Its powerful Spasmolytic and astringent properties make pure Cypress oil an ideal remedy for sinus congestion, whooping cough, or a hacking type cough.

METHOD OF APPLICATION: For immediate bronchial and cough relief use Direct Inhalation of Cypress pure essential oil.

DIRECT INHALATION is the method used most often in Germany and the one I primarily uses for best therapeutic results.

FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS – Dispense 1-4 drops of pure Cypress oil onto a cotton ball or tissue.

Slowly introduce the oil into your system by inhaling the Cypress oil vapors for 30-60 seconds.

Close your eyes and inhale. Breathe in slowly and pause briefly on your inhaled breath.

Then slowly exhale, letting go of any tension.

Allow yourself to relax for a moment into a feeling of well-being at the end of each exhalation.

Repeat this slow, rhythmic breathing five more times.

An aromatic mist of pure Cypress oil is also very effective for relieving coughing fits!

AROMATIC COUGH MIST ~ This is a favorite way of mine for using aromatic oils.

DIRECTIONS – Fill a 4 ounce colored glass atomizer/misting bottle with distilled water, add 60-120 drops of pure Cypress oil, alone or in a blend. If time permits allow the pure essential oils to synergize for 2-3 hours or longer before using. Shake well and spray the Cypress dilution around your head area with eyes closed. Be sure to inhale the pure Cypress oil vapors as you allow yourself to relax! Repeat as needed for cough relief.

FOR A SOOTHING COUGH BLEND add 1 or 2 of the following pure essential oils to pure Cypress oil: Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, Sandalwood and Vetiver.

CAUTION: Please avoid Cypress oil during pregnancy due to its circulatory and hormonal effects. If you do want to use Cypress oil while you are pregnant please consult a qualified professional aromatherapist, as it can be especially beneficial in certain situations.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

Aromatherapy products must contain essential oils. Important oils are all natural. They don’t contain anything synthesised. When employed in products the level of oils used must be acceptable to use the way that it is structured. Products used for this purpose include soaps, candles, lotions, body oils and oils that are used with an infuser that puts them into the air. Products could be used for the home or for the body. It’s really important to note that aromatherapy products aren’t controlled, so basically any company can put the word aromatherapy on their products even if they don’t seem to be a real product. You have to read labels and discover what the ingredients are before purchasing products for this use.

Essential oils in any form can be used for many things. You can use them to create a calmer home environment. You may use them to make a room or area of your house more relaxing. You may use them in body care products so you’ve got the lasting effects throughout the day.

Aromatherapy is generally used to help in treating mental and physical conditions. The essential oils may be employed to help in alleviating stress and induce relaxation. They can be employed to help to lessen the results of conditions like asthma. You can also use them to assist in easing body pains.

When you are using essential oils it is really important to employ them correctly. You’ve got to watch out about using oils you’re not familiar with. Always teach yourself about an oil before you use it. You’ll do research on your own or talk with a pro. You would like to make sure that the oils won’t cause a side effect, like an allergic response or that the oil isn’t harmful.

Some oils may not work for people with certain conditions or allergies. Some aromatherapy oils are also annoying when used immediately on the skin. Just because you have seen an oil used in an aromatherapy product does not necessarily imply you can safely use it on yourself. It is always best to be careful and do your preparation first.

Aromatherapy can perform wonders for your mind and body. After you start doing it you will spot the changes. You can use aromatherapy products and essential oils everyday if you would like. You can make them part of your day. The advantages from aromatherapy have authorized many of us to chill, be happier and to overcome some health and psychological issues they have fought with. You might be just as lucky if you choose to start trying aromatherapy in your life.

Being very concentrated and powerful (rarely used undiluted, and in very specific instances) they are greatly diluted before use. Many are light, clear and non-greasy, although a few are viscous and some are coloured. They are also highly volatile and evaporate quickly when exposed to the air, so they are best kept in airtight, dark glass bottles. However, they will not dissolve in water, you can dissolve them in fatty oils, such as almond, sunflower oil or alcohol. In a massage oil, for example, the dilution of essential oil in base oil is around 2 or possibly 3%.

They evaporate as soon as they come into contact with the air so, whichever method of applying is used, a certain amount is always inhaled. Because body massage is the main method of applying them, this suggests that the lungs and the skin are both of prime importance in the way they get into the body and do their work.

There are several ways to use essential oils at home, with or without the specific advice and support of an aromatherapist. As long as you stick to the guidelines and instructions, using them at home can be both fun and rewarding. When there is a physical ailment to be treated, you focus mainly on their physical properties. For example, if you have a sore throat then you would choose one that can fight the bacterial infection, such as lavender, benzoin, thyme or rosewood. On other occasions, they are selected more for their cosmetic skin-care,sedative, stimulating or anti-depressant and uplifting properties.A brief holistic review is always given to the way the essential oils affect you as a whole person, but this is not always the prime consideration.

Ledum’s powerful action to regulate and balance makes it an especially effective tonic for thyroid gland function.
Pure Ledum essential oil can be used to balance either an over active (hyperthyroid) condition or an under functioning or (hypothyroid) condition.

Ledum has a natural affinity for the immune system and known to effectively stimulate immune function.
In my aromatherapy practice I primarily use Ledum to balance thyroid function and for general immune support.

Ledum promotes healthy thyroid function and relieves symptoms associated with thyroid imbalance.
For good reason Ledum has been used traditionally as a ‘cure all!’

Research in brain chemistry and receptor science has found properties in many of the medicinal plants used by native cultures, such as Ledum, to have sequiterpenoid compounds that actively communicate within the human body to produce very specific biological actions.

These actions include: anti-tumoral, anti-malarial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Sesquiterpenoids are known to have an especially calming effect on the body, mind and emotions.

Other pure essential oils with sesquiterpenoids known to have strongly calming and reassuring effects are Frankincense, Myrrh, YlangYlang (the third distillation of Ylang Ylang has the highest amount of sesquiterpenoids) and Vetiver which is primarily made up almost entirely of sesquiterpenoids and known to be highly effective for relieving Panic, Anxiety and Stress.

Ledum’s highly specific sesquiterpenoid profile makes it especially effective for liver and kidney detoxification.

Kurt Snaubelt recommends Ledum (taken internally – two drops per day) after acute illness. He considers Ledum to be the number one choice for liver and kidney detoxification. He also recommends Ledum for the treatment of nephritis and suggests using it to counteract the effects of insomnia and allergies.

PLEASE NOTE: Internal use of essential oils is not recommended unless you are under the supervision and care of a trained and licensed health care professional!

Ledum promotes the healthy function of respiratory and digestive systems.

Its calming properties are useful for relieving stomach upset and nervous indigestion.

Ledum is especially beneficial for relieving cold and flu symptoms such as nausea, aches and pains, congestion, sore throat and cough.

In Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of healing practiced in India, the warm medicinal and spicy aroma of Ledum helps to regulate and pacify both Vata and Kapha Doshas.

Symptoms of Vata imbalance are premenstrual syndrome, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and worry.

Symptoms of Kapha imbalance are high cholesterol, low metabolic forces, slow to lose weight, fluid retention, stagnation and blockage, lethargy and depression.

BLEND WITH: Ledum’s strong medicinal aroma is rather distinct. Try a sharp citrus oil like Lemon or Pink Grapefruit or the powerful and sweet aroma of Fennel to enhance Ledum’s effects and to soften its strong medicinal scent.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

Melissa essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It has been used effectively for treating herpes lesions. It may useful for treating various infectious diseases such as flu virus, smallpox and mumps.

Robert Tisserand’s research indicates that Melissa blended with Rose Otto is an effective treatment against shingles and cold sores. He recommends it neat for adults to treat cold sores. As it is a strong skin irritant a dilution is advised.

Melissa is often recommended for relieving nausea and indigestion, especially when associated with nervous tension. It has been used in tacchycardia to slow the heart beat, and relieve palpitations. Melissa may also be useful for lowering blood pressure.

Dementia agitation may be relieved with Melissa oil. A recent study cited in the Journal of Complimentary Medicine reported Melissa oil to be a safe and effective treatment for the management of agitation in severe dementia. The study indicated that true pure Melissa oil significantly reduced agitation and enhanced quality of life.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) study of patients with mild to moderate symptoms using Melissa herbal essential oil experienced significant benefits in cognition after 16 weeks of treatment.

Emotionally, Melissa’s delightfully fresh scent may ameliorate anger and help restore the heart’s natural rhythm of giving and receiving, allowing and accepting. A regulator, depending on the circumstances for which it is used, Melissa is both calming and uplifting.

A mild sedative in small doses use Melissa to help calm fear and anxiety. Melissa may also be helpful for integrating overwhelming feelings like shock, grief, terror and rage. Blend Melissa with Frankincense to enhance its affect for letting go, acceptance and depth of understanding. As with Helichrysum oil Melissa may help resolve past emotional trauma associated with early childhood memories, or unconscious ancestral patterns.

CAUTION: Use Melissa in very low dilutions of 1-2%, or less, as it is a strong skin irritant.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and may produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

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.

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 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.

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.

There is a direct link between our subconscious minds and the sense of smell. A smell can trigger memories and make the associated emotions come back too.

We don’t consciously use our sense of smell very often. We seem to have developed a stronger sense of taste over the past thirty years, or so, and our eating habits have changed along with this. We don’t rely so much on how our food smells any more. Perhaps this is because we no longer need to check the freshness of food via our sense of smell. We have sell by dates, use by dates and refrigerators to help us with that.

The word ‘aromatherapy’ comes from the Greek words for ‘treatment by smell’.

Aromatherapy is the use of natural oils to improve mental, physical and emotional health and well being. It is not a new art and we are only just beginning to rediscover what ancient cultures before us knew so well.

The following brief history of medicine is based on an article from ‘New Scientist Magazine’ and it sums up exactly how the use of natural therapies has come full circle over the past 4000 years:

I have a stomach ache…

2000BC Eat this root.

AD1000 That root is heathen. ‘Say a prayer while you eat it’.

AD1850 That prayer is just superstition. Drink this potion.

AD1940 That potion is a magic potion and not effective. Swallow this pill.

AD1985 That pill doesn’t work. Take this antibiotic.

AD2000 That antibiotic is unnatural. Here, then, eat this root.

So, as we see above, the whole thing has gone round in a complete circle.

The term aromatherapy was first used in modern times by Rene Gattefosse in 1928, even though the therapy itself had been used in healing for thousands of years before that.

Gattefosse burnt his hand very badly while he was working in his lab. He put his hand into a container of lavender oil to cool it as this was the nearest thing he could find. To his amazement the hand healed very quickly and there was very little scarring and modern aromatherapy was born.

This amazing, wonderful smelling plants is perhaps the most well known of all aromatherapy plants. Lavender has some amazing properties. It is anti-septic, relaxing, uplifting, and much more. This is certainly the very first aroma that you should try out. An added bonus is that it is safe and gentle and most people can use it.