A lot of people have heard about essential oils, and have their own concept of "aromatherapy", though it's often the case the truth about these amazing healing agents is still mostly unknown. Did you know essential oil have been shown to eradicate cancer cells in laboratory experiments? Or that they've been found effective in treating infections as varied as herpes simplex and MRSA? This incredible research (freely available on the web at www.pubmed.gov) almost instantly opens ones eyes to the potential of essential oils. Here's a look at the very wide spectrum of applications of these "aromatherapy oils", and how you might get started using them to improve your health and wellness.
The term "aromatherapy" is very misleading. It implies "aroma" is always involved in the "therapy". But this is true only in the minority of the time! Aromatherapy is actually the entire branch of botanical and herbal medicine that utilizes the volatile natural chemical compounds extracted from plants for therapeutic use. And is so happens that these volatile aromatic compounds, the "essential oils", are very diverse in their makeup. Some are made up of hundreds of individual molecules -- and these molecules are very compatible with our own physiology. They are easily absorbed by our bodies, and remarkably have an incredible array of healing actions, just "solid" herbs and plant medicines would -- just in a very concentrated form.
Many leading aromatherapists believe the greatest health benefits from essential oils come from their anti-infectious nature. Their ability to prevent and cure infectious illness such as colds and flu caused by bacteria and viruses. This potential is supported by a very large body of data from the scientific community, with research noting efficacy against herpes simplex, the SARS virus, the MRSA "superbug", candida fungus, and a variety of infectious bacteria.
It's a simple thing just to use essential oils as a preventative measure. In laboratory research, oils have been shown not only to directly eradicate infectious microbes, but actually increase the ability of our immune system to fend off these invaders. Just by evaporating oils into your space, by use of a specially designed aromatherapy diffuser, on can gain these benefits in two ways: essential oil vapors have been shown to eradicate microbes on contact, and the vapors themselves provide protection to the respiratory system when inhaled. Other means of using oils for immune system support include massaging them into the feet -- which happen to be a particularly receptive part of the body for this practice -- or into the sternum and/or lymph nodes.
Along these lines are the antiseptic applications in aromatherapy. "Antiseptic" simply means an "antimicrobial" used on the skin's surface. The most simple application is the use of Tea Tree in place of products like Neosporin, alone or in a 50/50 blend with Lavender (this is choice for use with children). Tea Tree is a very broad spectrum antiseptic, and has a wide variety of uses. It's excellent for acne, used in a 5% concentration based either in a carrier oil like Grapeseed or Hazelnut, or aloe vera gel. Tea Tree is excellent for athlete's foot and other mild skin infections, as are Palmarosa, Geranium and many other essential oils. All these make great smelling, healthier choices than pharmaceutical preparations.
High end natural skin care products nearly always contain essential oils. Many, many oils have very therapeutic effects on the skin, and personal formulas can be made for practically every skin condition. Itchy, irritated skin? Go for Chamomile and Lavender. Mature skin? Sea Buckthorn, Carrot Seed and Rose Otto in Rosehip Seed carrier. Dry Skin? Try Lavender or Sandalwood in a base of Apricot Kernel. The combinations of custom formulas here are endless, and for that reason, very exciting. Finally its possible to combine "active ingredients" that precisely match your needs, and all are completely natural, healthy, and effective.
Many people are looking of alternatives to either over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers. Aromatherapy oils again offer an array of effective solutions. Wintergreen oil is the old stand by, being the natural chemical equivalent of "liquid aspirin" (and should be used cautiously for this same reason!). Ginger and Black Pepper oils have both gentle warming actions, as well as COX inhibitors which have been shown to be potent inflammation reducers in laboratory research. Sweet Marjoram is also an excellent analgesic oil included in many arthritis and sports massage formulas. And at the pinnacle of pain relief is Helichrysum, also known as Immortelle or Everlasting. Distilled from a tiny yellow flower native to the Mediterranean, this essential oil manages to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular regeneration all at the same time. Users swear it is the most effective topical pain reliever they have ever used.
The most advanced therapeutic activity is now being elucidated in laboratories around the world. A few essential oils with a long history of medicinal use are being researched for their anticancer activity, with very positive results. Frankincense has been shown to directly eradicate cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells of the same type unaffected. The oil has been tested with human cell lines from different organs, all showing the same positive results. Lemongrass, also with a long history of medicinal use, is also being examined. This area of research is so exciting, as the "fight against cancer" is not making leaps and bounds in the world of conventional medicine, and the world really needs readily available, effective alternatives that essential oils appear to have the potential to deliver.
This is just a quick look at what sort of healing actions the essential oils used in "aromatherapy" my hold for you and your family. They've been in use for a very long time as healing agents; until recently in France one used to go to a doctor and receive a prescription of an essential oil blend and treatment protocol! There are a great many wonderful texts to delve into the subject. Look for authors Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt and Anthony Battaglia if you'd like to see more on the scientific approach to using oils as medicine, Gabriel Mojay for a look at using them in relation to Chinese Medicine, and Valerie Worwood for day to day practical applications. You'll be glad you invited these concentrated healing wonders into your life.
Author Resource:
The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy . Find more resources are available on aromatherapy and essential oil blends through the website.
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