Aromatherapy has been around
and has been practised in one form or another since the beginning of
civilisation. It is the art and science of using oils extracted from aromatic
plants to enhance health and beauty. Apart from the physical benefits sensual
oils can have subtle effects on the mind and emotions. Essential oils taken from
plants and used in Aromatherapy have been described as their "life force" -
they are essential to the plant biological process as well as being the
substance which gives them their scent. Synthetic oils even if chemically
similar will lack all the natural elements, and that vital life force, that make
essential oils so valuable therapeutically.
Another reason why synthetic oils are not acceptable is that
the minor constituents are never identical. the addition of synthetic chemicals
is not normally disclosed in the essential oil business, so unless there is a
declaration that the oils are natural, pure and unadulterated, assume otherwise.
Essential oils are extracted from flowers, herbs, spices, woods and fibres,
usually by distillation, expression and solvent extraction. Solvent extraction
is only acceptable for Aromatherapy if the solvent used is completely removed
after the manufacturing process.
Massage
This is the most effective method of using the
oils, combining their properties with the therapeutic power of touch.
The oils should not be used undiluted, but should be diluted with an odourless
carrier oil, such as grape seed, sweet almond or peach kernel.
A dilution of 3% essential oil to carrier oil is a recommended starting point.
(Less if using on sensitive skin such as babies).
This is approximately one drop essential oil to two millilitres of carrier oil.
(Six drops in two teaspoonfuls, but in all cases less can be definitely more!)
Oils not to use in the sunlight are, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon - Lemon grass,
Lime,
citrus oils in general, as they can cause skin pigmentation. If you happen to
get oils in your eyes wash out with milk and do not rub the eyes, the reason to
wash with milk is that the fat in the milk acts as an absorbent for the oils.
You can use milk to add the oils to when using in the bath, as the oils bond to
the milk not the sides of the bath.
If you are considering buying oils for home use it is important that you
purchase a good book on the use of essential oils. Valerie Westwood does a very
good collection. The fragrant mind would be an ideal purchase as it covers so
much. Do not use essential oils during the first three month's of pregnancy,
some oils are abortive and can cause serious problems. other oils can promote
the flow of blood and are known as emenagogues, so stay knowledgeable on your
oils. Always SAFETY FIRST
Understanding this will help you a lot.
Hypnotherapy will help to do this more effectively.