Aromatherapy: Essential oils for curing disorders and for a beautiful skin

Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils extracted from plants and herbs for healing and cosmetic purposes ranging from skin disorders and infections to stress and immune deficiency.

Natural cure with Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy can improve quality of life.
• It relieves anxiety, reduces stress and enhances relaxation.
• It reduces some emotionally related disorders and relieves psychosomatic symptoms and post- partum discomfort.
• It eases arthritic pain, provides relief from sleeplessness and is also an effective remedy for impotence.

Natural treatment with Aromatherapy

In genuine treatments, highly concentrated essential oils extracted from healing herbs obtained by cold pressing or steam distillation are used. The highly volatile flammable oils are diluted with almond, evening primrose or soy oils or alcohol before being inhaled, sprayed in the air or applied to the skin.

Some of the typical approaches are

• Massage- 5 drops of the essential oils (concentrated) are mixed with light base oil and used for muscle pain and soreness. The effects maybe calming or stimulating.
• Inhalation – Add 6-12 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a towel and breathe the scented vapors deeply for respiratory problems.
• Hot and Cold Compresses – To 4ounces of water add 5-10 drops of essential oil. Soak a cloth in the solution and apply to sore area to relieve headache, muscle aches or pains and bruises.
• Diffusion – Add 10 drops of the oil to 7 tablespoon of water, and add 1 tablespoon of pure alcohol or vodka for preservation. To improve respiratory conditions, calm nerves and enhance a feeling of well-being, the mixture can be sprayed in the air.
• Bathing – To a tub full of water add 8 drops of oil and take a bath.

Precautions of taking Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy oils should never be taken internally.
Benefits of Aromatherapy

• From earlier times they have been used to repel insects, purify infectious air and lubricate the skin.
• They were used to treat everything from anxiety, depression, sexually transmitted diseases, and viral and bacterial infections.
• Fragrant oils have the power to heal many malfunctioning organs like adrenal glands, ovaries, kidneys and veins.
• Aromas could reduce swelling, relieve pain, improve circulation, stimulate immune system, improve memory, heal wounds and cure skin disorders, and reduce pain following childbirth.

Most commonly used essential oils are

• Chamomile oil– is used in treating digestive problems; relieves depression, insomnia and stress, reduces swelling and treats allergic symptoms.
• Eucalyptus oil– has antiviral and antibacterial properties; useful for boils and pimples, clears sinuses, relieves cough and lowers fever.
• Everlasting oil– Fights bronchitis and flu infections, relieves sunburn, reduces injury swelling and heals scars, treats pain from sprains and strains, muscle injuries, tendonitis and arthritis.
• Lavender oil– destroys bacteria, heals cuts and burns; lowers B.P., relieves depression, headache, muscle ache, spasms, menstrual cramps, inflammation, nausea, respiratory allergies and soothes bug bites.
• Peppermint oil– Reduces digestive problems used for motion sickness, acts as a decongestant for the chest, relieves muscle pain and headache, and cleans wounds.
• Rosemary oil– Increases circulation, fights infection, relieves pain, reduces depression, relieves liver problem, pain, gas and indigestion, reduces swelling and is a decongestant for the chest.
• Tarragon oil– calms digestive tract and nerves, relieves stress and menstrual symptoms and stimulates digestion.
• Tea Tree Oil– fights bacterial, ;yeast and fungal infections, helps clear bladder infections and vaginitis, useful for burns, acne and insect bites.
• Thyme oil– fights skin and bladder infections, relieves joint pain and digestive problems, reduces cough and laryngitis.

Who Should Avoid Aromatherapy

People with skin allergies, asthma, pregnant women and infants.

Side Effects – Frequent use can cause skin irritation; makes skin sensitive so that it gets burned easily. Excessive inhalation can cause fatigue, headache and insomnia. Highly concentrated oils are toxic.