Archive for February, 2010

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Aromatherapy Oil - Niaouli Essential Oil Uses

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

An evergreen tree, found typically in Australia and Madagascar, niaouli essential oil is extracted from the niaouli tree (botanical name Melaleuca quinquenervia). The process of extraction used is steam distillation, and the oil is usually extracted from the leaves and twigs. Niaouli essential oil has an earthy and musty aroma, and it is clear in color.

Health Benefits of Niaouli Essential Oil

Niaouli essential oil has antiseptic and disinfectant properties.

  • It is used mostly to treat bronchitis, colds, coughs, flu, and sore throats.
  • It is also used in the treatment of many skin conditions such as acne. Niaouli essential oil is an integral component in many cosmetic products such as creams, lotions, and soaps because of its benefits regarding skin conditions. A more detailed explanation of the benefits of niaouli essential oil has been given below.
  • Niaouli essential oil is an effective remedy for pain. Owing to its analgesic properties, the oil helps in easing discomfort and relieving pain.
  • Niaouli oil also works as a mild local anesthetic, which, in turn, helps to desensitize the area and numb the nerves. This further helps in easing pain.
  • In particular, niaouli essential oil is useful in for relieving migraines, toothaches, earaches, sprains, and joint pain.
  • Apart from its use as a general pain killer, niaouli essential oil can also be used as an effective complementary therapy for rheumatism. Since the oil stimulates the lymphatic system and increases blood circulation in the body, it helps considerably as an anti-rheumatic agent.
  • Niaouli essential oil is also useful for people suffering from gout as it prevents the accumulation of uric acid at the joints.
  • Owing to its antiseptic and disinfectant properties niaouli essential oil is good for fighting any kind of infection. It can be used on both internal and external wounds as it prevents the wounds from getting septic and infected. It does so by controlling and limiting bacterial growth in the region.
  • Niaouli essential oil has also been known to be effective in controlling fevers.
  • As mentioned earlier, niaouli oil is extremely useful in clearing respiratory congestion. It helps with a number of respiratory problems such as coughs, colds, sore throats, and whooping cough.
  • Niaouli essential oil improves lung efficiency and eases breathing by clearing out clogged phlegm.
  • Niaouli essential oil is a well-known stimulant. It increases blood circulation, improves metabolism and digestive functions, triggers the endocrine system, corrects hormonal imbalances, and increases the body’s immunity. By stimulating all important organs and systems, the oil helps in boosting overall health.
  • Lastly, the oil is helpful in relieving any troubling skin condition and clearing scars. By improving blood flow to the skin, it helps in tissue rejuvenation.
  • It is effective in the treatment of acne marks, cuts, pox, and stretch marks. It can also be used to bring a glow to dull and dry skin.
  • Niaouli oil is available in creams and lotions for cosmetic purposes. Apart from that it can be blended with other massage oils, diluted in baths, and used as soaks. It can also be used in vaporizers and burners.

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Aromatherapy : Natural Bladder Infection Remedy

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Infections of the urinary bladder, or cystitis, are quite a common ailment, especially among women. Such infections are most common when women are in their reproductive years. Most bladder infections are caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the urinary tract. This also explains why women are more prone to such infections—due to the short length of the urethra and the proximity of the urethra to the vaginal and anal areas, where the presence of the bacteria is higher.

Some other factors that can lead to bladder infections are:

  • Sexual intercourse, especially anal sex can increase the chances of contracting a bladder infection because there are more chances of the bacteria from the anus or vagina to enter the urethra.
  • Pregnancy can also increase a woman’s susceptibility to a bladder infection. This is because the bladder is less likely to be emptied fully due to the undue stress placed on it because of the pregnancy.
  • Using a diaphragm can also increase the risk of contracting such an infection. This is because the spermicide used with a diaphragm kills of the good bacteria in the vagina and allows the harmful bacteria to flourish.
  • Improper flow of urine, either due to a stone in the urinary tract, pressure from an enlarged prostate, or other obstructions, can also lead to bladder infections.

Symptoms Of Bladder Infections

  • Frequent urination or desire to urinate.
  • A burning sensation while passing urine.
  • Desire to urinate at night.
  • Pus or presence of blood in the urine.
  • Mild fever.
  • Cloudy appearance of urine accompanied with a foul smell.
  • Urinary incontinence

Aromatherapy for bladder infection cure

Although there are a number of allopathic medicines available for the treatment of bladder infections, aromatherapy is a good option for those looking for a more natural form of treatment. There are several aromatherapy essential oils that can be used to treat such infections. These oils are potent bactericides, so they are as effective in killing off the harmful bacteria that cause bladder infections as traditional allopathic medicine. What’s even better is the fact that aromatherapy essential oils have very few side effects, if any.

Some of the aromatherapy essential oils that can be used to treat bladder infection include:

  • Bergamot
  • Cajeput
  • Chamomile
  • Clary Sage
  • Cypress
  • Clove
  • Juniper berry
  • Peppermint
  • Pine
  • Rosemary
  • Sandalwood
  • Tea tree

The most common modes of application are by performing an aromatherapy massage with these essential oils over the affected area or by adding these essential oils to your bath. Do remember never to apply concentrated essential oil directly to your bare skin. It must always be diluted with a carrier oil before application.

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Scalp Massage : Techniques And Benefits

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Scalp Massage Techniques: While there are many ways in which one can administer a scalp massage, it is still one of the simplest forms of massage. Not only can you give a friend a scalp massage, but you can also give yourself one. With regard to technique, a scalp massage requires circular movements, which can be done with finger tips or the base of the palm. When administering a scalp massage, it is best to begin on the sides, or the temporal region, which is close to the ears. Moving in a circular fashion, apply pressure to the head and move toward the centre and top portion on the head. An important point to note when giving a scalp massage is that the pressure should be light and the movement slow. If you move your hands or fingers to quickly and with force, you risk pulling and breaking hair. To avoid hair pulling and breaking, press down on the scalp gently and move your fingers in a circular manner, as mentioned before.

Apart from this common technique, another kind of scalp massage is called a cup massage. As the same suggests, when using this technique, you need to form a cup with your hand and slowly move your fingers by pulling them inwards and outwards. This helps to move the scalp also, increasing blood flow and relieving stress. Using the fingers in this manner is akin to acupressure, wherein the pressure points are stimulated by the use of pressure.

Before beginning any massage, keep in mind that the person who is receiving the massage should be seated in a comfortable chair. Also, you should position yourself such that you can easily move your fingers around the person’s head.

Benefits Of Scalp Massage: Massage therapy in itself has an important role in to play in most traditional and alternative forms of treatment. The reason for this is that massaging an area not only stimulates circulation and blood flow to the affected area but also stimulates the lymph system and helps to relax the underlying muscles and tissues. Massages are extremely effective for relieving pain and inflammation.

With respect to a scalp massage, there are several benefits both physical and physiological in nature.

  • Since the human scalp is replete with nerve endings and majority of the nervous system located inside the skull, along with the brain, a good scalp massage stimulates the nervous system.
  • A scalp massage increases blood flow to the head thereby easing stress and chronic headaches.
  • It also causes the release of endorphins, which, in turn, helps in relieving pain in the area.
  • Scalp massages have also been regarded as the ideal way to de-stress, and are known to be effective as relaxing and calming techniques.
  • Apart from the physiological benefits of scalp massages, they are also very useful in preventing hair fall and dandruff. Since the massage stimulates the flow of blood to the scalp region, as mentioned before, it allows the hair follicles to receive the necessary nourishment. This ensures that your hair and scalp both remain healthy.

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Aromatherapy Oils - Health Benefits Of Apricot Kernel Oil

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

The apricot fruit is rich in vitamins and is used to prepare apricot kernel oil. This is a gentle natural oil that is commonly used in baby products due to its mildness. The oil is cold-pressed from the dried seed or kernel of the apricot fruit. It has a light color and a pleasant sweet smelling fragrance. Apricot kernel oil is often used in the production of lotions, balms, creams, and other cosmetics.

Apricot Kernel Oil For Skin And Hair Care

  • The specialty of apricot kernel oil is that it is able to seep into the skin without causing oiliness. It is well known for containing a high amount of vitamin E. It is used to soften the skin and is also commonly used as a massage oil as well. It is used in combination with a carrier oil for aromatherapy solutions.
  • The apricot kernel contains a good amount of essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid and oleic acid, and is rich in vitamin A. Due to the ease with which it penetrates the skin; it is effectively used to treat dryness and other skin irritations.
  • It also serves as a beneficial moisturizer and can be used on the face and hands.
  • Dry, sensitive skin that suffers from premature aging requires vitamin A and vitamin C. Apricot kernel oil helps to maintain the elasticity of such skin and helps to make it supple.
  • Apricot kernels may even be crushed and used to prepare a beneficial facial mask to improve health and appearance of the skin.
  • Apricot kernel oil may also be used in the treatment of asthma and coughs as well.
    Skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema may be relieved through application of this oil.
  • It also works effectively to alleviate inflammation and soothe the skin when combined with an equal part of St. John’s Wort oil.
  • An effective facial mask can be prepared using a couple of drops each of rose, neroli and frankincense oils, six teaspoons of apricot kernel oil and one teaspoon of honey and ground almonds.
  • Adding apricot kernel oil to tea tree, lavender and geranium essential oils also helps in the treatment of acne.
  • Apricot kernel oil is also serves as a beneficial treatment for the hair. Used as a hot oil treatment, it helps to promote radiant and healthy hair when massaged into the scalp.
  • The oil also has dietary benefits and can be used as a dressing for salads due to its high content of essential fatty acids.
  • Medicinally, the oil may be used in the treatment of bronchitis, and also works as a laxative.

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