Archive for June, 2010

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Aromatherapy Oils - Health Benefits Of Rose Essential Oil

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Rose essential oil is extracted from the petals of various breeds of rose plants, the most common being Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia. Rose essential oil, colloquially called rose oil, can be divided into the following two categories:
Rose Otto – Rose otto or attar of roses is extracted by the process of steam distillation.
Rose Absolute – Rose absolute is extracted either by the process of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction or by the process of solvent extraction.

Rose Essential Oil Uses: Some of the health benefits of rose essential oil are as follows:

  • You can use of rose essential oil for a general purpose, therapeutic body massage. A rose essential oil massage serves to enhance the circulation of body fluids like blood and lymph. Also, it stimulates the body’s organs, including the nervous system, muscles, and glands. In all, rose oil massage can rejuvenate your body and skin.
  • You can add a few drops of rose essential oil in your bathing water to bask in the rich aroma of the oil. It can soothe and relax your body and mind.
  • Rose essential oil can be very effective for pains and cramps. You can add a few drops of rose oil in hot or icy cold water and dip an absorbent material into the water. You can apply this compress on the affected area to relieve body aches and menstrual as well as muscle cramps.
  • Rose essential oil is very effective in relieving ailments of the respiratory system, including asthma and cough. Rose oil infusion can be used to treat respiratory problems.
  • Rose essential oil can also be used to relieve nausea, liver congestion, and hay fever.
  • Rose essential oil is also effective against heart problems like hypertension.
  • Rose essential oil also stimulates the digestive system of the body, thereby aiding digestion.
  • Rose essential oil is particularly useful or those suffering from tension, stress and depression. Its rich aroma can exhilarate your senses, thereby relieving nervous tensions.
  • Rose essential oil can be mixed in skin creams to hydrate and moisturize the skin. It also protects the skin from dermal diseases like eczema.

You must keep in mind that prior to using rose essential oil for direct application on the skin you must mix it with a carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba oil. This is because rose essential oil is highly concentrated and direct application on the skin without dilution can lead to skin rashes and inflammation.

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Aromatherapy Guide | How To Use Essential Oils

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Aromatherapy is a medicinal technique that uses highly concentrated and volatile plant extracts including essential oils, herbal distillates, absolutes, and infusions. It is used for various purposes, some of which are listed below:

  • Aromatherapy is used to relieve various diseases that affect the different physiological systems of the body.
  • Aromatherapy is used to relieve and prevent microbial infections.
  • Aromatherapy is also used to ameliorate the blood clotting and wound healing processes of the body.
  • Aromatherapy is also used to relieve depression, stress, and tension. It is also used to alleviate the mood.
  • The components of aromatherapy may also be used to make perfumes, candles, and air fresheners.

As such, aromatherapy is used for numerous purposes. Since there are different kinds of aromatherapy components with different variants, the mode of usage and application is different as well.

Different Ways To Use Aromatherapy Essential Oils: Some of the ways in which the constituents of aromatherapy, such as essential oils, can be used are:

  • Topical applications: This is a method of applying essential oils directly on the body in the form of massages, baths, and compresses. When you apply essential oils directly on your skin, you must remember to dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated and the direct application of concentrated oils on the skin can cause rashes, inflammation, and even skin damage.
  • Direct inhalation: You can also use essential oils for direct inhalation, straight from the container or in the form of infusions. The direct inhalation of essential oils is primarily recommended for physiological disorders like respiratory congestion or indigestion or for other purposes like expectoration. Direct inhalation is also recommended for its psychological effects.
  • Aerial diffusion: Arial diffusion is meant for aerial disinfection or for other purposes like freshening up the ambience.

Other than the modes of application, you must also be cautious when selecting the essential oils to relieve various afflictions and disorders. Some of the precautions that should be taken while deploying aromatherapy are:

  • You should not use an essential oil on your skin for direct application unless you have tested it on a part of your skin for sensitivity to that essential oil.
  • You must not use these aromatherapy constituents in excess. You should know the quantity of usage of essential oils.
  • You must not use an essential oil for a long time as long term usage of an essential oil may cause may cause your skin to become insensitive or non-reactive to it.

You must consult an aromatherapy specialist to get to know which essential oils to use for various disorders.

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Aromatherapy Essential Oils For Relaxation

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Essential oils are concentrated and volatile plant extracts that are extorted by various processes like steam distillation and solvent extraction. Essential oils can be used for curing various physiological diseases. Also, you can use essential oils for relieving psychological ailments like depression and stress, by relaxing the psyche.

Aromatherapy For Relaxation Stress Relief

Some of the essential oils that can be used for relaxation are as follows:

  • You can use basil essential oil to relieve intellectual or mental fatigue, thereby boosting enthusiasm. It enhances concentration and memory and helps get rid off negativity.
  • You can also try bergamot essential oil to relieve stress, anxiety and tension. It promotes mental balances and also serves to enhance motivation and drive.
  • Cedarwood essential oil helps in relieving mental strain and promotes mental stability. It soothes your mind and can be used for inducing relaxation.
  • Another essential oil that soothes body and mind is chamomile essential oil. It relieves you of discomforting problems such as migraines and asthma and reduces stress, anxiety, and tension.
  • Lavender essential oil also serves to relax your body and mind. It stimulates your physiology and psyche and serves to enhance mood. It combats stress and agitation and rejuvenates your senses.
  • Eucalyptus essential oil is also good for relaxing your body and mind. It combats infections and prevents discomfort. Moreover, it also alleviates restlessness and instability of the mind.
  • Fennel essential oil relieves mental exhaustion and blockage. It instills a sense of motivation and regulates the thought process.
  • Coriander essential oil helps in fighting mental fatigue and stress. It imbibes motivation and optimism, thereby being a beneficial aromatherapy constituent for relaxation.
  • Helichrysum essential oil also helps relieve stress, tension, and lethargies. It also fights bacterial infections, thereby preventing ailments like cold and flu, which can cause a lot of discomfort.
  • Mandarin essential oil is also beneficial for relaxation of the body as well as the mind.
  • Patchouli essential oil also relieves mental tiredness and fatigue and aids in relaxation.
  • Other essential oils that can be used for relaxation are lemongrass essential oil, melissa essential oil, orange essential oil, pine essential oil, peppermint essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, and tuberose essential oil.

There are various ways of using these essential oils such as topical application, aerial diffusion, and direct inhalation. It is a good idea to consult your local aromatherapy specialist before you employ essential oils to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue. If you suffer from any existing medical conditions, do consult your doctor as well.

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Health Benefits Of Anise Essential Oil

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Scientifically referred to as Pimpinella anisum, anise oil is a native of South-West Asia and the Mediterranean region. Anise can be used in several forms; the most commonly employed form being oil. Anise oil is a yellow colored, pale, viscous oil. It is an aromatherapy essential oil and hence has been used in aromatherapy since primitive times.

Let us take a look at some of the properties of anise oil that make it such an important essential oil in aromatherapy.

  • Anise essential oil is an effective carminative. It ameliorates the state of the gastrointestinal tract by preventing the formation of gas in the stomach, thereby combating flatulence. Also, it enhances appetite and promotes digestion.
  • Anise essential oil is also known to be very effective against cramps, especially those in the respiratory tract and stomach.
  • Anise essential oil is also a good expectorant and helps relieve cold and cough.
  • Anise essential oil is also an effective antiseptic. It may be used to quickly heal cuts and wounds and also prevent septic infection.
  • The odor of anise essential oil resembles that of licorice. As such, it can also be used as a mouthwash to relieve bad breath.
  • Anise essential oil can also be used as a powerful insect repellant due to its pungent and strong smell.
  • Anise oil is a potent emmenagogue. It stimulates the female reproductive system and regulates the menstrual cycle, thereby helping relieve pre-menstrual symptoms. Anise essential oil also stimulates the onset of menstruation.
  • Anise essential oil has anti-spasmodic properties and can be used to cure spasms.
  • Anise essential oil is an effective laxative. It relaxes the body and also serves to relieve pain in the muscles. It is also effective in curing insomnia.
  • Anise essential oil can be used to get rid of lice and ticks from the scalp due to its insect repellant properties.
  • Anise oil can be used to clean and purify the intestinal tract by enhancing bowel movements, thereby preventing constipation.
  • Anise oil can also be used in culinary preparations.
  • Anise oil can either be used directly on the skin or consumed in preparations like tea. It can also be inhaled as an infusion. However, while applying the oil directly on your body, you must remember to dilute it with a carrier oil like jojoba or olive oil. It may cause adverse effects, if used without dilution. Also, you should consult an aromatherapy specialist before you use it to treat different ailments.

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