse these oils | | | | tension due to the soothing action on the nervous |
| in electric or tea light oil burners. | | | | system. |
| How Essential Oils Work | | | | Thyme essential oil calms the nervous system and |
| Essential oils have an immediate impact on our sense | | | | reduces anxiety and stress. |
| of smell, also known as "olfaction". When essential oils | | | | While no one will make definitive medicinal claims |
| are inhaled, olfactory receptor cells are stimulated and | | | | regarding essential oils, aromatherapy has been |
| the impulse is transmitted to the emotional center of | | | | practiced for centuries with results that demand notice. |
| the brain, or "limbic system". The limbic system is | | | | Many essential oils can be used in an aroma oil burner, |
| connected to areas of the brain linked to memory, | | | | blended with carrier oils, blended with bath and body |
| breathing, and blood circulation, as well as the | | | | products, or in a warm bath. Since the essentials are a |
| endocrine glands which regulate hormone levels in the | | | | pure oil warnings should always be heeded. |
| body. The properties of the oil along with the fragrance | | | | The next time your busy schedule has found you with |
| and its effects determine stimulation of these systems. | | | | stress that you would like to relieve try nature's |
| When essential oils are used in massage oils, they are | | | | remedy - essential oils. |