The Benefits of Aromatherapy in Holistic Health
Mel Possehl
Sometimes called aroma therapy, is described by its proponents as the therapeutic use of the essential oils of plants. This therapy has been used for centuries to calm the nerves and relieve stress, and now is used in a wide range of settings, from health spas to hospitals, to treat a variety of conditions. Aromatherapy is among the fastest growing fields in alternative and holistic medicine.
The essential oil derived from the plants is the basis of aromatherapy. Each oil has its own medicinal and other properties. There are about three hundred essential oils in general use today by practitioners, but the average household could fulfill all its likely needs with about ten.
Massage therapy with essential oils may also be of value (together with medications and/or therapy) for people with depression, stress, anxiety, or other ailments. Massage has a powerful effect on the body and the emotions. Massage mixed with aromatherapy blends nursing, art, and science. And unlike dangerous chemicals, which can leave trace toxins in your body, essential oils deliver their benefits to your body systems and then leave cleanly without a trace.
Essential oils can be anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal or anti-viral. They may even blend of two or more qualities. The essence, or chemical make-up of the oil, is what determines it's efficacy. Just as each oil has it's own unique scent, they each have their own unique medicinal properties and benefits as well.
One must be careful though, Oils that are high in phenols, such as cinnamon, can cause skin irritation. For this reason a bit of education in oils is beneficial, as they can be harmful if not used correctly, in the right amounts, or in the right ways.
For instance, we have all seen so many products on the market that smell very nice and claim to be aromatherapy. This, unfortunately, is incorrect. Many times companies simply put synthetic perfume oils and other un-natural ingredients in their products and label them aromatherapy. These products do not provide even a fraction of the benefits that the natural products can supply you.
The US is at fault for a lot of this, were you aware that there are over nine hundred products in approximately 98% of skin care products on the market today that are toxic? We must be careful when purchasing things to apply to ourselves. Always look for products that list their ingredients. Also, look for the words 'pure essential oils'. Avoid those that have words like fragrance, as these are mostly always synthetic and potentially harmful.
Aromatherapy is also a great way to indulge yourself. It is something we should all treat ourselves to as often as we can. Because it effects the "whole", aromatherapy is a truly holistic form of healing. Since much of this world is artificial, it is nice to know that you can have something real as a source of healing.
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