Archive for March, 2010

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Aromatherapy Oils - Health Benefits Of Melissa Essential Oil

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Melissa oil is obtained by the process of extraction from the Melissa tree flowers, leaves, and stems. It has very sweet citrus-like icy cool aroma. Melissa essential oil is widely used in herbal medicines and in the perfume industry.

Some of the many uses of Melissa essential oil are listed below:

  • Melissa oil has excellent antidepressant and sedative properties. It is therefore used in the treatment of hysteria, high blood pressure, and panic like conditions.
  • While taking a bath, you can add a few drops of Melissa oil to the warm water. It helps in curing fungal skin infections.
  • Pour a few drops in any good massage oil and blend it thoroughly. A massage with this oil gives immediate relief from headache, fever, and depression.
  • Melissa oil is also used in the treatment of cold sores at its initial stage.
  • Certain formulations are used in the preparation of Melissa oil for the treatment of the digestive system. It can cure flatulence and obesity as well.
  • Melissa oil is very helpful in curing insect bites. Take 4 to 5 drops of pure Melissa oil and mix it with about 5 ml of olive oil. Apply this mixture on the affected area and you will get an instant relief from the itching sensation caused by insect bites.
  • Melissa oil, being a very good insect repellent, is widely used in mosquito repellents as well as in other insect repelling formulations.
  • Melissa oil is extensively used in the treatment of asthma and many other respiratory ailments.
  • It is also widely used in manufacturing a variety of perfumes.
  • Melissa oil is used in the treatment of acne and pimples by many aroma therapists. Since it is a skin irritant oil, you must consult your family doctor before using it for this purpose.
  • Melissa essential oil is also known for its antiviral properties. Therefore, it finds use in the manufacturing of certain medicines for the treatment of flu, herpes, mumps, and small pox.
  • If you happen to suffer from palpitations and feel that your heart beat has increased abnormally, get a massage using Melissa essential oil diluted with olive oil. You will find it very soothing and experience a highly calming effect.

Since Melissa essential oil is very strong, it should always be used after blending with a carrier massage oil. If your skin is sensitive to allergies, you should always consult your therapist before starting to use it.

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How To Heal Cuts | Aromatherapy Wound Treatment

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Cuts and bruises are a common phenomenon in our day to day lives, especially when the levels of physical activity are high. Cuts are quite common in children on account of field activities coupled with carelessness.

There are a lot of natural remedies to treat cuts and bruises; however, aromatherapy is one of the most effective remedies to treat cuts. Aromatherapy involves the deployment of plant extracts like distillates, hydrates, and essential oils to treat various afflictions. Aromatherapy treatment is very effective and has minimal side effects as it uses natural plant extracts.

There are certain essential oils that help in curing wounds by reducing the bleeding, accentuating the process of blood clotting, and reducing its proneness to infection. The specifics of aromatherapy to cure cuts and bruises are listed below:

  • You may use a variety of essential oils like thyme essential oil, peppermint essential oil, pine essential oil, Melissa essential oil, lemon essential oil, lavender essential oil, juniper essential oil, and the like.
  • You must dilute these essential oils with carrier oils like walnut oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil. The dilution should be to the extent of 2.5%.
  • You must first clean the wound and apply pressure around the area so as to stop the bleeding. You should then apply the diluted essential oil on the wounded area, without too much rubbing or massaging.
  • You may also use a blend of these essential oils to treat cuts and wounds. For example, you may prepare a blend of lavender essential oil, thyme essential oil and grapeseed essential oil to treat cuts and bruises.
  • You may use calendula essential oil to ameliorate the process of cell division and growth.
  • One of the other ways to deploy essential oils for the treatment of cuts and bruises is to use them to increase immunity against infections. For example, you must use tea tree essential oil regularly to raise your immunity against infections from wounds. Also, you may use plant distillates to prevent bacterial or fungal infections in the case of cuts.

These are the ‘Dos’ in the deployment of aromatherapy to cure cuts. However, there are ‘Don’ts’ as well. You should never use essential oil without dilution. This may lead to adverse effects. You must not use essential oils in excess amounts or at very frequent intervals.

You are recommended to consult your doctor or aromatherapy specialist before you use aromatherapy to treat bruises or any other wounds.

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Essential Oils To Relieve Morning Sickness During Pregnancy

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Pregnant women commonly experience uneasiness starting from the 4th to 6th week of pregnancy; this lasts up to the 14th week. This feeling of immense discomfort in the mornings (or any time of the day) is referred to as morning sickness in pregnant women. Morning sickness is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and aversions to certain food.

There are several ways to relieve morning sickness; they include exercise and pharmaceutical drugs. However, one of the most recommended and highly effective treatments for morning sickness is the deployment of aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is the use of concentrated plant extracts like distillates and essential oils to treat various afflictions. The significant feature of aromatherapy is that it is very effective and has minimal side-effects. You can use a variety of essential oils to relieve morning sickness. You can use lemon essential oil, peppermint essential oil, spearmint essential oil, and ginger essential oil.

Aromatherapy is a boon, but if deployed with ignorance, it may prove a bane. You must always use essential oils with caution, particularly during pregnancy, to avert adverse effects. The different ways one could employ to use essential oils to treat morning sickness are:

  • You may dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil in a 1:1 ratio and apply it behind the ears and on the naval of pregnant women. The application of diluted essential oils must be repeated every three hours. You should keep in mind to refrain from using essential oils without dilution. This is because essential oils are highly concentrated, and if used undiluted, could be harmful.
  • You may inhale essential oils to relieve morning sickness; do this every six to eight hours.
  • You are also recommended to put a drop of the essential oil on your tongue in order to relieve morning sickness.

You are advised to deploy aromatherapy along with exercise and regular diet and sleep so as to enhance the benefits of aromatherapy to cure morning sickness. Also, you must consult your doctor before you undergo aromatherapy treatment for morning sickness.

Although aromatherapy has lesser side-effects, it may cause harm during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. For example, essential oils such as thyme essential oil, marjoram essential oil, sage essential oil, basil essential oil, and oregano essential oil are supposedly hazardous for pregnant women. It is therefore advisable to consult your aromatherapy specialist before you go ahead and use essential oils to cure morning sickness.

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Aromatherapy Oils - Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Oil

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Cinnamon essential oil is obtained from cinnamon tree barks. The extraction is done by using a distillation process. Cinnamon oil has a very strong and pleasant aroma. For ages, it has been known for its medicinal properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, and anti-clotting properties.

Medicinal Uses of Cinnamon Essential Oil

A few of the many uses of the cinnamon essential oil are as follows.

  • Cinnamon essential oil is extremely useful in combating anxiety. Whenever you feel anxious, simply smell the cinnamon oil for a few seconds. It has a very soothing effect, and it also improves brain functioning. Smelling this oil can also cure nausea and help in preventing vomiting.
  • Pour a few drops of cinnamon oil in a glass of warm water and use it as a mouth wash. You will feel very fresh. This will also help to prevent tooth decay as the bacteria present in the mouth are killed by the cinnamon oil. It can also be used for gargling if you are suffering from a sore throat.
  • Cinnamon oil has excellent analgesic properties. Therefore, it finds usage as a pain reliever. For pain in the joints, or even arthritis, pour a few drops of cinnamon oil on a warm compress and press against the affected area. Repeat the process three to four times. You will get immediate relief from the pain and inflammation.
  • Cinnamon oil can also be used in treatment of cramps. Make a warm compress and add a few drops of cinnamon oil and apply on the cramped area for a few minutes. You can use this process even for treatment of abdominal cramps that occur during the menstrual period.
  • Since cinnamon oil possesses a healing ability, you can use it on minor cuts and bruises. Before applying the cinnamon essential oil you must mix it with some carrier oil in order to dilute it.
  • A few drops of cinnamon oil can be added in the food while cooking. It helps in controlling blood pressure and diabetes. It is also helpful for the heart patients who suffer from coronary artery disease.
  • Cinnamon oil is also a very good mosquito repellent. Therefore, it is used in manufacturing mosquito repellents.
  • By blending with other carrier oils, cinnamon oil is used in making several aromatherapy oils. It helps in improving blood circulation when used for the purpose of massages.
  • Diluted cinnamon oil can be applied on pimples. Regular use will eliminate the pimple within ten days.

Like all other essential oils, cinnamon oil must also be diluted before use.

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