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Aromatherapy and You!
Aromatherapy is a popular natural health option in today's busy world.
While many may think aromatherapy to be simply the use of floral waters
to freshen the air, it is in fact a real science.
Defining Aromatherapy
There are technical and academic definitions of aromatherapy however I
would like to define aromatherapy for purpose of Aromatherapy and You!
as -
The use of the aromatic pure essential oils from plants, absorbed via
inhalation or through application to the skin, for physical and
emotional therapeutic benefit.
Now for the necessary safety data regarding Aromatherapy --
Storage
Essential oils should be packaged in dark amber glass bottles. Always
remember to put the lid back on the bottle - otherwise the oil will
oxidise and be of no use.
Store the essential oil out of the light - in a cupboard or box (out of
reach of children) is best.
As an aside - Be wary of purchasing essential oils that are placed out
on display in shops. Many shops display products on shelves under
lighting. The lighting helps everything look great, but the heat and
light destroy the essential oils therapeutic value. They will still
smell nice - but they are not of any use for aromatherapy.
Are Essential Oils Safe?
Just because an essential oil is a natural substance doesn't mean that
all essential oils are safe or that the use of the oils indiscriminately
won't have negative consequences.
Essential oils are concentrated. Often times an effect is achieved by
using less rather than using more.
If it says to use 2 drops, do not use 20 drops! Some of the restrictions
placed on essential oils is because a few people have done things like
taking a teaspoon of an essential oil as medicine - this may kill you -
if not quickly, then certainly slowly from liver damage. Just because a
product is natural does not mean that it should not be treated with
respect or sensibly.
Here are the main warnings -
Essential oils that are toxic - do not use -
Almond (bitter), boldo leaf, buchu, camphor, sassafras, calamus,
horseradish, mugwort, mustard, pennyroyal, rue, savin, savory,
southernwood, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, wormseed, wormwood.
Essential oils which should not be used by people with high blood
pressure -
Rosemary, hyssop, sage, thyme.
Essential oils which should not be used by people prone to epilepsy -
Fennel (sweet), hyssop, sage.
Essential oils which should not be used during pregnancy -
Aniseed, basil, birch, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, fennel, jasmine,
juniper, sweet marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme.
Pregnancy
It is best to seek the advice and treatment (oh, heavenly) of a
specialist qualified in pre-natal aromatherapeutics. However if that is
not possible, use your commonsense with the use of essential oils.
Remember that the essential oil is being absorbed into your body,
regardless of whether you apply the oil to your skin or inhale it.
Either email me for more specific advice or get hold of a good book
about aromatherapy that outlines the risks and accepted safe usage of
essential oils during pregnancy.
That said, and now that you are appropriately in awe of the power of
these natural beauties, essential oils can be of therapeutic assistance
during pregnancy.
Babies and Children
General guidelines -
Babies (0 - 12 months) - use 1 drop of lavender, rose, chamomile or
mandarin diluted in 1 teaspoon base oil for massage or bathing.
Infants (1 - 5 years) - use 2-3 drops of 'safe' essential oils
(non-toxic and non irritant to the skin), diluted in 1 teaspoon base oil
for massage and bathing.
Children (6-12 years) - use half the stated adult dose. Use milder
versions of the oil if possible - for example, mandarin is much milder
than orange essential oil. Tangerine is milder than mandarin essential
oil. By the way, these are great essential oils to have around with
children in the home.
Teenagers (over 12 years) - use as for adults.
Always use your common sense.
If you use essential oils in a diffuser where there are young children
around, use much less the amount suggested for adults. Remember a
child's body is so much smaller than ours - and they absorb the
essential oils too.
If you would like to use essential oils in the baby nursery, it may be
best to have the diffuser outside the door of the nursery, that way the
baby will not be taking in too much of the oil.
A Few More Hints for Safety
If there is an accident and you use too much essential oil, dilute it
with a base oil. Rinsing with water will not work anywhere near as well.
Do not get essential oils anywhere near your eyes! If some
accidentally does get any in the eye or eye area, wash thoroughly with
cold clean water for 5 minutes. If the stinging has not subsided after
15 minutes seek medical attention.
Most essential oils (with the exception of lavender and tea tree) cannot
be applied directly to the skin. Base oils are used to dilute the
essential oil so as to apply it to the skin.
Recommended Base Oils
- Sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil - inexpensive, good for
everyday or massage use
- Jojoba - beautiful moisturizing liquid wax (not oil) that is expensive
but lasts a long time, use it for everything if you can afford it, use
it as an eye cream. Jojoba is often used for 3% dilutions of the more
expensive essential oils (eg Rose, Jasmine, Neroli)
- Wheat germ oil - expensive but contains Vitamin E and essential fatty
acids, good for damaged skin, can be used in small quantities as an
antioxidant in preparations. Rancid wheat germ oil will smell terrible.
- Macadamia oil - a pleasure to use and healthy for the skin, also
expensive, use in small quantities in a blend of base oils
- Evening Primrose Oil - another beautiful oil that is expensive but
very good for the skin, use in small quantities in a blend of base oils
- You can use oils such as olive oil, canola, soyabean, safflower,
sunflower, but I prefer to keep these in the kitchen (just a personal
thing)
- Make sure the oil is cold-pressed.
Suggested Books
* The Directory of Essential Oils by Wanda Sellar (1992) I continue to
refer to this book when I want a quick reference for a specific
essential oil.
* Complete Aromatherapy Handbook by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi (1990) A
beautiful book - you will fall in love with aromatherapy if you read
this one!
* The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia (1995) This
tome is textbook material on aromatherapy.
* Respected aromatherapists who are authors - Valerie Ann Worwood,
Shirley Price, and Robert Tisserand. There are many others - go to your
bookstore - virtual or offline - and browse. Or go to your local library
and find one or two books that appeal. Enjoy.
Cheers,
Annette Ramsey
Copyright © 2002 Annette Ramsey
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