Archive for May, 2009

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Aromatherapy Oils for Pain Relief

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Aromatherapy or the use of essential oils for healing is soothing, natural treatment that has become a prominent alternative medical therapy. Aromatherapy is used for a variety of ailments, from muscle aches and pains, and coughs and colds, to the more serious physical disabilities like spinal injuries, and even for conditions like arthritis. The effectiveness of aromatherapy is still a subject of research, but it is not necessary that the discipline is used as an alternative to conventional pharmaceutical medications. Aromatherapy may be used in conjunction with conventional medical practices to provide relief from many symptoms and conditions that would normally create a reliance or dependence on strong and powerful drugs that can be damaging if used extensively for prolonged periods.

Pain is one such symptom that can be unbearable and excruciating, and most of us will resort to any measures to overcome it. There are as many types of pain as there are causes, and some may be bearable, while others may not. No matter what the source of the pain or the cause, conventional pharmaceutical pain relievers are extremely strong and damaging to your health if used for a prolonged period. This is a fact that any medical practitioner will agree to. There are however, plenty of viable natural options that are just as effective, a lot less risky, and a lot cheaper. Aromatherapy is one such method of treatment that can be used to alleviate pain.

Aromatherapy has long been used for the treatment of ailments and to relieve pain, from ancient India to the Greek city states. It is only in the modern age however that the relevance of aromatherapy came to be recognized, and in the last few decades there has been a resurgence. Aromatherapy is also very versatile in the sense that you can employ different methods of application, depending on your personal preferences, and the condition being treated. The essential oils used in aromatherapy may be applied through inhalation, direct application on the skin, or through baths and soaks.

Depending on the method of application and the oil you choose aromatherapy may work in different ways. It is both psychological and physical, as it relieves stress and helps relax, which also releases tension in the muscles. Some oils may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Examples of a few essential oils should help illustrate the uses and effects of aromatherapy for pain relief.

  • For pain relief aromatherapy is best administered through massages and lotions for direct application.
  • Essential oils like marjoram and basil can reduce soreness and facilitate muscle healing.
  • Birch and wintergreen are useful after an injury or for muscle strain as seen in exercising or even arthritis. They help restore muscle and bone integrity.
  • Peppermint helps relieve stress and pain.

These are just a few examples. Other oils that are popular and just as effective are sandalwood, eucalyptus, and lemon oil to name a few. Many of them even possess antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties, only enhancing their effect

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Aromatherapy for High Blood Pressure

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

high blood pressure Or hypertension is caused by a variety of factors and the most important step is to address all of these causes, so as to keep your blood pressure in check. Aromatherapy helps significantly but relying on aromatherapy alone would be folly. Hypertension treatment requires a multi-faceted approach, with alternative disciplines like aromatherapy, herbal medicine and other natural remedies and practices like yoga or acupressure, backing up and supporting your medical treatment. This means that what you need is a change of lifestyle and dietary habits. Natural methods of treatment can eliminate or reduce your dependency on expensive pharmaceutical medications.

Although we are not sure how aromatherapy works, whether through a chemical reaction or a psychological one, there is little doubt that aromatherapy can help patients suffering from hypertension. Aromatherapy involves the application of essential oils that can be administered in a variety of manners. One method is through inhalation, either with diffusers or steam inhalation. Another method for direct application would be an aromatherapy massage in which a mixture of the essential oil and a carrier oil is massaged into the skin. You can also use aromatherapy through baths or soaks, with essential oils added in.

In the context of hypertension some essential oils are particularly noteworthy. Lavender and chamomile oil are among the most valued of essential oils that have long been believed to help treat hypertension. Orange oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, clary sage and marjoram are some of the other aromatherapy oils that are regareded as therapeutic for high blood pressure. These oils act as mood enhancers or sedatives and relaxants that help relive stress and anxiety, which can accentuate and cause high blood pressure problems.

Apart from the obvious psychological affects because of the effects on the olfactory nerve cells or through scent, aromatherapy oils may also have an effect through chemical reactions when directly absorbed. This would be through massages and soaks. Aromatherapy massages are believed to affect the circulatory system, improving circulation and releasing muscular tension and fatigue.

Aromatherapy has been found to produce beneficial results in some patients afflicted with hypertension and is therefore worth trying out, but in combination with the necessary lifestyle and diet changes. Following a treatment plan, while continuing to subject yourself to a lifestyle that is known to increase risks of cardiac disease, will be of little help. Keep in mind that although natural treatments can minimize the risk of heart disease, but regular blood pressure check ups are es

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Essential Oils for Summer Ailments

Friday, May 15th, 2009

The summer months may offer relief from the harsh conditions of winter but they too bring their fair share of ailments. Summer ailments are however more a product of our outdoor activities rather than the climate itself. Scrapes, bumps, bruises, sunburn, insect bites, and allergies are just some of ailments that plague us at this time of the year.

Aromatherapy essential oils are therapeutic in nature and are an effective natural remedy for sunburn, sprains, muscle pulls, heartburn, indigestion, and even as insect repellants. While most of us are familiar with the soothing and relaxing effects of aromatherapy essential oils, there are many who do not realize the healing powers of these oils. Their health benefits area as varied as their methods of application. This is on account of their healing properties as antiseptic, analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and even sedative agents. Aromatherapy can be used, either as a physical application or inhalant, to treat a variety of ailments.

To make it easier to apply the practices of aromatherapy to your life, as remedies for summer ailments, here is some information on common summer ailments and the aromatherapy oils you can use to treat them.

  • Pollen Allergies: Bronchial and asthma attacks can be quite common in the summer months, as the more time we spend outdoors, the greater the levels of exposure to such environmental allergens. Essential oils can provide relief if used in diffusers or even for steam inhalation. Lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, and chamomile are particularly effective.
  • Sunburn: This is probably the defining summer ailment and it can be quite painful. Gently apply some lavender or chamomile oil to the affected area of skin for quick relief.
  • Fatigue: This is a symptom we often experience in summer. Geranium oil administered either in an aromatherapy massage or a bath can help alleviate the symptom.
  • Insect bites: The more time we spend outdoors the greater the chance of insect bites.Insect bites can be annoying and painful, but aromatherapy does offer some relief. Aromatherapy oils work as natural repellants and you can combine witch hazel or olive oil, with citronella or clove oil to get an effective repellant. You can use lavender or tea tree oil, dabbing it over the affected skin to relieve the irritation and pain. They are also useful as the antibacterial and antiseptic properties prevent any infection.

Apart from the above mentioned uses essential oils like tea tree oil can also be used very effectively against fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Lavender is useful for burns and bruises, while rose and sandalwood oil can cure dry skin problems. Ginger and marjoram oil are great for an aromatherapy massage to relieve muscle tension or sprains and

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How to apply Aromatherapy - Methods of Application

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Aromatherapy is one facet of alternative medicine that is rapidly growing in popularity. To explain it simply, aromatherapy involves the use of aromatic natural plants and herbs to treat a variety of health conditions.  Aromatherapy is often used as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical medications that are often inexpensive and sometimes even contribute to other ill effects. Aromatherapy may be used either as alternative or complimentary treatment, as in certain serious diseases it can not replace conventional medications, but can facilitate healing and minimize the damage from prolonged usage of pharmaceutical medications

The benefits and uses of aromatherapy are vast, and the methods of application of aromatherapy are likewise many. Some of the common and popular methods of applying aromatherapy include the following:

Aromatherapy massage: This is possibly one of the most widespread aromatherapy practices, because of its invigorating and rejuvenating effect. Moreover it provides a luxurious and self indulgent experience. Essential oils are used to prepare the massage oil. This method is very effective, particularly for aches and pains, as in addition to the healing touch of the massage the oils are easily absorbed as they are rubbed into the skin.

Aromatherapy baths and soaks: This is another popular practice that is not just healing but also extremely luxurious. Aromatherapy oils are added to bath water for a soak. This can be a blissfully relaxing experience. This is quite an effective method of application as the oils get absorbed quite easily and rapidly into the blood stream.

Inhalation: This method of aromatherapy application is particularly effective for respiratory relief. It is in fact widely recommended even by mainstream medicine as an effective treatment for a variety of respiratory infections and conditions. It also works on the nervous system as a relaxant, through its effect on the olfactory system. This method is quite simple and can be performed by simply adding some essential oil to steaming water, and inhaling the vapors.  You can even use vaporizers for the purpose.

Compresses: Aromatherapy can also be applied in the form of compresses. This method of application is very handy when dealing with injuries especially, as it provides quick relief from the pain, and can also help reduce inflammation. A compress may be either hot or cold. It depends on the purpose of application, and the nature of the injury.

These are the four of the most widespread methods of application, and although all are effective you need to choose the one best seated to your needs to enjoy the full ben

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