Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils, including essentials oils, and other scented plant compounds in lotions and inhalants in an effort to promote psychological and physical well-being.

The general term aromatherapy refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with alternative medical practices and/or spiritual beliefs.

Essential oils are fragrant oils extracted from plants through expression (e.g. oil in citrus peel) or distillation (e.g. lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil). The term essential indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent (essence) of the plant.

The three levels of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy at the scent level; the essential oils and other natural scented plant compounds activate the limbic system and emotional centers of the brain. It is believed that the different fragrances evoke particular moods and stimulate the brain chemicals that are associated with those moods.

When applied to your skin they activate thermal receptors, and kill fungi and microbe. Essential oils, because of their concentrated nature, should not be applied directly to the skin in their undiluted form. Some can provoke an allergic reaction or cause severe irritation. Therefore, essential oils should be blended with a vegetable carrier oil (e.g. hazelnut oil, almond oil or olive oil). The mixture will depend on the purpose, 1 unit essential oil can be mixed with 15 – 200 units of the carrier oil.

Internal use of essential oil preparations (mainly in pharmacological drugs) may stimulate your immune system. Please do not try this yourself, but only use prescribed preparations.

Some fragrances, the moods they evoke and the brain chemicals they stimulate.

Cardamom invokes an energetic mood and stimulates nor epinephrine.

Clary sage invokes a friendly mood and stimulates dopamine.

Jasmine invokes a warm mood and stimulates dopamine.

Lavender invokes a calm, happy mood and stimulates serotonin.

Lemongrass invokes a refreshed mood and stimulates nor epinephrine.

Orange blossom invokes a relaxed mood and stimulates serotonin.

Feelings and some of the essential oils (scents) commonly used as ‘treatment’:

To reduce anger: Bergamot, Jasmine, Orange, and Rose.

To reduce anxiety: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Lavender, Rose, and Sandalwood.

To increase confidence: Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine and Orange.

To reduce depression: Bergamot, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rose and Sandalwood.

To reduce fatigue: Basil, Bergamot, cypress, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Peppermint and Sandalwood.

To reduce fear: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Orange and Sandalwood.

To reduce grief: Cypress, Rose and Sandalwood.

To increase happiness and peace: Bergamot, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Rose and Sandalwood.

To reduce insecurity: Bergamot, Jasmine and Sandalwood.

To reduce irritability: Lavender, Mandarin and Sandalwood.

To reduce loneliness: Bergamot, Clary Sage and Rose.

Aromatherapy a way to improve your psychological and physical well-being.