Finding Solutions in Essential Oils
It is now widely known that there is a rise in pathogenic microbes resistant to conventional treatments. An over-prescription of antibiotics and over- use of anti-infective products have resulted in drug-resistant bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Medical researchers are now searching worldwide for medicinal plants that have antimicrobial properties. The University of Heidelberg ?s Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology reported increased scientific interest in the effects of aromatic medicinal plants against bacteria, yeasts, fungi and viruses.
Our modern health care system has in many ways deprived individuals of embracing their personal health needs, uniqueness and self-responsibility for their health. Feelings and attitudes of helplessness to pain, disease and death seem to prevail in our culture.
There are definitely situations where conventional medicine is appropriate and even very necessary. To discount the gains and contributions of modern medicine to emergency care and reconstructive surgery would be illogical. Alternative approaches to medical care should be embraced in areas where they are most effective. Aromatherapy, which is considered a method for healing and rejuvenation in alternative medicine, has many dynamic uses that can be safely stored in the medicine cabinet.
Caring For Yourself with Essential Oils
There are extensive uses for aromatic essential oils that range from infections to relief of unwanted stress and strain. Below are a few aromatherapy recipes for common ailments. As with any medicinal use, one needs to be well-informed and personally responsible. There are essential oils that can be used without caution and others that need more experience in using.
It is also advised to use only authentic oils for the most benefit as well as prevention from irritating side effects that can result from industrially altered oils. There are many, many providers of essential oils available. Generally the least expensive is NOT the best for your health. The lowest cost oils are often not essential oils at all, but laboratory made aromatics with no health value. Find a supplier you trust for your essential oils, as a significant effort must be made in quality control to make therapeutic grade oils available consistently.
Aromatherapy is known to work best for infections, the nervous system, psychological and hormonal imbalances, and moderately for autoimmune diseases (the body attacking its own cells and tissues). One of the most noted successes in essential oils in the use for viral treatments. Essential oils have emerged at being more effective than conventional antiviral drugs.
A Few Recipes for Restoring Health
For the Common Cold - As with the flu, using essential oils in a bath as well as in a direct massage is recommended. In a hot bath place thyme (2 drops), tea tree (2 drops), eucalyptus (1 drop), lemon (3 drops) and inhale deeply. Massage a blend of lemon (1 drop), eucalyptus (2 drops) and rosemary (3 drops) in a carrier oil around the chest, neck, and sinus area (forehead, nose and cheekbones).
Concentration - Use equal portions of basil, geranium, ginger and black pepper and place in a diffuser or room spray (4 drops or more in a cup of warm water).
Stress - During the holidays, stress levels can rise. Here are three different general blends for you to choose from: blend 1: bergamot (9 drops), geranium (11 drops), ginger (10 drops); blend 2: grapefruit (15 drops), rosemary (11 drops), palmarosa (5 drops); blend 3: neroli (7 drops), lavender (3 drops), lemon (20 drops). Place 6-8 drops of a blend in a warm bath or 5 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil and use to massage over body. You may also place a drop between nose and upper lip.
General Headaches - Combine lavender (3 drops) and peppermint (1 drop) and blend in a small amount of carrier oil. Massage around the base of the skull, the temples and along the hair line.
Laryngitis - Many of us sing in holiday choirs and attend festive parties that require an increase in voice usage. If symptoms occur, combine chamomile (2 drops), lavender (3 drops) and thyme (1 drop) and place in bowl of steaming water. Inhale deeply. You may also choose to make a blend with chamomile (5 drops), thyme (1 drop) and lemon (2 drops) and dilute in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage over neck area and behind the ears.
This is a quick look at some easy home care essential oil recipes. Using essential oils for their medicinal properties is simple to do, and when done properly following recipes and guidelines, can be very effective. There are many excellent guidebooks available. Look for those focusing on the medicinal aspects of aromatherapy, and search sites like pubmed.gov for the latest in essential oil health science research.
It is now widely known that there is a rise in pathogenic microbes resistant to conventional treatments. An over-prescription of antibiotics and over- use of anti-infective products have resulted in drug-resistant bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Medical researchers are now searching worldwide for medicinal plants that have antimicrobial properties. The University of Heidelberg ?s Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology reported increased scientific interest in the effects of aromatic medicinal plants against bacteria, yeasts, fungi and viruses.
Our modern health care system has in many ways deprived individuals of embracing their personal health needs, uniqueness and self-responsibility for their health. Feelings and attitudes of helplessness to pain, disease and death seem to prevail in our culture.
There are definitely situations where conventional medicine is appropriate and even very necessary. To discount the gains and contributions of modern medicine to emergency care and reconstructive surgery would be illogical. Alternative approaches to medical care should be embraced in areas where they are most effective. Aromatherapy, which is considered a method for healing and rejuvenation in alternative medicine, has many dynamic uses that can be safely stored in the medicine cabinet.
Caring For Yourself with Essential Oils
There are extensive uses for aromatic essential oils that range from infections to relief of unwanted stress and strain. Below are a few aromatherapy recipes for common ailments. As with any medicinal use, one needs to be well-informed and personally responsible. There are essential oils that can be used without caution and others that need more experience in using.
It is also advised to use only authentic oils for the most benefit as well as prevention from irritating side effects that can result from industrially altered oils. There are many, many providers of essential oils available. Generally the least expensive is NOT the best for your health. The lowest cost oils are often not essential oils at all, but laboratory made aromatics with no health value. Find a supplier you trust for your essential oils, as a significant effort must be made in quality control to make therapeutic grade oils available consistently.
Aromatherapy is known to work best for infections, the nervous system, psychological and hormonal imbalances, and moderately for autoimmune diseases (the body attacking its own cells and tissues). One of the most noted successes in essential oils in the use for viral treatments. Essential oils have emerged at being more effective than conventional antiviral drugs.
A Few Recipes for Restoring Health
For the Common Cold - As with the flu, using essential oils in a bath as well as in a direct massage is recommended. In a hot bath place thyme (2 drops), tea tree (2 drops), eucalyptus (1 drop), lemon (3 drops) and inhale deeply. Massage a blend of lemon (1 drop), eucalyptus (2 drops) and rosemary (3 drops) in a carrier oil around the chest, neck, and sinus area (forehead, nose and cheekbones).
Concentration - Use equal portions of basil, geranium, ginger and black pepper and place in a diffuser or room spray (4 drops or more in a cup of warm water).
Stress - During the holidays, stress levels can rise. Here are three different general blends for you to choose from: blend 1: bergamot (9 drops), geranium (11 drops), ginger (10 drops); blend 2: grapefruit (15 drops), rosemary (11 drops), palmarosa (5 drops); blend 3: neroli (7 drops), lavender (3 drops), lemon (20 drops). Place 6-8 drops of a blend in a warm bath or 5 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil and use to massage over body. You may also place a drop between nose and upper lip.
General Headaches - Combine lavender (3 drops) and peppermint (1 drop) and blend in a small amount of carrier oil. Massage around the base of the skull, the temples and along the hair line.
Laryngitis - Many of us sing in holiday choirs and attend festive parties that require an increase in voice usage. If symptoms occur, combine chamomile (2 drops), lavender (3 drops) and thyme (1 drop) and place in bowl of steaming water. Inhale deeply. You may also choose to make a blend with chamomile (5 drops), thyme (1 drop) and lemon (2 drops) and dilute in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage over neck area and behind the ears.
This is a quick look at some easy home care essential oil recipes. Using essential oils for their medicinal properties is simple to do, and when done properly following recipes and guidelines, can be very effective. There are many excellent guidebooks available. Look for those focusing on the medicinal aspects of aromatherapy, and search sites like pubmed.gov for the latest in essential oil health science research.
About the Author:
The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using citronella essential oils and other organic oils.
