What is
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a type of Complementary Medicine utilizing essential oils to improve physical, emotional and spiritual well being.
Essential oils are made of different medicinal plants, possess distinctive therapeutic properties which can be used to improve health and prevent disease. Both their physiological and psychological effects combine well to promote positive health.
Essential oils
These natural plant oils are applied in a variety of ways, include massage, baths and inhalations. They are absorbed into the skin and have gentle physiological effects.
Aromatherapy is an especially effective treatment for stress-related problems and a variety of chronic conditions. For over 5.000 years, aromatherapy has been a trusted practice among different cultures and civilizations, such as Egyptian and Roman Empire have used plants and herbs for religious, medical and cosmetics purposes as well for centuries.
How do essential oils work?
Essential Oils works in three main levels: through the sense of smell, through the inhalation and skin absorption.
They can be performed in several different ways:
- Diffusing a combination of essential oils into the air (or just one single oil)
- Inhaling oils through the nostrils directly off of a cloth or from the bottle
- Receiving Aromatherapy Massage utilizing oils
- Soaking in an oil-infused bath
- Rubbing oils directly onto the skin
- Essential Oils are not meant to be swallowed.
Benefits from Aromatherapy
Digestive System: aids digestions, eases digestion, relives IBS and intestinal problems, constipation, flatulence, eses stomach cramps; nausea; nervous indigestion
Reproductive System: balances hormones in PMT( reducing cramps) and menopause problems(especially the depression associate with this); treat dysmenhorrhea; eases child labour pains and speed up delivery
Skin: tonic for dull, oily skins, refreshes and detoxifies, helps cell regeneration , mature skin and wrinkles; scars and stretch marks, thread veins, eczemas; fungal infections; herpes; helps heal bruises; acne; increases elasticity
Muscular System: soothing inflammation, aches and pains ; relieves muscle fatigue, tired legs and veins; can improve performance if used before sport activities; relieves cramps, muscle spasms; useful for sports injuries
Urinary System: Cystitis and urinary tract infections; diuretic helps fluid retention
Nervous System: uplifting for depression; helps to focus the mind and aids concentration; relieves headaches and migraine; fainting fits; neurites; reduces anxiety, tension , insomnia and stress; creates feeling of joy
Respiratory System: effective for all cold and flu symptoms as well as throat infections; catarrh; sinusitis; asthma; infections coughs; expectorant – clears mucus ; bronchitis; calms breathing; reduces inflammation of tonsillitis
Skeletal System: reduces inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis and gout; eases aching joints; eases rheumatism;
Lymphatic System: diuretic thus reduces water retention and oedema; helps cellulite; glandular fever;
Immune System: stimulates and strengthens the whole system
Circulatory System: depending on the oil used they can decrease blood pressure( hypertensive properties) ;or increase blood pressure (hypotensive properties); narrow blood vessels so easy varicose veins, haemorrhoids and heavy bleeding
Some of Therapeutic Actions
- Analgesic
- Antiseptic
- Antiviral
- Antifungal
- Antidepressant
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Aphrodisiac
- Cephalic
- Cicatrisant
- Cooling
- Detoxifying
- Diuretic
- Depurative
- Digestive Tonic
- Emmenagogue
- Expectorant
- Fungicidal
- Haemostatic
- Hypotensive
- Hypertensive
- Laxative
- Mucoylitic
- Nervine
- Rubefacient
- Relaxing
- Sedative
- Stimulant
- Hypertensive
- Tonic
- Uplifting
- Vermifuge
- Vasodilatory
- Vasoconstrictive