Using Aromatherapy For Emotional Health

It is very popular these days and it is certainly an interesting approach to wellness, but what is aromatherapy all about? Well, aromatherapy is taking scents derived from plants and using them as a holistic means of therapy. As you may imagine, this is getting into the mainstream very quickly as aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing forms of holistic therapy. Also, quite interestingly, aromatherapy treatments are not only very popular with therapists, it is also becoming extremely popular with people buying oils over the counter to use themselves. Also, aromatherapy is sometimes used in clinics and hospitals for treatment of pain relief, even though some health professionals question it, but nevertheless it sometimes used for relieving pain caused by chemotherapy, or for the rehabilitation of cardiac patients, so its uses are certainly wide and varied.

So now we know that aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils which have been derived from flowers, trees and shrubs, as with most treatments which come from Mother Nature, you will not be surprised to find out that aromatherapy is not a new technique.. In fact aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist Ren Maurice Gattefoss in the 1920s, but, unbelievably it goes back even further than that, as research shows that aromatherapy and its various uses has dated back to early Persia, China and other Eastern countries and back then it was also used for sacred purposes. Like anything in life you get what you pay for and for good aromatherapy treatment you need to pay for either a good practitioner or you need to buy good quality oils.

The beauty of aromatherapy is that it does not only have to be used for the relief of pain, but it’s other uses can be to help take better care of your skin, or it can be used to relieve tension and fatigue but most people like to use it as a way of a relaxing pick me up. The reason for this is that the oils are claimed by some to help improve not only physical health but also emotional and spiritual health Now although it is said anyone can use aromatherapy, it is advised that it should not be used with infants and very young children, or immediately after surgery and also caution is urged with women that are pregnant So, to sum up, aromatherapy is the use of oils to help restore a persons psychological, emotional and physical health through the use of aromatic oils, now that is a very bold claim, but can it be substantiated?

Well, as you may imagine, as with most holistic practices, it is very wide open for debate. Of course it is of no surprise that this is the case, as medical science struggle to believe without concrete proof that people can be cured of ailments solely through the use of aromatic oils, simply because it is on the basis of being in harmony with natural healing. Also, quite surprisingly, a lot of holistic practitioners are of the opinion that aromatherapy is more of an art form than an actual healing process itself, so even this can make the issue seem even more fudged as to whether there are healing properties or not. So is it any surprise that there is confusion over exactly what aromatherapy can and can not do for you, because to be blunt, there is very little evidence to support all the claims made by aroma therapists regarding the various healing properties of oils.

Essential oils are a curiosity to many folks — they smell nice, but they’re just not sure what to do with them, never mind how to get the most from aromatherapy’s science-proven benefits (like antiviral, antibacterial and stress-reducing actions). So where to start?! Inhale! Breathe them in! By using a diffuser to accelerate the evaporation of oils in the air around you, not only does your place smell great, but its the best way to use the most sought-after uses of aromatherapy: immune system and emotional support. We’ll start with a quick review of the potential benefits of diffusing essential oils for your family, with specific notes for children, then look at the best diffusers for each use.

Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Essential Oils

The big interests in home use of essential oils is twofold: 1) They can bring calm to overexcited youngsters while acting as antidepressants for everyone. 2) They have proven antibacterial and antiviral actions; they are able to destroy these microbes in the air, while simultaneously support the strength of our immune system. There’s a good bit of scientific data backing both these claims available for free viewing at PubMed.Gov — start by simply searching for “essential oil” and see where it takes you. Again, the easiest way to reap these benefits of essential oils is to use a diffuser to release the oils into the air in your environment. A diffuser simply evaporates oils faster than they would naturally, getting a therapeutic concentration into your living or office space — but there are many diffuser styles — we’ll help you find the one best suited to your needs.

Diffusers For Antiviral/Antimicrobial Action & Immune Support

For disinfecting the air in your environment, you need to evaporate a relatively high concentration of essential oils. The only way to do this effectively, while conserving the oils to keep costs to a minimum is to use a “nebulizing” diffuser in conjunction with a timer system. While these diffusers will have a somewhat higher initial cost, they’re the only diffusers that will output “therapeutic” doses of essential oils for every possible application. These diffusers “nebulize” the oils, making them into a fine, quickly evaporating mist. This is also the diffuser that will diffuse aroma in the largest area; so even if you’re only wanting a pleasing aroma in your home, for over 800 square feet, this is the diffuser of choice.

The nebulizers come in two styles: “cold air” and “ultrasonic”. The cold air units use only air pressure to diffuse the oils, and output the highest concentration of any diffuser type. The ultrasonic is essentially a small water-humidification unit, where oils are mixed with water and then evaporated. Both styles typically have output controls, so you can turn up or down the amount of oil being diffused. They are also both exceptionally quiet.

Diffusers for “Aroma”-therapy: Anti-Stress and Emotional Support

For simple aromatic use — where oils are used for uplifting your spirits, calming or helping your children sleep, or just making your environment smell fantastic, a “fan” or “warming” diffuser is totally appropriate. The fan diffusers work by blowing air from a small fan over a pad that has been saturated with essential oils — the warming diffusers work the same way, but with a little bit of heat (they don’t get so hot as to burn anyone, and are safe to use around kids). The fan units will emit a quiet hum when on, the warming units will be silent — and the fan units will generally emit aroma into a moderately-sized space, while the less-expensive warming units are suited for a single room.

Use Oils Efficiently with a Timer

The best way to use the least amount of essential oil for your needs is to use a timer — either built-in to the diffuser or a readily-available appliance timer. For ANY application, whether simple aromatic use or medicinal needs, one need only be exposed to the diffused oils for a few minutes at a time. Aromatically, your “smell scent” will become quickly accustom to the aroma, and you’ll start to think the diffuser isn’t working anymore. Running the diffuser for only a few minutes every half an hour lets your nose “forget” the oils are in the air. The same principal works for disinfecting the air and immune-system support — there’s no need to over-saturate the air with essential oils. They are so potent that there’s no need to continually diffuse a high concentration for these results.

Choosing Oils For Your Purpose

All essential oils have naturally different chemical make-ups. That’s what gives them their individual aromas and their individual therapeutic actions. For an uplifting, pleasing atmosphere, the “evergreen” oils are very nice: Fir Needle, Spruce, and Juniper Berry. These are excellent antidepressant aromatics too, along with the citrus oils: Bergamot, Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit and the like, plus Rose and other uplifting flower-scents. For calming and better rest, Lavender is the first choice; when folks aren’t a fan of this popular floral oil, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang are great choices. For all the purposes, its important to use oils you or your family actually like the smell of! There are MANY oils to choose from, and by sampling a few, you’re sure to find something everyone enjoys.

For immune support and air-cleaning, there are many oils highly regarded for their antimicrobial actions. Bay laurel is very nice, and scientifically shown to be an effective anti-viral. “Plain” Lemon and Rosemary oils are excellent antibacterials, as is Lemon Tea Tree (very potent), Lemongrass, and Eucalyptus Radiata (shown specifically to help our white blood cells function better). Most oils that are sharper and brighter will be effective, but be careful as there are some herb-oils that are too strong to diffuse, like Oregano and Thyme, along with the spice oil Cinnamon. In any case, use your judgment with the aromas: if they seem to intense, they are — and either switch to a different oil or turn down the diffuser output. Also be aware that children are MUCH more sensitive to essential oils than adults — adjust your use as necessary, and consult a reputable guide to using essential oils with children.

Conclusion: Diffuse Your Oils for Best Results!

Diffusing essential oils is easy to do, and gives the best results for certain aroma-therapeutic applications — specifically those to do with preventing colds and flu, supporting emotions and bringing calm to a family environment. There are many diffusers to choose from — generally the more expensive units will offer the greatest potential for therapeutic uses, but they’re certainly not necessary to get started. The lowest-cost warming diffusers are only about $12, simply to use, and are very durable. This, and several essential oil samples is a great way to get started using the therapeutic aspects of essential oils and aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is based on a holistic approach to healing. Very often, when you are ill or have a disease, it is not just your physical health that is suffering, your mental and spiritual state may also be in disarray. Aromatherapy treatment can be used to affect mood changes and aid in quicker recovery and healing. What is great about an aromatherapy treatment is that it is totally natural and non-invasive.

Aromatherapy treatment involves the use of naturally extracted aromatic plant extracts. Through the use of essential oils and essences, it seeks to stimulate and enhance the healing process of your body. In fact, natural health experts believe that your body is capable of regulating, maintaining and healing itself. Aromatherapy treatment works on many different levels, including emotional and physical levels, to bring relief.

Aromatherapy treatment is useful in the healing of many diseases and conditions. They include:

- calming the mind for insomnia and moodiness;

- treating skin disorders such as dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis;

- promoting emotional healing such as for depression, hysteria, lack of concentration and panic attacks;

- treating burns, bruises, asthma, bronchitis, flu, muscular aches and pains;

- improving digestion such as in the case of constipation.

An essential oil is one which is made by distilling it with either water or steam or by processing it mechanically (especially in the case of citrus rinds) or by dry distillation of natural materials. After the distillation process, the essential oil becomes physically separated from the water phase.

Essential oils are not greasy and many of them do not leave oily marks behind. These oils are very easily penetrated through the skin and quickly absorbed.

If used incorrectly, they can do more harm than good as essential oils tend to be highly concentrated extracts which are obtained by distilling a variety of plant materials such as flowers, leaves, fruit peel, wood, grasses etc.

Hence, if you wish to heal for a specific condition, do seek the advice of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. The use of essential oils is a precise and learned science. It is important that you ensure you use the highest quality oils and in the right combination best for healing of your disease.

Here is an excellent way to start on an aromatherapy treatment. If you are feeling somewhat depressed, you can burn some aromatherapy candles with a scent known to be calming and soothing for nerves. As soon as you feel more relaxed, you will begin to feel the uplift in your mood.

Therapeutic applications for aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an incredibly versatile therapy. The therapeutic use of essential oils is so varied, that many people limit the benefits that can be gained as they don’t fully understand the wide variety of different applications.

Essential oils can be added to natural base creams, lotions and gels in order to tailor-make your own skincare preparations. This ensures that you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs and that you know what you’re putting onto your skin is pure and unadulterated.

They can be added to vegetable base oils for massage. There is a huge variety of base oils to choose from, which enables you to create a light or rich, therapeutic oil for your massage, according to your skin type and the condition that you’re treating.

You can use them to create your own bath and shower gels, shampoos, and body scrubs. Make sure you choose SLS free options if you want to reduce your chemical intake and have a more natural end-product.

They can also be used to make your own skin nurturing face masques, therapeutic hot/cold compresses and for natural home fragrancing – the list is almost endless!

One of the most powerful therapeutic uses of essential oils however is perhaps one of the lesser known applications. Aromatherapy Inhalations can be an extremely effective way of treating health problems. Symptoms often respond very quickly with inhalations as the oils’ effects are felt almost instantly.

Aromatherapy Inhalations

Inhalations can be used for a variety of complaints. They are particularly helpful for respiratory infections, sinus problems, and viral infections. They can also be helpful in treating mental exhaustion, emotional distress, anxiety, and sleep problems.

The combination of steam and essential oils is also a great way to give yourself a mini Spa Facial – which leaves your skin glowing and clear of excess oil. This is particularly useful for oily/combination skin, where spots and blackheads are a problem.

The reason that inhalations are such an effective way of using aromatherapy oils, is that the steam inhaled transports the oil directly into the blood stream (often past the site of infection) via the blood rich lining of the lungs. The essential oils can then work on the microbes causing the infection internally, and impart their medicinal qualities “en route” as they travel through the mouths, down the throats and into the lungs. Their pain killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antiseptic properties therefore work from the inside out and the outside in! In addition to this the oils are renowned for lifting the emotions, and as our level of immunity is closely linked to our emotions their uplifting effect can help to treat the “whole person” by boosting the spirits as well as fighting infection.

Instructions for use

Take a large bowl and fill it with boiling water. Add your essential oils and immediately place your head directly over the bowl. Place a towel over your head and over the bowl to help seal in the steam. Inhale with your eyes closed for at least 5 minutes. Try to alternate breathing in through the nose and then the mouth so that the therapeutic oils pass over any potential site of infection.

Oil blends for common ailments

Cold/Flu: 4 drops of Tea Tree, 4 drops Bergamot, 1 drop Thyme, 1 drop Eucalyptus or Ravensara.
Sinus Congestion: 4 drops of Tea Tree, 2 drops Lemon, 1 drop Eucalyptus/Niaouli and 1 drop Peppermint.
Sore throat/Tonsilitis: 5 drops of Sandalwood, 4 drops Pine, 2 drops Thyme
Mental Exhaustion: 2 drops of Rosemary, 1 drop Pappermint, 2 drops Neroli
Anxiety: 2 drops of Clary Sage, 2 drops Neroli, 4 drops Bergamot, 4 drops Lavender
Sleep: 4 drops of Marjoram, 5 drops Lavender, 2 drops Neroli, 2 drops Chamomile.
Oily Skin: 2 drops of Cypress, 4 drops Geranium, 4 drops Lavender.

Note: Afterwards you can leave the bowl near radiator or heat source if safe, and let the oils continue to vapourise into the room. Alternatively you could use the same oil combinations in an oil burner, diffuser or for making up your own room or pillow spray.