Aromatherapy

 Discovering the wonders of aromatherapy essential oils

 

Even before the dawn of modern civilization, essential oils have been derived and used to heal, relax, and restore people. History says that Egyptians first administered the use of these essential oils in their everyday lives. But, because of the emergence of modern healing, this practice of healing using scents slowly disappeared. 

But now, the impact of using essential oils in healing has regained its rightful place. Blended with the term "aromatherapy," essential oils now play an important role in “holistic” therapy—healing not only the body but the mind and emotions as well. Today, essential oils are believed to be present in almost all aromatic products like essence oils, absolutes, resinoids, and concretes.

One of the trends when it comes to healing is the emergence of aromatherapy or the use of selected fragrant substances—called essential oils—in lotions and inhalants in an effort to affect mood and promote health. 

Often administered through a massage, the use of aromatherapy essential oils has become quite popular because of its therapeutic properties that go directly into a person's skin and the blood stream.  Aside from using it through a massage, aromatherapy essential oils are also used in the form of hot and cold compresses, in baths or simply being inhaled. 

The use of aromatherapy essential oils is also being adapted even by various hospitals because it is believed that these oils greatly help stress relief, depression, and even helps the patient to control or tolerate pain. 

Aside from taking advantage of its soothing and therapeutic properties, aromatherapy essential oils are also being used to treat various skin problems while reducing the effects of the said disease. Aside from these, aromatherapy essential oils are also known to alleviate pain and relieve stress and depression.

THE ESSENCE OF AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL OILS

Aromatherapy basically involves the use of pure essential and absolute oils. Essential oils—which are derived from different plants gathered across the globe—are highly-fragrant, complex, and volatile substances that has varying degrees of fragrance, complexity, and volatility. 

Known as the most potent and concentrated extracts of various parts of flowers, fruits, leaves, spices, roots, and woods—each type of essential oil is believed to emulsify and contain a certain aromatic energy.

Compared to fatty or vegetable oils, essential oils are more volatile by nature. Experts say that the primary functional groups of the essential oils that are being used in aromatherapy today include Monoterpenes, Esters, Aldehydes, Ketones, Oxides, Alcohols, and Phenols. 

Monoterpenes are those aromatherapy essential oils that contain bactericidal, anti-viral, and antiseptic properties that can cause skin irritation when not used properly. Examples of such include lemons, pines, and frankincense. Esters, on the other hand, are those that are fungicidal, sedating, and quite aromatically pleasing like bergamot, Clary sage, and lavender. 

While Aldehydes are known to contain sedating and antiseptic properties like melissa, lemongrass, and citronella, Ketones are those that help ease congestion, aid in the flow of mucus but can be very toxic with excessive use. 

Examples of such are fennel, hyssop, and sage. Oxides are those that have expectorant and bactericidal qualities like rosemary and tea tree. 

While Alcohols are known to contain antiseptic, anti-viral, and uplifting qualities present in plants like rosewood, geranium, and rose, Phenols are said to have bactericidal and strong stimulating properties that can be quite to the skin like clove, thyme, oregano. 

Buying an Aromatherapy Oil Burner

Aromatherapy is being used more often these days to alleviate minor pains. Many people are familiar with the oil that can be inhaled by opening the bottle or massaging this into the affected area. There is another way to make this happen and this is done by using an oil burner.

There are two types of aromatherapy oil burners. The first is the electric while the other is the ceramic. 

The electric oil burner is considered to be safer since it does not need an open flame to keep it on the whole day. This is great since the children might accidentally tip over it causing a fire to happen. 

The ceramic oil burner has to be lit. This is lighter than the electric version and comes in different variations. 

The oil burners work just like the candles. Once it heats the liquid on the surface, this will turn into smoke that will enter through the nostrils sending a signal to the brain making one feel relaxed and refreshed. 

There are certain things people should know about using aromatherapy oil burners. This should be done at all times to prevent accidents from happening. 

1. Essential oils are flammable. This means that only a few drops should be applied. This accessory should be turned off when it is not being used.  It will also be a good idea to set this in a place that is a bit far from the curtain, paper or any alcoholic product since this will just serve as an accelerant in the event of a fire.

2. Not all of the oils can be used for aromatherapy. Studies have shown that improper use of it can cause certain problems when it is inhaled. Such examples are bitter almond, camphor, penny royal, onion, horseradish, sassafras and winter green.  

3. The oil and the burner should be kept away from children. The kids might play with it causing a fire or even ingest this. Should an incident happen, poison control must be contacted at once to help the victim. 

4. Not everyone can use the oil and the burner. This includes pregnant women and people who have allergies. Those who have never done this before and would like to try should first consult with a doctor if this is safe to use. 

The nice thing about the aromatherapy oil burner is that the person does not have to mix this with other oils to create the desired effect. This can be done only if the individual wants to try something new. 

The smell brought about the aromatherapy oil burner will surely last in the room hours even if the person has left for a few hours. This can be removed by opening the windows so that the scent will go away.

The basic ceramic oil burner will cost less than $20. The price for the electric version is double that amount. Regardless of the model chosen, the only thing for the user to do now is to put a few drops of oil into the small plate and then breathe deeply the scented air.  

The individual can lie down on the bed or on the floor or do the same thing in a sitting position because within minutes, the person will begin to experience a change that is good for one’s well being.