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Introduction
The
world of Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing areas of Alternative and
Preventative health today. What I
have presented here is a balanced perspective on how
you can include essential oils into your wellness regimen, safely, effectively
and creatively.
There are many oils
that have similar effects on the body and mind so there are many
choices for the same issue. Sometimes
the choice comes down to personal preference, cost, availability, or lack of
knowledge about other choices. As you continue your journey, please keep this mind. As it is while following a spiritual path, many paths lead to the same
source. So it is with the Art of Aromatherapy.
What you will find in the answers to these common questions is the result of my experience
with Aromatherapy and the accumulated knowledge I have gained from sources that I trust.
What is Aromatherapy?
Essential Questions
Standard definition is the use of aromas for their healing
properties. But there are many
variations as to how Essential oils are used for their healing properties.
Holistic Aromatherapist like myself focuses on restoring
optimum health on all levels, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
This approach may stand on it’s own or be combined with energy
balancing, massage, reflexology, meditation, spiritual coaching, nutritional
counseling, herbs, cooking with essential oils, and so on.
There are also regional differences in approaches to
Aromatherapy. In France, interest
was primarily sparked by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (1881-1950) who led the way
into research of essential oils abilities to not only heal the skin but how they
strengthen the immune system. Carrying
on the this work is Dr. Jean Valnet who is credited with having contributed most
to the medical assessment and acceptance of aromatherapy that continues to be
widely used today in Medical circles in France.
The Austrian born cosmetologist Marguerite Maury combined
massage with essential oils. In
this method carefully selected essential oils are used for situations such as
inflammation, spasm, muscle tension and soreness etc. The essential oils are diluted in carrier oil and
applied directly to the skin. Her
clients reported dramatic improvements in their skin condition but also many
other side effects like overall sense of well being, decrease in arthritic and
rheumatic pain, deeper sleep, and heightened sexual pleasure!
Many recognize Robert Tisserand, the British Aromatherapist,
as one who has put Aromatherapy on the map with his book The Art of
Aromatherapy, published in 1977. Above
many others for the time, his work regarding the therapeutic properties of
essential oils set the stage. In
last 25 years, this field is exploding with new insights as to the pure
potential from the plant kingdom to assist humanity in a most remarkable way.
You can read 10 books on Aromatherapy and you will get 10
different opinions for which oil can be used for each condition.
This is not to say that anyone is wrong or right.
There are many oils that have similar therapeutic actions, but some are
better at it than others. The
author may prefer the aroma of the oil, or the chosen oil is more readily
available in their particular region.
An example of this is Lavender, (Lavendula officinalis).
A small amount of Lavender is sedating and calming, too much Lavender is
stimulating. Lavender is a first
choice for burns and cuts because of ability to assist the healing process of
the skin, (called vulnerary action) but so are Roman Chamomile, (Anthemis
nobilis) and Tea Tree, (Melaleuca alternifolia), and many others.
The first step is learning about a few basic oils, what their therapeutic
actions are and how to safely administer them to yourself and family for
everyday minor conditions.
Today in the field of Aromatherapy, we move forward with
improved understanding of how important our sense of smell is, the powerful
healing components in the oils themselves and our ability to bring it all
together in today’s quest for medicine that respects the mind body and spirit
connection. Researchers such as Candace B. Pert, Ph.D., are shedding light on
the subject of how the chemicals inside our bodies’ form a dynamic information
network, linking mind and body. Her
work leads to a deeper understanding of the chemical structure of essential oils
and the role they play in the mind body connection.
Authors note: The choices I make as a Holistic Aromatherapist are based on
my education from the Australasian Herbal College where I am certified from,
hours of additional training and personal research, and my own experiences with the oils for myself and clients.
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What are Essential Oils?
Essential Questions
Essential oil is a natural extract from aromatic plants and
other botanical sources. They are
the concentrated tools used in the art of Aromatherapy. The oils are extracted, primarily by careful steam
distillation methods from plants, berries, seeds, nuts, flowers, bark, bulbs,
resins and gums, roots, from hundreds of species of plants from all over the
world.
Which method to choose depends on the structure and individual
requirements of each plant.
The oil that is collected from the distillation process is
called Essential oil. To capture
citrus oils from the rind of fruits such as Lemon, Orange, Lime and Grapefruit a
process is used called “expression”. To
capture the essence of delicate flowers a gentler process is required called
Enfleurage. There are other methods
used, but these are the most common.
Each oil extracted consists of hundreds of individual
biochemical components. Depending
on the molecular structure, each oil has it’s own unique characteristics and
properties Below you can see some
of the functional groups found within the oils that give them their therapeutic
properties.
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Esters:
are antifungal, antimicrobial sedative
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Phenols:
antiseptic, bactericidal, disinfectant, stimulant
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Alcohol:
antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, germicidal
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Aldehydes:
antifungal, anti inflammatory, disinfectant, sedative
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Ketones:
anticatarrhal, cell proliferant, expectorant, vulnerary
This is not a complete list of all the groups and actions but
it gives you the general idea of how certain actions are related to the chemical
groups.
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Why do plants produce essential oil?
Essential Questions
A simple answer to that question is to look at the characters
of plants. Some have attraction
mechanisms to attract insects for pollination, while some need to attract
beneficial insects that prey on that plants natural predator, or they may
produce essential oils to repel others away. The plant kingdom has been used throughout time as a source
of nourishment, and as remedies.
Essential oils are Volatile. This means that when the extracted oil is exposed to air, the
molecules “fly” or become vapor. Some
aromas are more volatile than others, such as citrus oils like orange and lemon
are quick to disperse, while Vetiver and Sandalwood are heavy and the aroma will stay and
linger.
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Are all essential oils the same?
Essential Questions
There are definite differences in qualities of oils out
on the mass market.
The Food and Perfume industry has controlled the majority
of the market in the past, which you already have been using in common products
for years, such as toothpaste, Cordials, Rums, Jams and Jellies, Rubber
products, chest rubs, cough drops, mouth wash, skin care and perfumes to name
only a few. This grade of oil is
not acceptable for use in clinical or therapeutic Aromatherapy.
With the expanding field of Aromatherapy a much finer
quality of essential oil is required. In
Aromatherapy, we need to use oils that are harvested at exactly the right
time of day to optimize the quality of the oil.
They have to be carefully distilled with just the right amount of time
and heat and pressure for each particular plant, for they each have different
distillation requirements. The oils
must be grown without pesticides, and from my perspective, they should be grown
with care and love, which always adds to the quality of plants. Oils need to be handled correctly during packaging and
shipping and storage. Oils do not
like extreme temperature, heat, light and exposure to oxygen diminish the
quality of many oils.
Lately we have seen essential oil displays popping up
everywhere; at the grocery stores, spas, Salons, and on the Internet. But
how do you know what you are getting? This
is the biggest challenge for the consumer.
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Why use an Aromatherapist?
Essential Questions
Aromatherapists buy from different suppliers who they have
come to trust. The supplier tests
each oil for its purity; most have developed relationships with the growers and
know who they are dealing with. I
consider the energetic quality of the oil to be just as important as the
chemical make up. When purchasing
oils and blends from a certified Aromatherapist, you increase the likelihood
that you are getting top quality oils, they are affordable, you receive the
benefits of a qualified Aromatherapist, and you can customize blends to your
liking and needs.
Most Holistic Aromatherapists will take a case history, watch
for any contra indications for your specific situation, create a blend for you
within current recommended dosages and suggest the best method of application
for your needs. Your chosen oils
can also be blended into massage oils, personal care products, cleaning products
and perfumes. Often the
Aromatherapists services are coupled with energy
balancing, massage, reflexology, gem stones, flower essences and intuitive readings, although each
therapist is unique.
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What oils should I start with? Enlightened Choices
I suggest starting with the basics.
Get to know Lavender, Tea Tree or Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Clary Sage,
Geranium, Lemon. These are great oils to start with. They cover basic skin care, stress, clearing your head when
you’re stuffy, headaches, fungus and viral problems, tension and much more.
Learn what they do and how to safely use them.
Another approach is to choose one or two from the different
types of oil categories. Choose
from the aroma families such as:
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Citrus: Bergamot,
Grapefruit, Lemon Lime orange, Tangerine
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Floral: Lavender,
Jasmine, Neroli, Rose
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Herbaceous: Basil,
Clary Sage, Peppermint, Marjoram, Rosemary
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Camphoraceous: Eucalyptus, Ravensara, Peppermint, Tea Tree
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Spicy: Cinnamon, Clove, Black Pepper, Ginger
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Resinous: Myrrh,
Frankincense, Galbanum
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Woody: Cedarwood,
Pine, Spruce, Sandalwood, Juniper
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Musky or Earthy:
Patchouli, Vetiver, Yarrow
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Before you know it you’ll be blending them together to
create new aromas on your own!
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Where can I buy Professional Quality Essential oils? Enlightened Choices
Find reputable Aromatherapists like myself, some retail outlets like
Co-ops, and natural health food stores that care about who they are buying from.
Hopefully they have someone on staff that knows the industry.
There is much adulteration of essential oils, especially the expensive
ones like Jasmine, Rose, Neroli and Helichrysum.
Some oils like Melissa are difficult to find that have not been tampered
with. The average consumer would
not know the difference.
Never buy oils that all cost the same price.
You are not getting pure essential oils; you are most likely getting
synthetic fragrances. The bottle
should be labeled with the Common name, the Latin name, the country the oil is
from, a batch # helps but is not always available.
Also the oils should have been tested by the supplier using Gas
Chromatography, this test can check the chemical components of the oil to the
chemical components percentages and can sometimes show if anything has been
added. This test does not guarantee
unadulterated oil though.
So look at the label, but most of all, use your nose.
The samples are often oxidized and old, so see if you can smell a fresher
sample. After a while you will know
when something isn’t right. Just
don’t expect the oils to always smell the same.
No oil will always have exactly the same smell each time.
Lavender for example may come from Oregon, France or Bulgaria. Also
there are many types of Lavender on the market, each type will smell different,
French Lavender will smell different from Lavender from Oregon or Bulgaria.
Apple to apple comparisons with essential oils is hard to do, because of origin,
distillation methods, levels of quality... many variables apply and can make
comparing price and quality very difficult for the inexperienced.
Think twice about multi level marketing companies selling
essential oils. No, think three times,
many are jumping in
on the bandwagon, and selling oils at extremely high prices, you’re paying for
many people to make money. They want you to believe they are the only ones that
know how to find therapeutic grade (professional quality) oils, and may make
sensational claims to cure any condition you have. Quality oils are not cheap, but they shouldn’t break
your bank account either.
Often it is suggested to use large amounts of undiluted oils either on the skin,
in a diffuser or taken internally. This goes against all current safety
recommendations. Again, all things in balance and use common sense!
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What are the differences in
the quality of oils I can buy? Enlightened Choices
The answer to this question will be added soon,
please check back.
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How do I choose the best oil
for my need? Enlightened Choices
The first step in choosing your blend for a massage would be
to determine the need. If the need
is to balance and relax you could choose from many oils such as chamomile, clary
sage, bergamot, lavender, neroli, vetiver to name just a few.
Or, if you are trying to relieve aching sore muscles you could try black
pepper, cypress, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, peppermint or thyme.
Use base oil such as Grapeseed or Almond oil, or even just a plain
vegetable oil of good quality, (prefer cold pressed) will do fine.
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Should I use Single oils or blends? Enlightened Choices
You may have noticed lately that many of the Natural Foods
stores, specialty shops and spas all carry a display of pretty little bottles
with essential oils in them. You’ll
notice that some individual oils like Lavender, Peppermint, Sandalwood, and
others are combinations of single oils that are geared to relieve respiratory
ailments, reduces stress, improve skin complaints and so on.
These are typically called Blends, and are a combination of Essential
oils diluted with a carrier oil like Almond or Jojoba oil to dilute the blend.
Essential oils by themselves do not feel oily.
Some are thicker and have different textures, but the volatility of the
oil make them evaporate very quickly.
If you are not sure if the oil blend you have is diluted or
not, feel it to see if it feels oily or not.
Pre made blends are nice to use for muscular rubs, anti
inflammatory rubs, for relief of
colds and flu. There are many
combinations that can be used for each condition listed.
This is a matter of personal preference. See what works for you and what aromas you like the best.
In creating a blend,
you are blending for synergy. By
proper blending of oils with similar and complimentary actions to each other,
you are creating a synergy of oils that when mixed together create a unique
arrangement.
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Why Dilute Essential Oils? Going Deeper
Essential oils, by themselves are extremely concentrated.
Undiluted, some oils like cinnamon, clove, oregano, birch and many others, can
irritate, burn or damage skin. Especially skin that is already sensitive,
damaged very young or very old.
You’re skin can become irritated, break out in rashes, fell burned or
darken with neat use of oils. Even Lavender which
is commonly regarded as safe for undiluted use, can after repeated long term use by an
Aromatherapist or an oil enthusiast, can result in sensitization which simply
put, means your skin will no longer tolerate the oil and will react any time it
comes in contact with it.
Most
of the time, a properly diluted blend is completely effective. Rarely is
there a need to apply essential oils neat.
Carrier oils are the “oily feeling” oils like vegetable oils,
Jojoba, Olive,
Almond, Grapeseed etc, that are most often used to dilute essential oils. Common
dilution rates are anywhere from 2.5 % to 10% of essential oil to carrier oil.
Higher concentrations have their time and need, but please seek professional
advice before experimenting on someone you love.
I also
believe that we need to respect the plant kingdom.
1drop of precious Rose otto required 2000 petals to give
of themselves. Some oils are now on the endangered species list like pure Indian
Sandalwood. Why not extend that precious drop of Rose and enjoy the beauty of it even
longer?
Overuse of oils puts a strain
on the environment, and the essential oil market, and then serves no one.
Handle your oils carefully and with respect.
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How are Essential oils helpful for Physical complaints?
Going Deeper
Physically, Essential oils are being studied for their
powerful effects against germs. Most essential oils by nature are highly
antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial. Take for example one of the Tea tree varieties called Leptospernum
scoparium, commonly called New Zealand Tea Tree, or Manuka. Laboratory tests
show effectiveness against 39 separate micro-organisms, in particular
streptococci and staphylococcal bacteria and fungi that affect the skin, and
Manuka has been found active against all of them. This oil can be used for topical skin infections, candida and
candida related problems like thrush, and many more uses have proven to be
highly effective.
Essential oils are a safe and practical way to handle most
common physical ailments. Respiratory
conditions, wounds, rashes, minor infections, headaches, nausea are commonly
helped by the use of essential oils rather that over the counter medicine.
I think of essential oils as my natural first aid kit.
You can replace many over the counter products with essential oils and
achieve the same and better results, using much healthier choices.
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How do essential oils effect our emotions?
Going Deeper
Big question, requiring much more than I can go into in this
one article. But here are the basic
principles.
Our olfactory system, the mechanics of our nose and sense of
smell, is like an open door and direct link into the limbic system of our brain.
Scientists have discovered that we can identify between up to 10,000 different
aromas. This may not all be at a
conscious level. The function
of smell is vital, let’s remind ourselves of all that it does.
We gather
information about our environment from our nose,
we need our nose to taste food, and our primal ancestors used their noses
to track and locate food. Smelling
food sets into motion digestive juices. We
smell each other, sexually for mates, socially for bonding, recognition of
people is possible just by our sense of smell.
We smell for pleasure, the joy of apple blossoms in the spring, perfume
etc. We also need it to alert us to
danger. Even as you sleep, your
nose will detect the smell of smoke and an interesting chain of events occur.
The aroma molecules travel through a complex system of receptor sites
that detect, transmit, perceive, analyze and then store the aroma in our memory.
A “message” is sent to the limbic system.
This “aroma print” stimulates the limbic system, which is where all
emotional responses are located and triggered within the brain.
The limbic system is a ring of structures encircling the brainstem and is
actively involved in memory and emotions, and behavioral responses.
In the example
of the smell of smoke, the limbic system recognizes the “aroma print” for
smoke, sends messengers through the hypothalamus, which in turn directs the
Endocrine and Nervous systems. This sequence of messengers directs the release
of emotions, and hormones and many other physical responses within the body.
We are beginning to understand that emotional memories are also stored in
cells throughout the body. Could
the use of aromas unlock and release long held emotions and trauma? Is this
important to Body workers, therapists and Dr.’s of all fields?
I think so!! As the
study of Mind Body medicine continues we will no doubt learn more applications
for Aromatherapy.
Example: I once
worked with a woman who had suffered severe emotional trauma from her Mother
during her childhood. While we were
talking about how this trauma is playing out in her life today, she said she
tends to disconnect with people around her lately and wanted to feel safer in
her daily life.
I chose Rose Geranium for her to try and see
what type of memories this invoked in her.
I gave her a cotton ball with the Geranium on it, after a few quiet
moments the tears started. She told
me that when she managed to escape her mothers’ torment, she would hide the
garden of her Grandmothers house, in between the rows of Geraniums.
This was her safe place. This
aroma brought her much comfort, and was used in a blend for her to use to feel
safe enough to participate with others. How
did I know which oil to choose? Intuition,
and knowledge of the properties of the oils.
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Essential oils for your spirit.
Going Deeper
The answer to this question will be
added soon, please check back.
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