Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses the essential oils found in plants for their healing or medicinal properties. Although its name suggests that it is primarily a form of aroma or smell therapy, the essential oils are, in fact, intended mainly to be absorbed into the body via the skin, through massage, and the lungs, through inhalation. Aromatherapy is widely used to reduce stress, as well as to rejuvenate and detoxify the body. It is also used to treat a wide variety of other conditions.

For thousands of years, oils from plants have been used to lubricate the skin, purify air and repel insects. Essential oils were used in ancient Egypt for bathing and massage and in ancient Greece and Rome for treating infections. The origin of modern aromatherapy is often traced to the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who is said to have poured lavender oil onto his hand after accidentally burning himself. He believed that the pain, redness and skin damage healed more quickly than expected, and he began to study the effects of oils on the body.

Essential oils contain potent, biological constituents and are found in certain aromatic plants. They have multiple healing capabilities and are extracted from different parts of various plant species. The constituents are an integral part of the plant and are often considered the life force or life blood of that plant. These constituents are what make essential oils so vital, as they have incredible medicinal properties. Every oil has its own unique fragrance, individual to the plant that possesses it. The fragrance is Mother Nature’s way of propagating the species, attracting pollinators and repelling predators.

Although aromatherapy is treated as serious medicine in other countries, such as France and India, in the U.S. practitioners are prohibited from making specific medical claims by federal food and drug law. Because there is such inconsistency in aromatherapy education and the quality of essential oils available this is not all bad. It serves as an invitation to the individual to take a more active role in their own well-being and to compile personal knowledge through experience. But it’s this same lack of official recognition of aromatherapy’s health benefits that allows any product with a smell to be marketed as aromatherapy.

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The versatile Lavender with its light floral soothing scent is one of the most beloved and used aromatics in the world today. Its seems that you can find just about anything with a hint of lavender added to the ingredient list, this is due to the fact that most individuals find it to be a very pleasing and appealing scent. In the aromatherapy world it is considered a must because it is considered to be easy to use and is the most useful.

Lavender natural oil is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh flowering tops of the Lavandula augustifolia plant and list of therapeutic uses is indeed vast. We will however discuss a few applications to get you started.

1. Lavender essential oil is considered a must have for various skin ailments including acne, dermatitis, rashes, sunburn, eczema and psoriasis. One of the many benefits of this oil is that is it one of the few that can be applied neat, therefore to use on skin issues simply apply a few drops to a cotton ball or cotton pad and apply directly to affected area. This application also works well in treating bee or wasp stings.

2. Lavender essential oil is believed to promote hair growth. To use mix two or three drops of the oil to your favorite unscented leave on conditioner and massage into your scalp.

3. If you are suffering from a bout with the flu try adding a few drops of Lavender essential oil to your diffuser or use a steam inhalation to alleviate symptoms.

4. Adding a satchel to a closet or drawer has been done for years however adding a couple of drops to a cotton ball and placing in a strategic position will not only provide a wonderful scent but will also keep moths away from your clothes or linens.

5. Massage a couple of drops directly into your temples, or make a cold or hot compress for your head if you are suffering from a headache or migraine.

6. Lavender natural oil is also believed to help relieve insomnia and can be used as a sleep aid. There are several different applications that can be implemented including using a diffuser with three drops of oil or adding a few drops to a cotton ball or cloth and placing it into your pillow case. Another application that can be utilized is adding eight drops of oil to your bath water. It is also said that adding Lavender essential oil to your bath can also guard against nightmares.

The applications mentioned above can also be used to alleviate anxiety, depression, nervous tension or stress and to balance mood swings.

7. For respiratory issues including asthma, bronchitis, and hay fever use two or three drops in a diffuser or as a steam inhalation. Other options are to use in a bath or by adding several drops to a carrier oil and massaging directly onto the chest. A hybrid of Lavender known as Lavandin is also a great choice for respiratory issues as it has very similar benefits but is considered to be more penetrating.

8. If you experience problems with Premenstrual Symptoms or irregular menstruation then try massaging your abdominal area with a mixture of five drops of Lavender essential oil and one ounce of your favorite carrier oil.

Lavender natural oil is a wonderfully easy oil to use. It can be used neat and also mixes well with all of your other aromatherapy oils. As a beginner it is a great essential oil to start with because it can safely be used and experimented with.

The word essential as in (essential oils) is used to indicate that oils have a scent or essence that sets it apart even if such scent is not very important, or a fundamental matter. In its basic form, essential oil are a concentrated hydrophobic liquid that contains aroma compounds derived from plants.

Essential Oils Are Used In Perfumes, Cosmetics And As Food Additives.

Essential oils are not known as a group to have any specific chemical properties that are common to the group other than the fragrance. To make them, use is made of distillation as well as solvent extraction.

Organic Essential Oils are often used in perfumes as well as cosmetics, and also used to add flavor to foods and drinks as well as for giving incenses more scents as too are used in cleaning products used in homes.

Over the years it has been found that sometimes it is better to use a synergistic blend of organic essential oils to get relief from symptoms rather than use a single essential oil. Some of these synergistic oils include Spikenard, Rosemary Blue Tansy, and Lemongrass.

Organic Essential Oils

Concern has also been voiced regarding the pesticide residues found in these oils, and more particularly in those that are used for therapeutic purposes. It is thus more advisable to use organic essential oils.

Organic Essential Oils are obtained from many different parts of certain plants and there are some such as orange oil that can be derived from different parts of the plant. Other plants include allspice, Juniper, Almond, Basil, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Camphor, Rose, Bergamot, Peppermint, Thyme and a lot more.

Organic Essential Oils have been used throughout history for their medicinal benefits such as skin treatment and even providing relief from cancer. Of late, there has been growing interest in pure essential oils usage, especially because of the increased popularity of aromatherapy, which is an offshoot of alternative medicine that claims that different aromas contained in essential oils can be used for their curative properties.

However, one should not apply these aromatherapy essential oils directly to the skin because it has a concentrated nature that can cause bad irritation or even cause an allergic reaction if used in undiluted form. It would be better to blend them with a base or “fixed” oil before applying it, and some of the common base oils include olive, hazelnut, almond as well as grape seed.

Many Uses For Essential Oils

The wonderful part of aromatherapy essential oils is that they can help heal as well as provide relief, no matter what your situation is.

Aromatherapy essential oils have a number of uses including therapy benefits, emotional as well as physical and also spiritual uses, and they are very useful also when used for medicinal purposes. You can also use these essential oils to provide relief to sore muscles as well as stressed out moods.

There may be a scientific reason why your favorite body lotions, soaps and candles have such a dramatic effect on your mood. Those pleasing scents that make you want to give out a sigh or make you feel energized is aromatherapy in action. Different scents affect people differently. Some may be relaxed by the soothing scent of lavender, whereas another person is energized by the smell. Relieving stress and helping the body is a full time job for the immune system so why not give it a boost with a delectable bouquet that makes you happy?

Massage therapists know that scents play a huge part in how a person feels. Peppermint oil is thought to rejuvenate and give a person energy. Lavender helps a person relax. Different scents take the body massage to another level. Those body lotions that they use not only soften your skin but they affect your senses. The Chinese have long known the importance of aromatherapy oil to help the mood and the spirit.

Our sense of smell drives us and influences our behavior. Think about a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Now, if that image was reinforced by the smell of a pumpkin pie, then it will probably make you hungry for a slice. Our sense of smell plays a huge part in everything we do. Aromatherapy is about using pleasing scents to change your behavior and mood. If you think about it, then consider your reaction to a foul smell.

Scientists and the medical profession are now embracing the fact that an aromatherapist can work wonders on a person’s psychological health and well-being. If the body is relaxed and free of tension, then the mind will follow. Perhaps these discoveries will help influence mental health professionals when dealing with individuals who are Bipolar or suffer from depression.

Aromatherapy is here to stay. Each time we breathe in and smell something that changes our mood or changes the body’s response to certain stimuli, we are embracing the concept. Considering how long the practice has been used and how long mankind has responded to these scents, it is fairly certain that there will be continued use for a variety of treatments. Perhaps one day medical science will be able to reproduce those calming effects that lavender and vanilla have on the human body.

Polarity therapy is something that is used off of the human energy process. It is comprised of the electromagnetic patterns that are used in mental, emotional, and physical responses. When someone is sick, it is said that they human energy is in poor condition and it needs to be repaired with the polarity therapy process. When using the energy that is based in bodywork, exercise, dieting, and being aware, polarity therapy is going to give the body a stronger human energy field. This will in return make them healthier.

Polarity therapy was first used by Randolph Stone that published a total of seven works by 1954 that talked about what he found in his research into using energy in the healing art form. He found that touch, diet, movement, sounds, attitudes, and relationships as well as the things that happen in life experiences affect the human energy field. He used his findings and theories during his medical career in Chicago and had a great deal of success with the majority of the patients. After treatment, some of Stone’s students that carried on his work and in 1984 the American polarity Therapy Association was discovered and since then, Polarity therapy has became an used a lot in the form of medicine and has been more diverse than when it was first thought of.

A person’s energy is supposed to flow smoothly and clearly. When it does a person is gong to be thought of as healthy. However, blockages in the flow of energy can occur due to stress or other factors in life. When this does happen, a body will become less healthy and pan and some illness can occur. Polarity therapy is going to look for blockages and will try to get rid of them and this will allow the energy to flow free again. A usual polarity therapy session can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. In this time, there will be different types of touch and speaking interactions that will happen. The professional will use degrees of touch on the patient in the form of light and hard in order to help their muscles relax and this will help to fight stress. The person will also try and make the person more aware of their energy in the body and this will help them to be more aware of the energy that they have. Doing this will make them more calm and give them the chance to be calmer.

Polarity therapy is a great cure for so many people and has great success in the form of stress relief. After the therapy session a person will feel more relaxed and a happier person. It is a great way to take away the tension and bring out a stronger person and help them a lot.

There are many people that love to get massages because they feel great but they also benefit your health and most people do not know this. Massage therapy and techniques when they are done the right way can decrease your stress levels but also relax your muscles and they can improve your immune system as well. Massages can also help to relive pain in the body and cure headaches. Healing injuries and retaining muscle and joint mobility are also accredited to massages. If you are having any type of problems with these areas and traditional medical procedures are not working for you, talk to your health care provider about the alternative therapy options like massage.

There are different kinds of massages and a professional will usually practice one or two of these. You need to visit someone who can help you with your needs. There are Swedish massages that are focused on relaxation or deep tissue massage and they are focused on loosening muscle tissues up.

Some of the different massages can target certain parts of the body. A Cranio-Sacral massage will focus on your neck, head, and spine to get it working properly in the right alignment again. This will also loosen up the tight muscles in the body. Chi Nei Tsang is one type of massage that will focus on your abdominal organs and help you with your digestive pain or disease. If your joints are giving you the problem, you need to use The Trager Approach. This is a kind of massage that will improve your life when it is done the right way. You can also use them in connection with the Swedish massage or other types to target the problem and relax the whole body.

The other types of massages are going to relax or relieve stress like the Rosen Method. All of the massages should make you feel physically and emotionally better. There are a few types of massage like the deep tissue massage that can be a little painful and should only be used if the doctor recommends it for you. Rolfing is one of these techniques that work to align your tissues the right way and straighten the spine up. Even after this massage, you should feel better and not worse. If your condition gets worse, you need to speak to your doctor and take different measures right away.

The other kinds of massage that may work for you will include the Alexander technique, acupressure, feldenfrais, reflexology, Reiki, and Shiatsu methods. There are different ways to use these techniques and you need to research them a lot before you make an appointment. You can find out information on how to perform the simple massage techniques on yourself to improve your comfort level or you can buy a massage chair for the home or office. Your doctor or massage therapist can help you figure out what is going to be best for you and what your body needs the most.

Cloves are widely revered for their hot, spicy pungent flavor which makes them a staple item in many kitchens and pantries. Many may be surprised to find out that clove botanical oil is a valued aromatic that is extracted by steam distillation from the sun-dried buds of the plant Eugenia caryophyllata.

Although cloves remain an important spice they have long been used to treat skin conditions, calm digestive upset, alleviate toothaches, freshen breath and relieve nausea.

Clove essential oil has many therapeutic uses and can be applied as follows:

1. Use two or three drops of clove botanical oil in a steam inhalation or a diffuser for asthma, chest infections, bronchitis or to ward off airborne bacteria.

2. Add two or three drops of botanical oil to one ounce of carrier oil and massage on chest if you have a cold, the flu or a fewer.

3. Clove botanical oil has long been used as a breath freshener; to use add 2 drops of botanical oil to one ounce of water, swish, spit and rinse with water.

4. There are two possible applications to alleviate a toothache using clove botanical oil. The first one is to add two or three drops to a cotton swab or Q tip and apply it directly to the affected tooth. The second application is to place one drop of botanical oil into one ounce of carrier oil and massage the mixture into the area of the jaw line that correlates to the tooth in question.

5. To help with joint or muscle issues such as arthritis, muscle spasms and rheumatism massage affected areas with a mixture of one drop of essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil.

6. Mix two or three drops of clove botanical oil to one ounce of carrier oil and dab on burns, cuts, or warts.

7. If you are feeling stressed, or exhausted mentally or physically use two or three drops of clove botanical oil in a diffuser. These symptoms can also be alleviated by using a massage oil on your body made of two or three drops of botanical oil in one ounce of carrier oil.

Although clove botanical oil has many safe applications there are precautions to be aware of. Always dilute with a carrier oil, cream or lotion because clove essential oil can cause skin irritation. As well limit your exposure when using a diffuser or vaporizer to avoid irritation of mucus membranes. Do not use if pregnant. Do not use in baths and do not apply to teeth your dentist is currently working on especially root canals.

Aromatherapy has long been used for its curative effects. People around the world are turning to this type of therapy for their alternative medicine needs. Many of these needs are met through bath oils, scented lotions and even aromatherapy candles. These candles are perhaps the most frequently used products on the market. You have probably seen scented candles in the grocery store, pharmacy, discount dollar stores and even in high end retail stores. They are everywhere and people are flocking to their wonderfully, perfumed scents.

Aromatherapy has been around for over six thousand years. That is a long time and it is gaining in popularity as more research is being done on these mood enhancing scented candles. The candles themselves may not have been used six thousand years ago but the effects are still the same. Aromatherapy candles release essential fragrances into the air and can definitely either relax or invigorate your mood.

It is the aromatherapy scents that make all the difference in scented candles. It does not matter if they are soy candles or cheap candles scented with vanilla that you find in discount dollar stores. The effects are the same. The scent you choose will affect your mood. Take for example a vanilla scent. It has been proven to help relax a person. The same can be said for lavender and lilac.

There are scents on the opposite end of the spectrum that can help revitalize you and improve your energy. If you are feeling sluggish, then you may want to try a peppermint candle or one that contains lemon. Perhaps you are feeling amorous and want to inspire a feeling of romance in the air? Then you should try a rose candle or a scented candle that contains sandalwood. Both are known for their aphrodisiac effects.

Whatever your mood or your level of stress there are aromatherapy candles to help out your day. You can find them in any grocery store, dollar store or retail store and most are relatively inexpensive. Most candles can be purchased for less than $5 and even the more expensive candles, such as those from The Yankee Candle Company are less than $25 for a large candle. Plus, you can buy the small scented boards to go in your automobile to keep that fresh smell going wherever you are.

The origin of the Bergamot tree is not always agreed upon however it is believed by most to have originated in India and then was introduced to Italy where it has flourished. Bergamot natural oil is extracted by cold expression from the peel of the trees nearly ripened pear shaped citrus fruit.

Bergamot is unique from other citrus natural oils due to the spicy undertones it offers in conjunction to its sweet citrus essence (gives Earl grey tea its taste). This natural oil is also very versatile in that it seems to adapt to the requirements of the individual using it. For instance depending on the need of the user bergamot can act as a stimulant or sedative.

Bergamot natural oil has many therapeutic uses and can be applied as follows:

1. To use as a mouth wash add two or three drops of natural oil to a small amount of water. This application can be sued to treat halitosis, mouth infections, sore throat and tonsillitis.

2. Bergamot natural oil is very effective for skin care issues and skin infection. If you suffer from acne, psoriasis, eczema or have a sore or abrasion simply add two or three drops with jojoba carrier oil and apply mixture to affected area.

3. To help with appetite suppression, digestive health and regularity, flatulence or gas use a few drops of natural oil in a diffuser. Another application option is to massage abdominal area with a carrier oil containing two or three drops of essential oil.

4. Bergamot natural oil is toted as being very effective in promoting the over all health of the excretory system. If you have issues with urinary tract health or cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) try a bathing and soaking in water with approximately eight to ten drops of the natural oil. The other option is to create a massage oil by adding two or three drops of bergamot to your favorite carrier oil and apply to abdominal area.

5. As stated above bergamot natural oil can act as a stimulant or sedative therefore it is can be used to give you a boost of energy or to promote relaxation. It can also be used to lift feelings of anxiety, depression, fatigue, nervousness or stress. Simply use a couple of drops in a diffuser or humidifier. A humidifier will disperse not only the scent of an essential oil but also the actual healing particles.

Bergamot natural oil mixes very well with all other natural oils. It is an easy natural oil to use but there are some precautions that need to be implemented to use it safely. First of all, bergamot natural oil is not recommended for use for pregnant women. Secondly, this oil is causes photo sensitivity which means that it will increase the effects of the sun, therefore avoid putting it on your skin before exposure. Thirdly, do not apply to skin in neat form, always dilute it with a carrier oil. If you follow these precautions you will experience wonderful results from bergamot natural oil.

Aphrodisiac is a term that we have all heard, however the vision it provokes is not always accurate. Many hear about aphrodisiacs and assume this means that if you take them you will suddenly be hit with an over whelming urge to jump into bed with the first person that crosses your path. This is of course not the case.

Aphrodisiac named for the Greek goddess of Sensuality Aphrodite is an agent or substance which is said to increase sexual arousal or sexual desire. There is an on going debate as to whether or not aphrodisiacs actually exist and have the power to kick our sexual vitality into over drive.

It is well documented as well as first hand knowledge for most individuals that mental and emotional state has a large impact on how randy one may or may not feel. For a great number of individuals if you are stressed, depressed, angry, or just down in the dumps the last thing you want is to have a romantic or sexual rendezvous. If you are feeling great and on top of the world sexual intimacy is a lot more appealing.

Whatever mechanism is at work many natural oils are believed to give your libido a boost in the right direction. A few of the essential oils with these aphrodisiac properties are:

1. Ylang Ylang essential oil which has a mysterious spicy scent is effective in both relaxing and up lifting the body, mind and spirit. It has been widely used for centuries as an aphrodisiac. This essential oil can be implemented for this purpose by adding approximately 10 drops to your bath water or by adding 2 or 3 drops to a diffuser.

2. Geranium essential oil known as the women’s oil because of its menstrual and menopausal benefits is also toted as being a great aphrodisiac. Again to use this essential oil simply add it to your bath water or put some scent in the air by using a diffuser.

3. Neroli essential oil made from the blossoms of an orange tree is also used as an aphrodisiac. Use it in your bath, diffuser or mix four to five drops into your favorite carrier oil and have a massage.

4. Sandalwood essential oil is reminiscent of the orient with its sensual musky scent. To use as an aphrodisiac add eight to ten drops of the oil to your bath or put a few drops in a diffuser.

If you choose to add an essential oil to your bath water always add the drops once you have finished running the water. If you add the drops behind the scent will be evaporated before you are ready to get in and enjoy. Also make sure that you thoroughly agitate the water with your hands to ensure that the oil is mixed in and not sitting in a little clump on top.

How aphrodisiacs work is unclear but one thing you can count on is you will not be disappointed with the results of aromatherapy and natural oils. At the very least you will feel energized, clear headed, stress free and ready to take on the world.