Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health. Healthline
Aromatherapy is normally used through inhalation or as a topical application.
Inhalation: the oils evaporate into the air using a diffuser container, spray, or oil droplets, or breathed in, for example, in a steam bath. Apart from providing a pleasant smell, aromatherapy oils can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits. (Medical News Today) Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain. As the molecules reach the brain, they affect limbic system, which is linked to the emotions, the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance. In this way, essential oils can have a subtle, yet holistic effect on the body.
Topical applications: massage oils, and bath and skin care products are absorbed through the skin. Massaging the area where the oil is to be applied can boost circulation and increase absorption. Some argue that areas that are richer in sweat glands and hair follicles, such as the head or the palms of the hand, may absorb the oils more effectively.
Essential oils are never applied directly to the skin. They must always be diluted with a carrier oil. Usually, a few drops of essential oil to an ounce of carrier oil is the concentration. Most common carrier oils are sweet almond oil or olive oil. Medical News Today
Always do an allergy test before trying a new essential oil. To do an allergy test:
· Dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil at twice the concentration you plan to use
· Rub the mixture into an area the size of a quarter on the inside of the forearm
If there is no allergic response within 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use.
Some people report developing allergies to essential oils after using them many times before. If a new allergic response appears, the individual should stop using it immediately and avoid its smell.
To achieve a 0.5 to 1 percent dilution, use 3 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier. For a 5 percent dilution, add 30 drops to one ounce of carrier. A maximum concentration of 5 percent is generally considered safe for adults. Medical News Today
Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.
They are generally obtained by a special distillation of the leaves, stem, flowers, bark, and other parts of the plant. Some essential oils need a specific time to harvest and distill to obtain the best quality and right potency.
How to use:
1. Inhalation. When inhaled, it takes about 22 seconds for the oil to reach the brain.
2. Topical application (massage, cosmetics, bath, insect repellant) When applied topically, it takes 2-3 minutes for an oil to reach the bloodstream. It takes 20 minutes to effect every cell in the body, then metabolized within 2.5 hours.
3. Use with a diffuser to freshen/purify the air or to bring relaxation.
Carrier Oils are also known vegetable oils, fixed oils or base oils. These are oils derived from the fatty portion of the plant like seeds, kernels or nuts.
They are used to dilute and “carry” the essential oils by penetrating the skin.
Cocoa butters and shea butters can also be used as carriers.
→Clove oil
Therapeutic use: Analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, disinfectant, insecticide, stimulant.
Some specific uses: Toothache -Massage the outer jaw; Mouthwash; Massage oil- with carrier; Muscle pain; and Stomach problems.
→Citronella oil
Therapeutic use: Antiseptic, bactericidal, deodorant, diaphoretic, insecticide, parasitic, stimulant
Some specific uses: Use as insect repellant; To get rid of cat and dog fleas; Diffuse to clear the mind and clean a sickroom; Helpful with colds and flu; Combats excessive perspiration; Balances oily skin; and Refreshes tired and sweaty feet.
→Eucalyptus oil
Therapeutic use: Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, deodorant, expectorant
Some specific uses: Helps to clear the mind and focus concentration; Reduces swelling of the mucus membranes; Fights respiratory problems, inflammation, sore muscles and nervous exhaustion; and Accelerates healing of wounds, burns, blisters, herpes, insect bites.
→Lavender oil
Therapeutic use: Antiseptic, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antiviral, deodorant, decongestant, sedative.
Some specific uses: Relieves tension, depression, panic, hysteria and nervous exhaustion; Headache, migraine, insomnia; Bronchitis, asthma, colds, halitosis; Relieves pain; and Revitalizes the skin and useful in abcess, acne, oily skin, boils, burns, sunburn, wound, psoriasis, lice, insect bites.
→Lemongrass oil
Therapeutic use: Analgesic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antiseptic, deodorant
Some specific uses: Purifying and digestive support; Revitalize the body; Jetlag, headache, stress; Relieve muscle pain; Hairloss; Oily Skin, acne, athlete’s foot; and Alleviates excessive perspiration.
→Patchouli oil
Patchouli oil has a beneficial effect on the skin, helps for infections and insect bites, water retention and can help with stress related problems and addictions.
Therapeutic use: Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cicatrisant, deodorant, insecticide, sedative, diuretic
Some specific uses: Depression and anxiety (grounding and balancing effect on emotions); Stimulates regeneration of skin cells, speeding up healing and prevents scars (stimulates growth of new skin cells); Used as a support for dealing with any substance addiction; and Fights water retention and break up cellulite, ease constipation and helps reduce overweight
→Peppermint oil
Therapeutic use: analgesic, anesthetic, antiseptic, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, decongestant, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor and vermifuge.
Some specific uses: Migraine; Sinus and chest congestion, dry cough; Mental fatigue; Depression; Bad breath (use as mouthwash); and Sunburn.
Effects:
· Stimulates the mind
· increase mental agility and focus
· Cooling the skin while reducing redness and calming irritation and itch
· Boosts the digestive system
· Stimulates the gall bladder and the secretion of bile
→Rosemary oil
Therapeutic use: analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic.
Some specific uses: Nasal congestion; Stiff muscles; Headache and migraine; Neuralgia; Mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion; Varicose veins and poor circulation; Arthritis and gout; Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh.
Effects:
· Stimulates the brain
· Improves memory and mental clarity
· has a pronounced action on the brain and the central nervous system and is wonderful for clearing the mind and mental awareness
· Improves hair and scalp health
· Prevents sagging of the skin (astringent)
· Reduces water retention during menstruation, obesity and cellulite
· Use with lotion to improve blood circulation and relieve skin congestion
→Tea Tree oil
This is one of the most powerful immune system stimulant and sorts out most viral, bacterial and fungal infections. It is great for cleaning wounds and also relieves muscle pain.
Therapeutic use: antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, balsamic, bactericide, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant and sudorific.
Some specific uses: Influenza; Cold sore; Glandular fever; Gingivitis; Catarrh; Cystitis; Vaginal thrush; Acne; Burn; Herpes/cold sore; and Athlete’s foot.
Effects:
· Immunostimulant (it increases the body’s ability to fight off an infection)
· Can be used to revive the mind and body aftershock.
· Active against bacteria, fungi and viruses
· Clears bronchial congestion, asthma, coughs, sinusitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis
Other uses:
o For lice - apply neat onto the scalp - leave for 40 minutes and wash the hair. This must be repeated every second day for twelve days.
o Helps to treat sweaty feet.
o May be used as mouthwash for gum infections, mouth ulcers, throat infection and tonsilitis
Lotus Pharmacy Educational Website
Other oils:
· Basil essential oil is used to sharpen concentration and alleviate some of the symptoms of depression. It may relieve headaches and migraines. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
· Bergamot essential oil is said to be useful for the urinary tract and digestive tract. When combined with eucalyptus oil it may help relieve skin problems, including those caused by stress and chicken pox.
· Black pepper essential oil is commonly used for stimulating the circulation, muscular aches and pains, and bruises. Combined withginger essential oil, it is used to reducearthritis pain and improve flexibility.
· Chamomile essential oil can treat eczema
· Geranium essential oil can be used for skin problems, to reduce stress, and as a mosquito repellant.
· Jasmine essential oil has been described as an aphrodisiac. While scientific evidence is lacking, research has shown that the odor of jasmine increases beta waves, which are linked to alertness. As a stimulant, it might increase penile blood flow.
Lavender essential oil is used as an antiseptic for minor cuts and burns and to enhance relaxation and sleep. It is said to relieve headache and migraine symptoms.
· Sandalwood essential oil is believed by some to have aphrodisiac qualities.
· Thyme essential oil is said to help reduce fatigue, nervousness, and stress.
· Yarrow essential oil is used to treat symptoms of cold and flu, and to help reduce joint inflammation.
Medical News Today
February 2019
Sara Silva
- Course creator: Lurdes Pastor
- Course creator: Eliana Sequeira
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