Introduction to Aromatherapy

Written by Andrea Putting N.D


This article is offered for free use in your ezine or on your web site, so long asrepparttar author resource box atrepparttar 113658 end is included, with hyperlinks. Notification of publication would be appreciated.

Aromatherapy

Aroma – fragrance or smell Therapy - treatment

Aromatherapy is a based onrepparttar 113659 use of pure essential and absolute oils. It is a holistic form of treatment which has been found to work onrepparttar 113660 physical, emotion and spiritual levels. There benefit can be felt psychologically and physically.

The oils used come from a variety of plants and are prepared from flowers, fruit, bark or roots. There is a couple of different methods of preparation used; steam distilled or cold-pressed.

Essential oils are usually used through massage, baths, compresses or inhalation. When they are used in massage and bathing, essential oils are absorbed thoughrepparttar 113661 skin intorepparttar 113662 bloodstream.

Essential oils that are inhaled are believed to offer benefits both psychologically and physically. The oil molecules stimulate scent receptors inrepparttar 113663 brain that trigger a response inrepparttar 113664 part ofrepparttar 113665 brain that influences heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance.

Essential oils are often blended together for specific therapeutic action or just because they create a pleasing aroma. A blend of well selected oils can be of greater benefit than just one oil on its own.

Aromatherapy provides health and body care on a completely natural basis, andrepparttar 113666 subtle qualities ofrepparttar 113667 oils lend themselves best to a gradual experience.

Onlyrepparttar 113668 highest quality of essential oils should be used in aromatherapy. The majority of essential oils produced inrepparttar 113669 world market are used inrepparttar 113670 food flavour and fragrance industry, so essential oils are often found onrepparttar 113671 market adulterated with similar essential oils, chemicals and synthetics.

Not all ready-made aromatherapy products labelled withrepparttar 113672 word 'aromatherapy' are pure and natural. Products that contain artificial ingredients do not provide true aromatherapy benefits. At worst, they provide no benefit

A look at some popular remedies.

Lavender For temporary relief of headaches. Add 6 drops to 10ml base oil or base cream and massage pressure points, or add 6 drops to 10ml Vegetable Glycerine and add mixture to 1 litre of cold water for compress. To help relieve nervous tension, mild anxiety, stress and insomnia. Add 6 drops to 10ml base oil or base cream and massage pressure points. Alternatively add 6 drops to 10ml Vegetable Glycerine and add mixture to bath; or add 6 drops to vapouriser. Temporary relief of bronchial coughs andrepparttar 113673 relief of symptoms of catarrh, cold and flu. Add 6 drops to 10ml Vegetable Glycerine and add mixture to bath; or 6 drops to 1 litre steaming water, cover head with towel and inhale for 5 minutes. Asthmatics should avoid inhalation method. If cough persists, consult a health care professional.

Massage Therapy for Health

Written by Carol Wiley, LMP


Yes, massage feels good. But, more importantly, massage helps maintain and promote good health.

Three ofrepparttar primary health benefits of massage are improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, and relief fromrepparttar 113657 effects of stress.

Massage increases lymph flow and blood circulation. Your body depends onrepparttar 113658 flow of lymph and blood to remove metabolic waste and by-products of tissue damage and inflammation and to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissue cells.

Secondly, massage reduces muscle tension. Tense muscles lead to stiffness, reduced movement potential, impaired circulation, and pain. Massage relaxes muscles throughrepparttar 113659 mechanical effects of pressure on muscle tissue andrepparttar 113660 soothing effects of focused, skilled touch onrepparttar 113661 nervous system, which controls muscle tension.

A third important benefit of massage is relief fromrepparttar 113662 effects of stress. Negative stress is a major factor in many ofrepparttar 113663 diseases that plague our lives. Various sources estimate that 70-90% of visits to general physicians are for stress-related illness.

The effects of stress onrepparttar 113664 body arerepparttar 113665 result ofrepparttar 113666 fight-or-flight response. Here’s howrepparttar 113667 fight-or-flight response works. Let’s say that during a backcountry hike an angry cougar confronts you. You have two choices--run or fight.

Your body prepares for action: your muscles tense, your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure all increase, your liver dumps sugar into your blood stream for energy, and your adrenal glands pump adrenaline into your system. Your body also shuts downrepparttar 113668 digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, which are not needed for immediate survival.

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