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| Article: Why Should I Use Essential Oils? - by Iris Chiappolini | ||
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With spring now upon us, we can anticipate the beautiful foliage as the
flowers begin to perform a symphony of color. As you look with
appreciation at nature’s beautiful display of color do you realize too,
that within this awesome display, lives a wide assortment of natural
medicine that works to support, strengthen and regenerate your body? Essential oils were very likely one of the first medicines of humans. We find references to them throughout history, yet still their gifts remain a secret to many. We find them used more commonly in other countries, where in Europe doctors prescribe essential oils to treat illness. Here in the United States, we are now beginning to research and document the many properties of essential oils, as well as recognizing their abilities to aid in the healing process. Essential oils contain hundreds of chemical components, most of which have their own aroma and biological activity once absorbed into the body. Therapeutic properties that essential oils possess include immune stimulation, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antispasmoic, antidepressant, sedative, expectorating and mucolytic, circulatory stimulation, purifying and much more besides. They offer a gentle option for reestablishing homeostasis while working harmoniously with the human body. They have the ability to enter and leave the body with great efficiency, and when used safely, they leave no toxins behind. In addition, they are wonderful adjuncts to all healing modalities including orthodox medicine. More than 60,000 different synthetic chemicals are presently available on the market, with about one thousand new chemicals being introduced each year. Orthodox medicine, although born of natural medicine, relies heavily on synthetic chemicals to affect changes in the body. We can not deny the importance of this type of medicine, which is used daily to save many lives; however, synthetic molecules in the body do cause side effects that cannot always be predicted. Dr. Jean Valnet, author of The Practice of Aromatherapy, writes that “infectious germs do not appear to become accustomed to the essential oils as they do to the many forms of treatment using antibiotics. This is very important. The dramatic increase recently in the resistance of patholgenic microorganisms, to all types of antibiotics, sometimes even the latest ones in well known. However, we are finding that the effects of the same oils remain almost unchanged. The body cannot become habituated to the oils any more than it can become habituated to pure mountain air or personal hygiene. The results remain the same; they do not lessen over any length of time” ************************************************************************ How to Use Essential oils Steam Inhalation – add 3 – 5 drops of essential oil to a bowl (one pint) of boiled water. Draping a towel over the head, breathe in the steam for 1-2 minutes only. CLOSE EYES. Oils can irritate them. Effective for respiratory complaints, including bronchial and sinus congestion, coughs, bronchitis, sore throats, colds and influenza. Diffusion – Add essential oils to nebulizer, 15 – 40 drops, depending upon size of nebulizer. The most therapeutically effective means of dispersing essential oils into the air is through the use of an aromatic nebulizer. Because the oil does not require heating, its chemical components remain unaltered, and are subsequently of greater benefit. Massage – Concentration of essential oils should be 1 - 5 % in relation to the carrier oil. Average dilution is 2.5% for adults. (2.5 drops per teaspoon) Bath – A nice aromatic bath should be no longer than 20 minutes. Always apply the essential oil formula to the bath just prior to getting in the tub so as to utilize the full properties of the essential oils before evaporation begins. Essential oils are not water-soluble and need an emulsifier, i.e. bath salts, mineral salts, epsom salts, milk, cream or honey. For 1/4 cup bath salts, add 5 drops essential oil, mix well. For 1 cup whole milk or 4 -5 T. cream or honey, add 5 drops, mix well. Compress – A compress can be hot or cold, wet or dry. Each situation should be assessed for the appropriate choice. A compress can be used on muscles for aches, pains, stiffness, and cramps. Use a hot, moist compress to soothe tension and cramping (cold conditions); use a cold compress for inflammation, swelling, headaches, and sunburn (hot conditions). ************************************************************************ Seasonal Essential Oil Recipes Insect Repellent 4 drops Thyme 8 drops Lemongrass 4 drops Lavender 4 drops Peppermint Put 2 drops essential oil on a cotton ball or tissue and leave it near your bed. Dilute in carrier oil (almond or jojoba oil) and massage body in the days before going on vacation and during it. Dilute 2 drops in 2 teaspoons of oil or simply add the 2 drops to 2 teaspoons to any lotion or cream you have. Make a water based splash by adding 5 drops of blend above to 1 tablespoon witch hazel, and then dilute in 4 tablespoons of water. Shake well. Creepy crawlers Hate Lavender Citronella Peppermint Lemongrass Cinnamon Thyme Basil To deter insects from coming in through the windows make paper strips from a roll of paper towels or cuts lengths of cotton ribbon and put a drop of essential oil on each one and hang them above the window. Bee Stings Bee stings can produce an allergic reaction. Try to remove the stinger and treat with 1 drop of equal proportions of lavender and german chamomile. Lavender contains anti-venom properties and often acts as an antidote to the poison, so stopping the reaction. The Relaxing Blend 8 drops Geranium 3 drops Clary Sage 5 drops Lemon 3 Drops bergamot Put in a diffuser and enjoy! (Please note ~ only use pure essential oils if using a nebulizing diffuser) Anxiety Blend 10 drops lavender 10 drops geranium 10 drops palma rosa Use in a diffuser, or make a massage oil by adding 25 drops to 50ml of carrier oil. (Please note ~ only put pure essential oils in a nebulizing diffuser) Depression Blend 15 drops geranium 5 drops lavender 10 drops bergamot Use in a diffuser, or make a massage oil by adding 25 drops to 50ml of carrier oil. (Please note ~ only put pure essential oils in a nebulizing diffuser) Foot Oil Blend for Walkers, Joggers and Runners 5 drops rosemary 3 drops peppermint 4 drops lavender Blend together in these proportions and use 5 drops to 1 teaspoon of oil per massage. Elbow tendonitis (tennis elbow) 10 drops Peppermint 10 drops Eucalyptus 10 drops Roman Chamomile Diluted in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil Hangover 2 drops juniper 1 drop rosemary Fill tub with warm water and then add to bath. Relax in tub for twenty minutes Thigh slimmer (massage Oil) 10 drops cypress 10 drops juniper 5 drops lavender in 50ml of jojoba oil Mouthwash and gargle 1 drop tea tree 1 drop niaouli 1 drop lemon in 100ml pure water (Shake well before use). Health involves the whole body, emotions, spiritual outlook, diet, exercise and relationships. Essential oils are very effective when viewed in this picture of holistic health. They stimulate the body’s own natural healing mechanisms as they enter the bloodstream and are carried to every cell in the body where they are most effective in promoting health, balance and regeneration. With spring now upon us, we can anticipate the beautiful foliage as the flowers begin to perform a symphony of color. As you look with appreciation at nature’s beautiful display of color do you realize too, that within this awesome display, lives a wide assortment of natural medicine that works to support, strengthen and regenerate your body? Essential oils were very likely one of the first medicines of humans. We find references to them throughout history, yet still their gifts remain a secret to many. We find them used more commonly in other countries, where in Europe doctors prescribe essential oils to treat illness. Here in the United States, we are now beginning to research and document the many properties of essential oils, as well as recognizing their abilities to aid in the healing process. Essential oils contain hundreds of chemical components, most of which have their own aroma and biological activity once absorbed into the body. Therapeutic properties that essential oils possess include immune stimulation, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antispasmoic, antidepressant, sedative, expectorating and mucolytic, circulatory stimulation, purifying and much more besides. They offer a gentle option for reestablishing homeostasis while working harmoniously with the human body. They have the ability to enter and leave the body with great efficiency, and when used safely, they leave no toxins behind. In addition, they are wonderful adjuncts to all healing modalities including orthodox medicine. More than 60,000 different synthetic chemicals are presently available on the market, with about one thousand new chemicals being introduced each year. Orthodox medicine, although born of natural medicine, relies heavily on synthetic chemicals to affect changes in the body. We can not deny the importance of this type of medicine, which is used daily to save many lives; however, synthetic molecules in the body do cause side effects that cannot always be predicted. Dr. Jean Valnet, author of The Practice of Aromatherapy, writes that “infectious germs do not appear to become accustomed to the essential oils as they do to the many forms of treatment using antibiotics. This is very important. The dramatic increase recently in the resistance of patholgenic microorganisms, to all types of antibiotics, sometimes even the latest ones in well known. However, we are finding that the effects of the same oils remain almost unchanged. The body cannot become habituated to the oils any more than it can become habituated to pure mountain air or personal hygiene. The results remain the same; they do not lessen over any length of time” ************************************************************************ How to Use Essential oils Steam Inhalation – add 3 – 5 drops of essential oil to a bowl (one pint) of boiled water. Draping a towel over the head, breathe in the steam for 1-2 minutes only. CLOSE EYES. Oils can irritate them. Effective for respiratory complaints, including bronchial and sinus congestion, coughs, bronchitis, sore throats, colds and influenza. Diffusion – Add essential oils to nebulizer, 15 – 40 drops, depending upon size of nebulizer. The most therapeutically effective means of dispersing essential oils into the air is through the use of an aromatic nebulizer. Because the oil does not require heating, its chemical components remain unaltered, and are subsequently of greater benefit. Massage – Concentration of essential oils should be 1 - 5 % in relation to the carrier oil. Average dilution is 2.5% for adults. (2.5 drops per teaspoon) Bath – A nice aromatic bath should be no longer than 20 minutes. Always apply the essential oil formula to the bath just prior to getting in the tub so as to utilize the full properties of the essential oils before evaporation begins. Essential oils are not water-soluble and need an emulsifier, i.e. bath salts, mineral salts, epsom salts, milk, cream or honey. For 1/4 cup bath salts, add 5 drops essential oil, mix well. For 1 cup whole milk or 4 -5 T. cream or honey, add 5 drops, mix well. Compress – A compress can be hot or cold, wet or dry. Each situation should be assessed for the appropriate choice. A compress can be used on muscles for aches, pains, stiffness, and cramps. Use a hot, moist compress to soothe tension and cramping (cold conditions); use a cold compress for inflammation, swelling, headaches, and sunburn (hot conditions). ************************************************************************ Seasonal Essential Oil Recipes Insect Repellent 4 drops Thyme 8 drops Lemongrass 4 drops Lavender 4 drops Peppermint Put 2 drops essential oil on a cotton ball or tissue and leave it near your bed. Dilute in carrier oil (almond or jojoba oil) and massage body in the days before going on vacation and during it. Dilute 2 drops in 2 teaspoons of oil or simply add the 2 drops to 2 teaspoons to any lotion or cream you have. Make a water based splash by adding 5 drops of blend above to 1 tablespoon witch hazel, and then dilute in 4 tablespoons of water. Shake well. Creepy crawlers Hate Lavender Citronella Peppermint Lemongrass Cinnamon Thyme Basil To deter insects from coming in through the windows make paper strips from a roll of paper towels or cuts lengths of cotton ribbon and put a drop of essential oil on each one and hang them above the window. Bee Stings Bee stings can produce an allergic reaction. Try to remove the stinger and treat with 1 drop of equal proportions of lavender and german chamomile. Lavender contains anti-venom properties and often acts as an antidote to the poison, so stopping the reaction. The Relaxing Blend 8 drops Geranium 3 drops Clary Sage 5 drops Lemon 3 Drops bergamot Put in a diffuser and enjoy! (Please note ~ only use pure essential oils if using a nebulizing diffuser) Anxiety Blend 10 drops lavender 10 drops geranium 10 drops palma rosa Use in a diffuser, or make a massage oil by adding 25 drops to 50ml of carrier oil. (Please note ~ only put pure essential oils in a nebulizing diffuser) Depression Blend 15 drops geranium 5 drops lavender 10 drops bergamot Use in a diffuser, or make a massage oil by adding 25 drops to 50ml of carrier oil. (Please note ~ only put pure essential oils in a nebulizing diffuser) Foot Oil Blend for Walkers, Joggers and Runners 5 drops rosemary 3 drops peppermint 4 drops lavender Blend together in these proportions and use 5 drops to 1 teaspoon of oil per massage. Elbow tendonitis (tennis elbow) 10 drops Peppermint 10 drops Eucalyptus 10 drops Roman Chamomile Diluted in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil Hangover 2 drops juniper 1 drop rosemary Fill tub with warm water and then add to bath. Relax in tub for twenty minutes Thigh slimmer (massage Oil) 10 drops cypress 10 drops juniper 5 drops lavender in 50ml of jojoba oil Mouthwash and gargle 1 drop tea tree 1 drop niaouli 1 drop lemon in 100ml pure water (Shake well before use). Health involves the whole body, emotions, spiritual outlook, diet, exercise and relationships. Essential oils are very effective when viewed in this picture of holistic health. They stimulate the body’s own natural healing mechanisms as they enter the bloodstream and are carried to every cell in the body where they are most effective in promoting health, balance and regeneration. |
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Iris Chiappolini practices Therapeutic Please email iris@earthessences.com |
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