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Aromatherapy Essential Oils for Headaches

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Aromatherapy basically refers to the science of using certain essential oils that have been extracted from plants for both psychological as well as physiological treatments. Aromatherapy has been practiced since ancient times as soon as people began to realize and discover the healing properties of certain plants and their fragrances. Therapy for headaches depends on the exact cause of the headaches which may range from migraines, dehydrations, hunger, tumors, high blood pressure and so on.

Aromatherapy for headaches is nowadays being prescribed in the case of frequent mild headaches that do not point out to serious conditions. The use of aromatherapy tends to increase the oxygen levels in the room thereby promoting inhalation of more oxygen by the individual thus helping to heal the headache. Besides this, aromatherapy also helps in calming and relaxing body and reducing stress levels. One of the best essential oils for headaches as part of aromatherapy is peppermint oil. As part of the aromatherapy headache relief one should apply some peppermint oil on the forehead which will then cause the headache to minimize or even completely go away in just 15 – 20 minutes. Some of the other essential oils for headaches are chamomile, sage, basil, Lemon, ginger, rosewood, thyme, eucalyptus and so on.

Aromatherapy for headaches includes inhaling the essential oils for headaches from a tissue or a piece of cloth. Aromatherapy headache relief can also be gained by applying a strong dilution of the essential oil for headaches on ones forehead or gently massaging the area around the head, neck and shoulder. As part of the aromatherapy for headaches one can also go for an aromatherapy bath. Such baths include the use of these essential oils in their bath tub. One should stay in this hot water for at least 20-30 minutes to get the maximum benefits. Inhalation is another method to gain relief from headaches. Boil some water and 5 drops of any of the essential oils for headaches in the water. One should then inhale the steam slowly for over 10 minutes.

Similarly, aromatherapy headache relief can also be obtained by mixing around 2 cups of ice water and then adding approximately 10 drops of essential oils to this water. One should then soak a wash cloth or a towel in this water and after wringing it out well. They should place the towel on their forehead. This is also known to provide immense relief from headaches.

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Essential Oil for Impetigo Infection | Natural Remedies & Cures

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin disease characterized by fluid filled blisters on the face and hands. Although it can affect any person of any age, young children are most prone to be affected by this condition. Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus are the bacteria responsible for impetigo. These bacteria usually affect younger children during summer season.

Impetigo infection can cause your child a lot of discomfort and uneasiness. Sometimes, itching is so severe that your child may scratch the blisters. Hence, you need to be very careful as scratching can result in the spread of the blisters to surrounding areas. For this reason, dressing of the affected area is important. The signs and symptoms of an impetigo infection are as follows:

  • Appearance of tiny fluid-filled blisters that appear around the mouth and nose but may also extend to the hands.
  • Irritation accompanied by an itching sensation on and around the affected areas of skin.
  • After a few days, the blisters eventually burst; thus revealing oozing, red skin.

Since impetigo infection is very contagious, you need to take utmost care while handling the patient. Take following steps in order to prevent the spreading of the infection:

  • The patient’s clothes should be immediately soaked in a microbial solution.
  • You should wash your hands often using an antiseptic soap.
  • Bandages and dressings should be burnt immediately after removal.
  • The environment should be kept clean and dry.

Although the treatment of impetigo infection is usually done by administering certain specific antibiotics; there are a number of natural remedies that help in the cures for impetigo. Aromatherapy is one of those natural therapies that can be used. In aromatherapy, certain essential oils extracted from herbal plants and are used for treating an impetigo infection. The most effective oils for the treatment of an impetigo infection are lemon grass essential oil, tea tree essential oil, lavender essential oil, and patchouli essential oil. You can prepare a blend by adding 3–4 drops each of these essential oils in 50 ml of carrier oil such as jojoba or olive oil. Apply this mixture on the affected areas using a cotton swab at least three times a day.  It not only provides relief from the pain and itching but also helps in the quick healing of the blisters and patches. You could also add two drops each of patchouli oil and tea tree essential oil to 50 gm of aloe vera gel, and apply the mixture on the blisters three times a day. This is also a great impetigo home remedy. However, since impetigo is a bacterial infection, it is always better to consult your doctor first and get proper medical treatment; alternative treatment methods can be used complementary to the medication.

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Essential Oils for Psoriasis | Natural Cures & Remedies

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Psoriasis is a skin disorder in which the reproduction and division of skin cells takes place very rapidly. This condition results in dry and red patches on the skin. Usually, psoriasis affects the skin on the scalp, around the joints, ears and genital area. Although the specific causes of the disease are not yet known, following factors may lead to the emergence of psoriasis:

  • Some other prolonged infections of the skin.
  • Family history.
  • Suppressed immune system.
  • An abnormality in the skin growth mechanism.
  • Intake of certain medicines may also result in psoriasis.

The signs and symptoms of psoriasis are as under:

  • Dry and red patches on the knees, elbows, and ears.
  • Irritation and itching sensation on the patches.
  • Appearance of silver color scales on the affected areas of skin.
  • Bad body odor.
  • Emotional stress and headache.
  • Feeling of loneliness and helplessness.

Though there is no specific treatment for curing psoriasis, the effects and discomfort can be considerably reduced by using certain psoriasis remedies. In aromatherapy, there are certain essential oils for psoriasis treatment that greatly reduce the itching and spreading of the patches. The most effective and widely used essential oils for curing psoriasis are lavender essential oil, tea tree essential oil, Roman chamomile oil, sandalwood essential oil, and bergamot essential oil.

For best results, take two drops each of all these essential oil and mix thoroughly with 50 ml of jojoba or olive oil. Apply this mixture on the affected area three times a day with a cotton swab. Prior to applying this oil, do clean the affected area with a good antiseptic solution. This is a great natural treatment for curing psoriasis. You can also take aromatherapy baths using these essential oils. For an aromatherapy bath, add two drops each of the essential oils in your bath tub and immerse yourself in the warm water for about half an hour.

Some of the other great natural cures for psoriasis are mentioned below:

  • Extract a cup of bitter gourd juice and add one teaspoon of lemon juice to it. Drinking this concoction on an empty stomach for one week will give you considerable relief.
  • Mix equal quantities of garlic oil and aloe vera gel and apply it on the affected areas of your skin. Wash your skin after half an hour. Using this remedy twice a day will provide considerable relief from the skin problem.

It is advisable to consult your doctor before trying any of the above mentioned remedies Do seek medical opinion before attempting to self-medicate.

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Aromatherapy Treatment For Hay Fever

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Scientifically called allergic rhinitis or pollenosis, hay fever is an inflammation of the nasal passages, particularly caused as an allergic reaction. When an individual with a sensitive or feeble immune system inhales dust or pollen, antibodies are formed as an allergic reaction to combat the foreign particles or antigen (pollen or dust particles). These antibodies bind with the mast cells in the nasal airways, which in turn leads to the secretion of histamine. The common hay fever symptoms are itching, inflammation, swelling, and production of mucus. Hay fever can also lead to rashes inside the nasal passage.

Hay fever can be categorized into following two kinds:

  • Seasonal: This form of hay fever outbreaks with the onset of the pollen season and usually does not develop in early childhood.
  • Perennial: Perennial hay fever may occur at anytime of the year and it usually develops at a young age.

There are various hay fever remedies, one of the most effective being aromatherapy. Some of the essential oils that can be used for hay fever treatment are as follows:

  • Eucalyptus essential oil is antimicrobial in action and is extremely effective against bacteria and viruses. It is an excellent expectorant and as such, it is a wonderful cure for ailment s of the respiratory tract, including hay fever. It helps break the mucus and relieves nasal congestion.
  • Niaouli essential oil is one of the most potent anti-allergic aromatherapy components. The pollens of the niaouli plants are allergens while the essential oil is anti-allergic in actions. It relieves itching, swelling, and inflammation, the prime hay fever symptoms. It is a wonderful expectorant and thereby relieves mucus congestion in the respiratory tract.
  • Tea tree oil is also effective against allergies. In fact, it is anti-microbial and anti-allergic in action. It primarily relieves mucus in the nasal track, thereby easing respiration.
  • You can also use peppermint essential oil to treat hay fever. It also relieves clogged nose.
  • Rosemary essential oil is also effective against hay fever.
  • Other than these, roman chamomile oil, germanium essential oil, lemon essential oil, and lavender essential oil also help in hay fever relief.

You can rub these essential oils directly on the nose and throat. However, you must mix the essential oils with carrier oils like olive or jojoba oils for the desired effects. Essential oils can also be used as infusions. You must consult an aromatherapy specialist before opting for aromatherapy treatment of hay fever.

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