Aroma The Rap Thy
Aroma The Rap Thy
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Aromatherapy Natural Scents that Help & Heal
Contents
Contents .............................................................................................................3
Conclusion .......................................................................................................24
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Aromatherapy Natural Scents that Help & Heal
Introduction to Aromatherapy
You have probably heard the term Aromatherapy and wondered what
exactly that funny word, aromatherapy actually means. It is the use of
plant oils in there most essential form to promote both mental and physical
well being. The use of the word aroma implies the process of inhaling the
scents from these oils into your lungs for therapeutic benefit.
If you have ever used a vapor rub for a cough then you have tried
aromatherapy, although not in its purest form. As a matter of fact, you
probably have been using aromatherapy on yourself and your family for
many years without realizing it through vapor rubs or electric vaporizers.
Vicks or other brands of vapor rub use eucalyptus or menthol to clear out
stuffy chests and noses. Imagine if you used the undiluted essential oil of
eucalyptus how clear your lungs would feel.
In the 14th century when the bubonic plague hit, killing thousands of
people, aromas were used to ward off the deadly disease. There is even
discussion that the popular nursery rhyme, Ring Around the Roses refers
to aromatherapy. The lines, a pocket full of posies allegedly refers to
keeping the flower in ones pocket in an attempt to keep the illness away.
Moving forward through later centuries a growth in books about the use of
oils in healing grew.
The Greek alchemist, Paracelcus, used the term essence and focused
study on the use of plants for healing purposes.
While the use of essential oils for perfume continued to grow throughout
the ages its use for medicinal purposes waned slightly until around 1928.
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The story is told that he burned his forearm and reflexively placed it in the
closest liquid he saw, which was lavender essential oil. He was surprised to
find that the burn healed rapidly and left no scar. It was then that he began
using the term aromatherapy and wrote about the powers of essential oils.
Today, many people are trying to get back to nature. People have seen first
hand the dangerous effects of synthetic chemicals and processed
medications.
The use of all natural essential oils for medicinal, cosmetic, and therapy
purposes continues to grow. Many people have found the results of using
aromatherapy to be far greater then man made medications and with far
fewer negative side effects.
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Quality and Safety Control
Essential oils that are used in aromatherapy are not always easy to find. The
Food and Drug Administration does not regulate essential oils so you, the
consumer, will have to carefully read the ingredients of any oil you
purchase to make sure that it is in its purest form.
In order to get the most benefit from aromatherapy, oils in their purest form
should be used.
Light exposure decreases the ability of an essential oil to work, so only buy
oils that are sold in dark bottles.
The term oil is often a misnomer as many of them are not at all oily. To
test how distilled an oil is try dropping it on a piece of paper to see if it
dissolves quickly and does not leave an oil spot.
If you have a health store in your area shop there instead of a perfume store.
It is more likely that they will have real essential oils for sale.
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Follow the instructions carefully when making any essential oil compound.
If a recipe says one drop, use only one drop. Anyone who has a nut allergy
should also avoid carrier oils derived from nuts.
Some oils can be toxic if ingested even in small amounts. In general, unless
specified for oral use, essential oils should not be ingested.
Essential oils stored in a cool dry place, and tightly capped will last six to
twelve months. It is important to keep as little oxygen in contact with the
oils as possible, so you will want to store them in full bottles, stepping
down the bottle size as needed.
Essential oils should never be put on your skin in their undiluted form.
They can irritate your skin quickly and cause a chain reaction that will
make you sensitive to that oil for a lifetime.
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Hazardous Essential Oils
Some essential oils are very dangerous. These oils should not be sold at all,
but can still be purchased over the internet or at less reputable shops.
Others, may be safe in some instances but can be rather dangerous if used
in certain circumstances. Before you take on an aromatherapy plan, take
time to understand which oils are safe. Keep in mind that just because
something is all natural does not necessarily mean that it is not hazardous to
your health.
Clary sage should not be used while drinking as it will intensify the
effects of the alcohol causing it to act like a narcotic.
Some oils can cause allergies, such as citronella, clary sage, ylang
ylang, and verbana oils.
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Methyl salicyalte is the active ingredient in aspirin and sweet birch
essential oil. If you use aspirin for medicinal purposes you should
avoid it due to the risk of overdose. It should also be kept away from
children as it smells sweet and is equally dangerous to them.
While the list above are oils that can be dangerous in certain situations
there are other oils that should not be used in aromatherapy at all. These
oils can be caustic if inhaled and should be avoided at all costs. This is not
a comprehensive list, you should do research on any oil you plan to use
before you purchase it.
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Horseradish - Eye, skin, nose, and mucus membrane irritant.
Cedarleaf Thuja
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There are some essential oils that are highly toxic and should never be used
in any circumstance.
Pennyroyal
Rue
Sage
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Your Basic Care Kit
If you are just beginning your journey with essential oils and aromatherapy
there are a few oils that will help you get started. These are some of the
easiest to find yet versatile essential oils. Not only are they used for
therapeutic purposes but can also be used in many other applications.
An aroma diffuser puts the essential oils into the air quickly and spreads
them about the room which allows you to get your therapy by just relaxing
and breathing deeply. They come in all different shapes and styles so you
can purchase one that matches the dcor in each room of your home.
Some run with the use of an open flame while others are powered by
electricity. You can even get aromatherapy diffusers that work in your car.
Lavender
Lavender is a non toxic and non irritant essential oil. It is extracted through
steam distillation from flowering tops of the lavender plant. Lavender has
long been a folk remedy used to calm an upset stomach. Lavender has both
soothing and reviving properties.
Lavender oil should be clear to pale yellow in will smell sweet with floral
and woody undertones. It blends well with other floral and citrus essential
oils.
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The vapor form of lavender oil is used to treat all sorts of respiratory
problems including, colds, flu, chest congestions, whooping cough, sinus
congestion, and asthma. Lavender has been used to promote good blood
circulation and stimulate the production for gastric fluids to treat stomach
ailments.
Tea Tree
Tea Tree essential oil is also a non toxic and non irritant but can cause
sensitization in some people. This oil is extracted through steam distillation
from the leaves and twigs of the Tea Tree.
Tea Tree has long been used by the aboriginal people in Australia and is
named for their use of it as an herbal tea. The oil should be a pale-yellow
green or water white color. Tea Tree blends well with lavender, clary sage,
rosemary, and many spice oils.
Tea Tree oil is known for being anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti septic,
and anti viral. In short, it can almost be called a cure-all because it has so
many properties to ward off disease and germs. In Australia it is found in
nearly every household because of these properties.
Tea tree oil can be used as an anti bacterial to cure all sorts of bacterial
infections including the treatment of wounds. As aromatherapy it can be
used to treat coughs, colds, congestion and bronchitis. It can also keep
fungal infections at bay and even cure dermatitis and athletes foot. Tea tree
can be used as a stimulant to hormones and circulation and to boost ones
immune system. Tea tree oil can help remove toxins by opening pores and
promoting sweating which removes uric acid and excess salt and water
from your body.
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Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is non toxic and when diluted is a not irritant. It
can cause some skin irritation because of the menthol properties it holds
and should be used with temperance.
The use of Peppermint has been seen as far back as Egyptian tombs from
1000 BC. It also has a history of use in China and Japan since the earliest
times to treat all sorts of health anomalies.
Peppermint has been studied in the science community and its health
benefits proven. Because of this peppermint oil is available in pill form. It
contains many minerals and nutrients like iron, magnesium, calcium,
omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamins A and C.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a non toxic and non irritant. It is extracted through steam
distillation of the flowering chamomile plant. Chamomile has been used for
over 2000 years in Europe for medicinal purposes. The oil should be a pale
blue that will turn yellow as it ages. It will have a warm, fruity, sweet
smell. Chamomile blends well with lavender and geranium as well as sage
and jasmine.
Chamomile is well known for its calming properties. So much so that it can
be used in aromatherapy to treat nervous disorders, headaches, and
migraines. It is also used to calm allergies and asthma. Many women use it
for the treatment of PMS or to relieve a teething or colicky baby.
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Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is relatively new to the aromatherapy family as it has only been
used for the past few centuries. It is a non irritant but can be extremely
toxic if ingested.
It is colorless as an essential oil but has a distinct pine like scent. The
essential oil is from the leaves of the evergreen eucalyptus tree that is
native to Australia.
Eucalyptus also has a cool and refreshing scent which makes it great for
treating exhaustion and mental disorders.
Geranium
Geranium has many healing properties but can cause some sensitization and
influence hormone secretions so it should not be used by expectant
mothers. Geranium oil blends well with citronella, lavender, orange, lemon,
and jasmine.
It has anti bacterial and anti microbial properties to help stave off infections
of many kinds.
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Rosemary
Although Rosemary is considered non toxic and non irritant when diluted it
should be avoided by epileptics, expectant mothers, and those who have
high blood pressure.
When used in aromatherapy Rosemary oil can help to boost mental stamina
and increase brain activity. It can also treat depression, mental strain, and
forgetfulness. When one inhales Rosemary they will immediately feel
uplifted making it excellent for relief of fatigue. It can also clear your
respiratory tract and relieve sore throats, colds, and coughs.
Around your home Rosemary can be used as an air freshener and bath oil.
Thyme
Thyme essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from fresh or partially
dry leaves and flowering tops of the Thyme plant. The oil should be red,
brown or orange in color. It has a spicy and pungent odor. Thyme was one
of the first plants used in Western herbal treatments mainly for respiratory
and digestive health problems.
Thyme is anti bacterial, when used in its aromatic form it can prevent
bacterial growth in and outside of your body. It is able to cure lung, larynx,
and pharynx infections without effecting the rest of your organs like
prescription cough medicines. Thyme is also know to boost memory and to
treat depression.
Thyme essential oil is used as an insecticide both around the home and on
your body. It can also help in treating bad breath and body odor.
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Lemon
Lemon essential oil is non toxic but, it may cause skin irritation so it should
be used with restraint. Lemon oil is phototoxic so exposure to sunlight is
strongly discouraged. In Spain Lemon is known as a cure all being used for
everything from fever to arthritis.
The oil will be a pale green-yellow color that turns brown as it ages. It has a
light citrus smell and blends well with fennel, lavender, sandalwood, and
chamomile.
Lemon is very popular for cooking and for its fresh scent. As aromatherapy
it can aid in the relief of stress, anxiety and fatigue.
The scent of lemon helps to increase concentration and alertness and bring
an overall positive sense to those who inhale it. Lemon has also been used
in treating coughs and colds and it the treatment of asthma.
Clove
Clove oil should be used with extreme care. It can cause mucus membrane
irritation and severe skin irritation. As such it should only be used sparingly
and well diluted.
The buds, leaves, stems, and stalks of the clove plant are distilled with
water to extract the essential oil. It should a pale yellow color with a spicy
scent.
Clove mixes well with sage, allspice, lavender, and rose. Clove has been
used all over the world for centuries. It can be used to season food as well
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as for medicinal benefit. Clove contains many minerals including calcium,
iron, potassium, and vitamins A and C.
Clove has many health benefits, namely in the form of dental care. It has
germicidal properties that aid in relieving tooth aches, gum sores, and
ulcers in the mouth. It can also help relieve a sore throat.
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Essential Oil Properties
The properties of essential oils are what make them so beneficial. While
most of them smell pleasant, that is just a by product of their real benefit.
The term essential oil may sound simple, but they are actually complicated
chemical compounds.
In some essential oils there may also be oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur
atoms. By familiarizing yourself with the chemical make up of essential
oils you can understand how they might benefit your health. In turn you
will also be able to understand why some oils are hazardous.
Ketones have relaxing and sedative properties. They are also an anti
coagulant and can stimulate the immune system.
Coumarins are anti convulsant and anti coagulative. They can also be
used as a sedative.
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Active Listening How to Communicate Better
Diffuser Mixtures
For Attentiveness - 1 drop Cypress, 2 drops Cedarwood, 2 drops Lemon, 1
drop Pine.
Shake this mixture well before each use. Spray every day to keep your
bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
2 T. white vinegar
2 c. hot water
Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into
spray bottle for long-term storage and use. Spray as needed on any surface
except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean damp, cloth.
Disinfectant Spray
3 drops Cinnamon Leaf
2 drops Frankincense
10 drops Bergamot
30 ounces water
Microwave Cleaner
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
Wash the glass turntable by hand. This recipe will get rid of food odors.
Floor Cleaner
1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Saturate a sponge and squeeze out the
excess. Wash surfaces of tired and dirty wood. The vinegar smell will
dissipate soon. Dry with a soft cloth.
Conclusion
The use of essential oils can be beneficial to your health. These products in
their natural form promote overall well being for those who use them.
Instead of using complicated man made chemicals, you use products what
nature intended.
Not only can you maintain health but you can ward off illnesses like colds
and flu just by inhaling lovely scents in your home, car, or office. The use
of essential oils will improve your health and raise your energy level.
Aromatherapy can even relieve tension and calm nerves. By using these
complex organic compounds you can feel better and look better.
If you are just beginning your journey into the world of aromatherapy the
kit listed here is a great way to get started. It provides you with commonly
used oils that can be used in many recipes.
You should take time to familiarize yourself with the oils that can be
hazardous especially as they pertain to your health issues or concerns.
Remember that no two people are the same so what is a non irritant to
another person may not be so for you. Simple tests can help you determine
whether you will be allergic to an oil.
As a novice to the field of aromatherapy you should also take note of safety
precautions and hazardous oils. Some less scrupulous sellers, especially
online, will still sell things that you should not use in aromatherapy. If you
see something that looks suspect trust your research and avoid it.
Once you experience the benefits of essential oils you will wonder how you
ever lived without them. Soon your home will be free of man made
chemicals for cleaning and treating illnesses.
Do not underestimate the power of ridding your home of the scent of bleach
and strong household cleaners. Imagine what taking those smells into your
lungs does to your respiratory system. Now think of how it feels to breathe
in fresh healthy air. This is what happens when you use essential oils to
maintain a clean home. You and your whole family will be able to breathe
easier and feel better. All of this by using natures essential oils through
aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is for you. It is meant to benefit your health and well being.
All the tools you need are some high quality, natural oils and a few recipes.
More important is the knowledge that you do not have to do harm to
yourself to keep your body and home free of germs, bacteria, and negative
energy.
So, find a health food store and start stocking up on oils that you like. Smell
them all and see which invigorates you. Build a beginner kit and start
healing yourself with essential oils. Once you do that your only job is to
breathe.