Aromatherapy
Basics of Aromatherapy
by: Lorna Findlay
Increasing numbers of people are
attempting to return to a lifestyle that is purely holistic and complete,
recognizing the importance of combining the mind, body, and spirit in equal
measures to achieve optimum health and well-being. Reputed to be very old, and
literally used in almost all civilizations of the world, aromatherapy is one
form of holistic healing that is easy to and flexible to be practiced in our
daily lives.
Aromatherapy contains organic, natural, unadulterated aromatic extracts, called
aromatic essential oils, which come from plant origins. These natural substances
display a broad range of therapeutic effects and actions on the body. Many of
these essential oils play an important role in our daily lives, each and every
moment, and in all occasions. At least one daily consumable that is used by us
contains one of these essentials, like many tooth pastes and mouth washes. There
are even eatables like some baked goods that are made with essential oils.
Aromatherapy, however, refers strictly to the use of essential oils and
hydrosols for health purposes and body healing.
Aromatherapy is the art of using the fragrant essential oils derived from plants
to treat ailments of the mind and body. The magnificent scent of these oils
evokes a variety of different responses by stimulating the olfactory and other
sensory organs, which are linked to the areas of the brain which control
emotions. It means that these essential oils have a direct bearing on the human
constitution, body and mind. A chain of chemical reactions, initiated by this
invisible stimulation then takes place, effecting a physical or emotional change
in the body.
Aromatherapy is an innovative way to improve the quality of life that
incorporates all principles of body and mind. Aromatherapy has already become a
part of our lives, although many of us have not associated the name with the
actual experience. Each human being has an emotional response, both pleasant and
unpleasant, some happy and others sad, to certain scents. So the idea behind
aromatherapy is, initially, to find those scents and oils, unique but different
for each individual, those evoke positive sensory feelings and emotions. The
next step is to introduce those essentials into our daily life to enhance
well-being. Natural scents and oils keep us connected to the earth, sparking
memories and emotions. They also bring back forgotten memories, emotions and
lost luster in our lives.
Pure essential oils are extracted from many parts of the plant (flower, leaf,
resin, bark, root, twig, seed, berry, rind and rhizome) and the extracted oils
are used to relax, replenish, balance and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.
Aromatherapy is both an art and a science that involves the basic constitution
of our body. All these objectives are skillfully achieved by blending required
parts of different oils and then creating a balmy complex that is used to create
a heavenly experience.
How ever, the results of aromatherapy are very individual specific and vary from
person to person. While experts display general agreement about the actions of
certain oils, aromatherapy texts vary differently in their descriptions of the
properties and characteristics of an essential oil. The basic fact is that no
two persons in this world are influenced by the same aromatic oil in exactly the
same way and manner. What is more, even the same person can be significantly
affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time or mood.
If you need to experience the real magic of these essential oils, you will have
to use one of those applications in any part of daily life. Reactions to
fragrances are highly individual and specific. Here is small guideline to help
you try evaluating some aromas of essential oils:
As you inhale deeply an essential oil for the first time, try and describe the
aroma:
Is it sharp and stinging?
Is it subtle and smooth
Is it balanced and tuned?
Is it light or heavy?
Is it warming or cooling?
Is it sweet, spicy, woody, floral, fruity, etc.?
These are some of the basic sensory feeling you can experience on inhaling
aromatic oils. Now try and describe how you perceive the aroma:
Do you like or dislike it?
Do you associate the aroma with any of your previous personal experiences?
What emotions do you have that are connected to these experiences? Is it
possible to remember them?
Does the aroma produce those emotions now? Is it repetitive?
Does the aroma affect your awareness: does it rejuvenate, energize or relax?
Aromatherapy is a science that can not be comprehended so easily; the whole
human race has tried to understand its undying mystery since time immemorial.
However, its magical properties have always mesmerized us with a sense of awe
and suspense.
About The Author: Lorna Findlay Find more
aromatherapy articles at www.essentialaromatherapy.co.uk
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