Health Advice and Information on Aromatherapy

Historically aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years for healing and spiritual rituals. Aromatherapy and its various uses was a sacred practice in most traditional cultures including the Persian, Hebrew, Mayan, Greek, Egyptian and Chinese.

Today, aromatherapy is a very active movement in Europe, especially in France where it is now a recognized medicine reimbursed by medical insurance.

Plants from all over the world contain useful essential oils. These highly volatile oily substances to which the plant owes its perfume and flavor, are present between the cells and act as plant hormones, regulators, and catalysts. They may be considered as representing the vital elements or life force within the plant.

Extraction methods are of utmost importance with purity being imperative in order to obtain good therapeutic results.

Breathing in these essentials oils is what gets the required results.

Aromatherapy requires an extremely high quality of essential oils. Synthetic substances cannot replace the real product. There are hundreds of chemical components in essential oils. Most of them are in minute quantities, and yet it is the precise combinations and ratios of elements which render each oil powerful.

Because of that, solvents or preservatives are not used in the preparation of first-quality essential oils. A steam-distillation method of extraction is used instead. This process consists of sending steam througout the plants, which evaporates oils.

The steam is then condensed and the oils separate from the water. This method yields a high quality oil. The best oils come from wild organic plants.

What problems does aromatherapy help?
A wide range of conditions and disorders may benefit from aromathrapy and it is considered to be a gentle treatment suitable for all age grous. It is especialy beneficial for;

Long term chronic illnesses
Preventing the development of some illnesses
Painful limbs
Muscles
Joints
Arthritus
Rheumatic disorders
Respiratory complaints
Digestive disorders
Skin conditions
Throat and mouth infections
Urinary tract infections
Problems affecting the hair and scalp
Period pains
PSM or PMT
Burns
Insect bites and stings
Headaches
High blood pressure
Feverishness
Menopausal symtoms
Poor circulation
Gout
Stress relief
Stress related symtoms
Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression

List of Aromatherapy Oils used

Basil
Bergamot
Black Pepper
Cajeput
Chamomile
Cedarwood
ClarySage
Clove
Cypress
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Frankincense
Geranium
Ginger
Grapefruit
Hyssop
Jasmine
Juniper
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Marjoram
Melissa lemonbalm
Myrrh
Neroli
Orange
Patchouli
Peppermint
Petit Grain
Pine
Rose
Rosemary
Sandalwood
Tea Tree
Thyme
Vetiver
Ylang Ylang

Some oils are safe to use at home although it is best to contact a trained aromatherapist as some oils must be avoided by children, during pregnancy, breast feeding etc. It is always wise to seek the advice of a professional and ofcourse your doctor.

Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to healing hence the practioner endevours to build up a complete picture of the patient and his or her lifestyle, nature and family circumstance, as well as noting the symptoms which need to be treated. The aromatherapist can then more accurately decide upon the essential oils that are most suitable. The aromatherapist has a wide ranging knowledge and experience in which to draw. Many oils can be blended together for an enhanced effect.

Angelica Root - Root, Fortifying, Digestive
Basil - Flowering tops, Stimulant, Digestive
Bergamot - Fruit peel, Uplifting, Immune System
Bitter Almond - Kernels, Nurturing, Emotions
Black Pepper - Fruit, Warm, Muscles
German Chamomile - Flowers, Soothing, Pain
Roman Chamomile - Flowers, Calming, Anxiety
Cardamom - Seeds, Strength, Digestive
Carrot Seed - Seeds, Regulating, Liver
Atlas Cedarwood - Wood, Expansion, Respiratory
Clary Sage - Flowering tops, Euphoric, Hormonal
Cubeb Seed - Fruit, Gentle, Immune system
Cypress - Leaves, Balancing, Menstrual
Damiana - Leaves, Supportive, Kidneys
Eucalyptus - Leaves, Clearing, Respiratory
Fennel - Seeds, Cleansing, Detoxifier
Frankincense - Resin, Expansive, Respiratory
Geranium - Leaves, Balancing, Hormonal
Ginger - Root, Strength, Muscles
Grapefruit - Fruit, Uplifting, Digestive
Immortelle - Flowering tops, Warming, Allergies
Jasmine - Flowers, Powerful, Hormonal
Juniper - Berries, Purifying, Detoxifier
Kanuka - Leaves, Clearing, Immune system
Lavender - Flowering tops, Soothing, Sedative
Lemon - Fruit, Cleansing, Detoxifier
Lemongrass - Leaves, Invigorating, Anxiety
Mandarin - Fruit, Fresh, Skin
French Marjoram - Whole Herb, Soothing, Muscles
May Chang - Fruit, Uplifting, Immune system
Melissa - Herb, Calming, Heart
Myrrh - Resin, Warmth, Respiratory
Neroli - Flowers, Soothing, Stress
Niaouli - Leaves, Cleansing, Immune system
Nutmeg - Nutmegs, Stimulating, Digestive
Orange - Fruit, Gentle, Digestive
Palmarosa - Herb, Cooling, Skin
Patchouli - Leaves, Balancing, Skin
Peppermint - Leaves, Cooling, Pain
Pine - Pine Needles, Invigorating, Muscles
Rose - Flower, Nurturing, Euphoric
Rosemary - Leaves, Stimulating, Muscles
Rosewood - Wood, Supportive, Sedative
Sandalwood - Heartwood, Grounding, Respiratory
Spikenard - Root, Soothing, Heart
Tea Tree - Leaves, Antibacterial, Immune system
Turmeric - Wood, Tonic, Immune system
Valerian - Root, Grounding, Sedative
Vetiver - Root, Grounding, Muscles
Yarrow - Herbs/Flowers, Soothing, Allergies
Ylang Ylang - Flowers, Calming, Heart
Guide to Natural Healing:

To find an aromatherapist close to you, that can help you heal and deal, click on the apples.