Why is it Called a Therapy? The therapeutic use of pure plant essential oils to enhance health and wellness is aromatherapy.
Pure and Quality: Are They the Same? The effectiveness of essential oils is dependent on purity and quality of the oil, so purchase only high grade oils from a reputable aromatherapist. Quality comes from growing climate, soil and harvesting. The oils vary with the location, season and growers. Purity is determined by whether or not contaminants or trash parts have gotten into the essential oil in the handling or extraction. The oil must also be undiluted by rough handling, machines or by being cut by the retailer to boost profits.
Large Volume to Get Small Volume The fact that it takes an enormous amount of specific parts of plants to extract even a very small amount of pure oil, makes essential oils - especially those from certain plants, very expensive. Add to this many of the delicate parts must be harvested and separated by hand. It is tremendously labor intensive. This is also why an ounce of essential oil is so very much more potent than an ounce of fresh or dry herb or plant. The oil is the potent part of the plant with all of the bulk waste removed.
Consider the Source This is why when you buy oils for aromatherapy, you do not want to buy the cheapest from just anywhere. You do not know what you will be getting, but I can assure you it will not be good. Oils for therapeutic use must come from reputable specialists. You will not find real essential oils at the local discount store, or in their candles and skin care products, and mass produced air fresheners. It requires a great deal of labor intensive care to produce a quality product. The mass media refers to anything with a nice scent as aromatherapy. This is blatantly untrue, so do not be fooled. These products are accurately called fragrance, air freshener or disinfectant.
Chemotype vs. Chemistry Aromatherapy is not scent. It is the effect of a chemotype on the body system through absorption and assimilation. A nice small can affect our mood, but moreover, an essential oil affect s mood (and other things) by interaction with our body chemistry on a physical level. The essence of the plant is the part containing the chemotypes, or the chemistry of the plant, that which can affect other systems and react with other chemistries.
Pharmaceuticals and Chemotypes Pharmaceutical companies use the potent chemotypes of plant to make their compounds. The difference is that they isolate and extract a single chemotype rather than using the whole plant. They also duplicate the molecular structure of the chemotype in a laboratory to manufacture the effective isolate of the plant. This lacks the safety and harmony with our bodies though. A drop of pure essential oil is composed of a few or several chemotypes. It is the combination that gives it the unique properties. The chemotypes do not have the same effect or effectiveness when
The Value of Science Science and pharmaceuticals have their place. Synthetic pharmaceuticals are, believe it or not, less expensive than cultivating and using real plant essences and chemotypes. They also allow man to combine specific chemotypes and chemically alter them to provide control. You cannot get a timed-release herb for instance.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Holism The healing process is one that involves not just the body, but the mind, emotions and environment. Plant essences or aromatherapy address all of these aspects of our person and our ailments. Plant essential oils work to bring the body and our other aspects back into balance. Illness is always a state of imbalance which is crying out to be corrected. Essential oils are each multitaskers.
Across the Border Essential oils are absorbed into the body and enter the bloodstream where they are distributed thought the body to all organs and systems immediately. It only takes 7 to 10 seconds for the blood to have it distributed throughout the whole body. This is one ways in which essential oils are so effective - no waiting to be digested. The action is quick and direct. These exceptionally small molecules are even able to pass the blood brain barrier and interact with our neurochemicals to affect our mood directly - more than a pretty scent - a real mood adjustment. This ability to be so easily absorbed, be quickly distributed and to interact with our chemistry so directly means oils with different properties can be used effectively to treat all organ systems equally well. Essential oils can balance hormones, kill bacteria and viruses, and act as stimulants, anti-depressants or sedatives.
How are Essential Oils Used?
Use by Professionals Essential oils are used in massage, in conjunction with bodywork, acupressure and reflexology to enhance the enjoyment and effectiveness of the work.
Benefits of Essential Oils in Massage reduction of inflammation muscle relaxation Toning organ systems increased circulation mental relaxation pain relief Relieve ki blockages Cleanse the lymph Cleansing -detoxification Breaking down scar tissue Help break down fatty deposits
Aromatherapy for Home Use Aromatherapy in the home is a wonderful way to care for yourself and your family. Use essential oils in real aromatherapy candles and incense (no synthetics). Treat yourself with aromatherapy body oils, lotions, body spray and bath salts. Tension will melt away.
Aromatherapy Blends Aromatherapists create blends called synergies, in which the essential oils work together synergistically, having a greater modified effect than they might have alone. They use the essential oils to balance, temper, and buffer or enhance other essential oils in the blend. They also create new synergistic effects through combinations.
Blends You Can Make at Home You can create your own blends at home. Experiment with scents to find what combinations you like. Make yourself aromas for your rooms, to lift your mood, to relax, for your bath. Aromatherapy is sage and enjoyable.
Resources on this Site You will find many good recipes and much information here on this site. If you need more help, you need an aromatherapist or a good aromatherapy book, just ask the Alchemist here on this site or on the Health and Wellness Blog. If you want some information added to this site, just let me know. There is also a place for you to add your aromatherapy success stories and recipes. http://www.alchemistsroom.us/aromatherapy-recipes-share.php
The Alchemist's Blends Over the years I have created many aromatherapy blends. There are so many possibilities. I group my blends as follows:
1. Therapeutic Blends 2. Meditation Blends 3. Therapeutic Perfumes.
Therapeutic Blends These are "medicinal," they are treatments, to address a specific need, illness or problem.
Meditation Blends Aromatherapy is the heart of meditation, used for centuries in temples and churches worldwide. It helps us to deepen the senses, connect with ourselves and with the other realms. It makes us open and receptive. It can also impart protection, invoke, and awaken. For centuries these precious essences have been valued for their spiritual and magical properties. . The church has for centuries used the potent effects in services, without of course imparting knowledge to the populace of how they work - or that they actually do work!
Aromatherapy of the Tarot I have been reading tarot since I was a teen and combined with some study in various tarot and mysticism, I developed a line of blends used for tarot, personal growth using tarot and mediation. I call the Tarot Oils or Aromatherapy of the Tarot. They are effective for personal and spiritual growth and for overcoming emotional obstacles.
How to Use Meditation Blends Use mediation essential oils in diffusers, incense or in small vials for inhalation, mists, or dab a small amount on Chakra centers. They are great for enhancing and focusing energy work. You will find that you are drawn to the one that you need when you need it. You may be working on more than one at any given time. Use these for growth, as you meditate or just for enjoyment. They will support you no matter how you use them.
Therapeutic Perfumes If you are going to use perfume, why not let it give a boost to your health. Not only can real essential oils benefit you, but they also do not add those irritating toxins that so many people are sensitive to. All real perfume is made with essential oils, but you get to choose from a wider range of oils for specific therapeutic effect when you make your own. While gong about your day smelling great you could be controlling your appetite, balancing hormones, keeping bugs away, and strengthening your immune system or more.
Common Sense Use These oils and blends are all natural and so are not FDA approved. These are not medicines. They are very helpful though for helping us to regain our natural balance and for helping with ailments and aches.
* IMPORTANT: Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not drink oils. Avoid contact with eyes. Not for nursing or pregnant women or those with seizure disorders. Choose oils carefully with blood pressure problems. If in doubt, consult a certified clinical aromatherapist such as The Alchemist. Keep closed and out of sunlight and heat.
A Book in the Works? So many people ask me all the time for my recipes, which until now were unpublished. Perhaps a book is in the future -we will see as the path unfolds.
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