Aromatherapy Advice

It has been a known fact for many years that aromatherapy can be used for the treatment of illnesses such as emotional as well as physical challenges. Today you can still find people that do not believe in the use of aromatherapy but they are diminishing in numbers. People today are well educated and know that the usage of aromatherapy products can have even extreme effect when used for treatment purposes. Normally we find that aromatherapy is used when treating adults but as with most other treatments it can be used for children and babies as well. The great thing about aromatherapy is that it is a healthy way of treatment compared to the chemical treatments offered by the medicine industry.

As well as with all other treatment types used for adults, you need to keep in mind that at child is not as big a human as an adult and therefore you will need to correct to dose used. You wouldn’t not want to give your child an overdose even with the usage of the aromatherapy oils that are normally safe to use. Secondly it is always advised when using “adult products” and “adult treatments” on babies, that you consult with a professional aroma therapist to avoid causing any harm.

The good thing about the use of aromatherapy for babies is that you can treat them safely and will not have to pump medicine into their tiny bodies to relief them of illness symptoms. You will be doing your child a huge favor as it has been proven many times that extensive use of medicine can cause other diseases later in life.

Will Any Type of Aromatherapy Work?

When you first start out buying aromatherapy oils and essential oils with various scents, there are a few basic things that you will need to be aware of and to pay attention to. First of all it is crucially important that you go for the essential natural oils and not the (much cheaper) synthetic oils. Unfortunately most people have not done their homework and might think that as long as it is called aromatherapy oil, it must all be the same. Fact is that is very far from the truth.

The difference between using natural essential aromatherapy oils and synthetic ones are that the natural one is plant based. It is made from extracts from herbs and plants while the synthetic ones (as the name clearly states) are man or machine made and often comes from different types of chemicals that are mixed together.

Some synthetic oils have been the cause of skin irritations and some have actually been banned from the market. Not that you are in a situation where you are thinking of using oils to treat your child or even your baby, is would an absolute catastrophe if you by doing so caused skin irritations because you wanted to save those extra few dollars. I you think of it in another way you should ask yourself the question: “What is my child’s health worth to me?” Will I risk it to save a few dollars? Hopefully your answer to that question is NO.

To find essential oils you need to start with the list of ingredients. Does the list look like it is made up of natural ingredients such as herbs or does it seem synthetic? Secondly the way the oils are packed will often tell you whether it is quality or not. Lousy packing is often the same as lousy quality. Finally the price will often give away the natural essential oils. It will be sold at a far higher price than the synthetic ones but there is also no comparability in effects at all.

When you have found what you are looking for there is only the choice of scent and the desired effect. I suggest that you talk to the person selling you the oils and tell them that it is for your baby and that the symptoms you want it to work for is so and so. That will provide you with the best possible start to use aromatherapy as a way of treatment.

Lavender essential oil contains up to 40% linalyl acetate and 30% linalol. Linalol is a terpene alcohol that is non-toxic to the human organism, yet naturally germicidal. Linalyl acetate has a pleasant, sweet fruity-floral aroma. The combination of antimicrobial and sweetness is the key to lavender’s effectiveness in cosmetic and aromatherapy preparations.

Lavender oil has been popular since ancient times. It has a wide variety of uses, and Nature’s Sunshine procures the finest oil of the right species to bring you a host of benefits far more pleasing than inferior substitutes commonly sold today. Taking its name from the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash,” lavender possesses a clean, pure aroma. And, like an adaptogen, it encourages balance for the entire nervous system.

Use Lavender essential oil in a spritzer bottle to spray on sheets and blankets at bedtime for a deeper relaxing sleep. It also repels insects.

Aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improves sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders. Blended lavender oil, when used for massage produces a relaxing, calming effect. A few drops of the oil in a hot bath will relieve anxiety and produce a pleasant drowsiness. In a cool bath the oil will refresh and energise. Lavender oil makes a superlative skin or facial oil for troubled skin conditions such as acne and gives temporary relief to the symptoms.

Dried lavender is a tool to experience the sheer aromatic properties in a relaxed ambience. To dry your lavender, strip the leaves or the just opening flowers from the stalk and spread out in a warm place, before using in pot pourris to fragrance your rooms. Around your home, dried lavender stalks can be burned like incense sticks or burned on the fire for their wonderful fragrance.

The most versatile of essential oils, lavender is relaxing, uplifts the spirits and helps relieve muscle pain. It is apt for rejuvenating tired muscles. It can also be used to treats burns, as it reduces scarring. Lavender oil helps to relax, calm nervous system, and is a good sedative. Lavender was used in earlier days as a condiment and for flavouring dishes to prevent indigestion and stomach disorders.

Lavender is just a beautiful herb in your garden. It has gray-green, pointing leaves that grow in a bushy, spreading manner. It is crowned with tall spikes of beautiful pale violet flowers during summer. As an ornamental flower, lavender is unique, sporting exotic fragrance, beauty and a rich harvest of sweet smelling blooms. Old English Lavender, a popular inhabitant of a cottage garden, can grow up to two to three feet high, producing fragrant grayish leaves and blue/purple flowers.

Lavender essential oil can help reduce anger and frustration, while improving your self esteem. Lavender is found to elicit the emotion of happiness. Lavender has a property of calming and sedating effects. You can also use lavender, by scenting a relaxing and antiseptic bath by slowly adding lavender droplets and letting the bath water run over it as it fills the bath. Fresh lavender flowers are excellent for bath too.

The Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and most healing essential oils on the market. In this article, we’ll give a brief overview of the history of the Lavender essential oil, go over the wide range of ailments this essential oil can cure, then finally practically ways you can use the lavender essential oil. By the end of this article, you’ll know both what Lavender is used for, as well as how to use it.

A Brief History of the Lavender Essential Oil

The Lavender Essential Oil was first discovered by Dr. Rene Gattefosse in the 1920’s. He was doing experiments in his lab when he made a mistake and burned his hand. The only thing that he had on hand at the moment was a jar of extracted lavender oil that he had next to him. The first thought that came to mind was to plunge his hand into the extracted lavender oil.

To his great surprise, he instantly felt soothed and relieved. His burn healed much more quickly than it would have otherwise. He realized that his hand was soothed as a result of the lavender oil.

As a scientist, he got very curious about the effects of lavender and other essential oils. He began to do further research into lavender and the extracts of other plants. His research started the trend that has today become aromatherapy.

Uses of the Lavender Essential Oil

There are many uses of the Lavender Essential Oil, from curing very common ailments to the more obscure.

Some of these include:

Sweaty Skin, Acne, Stress Relieve, Allergies, Reducing Anxiety, Reducing Itching, Faster recovery of stress marks, relief from mild sunburn, Athlete’s Foot, Asthma, Blisters, Bruises, Burns & Scalds

As you can see, lavender really has a wide range of uses.

How to Use the Lavender Essential Oil

There are many ways to use the lavender essential oil. Here, we’ll go over three simple ways:

1) Drop 10 drops into a bathtub full of water and enjoy a nice, relaxing soak. The diluted essential oil will gradually affect its healing properties on your body while you take a bath.

2) You can dilute the lavender oil in carrier oil and rub it directly on your skin. It’s generally not a good idea to rub essential oils directly on your skin, even with lavender.

3) You can diffuse the oil in the air. One way to do that is to soak a tissue with the oil and put it on a fan. This will have the oil gradually spray itself throughout the air.

You now know what the lavender essential oil is, its uses and how to use it for yourself. While you can experiment with the lavender oil at home, it can also be an amazing experience to experience the healing effects of the lavender oil at the hands of an aromatherapist or a massage therapist.

Keep in mind that if you have any serious physical ailments, consult a doctor before applying your own cures. Lavender oil isn’t a replacement for real medical attention when it comes to more serious issues.

The scent of lavender has been proven to lift people’s spirits by fighting depression, can relax the mind after a grueling day, and can even help soothe body aches and pains. When used in our homes, lavender can enhance our moods and make life more enjoyable. There are many ways to use the power of lavender and incorporate that power into our daily lives. These gorgeous purple flowers can be dried and used either in stalk form or through the dried buds of its flowers. You can also purchase lavender essential oil for a highly concentrated source that will give a tremendous amount of aromatherapy with using only a few drops of the oil.

Dried lavender on the stalks can be used to create gorgeous wreaths or a dried flower arrangement. Wreaths with solid lavender all around make a dramatic purple accent to any room while adding a fragrant scent that lasts for months. If the stalks need refreshing, a little spray from an atomizer filled with lavender essential oil is the perfect solution. If you either want to tone down the lavender scent in your wreath or don’t have a lot of purple in your décor, you can always use a few sprigs here and there to add a touch of purple and a hint of fragrance to your setting.

A dried flower arrangement is the perfect place to add lavender. Again, you can intensify the impact of the color and scent of this flower by filling a vase or basket with just lavender. A few stalks here and there can be used to add pizzazz to an existing arrangement. The bathroom and bedroom are great areas for dried lavender because, respectively, it hides odors and brings relaxation. This is why when you go to the spa or to a massage therapist they always use lavender to enhance the ambiance for their clients.

Essential oils are simply the scented components of the lavender flower that have been added to a liquid for easy application; this is usually oil, but can also be in an alcohol-based liquid such as cologne. Oils are wonderful because they hold the scent for a longer time when applied to the skin or to sachet or fabric. Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used in soaps and laundry to soften skin and give fragrance to clothing. You can purchase essential oils from a perfumery shop, natural foods store, or online.

Here are some tips for adding the scent of dried lavender to anywhere in your home:

Moisten a cotton ball with a few drops of lavender oil and add it to your vacuum cleaner canister or bag. It will fill your entire home with its wonderful scent! Spray or drop some essential oil onto a washcloth and throw it in with your laundry in the dryer. Place a shallow dish filled with lavender buds next to your bed to help induce sleepiness at night. Add a dried flower arrangement or wreath anywhere in your home where you want to enjoy the light, continuous fragrance of lavender.

How to prepare any rose for winter always depends on temperature. In general, if in your area during winter the temperature drops to minus 10 degrees F or lower then any rose bush will need some protection.

Note: If you live in a area that has a mild winter then most of the following will not apply. However, the advice on fertilizing and watering in general does. (In mild winter areas a rose never really goes dormant though does require a season of rest).

Whether you have a hybrid tea, floribunda, tree rose, miniature or climber the goal is always the same… To protect the crown and roots of the plant from the worst of the winter cold and possible mid-winter thaws and re-freezings.

In the case of climbing roses and tree roses you will also need to protect the upper parts (long canes for climbers and top flowering crown for rose standards) as well.

Preparing a rose for winter will always start in spring ( yes, I did mean spring). Any rose that has had a long and well tended growing season will be better able to tolerate the worst any winter has to offer.

Throughout the growing season be sure to water a rose deeply (allow the soil to dry to a depth of 2 inches or so before watering again, the root system needs air too) and fertilize regularly which will encourage a deep and healthy root system as well as healthy canes and flowers.

Roses store nutrients in their woody canes and so the bigger the plant the healthier it will be. Maintain a routine of pest and disease prevention as well as careful pruning to remove spindly growth and damaged or diseased canes.

About mid to late August stop fertilizing though do continue to water deeply (never let the roots of a rose completely dry out). About late September stop cutting blooms and allow a few rose hips to develop which will be a signal to the plant that it’s dormant period is approaching.

Once you have had a few good frosts, leaves will start falling. Apply a dormant spray such as lime sulfur or a dormant oil spray. This will kill pests and fungal diseases that might try to over-winter on the plant or surrounding soil. It can also help nudge those final leaves off. Rake leaves from around your plants and throughout your yard to prevent the spread of disease or a place for pests to hide.

Continue watering only as needed until the first hard frost and the ground is frozen. At this point cover the base (crown) of the plant and the surrounding soil (about 12 inches around the base of the plant) with a thick layer of straw, leaves or mulch and then cover with a few inches of soil. Do not remove soil from around the plant to cover the crown, that soil is needed to insulate the rest of the surrounding roots. Instead, use soil from another part of the garden.

Climbing roses require the same protection listed above and in addition will need to have their long canes protected as well. Carefully remove the canes from the trellis, fence or wall they are tied to, lay them on the ground and cover with a thick layer of straw, leaves or mulch and a few inches of soil just like the base of the plant.

Tree roses are a special case in that not only do you need to protect the base and “trunk” of the plant but the top flowering crown as well.

There are 3 ways to over-winter a rose standard if it is planted in the ground. One, is to dig the plant up keeping a good sized root-ball and “heal” the plant into a large container then move it into a shed or garage for the winter. As spring approaches the plant is brought back outside and re-planted in the ground.

The second method is to carefully remove some soil from one side of the plant and bend it until it is laying on its side and then covering the entire plant with a thick layer of straw, leaves or mulch and 3 to 4 inches of soil. This method can be tricky for the novice gardener as there is a danger of cracking or breaking the plant at one of its grafting points.

The third method may be the easiest for a ground planted tree rose. First, wrap the entire plant in a thick layer of straw and burlap taking care to fully protect the plant from top to bottom. Secure everything with either clips, string, twine or wire and after taking a few measurements construct a ply-wood box (with an open bottom) to place around or over the plant.

Rose standards that are planted in containers are the easiest to care for. After following the advice for preparing a rose for winter listed above, simply move into a shed or garage where the temperature will be milder than the temperature outside. Check the soil now and then to make sure the roots do not dry out (water lightly when needed) and move back outside once the danger of frost has past.

Late winter – early spring: When there is no longer a danger of a killing freeze uncover your roses and water deeply if needed. Once new growth starts to appear is when you’ll want to prune. Remove any damaged or spindly canes and prune back healthy canes by 1/3 to 1/2. Then fertilize and follow all the steps necessary to promote healthy vigorous plants for the entire growing season.

Good Luck and Happy Gardening!

There are several ways for you to introduce aromatherapy in your lifestyle. You may want to add a few drops of aromatherapy essential oils in the water as you soak in the bath. Aromatherapy is a method of healing with the help of fragrance or aroma. Different types of essential oils usually produce this fragrance, which reaches the nose of the patient with the help of a diffuser or inhaler. It is important that the diffuser be of good quality or else the smells will be too less or too much and create more harm than help. Aromatherapy electric diffusers are used when you want to disperse therapeutic essential oils into the air.

Their aroma can fill a room or an area with the natural fragrance. Currently, several types of aromatherapy electric diffusers are being used. not counting the non-electric ones. Aromatherapy electric diffusers are not very costly. Some of them can even come relatively cheap, if you know how to look. They can be very useful if you don’t want to be bothered with preparing your own diffuser. Fan aromatherapy electric diffusers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. This type of aromatherapy electric diffuser uses a fan to blow the essential oils into the air. It is speedy in that the aroma from your oils is dispersed quickly into the air.

To start using a fan aromatherapy electric diffuser, place a few drops of essential oils onto a disposable absorptive pad or into a tray. The pad or tray is placed into the diffuser unit and then powered on. The air from the fan then blows over the pad or tray, carrying their aroma throughout the room. Another types of aromatherapy electric diffuser is heat aromatherapy electric diffuser. A heat aromatherapy electric diffuser is quite similar to a fan diffuser. This type of aromatherapy electric diffuser uses heat and a fan to gently heat the oil and disperse the aroma into a room. A nebulizer is not technically an aromatherapy electric diffuser.

Basically, a nebulizer is a device that takes essential oils and breaks them into separate molecules. The molecules are later dispersed into the room. A heat aromatherapy electric diffuser is quite similar to a fan diffuser. This type of aromatherapy electric diffuser uses heat and a fan to gently heat the oil and disperse the aroma into a room. Heat diffusers are advisable if you are using essential oils with thicker consistency, such as sandalwood or patchouli. You can find an aromatherapy electric diffuser that runs on batteries if portability is a concern. Some travelers like to set up their diffusers in hotel rooms to create a cozy atmosphere.

How to blend essential aromatherapy oils to ease coughs;get expert tips and advice on aromatherapy ingredients and techniques in this free personal health video. Expert: Nili Nathan Contact: www.earth911.org Bio: Nili Nathan, host of “Great Healing Getaways”, is the creator of a television series and Web site on holistic health, where she researches, writes, and reports. Filmmaker: Nili Nathan

Essential oils are the amazing natural extracts of plants, trees and grasses from all over the world. When the leaves and plant materials are steam distilled then the resulting liquids have many powerful uses. These highly aromatic oils can be used in aromatherapy, for alternative medicinal purposes and for use in many areas of your home for some very positive results.

Here are my top ten tips for using these luxurious oils:

1. Chamomile is a wonderful aroma therapeutic oil. The soothing effects of lavender become apparent when used to quiet a nervous personality, including those of pets and horses. A larger dose also induces a deeper, more restful sleep for everyone.

2. Tea Tree Oil is from Australia and it has many uses. It can be used to rid the body of a fungus or rash. It soothes burns including sunburn and also relieves bee stings.

3. Lavender is rivalled only by Tea Tree Oil for its usefulness. Due to its aromatic and therapeutic nature, a good use for lavender essential oil is in the bath. Lavender is inherently antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, which is why it is an excellent treatment for minor burns, cuts and scrapes. The oil also helps prevent scarring caused by minor burns, but do not pour the oil into open wounds.

4. Peppermint Oil is one aromatic herb that can be identified by most people. It has been a favoured morning sickness remedy for centuries because not many products relieve nausea as well. Try it also when someone is experiencing motion sickness.

5. Eucalyptus is a popular remedy for tension headaches. Everyone gets a bit tense occasionally, and a dab of oil rubbed on the temples will quickly relieve the stress causing the pain, or the vial of oil may be held under the nose so it can be inhaled. It is also antibiotic and an antiseptic oil, and perfect for use in the vaporizer during cold and flu season.

6. Citronella is the best known insect repellent. Make a hair rinse of the oil and water to repel head lice, and a diluted spray of water and oil will repel fleas from pets and carpet. : A tiny dab of lavender essential oil, used undiluted on an insect bite relieves the itch quickly, and a dab behind each ear not only smells nice but acts as another natural insect repellent.

7. Rose oil is delightful, all-around fragrance oil for the home. Put a single drop of oil in the washer while it is filling with water and add a couple drops to a dishcloth and toss it in the dryer. Doing this will lend a pleasant, light aroma to the clothing.

8. Rosemary is an anti-inflammatory essential oil and also stimulates physical and mental clarity. Rosemary is good to use in muscle rubs and it also soothes arthritis.

9. Cinnamon is a formidable fungicide. Fungal infections like athletes foot and ringworm are no match for lavender’s powerful action. It is also a powerful antiviral. Be sure to buy cinnamon oil and not cassia.

10. Neroli oil has a reputation for inducing relaxation and deep, recuperative sleep.

The pure oil should never be ingested, and should not be used neat (pure and undiluted) on your skin. However, use them safely and essential oils have many exciting uses around your home for very little cost.

Oils.

In order for aromatherapy to be effective and beneficial, care must be taken when selecting the essential oils that will be used for healing. Some oils will be more appropriate, in terms of effectiveness, to particular people than others. To ascertain which oil is best suited for you, experiment with the oils and determine the right oil that will relieve stress and other stress related illnesses that are peculiar to you. While experimenting with different oils, keep in mind the properties of each essential oil and its effect on the human body, mind, and soul. Some oils have anti-inflammatory properties; some are relaxing and sedative, some invigorating and so on. A blend of 2-3 oils can be made by incorporating different characteristics and properties to suit your personal needs. Dilute and blend your chosen oils in a carrier or base oil, but be careful not to exceed recommended amounts.

Massage Techniques.

A full body massage is not a necessary requirement in order to benefit from the essential oils. Blended essential oils can be rubbed locally into the area that is giving problems, whether it is muscular aches and pains, a stiff neck or a congested chest. A few handy tips when doing a self-massage include, use gentle strokes towards the heart, to encourage the circulation, and when massaging the abdomen, move your hands in clockwise circles, following the flow of the intestines.

Some of the popular massage techniques that can be used in conjunction with aromatherapy are:

Swedish massage.

This method of massaging was developed by the Swede Professor Ling. It is beneficial to promote the feeling of well-being and also helps to reduce emotional and physical stress.

Neuromuscular massage.

Neuromuscular massage forms the basis of aromatherapy massage and evolved from the work of Stanley Leif. The overall effect of this massage is to restore the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

Lymphatic massage.

This massage helps to improve the flow of lymph and can also be incorporated into aromatherapy massage. Lymph drainage massage is particularly useful in detoxifying the body and boosting the immune system.

Acupressure massage and Shiatsu.

This method of massage focuses on the meridians of the body and aims to relieve blockages of these meridians by massaging vital pressure points. It can be performed while the person is fully clothed and requires no needles such as in acupuncture.

Reflexology.

In reflexology, the focus is placed on manipulating and massaging certain points on the feet and other parts of the body, that are said to directly affect internal organs. Massaging of these points is said to improve the functions of the corresponding organs in the body.

Aromatherapy candles help you feel great. They offer you wonderful scents to help you relax and feel calm. Placing aromatherapy candles in your bathroom while you relax in the warm water will allow you to breath calmly and feel the tension leave your body from head to toe. You will need to select an aromatherapy candle for your specific need as they are designed to alter your mental state for the better. Some aromatherapy candles help you relax, others rejuvenate your energy. I love the ones that help you fall asleep, of course I have to make sure the candle is out before I am!

Charka are aromatherapy candles that are believed to have a metaphysical energy about them. They are made from natural herbs and waxes. These candles are often used during body massage sessions to help the customer relax and let the massage work out the stress and anxiety from the body. All types of aromatherapy candles can have a positive affect on your state of mind and your surroundings.

While it is common to choose candles based on their smell, it is important to choose aromatherapy candles based on what your physical and mental needs are. To create a sexy, sensual environment choose a Jasmine candle. For someone who is often tired or ran down, go for a rejuvenating or invigorating candle such as Spearmint or Peppermint. Orange and Grapefruit will help you stay focused and feel less frazzled and distracted.

Cintronella aromatherapy candles help reduce headaches, Chamomille helps you get a good night of sleep.

You want to choose an aromatherapy candle that has all natural ingredients. Some retailers add artificial ingredients to make the candle more appealing but it won’t provide you with the same benefits. You are encouraged to purchase soy aromatherapy candles instead of those made from paraffin wax. Soy candles are non-toxic, biodegradable, burn for hours, and they don’t produce smoke that can get into your lungs. Beeswax is a good choice too.

If you feel creative and adventurous you can make your own aromatherapy candles in your kitchen. You can make them for yourself or as great gifts for your friends and family. You can make the candle from aromatherapy oils that fit the personality of the person you plan to give it to. They will appreciate the personal touch as well as the benefits the candles provide them. For best results use soy wax or bees wax. You can purchase wicks, jars, color, aromatherapy oils, and wax online or at a craft store.

Melt your wax in a double boiler. When it completely melted add coloring and aromatherapy oil. Immediately pour the mixture into your candle jars. Place a wick in the center of the jar. Wrap it around a pencil at the top and lay it across the mouth of the jar. As your candles cool, make sure the wick is centered. Allow your candles to completely cool. This is a wonderful way for you to enjoy the best aromatherapy candles.