Hi guys, how are you? Have you heard of aromatherapy ? We are delighted with the discovery of this delicious world of scents and essential oils for health . So we make a very broad summary for those who do not know it; I hope you enjoy!
The term aromatherapy is applied to a branch of herbal medicine: the name, aroma means “pleasant smell” and therapy “treatment that aims to cure a mental or physical illness”. It is a therapeutic practice that uses the properties of 100% pure essential oils to restore balance and personal harmony.
Index
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are highly volatile concentrated substances that contain active ingredients according to their chemical composition . Depending on the plant, the essential oil will have different characteristics of aroma, color and density. The essential oils that are used can be diluted in other substances on the skin such as moisturizers , massage creams, lotions, gels or they can also be inhaled. Its objective is to provide physical and emotional well-being, since they contain many therapeutic chemical elements.
In general, it takes many kilos of plants to extract a small amount of essential oil . For example, to extract 1 liter of lavender oil, 350 kg of lavender flowers are required.
What are essential oils for?
The use of essential oils is very popular in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and therapeutic areas. Phytotherapy and aromatherapy owe their fame to the use of scent substances. Some essential oils are well known for their medicinal properties: Indian clove oil is a very powerful pain reliever , widely used in the field of dentistry; tea tree and lavender serve as an antiseptic .
In the field of cosmetics, they are used for perfumery products such as shampoos, soaps and creams among others, and they are also present in easy care products in moderate doses. Essential oils are everywhere , even in detergents and cleaning products, which use their aromatic and relaxing virtues.
Benefits and Properties of Essential Oils
In addition to the physical and emotional benefits when used in aromatherapy, essential oils also have exceptional medicinal applications.
Many essential oils are antiseptic and are among nature’s most powerful protectors against bacteria and other infectious organisms.
Essential oils have a wide range of healing properties and can be used effectively to maintain health by stimulating cell regeneration, relieving pain, balancing emotional dysfunctions, and fighting bacteria, fungi, and other infections. In addition to providing stress relief, increased energy and increased mental focus.
Essential oils have an almost endless list of therapeutic uses , and science continues to discover more about them each year.
Main Uses of Pure Essential Oils
The fact that essential oils are in very high concentrations requires care and knowledge that not everyone has, so they must be treated with great care.
There are numerous forms of application in which essential oils can be used, and the best way is always circumstantial, which depends on each situation. Some of the most common uses:
Relaxing / Massage Oil
Aromatic massage combines the benefits of massage therapy with the efficiency of the use of essential oils. Massage with essential oils is used when you want to reduce stress , relax muscles, stimulate circulation, purifying treatments and local analgesia.
Therapeutic massage with essential oils stimulates blood circulation, and therefore increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells; It intensely stimulates the lymphatic system and activates the limbic section of the brain.
It is very important to always dilute the essential oil in another massage oil , the proportions that must be put is 30-40 drops of the essential oil every 60 ml of the other massage oil.
Oil diffusers
The diffusers serve to volatilize the essential oil around the person who is at rest as an excellent complement to herbal treatments.
Sometimes diffusers are essential for a quick and adequate response to the relaxation it provides.
There are several models of vaporizers. In general, its principle of operation consists of using a heat source, which can be electric or even the flame of a candle, to raise the temperature of the essential oil so that it volatilizes and spreads through the environment. The smell is delicious!
Direct inhalation of essential oil vapors
Inhalation is the direct absorption of essential oil that has been volatilized. It is indicated mainly in cases of respiratory and skin diseases , and a rapid change in emotional state. It can be carried out by using a facial steam bath or by dry inhalation.
The facial steam bath consists of putting hot water in a container and adding a few drops of the essential oil that are indicated. Next, we cover the head with a towel around the hot container and inhale the steam that comes out.
This aromatic vapor to be inhaled for 10 or 20 minutes and we should not put more than 6 to 8 drops of essential oil for each liter of hot water that we put.
Foot Bath / Foot Bath with Relaxing Essential Oils
Soak your feet in a bowl of hot water and essential oils ( 10 drops of pure essential oil per 5 liters of water ), and it should have a water level that does not reach the bottom of the calf.
Warming the feet allows the blood vessels in the legs in this region to dilate, thus receiving more blood and reducing congestion in other parts of the body. The foot bath, or foot baths, are especially recommended in cases of insomnia, headaches , congestion, menorrhagia , colds and flu, among others.
Relaxing and Aromatic Compresses and Pads
Scent pads are particularly suitable for a specific region of the body, they can be put on hot or cold, depending on the treatment required. The proportion is 2 drops of essential oil for every liter of water.
Cold compresses are indicated for cases of bruises, bumps, headaches and fever . Instead, hot compresses are used for the maturation of abscesses, cramps, earaches, rheumatic and muscle pain, among others.
How this is achieved is because the essential oil accelerates the stimulation process of systemic action, which allows a better penetration into the tissues.
Essential Oils in Organic and Natural Cosmetics
Most organic and natural cosmetics use essential oils in their compositions . These oils provide a delicious natural flavor and enhance its therapeutic properties.
Keep in mind that when we say natural cosmetics, we take into account that any product that uses synthetic flavorings , that is, the essence of “anything”, cannot be considered a natural product.
What are the Carrier Oils in Aromatherapy?
The main carrier of vegetable oils are the fats extracted from the seeds of plants , which is used in aromatherapy as a base for the dilution of essential oils, which by themselves are highly concentrated for use.
For example, to massage against cellulite and localized fat, essential oils are used in a vegetable oil vehicle, to create a diluted mixture that can be applied to the skin.
In addition to serving as bases, these oils have different vitamins that deeply nourish and hydrate the skin and hair, and can be used alone in body (grape seed), facial (rosehip) and hair ( argan ) aesthetic treatments .
Essential oils can be diluted, not only in vegetable oils , but also in creams or neutral gel bases.
What are the Essential Oils that are used the most?
Lavender Essential Oil
It is the most used oil in aromatherapy, and the most versatile. It is the number one oil to combat stress and nervous tension . Excellent in the treatment of insomnia: just a drop on the pillow to feel its effects. Also used to combat anxiety and depression and relieve muscle pain and bruising.
It is antiseptic and an excellent antidote to bee, mosquito, ant and other insect stings. Effective against burns of any kind, relieving pain, healing and regeneration of the skin. After operations it is used as a treatment to prevent the appearance of keloids .
As it is hypoallergenic, it can be used in the bath of babies, putting two diluted drops in the water are enough to prevent skin irritations and calm in case of having them. The foot bath relaxes and invigorates the feet, ankles and heels.
It provides immediate relief from stomach and menstrual cramps. It is excellent for skin and hair loss. Anyway, it’s like having an ace up your sleeve! And the smell is just wonderful! More information on lavender essential oil .
Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca )
It is good for almost all types of infections. Excellent in fighting various skin problems, especially those caused by fungi. Suitable for cleaning intimate parts, both male and female.
Very effective in the treatment of nail fungal infections, also in mouth ulcers, toothaches, earaches, candidiasis, psoriasis, chilblains, corns, boils, herpes (labial, genital) and the treatment of acne .
Strengthens the immune system, deodorizes feet and fights bad breath. For more information, visit ourspecial article on tea tree essential oil .
Rosemary Essential Oil
Especially useful for those who suffer from low blood pressure, dizziness or weakness, as it stimulates circulation . If we use it when we perform a hair massage, it prevents hair loss and fights dandruff, it is also suitable for dry hair.
It is of great help as an antidote to stress. Widely used before and after surgeries to carry out lymphatic drainage. It also increases memory and improves concentration. More information on rosemary essential oil.
Eucalyptus oil ( Eucalyptus globulus )
Excellent in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases such as colds, nasal congestion, rhinitis, sinusitis, sore throat, asthma and bronchitis.
It also strengthens the immune system and is a powerful disinfectant, purifying the air of fungi and bacteria, and acting as an insect repellent.
Essential Oils of Orange ( Citrus sinensis )
Stimulates cellular metabolism and digestive functions , acting as a stomach tonic. It is used to support kidney and bladder functions, and is indicated for the treatment of dysfunctions of these organs.
Its aroma is extremely pleasant, attractive and sweet. Especially indicated in topics related to food, fear, anger and nervousness, or when the intention of the child is to attract attention. It can be used as a lymphatic decongestant , it is excellent to be used during lymphatic drainage, diluted in vegetable avocado oil. It has hypothermic action, fighting fever. It also helps to strengthen brittle hair .
Conclusion on Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a very broad subject, but I hope I have helped with a few small strokes. How sure that you will have more interests in this subject, I will continue writing about it, if you want to know about something specific do not hesitate to ask so that I can explain it to more people.
For those who are curious and want to buy essential oils of different types of quality and cheaper than in herbalists, try some of the ones we recommend on amazon
- Tea Tree – 100% Pure Essential Oil – 50ml
- Rosemary – 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10ml
- Rosemary – 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10ml
- Lemon, Essential Oil – 50ml
- Argan – 100% Pure Carrier Oil – 100ml
- Lavender – Essential Oil – 50ml
Caution: Essential Oils are not drugs or medical treatments that should be used alone. Essential oils should not be ingested.
Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.
