Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a modern name
for the ancient knowledge of healing
and improving health using fragrant,
natural ingredients.
These ingredients, called essential oils,
are found in herbs, plants, flowers, fruits
and the bark, roots or resins of some trees.
Essential oils give the aroma
to the plant, but they also contain
dozens of complex chemicals
that seem to do everything
from beautifying skin to numbing a headache
or speeding healing.
Even if you think that you have never
come across the oils before,
all of us are affected by them each day.
Every time that you peel an orange
the essential oil squirts out of
the tiny pockets in the skin,
and because it is so volatile
it evaporates into the air.
Releasing it's bitter sweet, tangy,
citrus smell.
Whether you notice or not,
the orange has a refreshing
but relaxing effect.
When you take flowers to someone who is ill,
you are using aromatherapy
to help them feel better.
The essential oils of Rose,
Jasmine, 
Geranium, 
and Lavender
which might be contained within a spray of flowers
are all relaxing oils that settle the nervous system
and instantly improve the spirit.
When you use pure essential oils though,
the beneficial properties are concentrated,
and have an even greater effect on body and mind
rather than you just get from sniffing a spray of flowers.
Essential oils are so complex and magical
that no-one really knows what they are.
Enthusiasts and romantics say that they are
the life force of a plant, similar to the human spirit.
Researchers say that they are a mixture of
organic compounds, such as ketones, terpenes,
esters, alcohols, aldehydes,
and thousands of other molecules,
many too complex or small to classify under a microscope.
What they do rather than what they are,
is much easier to understand.
The molecules of oils are so minute
that they can penetrate human skin
and enter the bloodstream and organs,
before eventually being excreted.
Scientists have found that the same oils
gather in the same parts of the body time after time,
within a few hours of being massaged into the skin.
This is what makes them unique and very therapeutic.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS OF USING AROMATHERAPY
Inhalation
Inhaling the oils with warm steam in a small space
means that you get maximum benefits in minimum time.
It is ideal for treating coughs and colds,
or for treating your skin to a steam facial.
The best method is to place 1 litre of boiling water
in a heat retaining bowl, add five drops of essential oil
to the surface of the water.
Bend forwards over the bowl
and drape a large towel over your head
to trap the evaporating oils and steam.
Inhale the vapours for a few minutes,
then add a little more boiling water
to evaporate off any remaining essential oil.
You may also inhale undiluted oils from a tissue
or handkerchief, but only in moderation.
Two drops of oil tipped directly onto the fabric
is enough to last for several hours.
Place it on your pillow at night or
in your breast pocket or bra during the day.
The best oils for inhalation are:
chamomile for sleeplessness
eucalyptus for chest/nasal congestion
frankincense for depression and anxiety
myrrh for sore throats and coughs
peppermint for energy and concentration, nausea too.
Room
Vaporizers
You can buy essential oil burners
which have a candle holder under a saucer like structure.
Fill the saucer with hot water and add up to 8
drops of essential oil and light the candle
to keep the water hot enough to make the oil evaporate.
They scent the room quickly and only need to be
placed on a steady, safe surface
out of the reach of children or pets.
Top up with water and oil every three to four hours.
You can make your own version by standing a saucer
of hot water on top of a central heating
radiator, although this does not evaporate the oils
as quickly as a candle, it has more direct heat.
You can also buy a ring made of metal, porcelain or
compressed card which will sit on a light bulb
and gently heat the 4 or 5 drops of oil placed on
them. They scent a room quickly
and almost as effectively as the burners.
Electric diffusers (known as nebulizers)
are useful as oils can be
diffused without heating and thus altered.
It is better to use only asingle oil to scent a room,
as the combination of more than one in this
instant don't keep their individual aroma's very well.
The best oils for vapourising are:
bergamot; uplifting, refreshing and deodorizing.
eucalyptus; chest/nasal congestion, mental alertness.
geranium; energizing yet relaxing.
jasmine; euphoria,confidence,dinner parties.
lavender; tension,nerves,tiredness.
mandarin; sleeplessness,soothing,calming.
neroli; calming,soothing,sensual.
peppermint; energy,alertness.
sandalwood; relaxing,mellowing,romantic.
ylang-ylang; hypnotic,sensual,uplifting.
rose; balancing,uplifting.
Just as we all develop favourite foods,
we also have favourite smells.
These stay with us wherever we go,
evoking memories both good and bad.
I wonder how many of you have memories
from your childhood which can be triggered by an aroma?
Aromas have been known to stir
the most beautiful poems and stories
within the minds of us mere mortals !!
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