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Oil that had been carefully extracted from plants was used for a variety
of purposes, including cosmetics, embalming, and various medical
applications. The Greeks furthered this science by discovering the
calming and stimulating effects of a variety of plants. Even in the most
ancient of times man used herbs and aromatic plants in an attempt to
preserve food and treat various medical conditions.
Eastern Roots
We see detailed documentation of the use of more than 300 plants for
various purposes in the book of Shen Nung dating all the way back to
2700 BC. An ancient practice that still continues today is the use of
incense and burning wood to provide pleasing aromas during some
religious ceremonies. Chinese medicine also incorporated the use of
aromatics into massage therapy, acupressure, and other traditional
healing arts.
Modern Health Treatment
Healthy living and overall well-being are highly prized in our culture
today. Rising costs and fears about toxic drugs and therapies have lead
many people to embrace many types of alternative healing methods,
including the use of aromatherapy and essential oils.
Basic of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a natural way to facilitate a proper balance of
physical, emotional and spiritual health. Alternative health treatments
continue to gain in popularity and are often used on their own, or as a
complement to other medical treatment. Essential oils, which are highly
concentrated essences, are the main ingredient in aromatherapy
treatment.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be extracted from a wide variety of plant material,
including leaves, bark, fruit, rind, twigs, as well as other parts of
the plant. The extraction process is often incredibly time consuming,
and requires significant knowledge and patience. When extracting
essential oils from rose petals, for example, you can use as much as 220
pounds of petals to get just 5 teaspoons of essential oils. This means
that essential oils are incredibly concentrated, requiring the use of
just a small amount to get the desired impact. It also means that they
will be very costly. While synthetic oils may be less expensive, they
are usually not as effective in healing.
How Essential Oils Work
It is through stimulating the olfactory system, and also the brain or
limbic systems that essential oils are able to be effective. The unique
properties of each individual oil will determine the impact the oil has
on a particular body part or system. How the oils are used also makes a
difference. When used for massage, for instance, the oil is both inhaled
and absorbed through the skin, both of which lead to an effect on the
various organs and body systems. The length of time it takes for the
oils to absorb will vary from as short as 20 minutes and as long as 2
hours. This long absorption time of some oils is what causes some
experts to suggest that you wait at least 2 hours before taking a shower
after a massage.
Long Lasting Effects
There is a great range of how long the impact of various essential oils
will last, with some last only a few hours and others lasting up to a
week. Some essential oils that are thought to last only a few hours
include peppermint, thyme, eucalyptus, and bergamot. Oils that are
though to last about 2 or 3 days include balm, lavender, and hyssop.
Which essential oils last up to an entire week? That would be cedarwood,
ginger, jasmine and sandalwood.
A Real Sense of Calm
You can have the best impact on overall health by combining three
separate essential oils based on their overall balance and longevity.
One great relaxation strategy is to place your combined oils into a nice
warm bath. This will help revive a sore body, relive stress and anxiety,
and lessen depression. You can enhance the healing effects of a massage
by incorporating essential oils. Essential oils should always be used in
small amounts, and then blended with carrier oils to avoid skin
irritation. Some good carrier oils to use the essential oils include
almond oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil,
hazelnut oil, and soya oil.
Massage and health Resource:
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substitute for medical or legal advice. The information on this site is
only the authors opinion.
Terms of use
and our legal disclaimer: Statements contained herein
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These
products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent
disease. Always seek the advice from a certified doctor before using
essential oils.
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