Archive for May, 2009

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Aromatherapy Hair Care - Essential Oils for Hair Care

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Aromatherapy for hair care is an effective method to treat minor scalp and hair problems. It can also be used on a regular basis to maintain healthy hair. Aromatherapy requires the use of several essential oils and carrier oils. The essential oils are obtained from herbs and medicinal plants and contain the therapeutic benefits of the plants from which they were obtained. However, since these oils are extremely concentrated, they should be diluted in carrier oils.

An aromatherapy oil massage for hair care uses several blends of various essential oils. You can also obtain a suitable blend and massage your hair with this oil on a regular basis. A regular aromatherapy oil massage will help to keep your scalp and hair clean and well nourished. The blend used in an aromatherapy oil massage will depend entirely on your hair type.

If you have oily hair, you can use a blend of Basil, Ylang-ylang and Rosemary essential oils. Basil essential oil promotes hair growth and so does Ylang-ylang. Rosemary essential oil helps to keep the scalp clean and prevents dandruff. These oils should be mixed in a carrier oil like safflower or sunflower oil. If you have normal hair, you can use a blend of Geranium, Lavender and Palmarosa essential oils. Geranium and Palmarosa essential oils help to strengthen the hair and add luster while Lavender oil helps to prevent dandruff and lice. You can use olive oil as a suitable carrier oil. Dry hair can pose serious problems as excessive drying leads to hair damage and breakage. Broken hair ends are more susceptible to splitting. You can use a blend of Myrrh, Rose and carrot seed essential oils. Myrrh is very effective in treating dry hair as it helps to stimulate underactive sebaceous glands. Rose essential oil is very soothing and carrot oil helps to nourish the hair and scalp. Jojoba oil is an effective carrier oil and is especially recommended for dry hair.

You can also use an essential oils hair mask for deep cleansing and nourishment. Add three tablespoons of fuller’s earth to a clean bowl. Add 4 drops each of carrot seed oil and rosemary essential oils. Slice a piece of an avocado and grind it well so that you get about 1 teaspoon of a thin avocado paste. Add the avocado paste to the bowl. Add a spoon or two of freshly pressed apple juice and mix well so that the mixture becomes a thin paste. Apply this paste to your hair and scalp and allow it to remain on for at least 30 minutes before you wash it off. The avocado in this hair mask provides your hair and scalp with essential fatty acids while apple juice provides it with several nutrients.  Rosemary essential oil encourages hair growth and carrot seed oil gives the hair a smooth lu

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Aromatherapy Bronchitis Treatment

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Bronchitis is a respiratory disorder in which there is an acute inflammation in the air passages of the lungs. This would include inflammations of the windpipe or trachea, or the large and small bronchi, which are airways in the lungs. The inflammation may be caused by an infection or otherwise. The condition is however one that can be resolved and is in most cases not very serious. Neglecting the condition can however lead to complications that may prove fatal.

Although treatments for this disease are quite effective, the symptoms can be quite disturbing and almost debilitating to some.  A cough is the main symptom, but is a lot more severe and prolonged. The cough may be dry, or there may also be phlegm. The prolonged coughing is likely to cause muscle soreness in the chest and abdomen, and in severe cases it may even cause damage to the chest wall. Wheezing and shortness of breath are also common symptoms that are caused due to the inflammation.

In cases where bronchitis is caused by an infection the use of antibiotics is ineffective as the infections are largely viral. Such treatment is in fact counterproductive as it increases bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Treatments for the symptoms are therefore the best bet as the actual infection resolves naturally. In cases caused by respiratory irritants like particulate matter, smoke or dust, it is necessary to minimize exposure to the irritants. When dealing with natural treatments to relieve the symptoms aromatherapy is possibly the most effective and widely used for all respiratory ailments. They are extremely effective and not as expensive as conventional medications.

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils of fragrant plants and herbs. These oils possess great healing powers, some directly stemming from the fragrances, while others can be attributed to their chemical composition and properties. Some of the commonly used methods of application include baths and soaks, massages, steam inhalation and inhalation with diffusers or vaporizers. Steam inhalations are probably the most popular and widely used for respiratory diseases.

Here are some essential oils that would be recommended for bronchitis treatment:

  • Eucalyptus
  • Peppermint
  • Pine
  • Myrrh
  • Hyssop
  • Thyme
  • Myrtle
  • Spruce
  • Lavender

Here are some examples of how you can use these oils, along with the method of application:
Make a blend with 30 drops of eucalyptus oil, 15 drops of lavender, 12 drops of pine, 6 of marjoram, and 3 of thyme. Store the blend in a glass bottle, and add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water for an inhalation. This is an extremely effective remedy.

For a chest rub you can also make a blend of 5 drops of tea tree oil, and 5 drops of eucalyptus with 20 ml of grapeseed oil. Applying half a teaspoon of the blend onto your chest twice, preferably before going to bed and in the morning, can help signifi

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Aromatherapy Oils - Lemon Essential Oil

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Lemon essential oil is a citrus oil that is used in aromatherapy massages as well as diffusers as it has immense therapeutic benefits. Most essential oils are obtained by the distillation of the plant material. However, the high temperatures required for distillation would destroy several of the therapeutic and aromatic compounds in this oil. Therefore, it is important to use lemon oil that has been obtained through the cold-press method.

Lemon oil has immense therapeutic value. It is often used in diffusers and in massage oils as an anti-rheumatic and anti-sclerotic agent. A drop or two can be added to a diffuser to treat headaches and migraines. Lemon oil also aids blood flow and improves the circulatory system. Because of this, it is often used to reduce blood pressure and stem nose bleeds. It can be used in a diffuser or used during inhalation to relieve respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, cough and flu. It also helps to boost the immune system and so it is very useful in fighting off infections brought on by a deficient immune system. Lemon oil is also used to treat dyspepsia and cellulite. It is also an effective antimicrobial and antiseptic bactericide. It can be added to a bucket and used to clean the floors.

Lemon oil is widely used in cosmetic products as it has strong antifungal and anti-bacterial properties. Lemon oil can be added to face washes, face scrubs, face masks and mud packs to increase the effectiveness of the products. It is suitable for treating acne. Acne is caused by the buildup of dead skin cells and oil within the pores of the skin. Lemon oil is citric in nature and helps to dissolve the excess oil within the pores. It also reduces the production of sebum and therefore can also be used to prevent acne flares. Lemon oil is acidic and helps to remove dead skin cells present on the surface of the skin. This is why it is commonly used in face scrubs – to help to keep the skin clean, smooth and clear. As Lemon oil is a natural bleach it can be added to face masks and mud packs to eliminate tanning and tan marks.

Lemon oil is often added to diffusers for it aromatic properties. This oil has a refreshing and rejuvenating aroma. It promotes an atmosphere of purity and freshness. It is known to alleviate mental fatigue, depression and anxiety.
Lemon oil is a concentrated oil that should be mixed with a carrier oil before application. It is best to consult an aroma-therapist who will be able to blend several oils to suit your specific

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Aromatherapy Bath Oil Uses

Friday, May 29th, 2009

An aromatherapy bath can be a lot more than just a bath or a way to relax and keep clean. With our hectic lifestyles the tub or shower is one are that gives you time to yourself. Bathing is therefore also the best time to calm down, de-stress, reflect on life and your place in the world, and maybe meditate. Aromatherapy encourages the use of bath oils because these oils can significantly enhance the value of your bath time. These oils are not just soothing and relaxing when added to your bath. They also invigorate you, and can be therapeutic for a number of skin conditions and other disorders.

The use of aromatherapy bath oils is so popular and recommended by aromatherapists for the simple reason that its benefits are wide in scope as it encompasses the healing effects of both inhalation and direct contact. While your skin is pampered and treated to the luxurious bath oils, your olfactory system and respiratory system is also pleasured with the aromatic vapors produced by the hot water. Below are some of the many benefits that you can derive from a soak with aromatherapy bath oils.

  • Essential oils added to your baths can be used to treat a variety of skin ailments like acne or certain rashes. In a bath the essential oils can work directly on your skin, nourishing and healing it.
  • Its effects of stress reduction and relaxation are derived through both the inhalation and the comfort of the soak. This also works to induce a relaxed and stress free sleep. Many bath oils also possess sedative properties and they are very helpful for sleep disorders like insomnia.
  • The warmth and the direct action of bath oils on your body can be very beneficial for muscular ailments and aches and pains. It can be therapeutic for conditions like arthritis or gout.
  • Aromatherapy baths also stimulate and calm the central nervous system and improve circulation throughout the body. This can help patients suffering from circulatory disorders like hypertension or rheumatic fever.
  • Aromatherapy baths are also a blessing for patients suffering from respiratory disorders, particularly chronic conditions like asthma. Eucalyptus oil is probably the most popular and effective for respiratory conditions.
  • Aromatherapy bath oils also possess antifungal properties that make them very useful for treating fungal infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm. Tea tree oil is the most popular oil for antifungal treatments.

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