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Answers
to commonly asked Aromatherapy questions by our fully qualified
and experienced Aromatherapists.
What
is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the treatment and prevention of illness with
aromatic plant essential oils. By extracting valuable essential
oils from plants, we can harness their healing qualities and
apply them to our own body.
What
is the difference between an essential oil and a fragrant oil?
True essential oils are naturally derived from plants and are
not altered by the addition of any synthetic ingredients. Fragrant
oils are artificially constructed in a laboratory and are not
know to posess therapeutic qualities.
Aren’t
all 100% pure oils the same?
Just because an essential oil is labelled as pure, does not
mean it is of the highest possible grade. Essential oils are
available in many differing grades ranging from commercial or
industrial, veterinary, cosmetic, therapeutic grade and anywhere
in between. Poor quality oils may be fine for changing the aroma
of your surroundings, but they offer no therapeutic value to
the body. Sadly, products are quite often masqueraded as being
therapeutic when indeed they are far from it.
How
do I know if what I am paying for is what I believe I’m buying?
Simple answer is you don’t. Buying from a company that has a
long-standing commitment to health and a proven reputation minimises
your risk of purchasing an ineffective product.
How
can I tell if a company’s oils are of the quality that I deserve?
One way of determining whether a company is dedicated to your
health is by checking whether synthetic fragrances are sold
as part of its range. Companies that choose to market these
products provide a clear indication that health is not their
principle and only focus.
What
makes Sunspirit different?
Established more than 25 years ago, Sunspirit is the only Australian
aromatherapy company that has entered the market with a history
of herbal and plant medicine. Always insisting on the highest
therapeutic grade essential oils, Sunspirit is one company that
fosters a non-compromising attitude, genuinely caring for the
health of their customers.
What
oils are good for different ailments?
Where to begin! Essential oils have a variety health benefits
that may be used to treat every day health concerns... See our
Ailment Reference Chart or Natural Health Companion Guide for
further uses.
I
am pregnant – is aromatherapy safe?
Yes, as long as the recommendations made
by a respected aromatherapy company and / or your qualified
health professional, are followed. For example, some essential
oils should be avoided altogether during the first trimester.
The oils of clary sage, sage, jasmine and juniper… amongst others
are definites to avoid at this time – yet clary sage and jasmine
are wonderfully appropriate once labour has commenced. Refer
to our Pregnancy Care
page.
Can
I use oils on my baby?
Yes, if you follow the recommended baby dilutions. ie. ¼ dose
– 1-2 drops essential oil to 10mL carrier oil. A number of essential
oils should be avoided, howver some of the safer oils to use
with babies are: Chamomile, Lavender, and Mandarin. See mother
Back to
top
Can
my elderly parents use Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is ideally suited to help with many problems
we face as we grow older, for example: joint pains. respiratory
problems, digestive difficulties, poor memory, lack of energy,
increased susceptibility to minor ailments and much else.
Aging is a normal process whereby the metabolism slows and
obvious characteristics of greying and loss of hair, loss
of teeth, wrinkling skin, poor circulation, and stiff joints.
The physiological sign of aging are gradual deterioration
in function and capacity to respond to environment.
Aromatherapy is also a valuable adjunct to other therapies,
both 'alternative' and 'conventional' in treating more serious
illness.
Cautions should be applied when using essential oils on the
elderly, suggested doses may nee to be reduced. Provided these
considerations are born in mind, much can be benefited from
the use of Aromatherapy.
I
have high blood pressure – what oils should I avoid?
Hyssop, rosemary, sage, thyme because these oils can be known
to increase blood pressure. Preferred essential oils are: chamomile,
marjoram, ylang ylang.
I
have low blood pressure – what oils should I avoid?
Use with caution the following oils, chamomile, blue chamomile,
marjoram, ylang ylang because these oils can be know to lower
blood pressure. Preferred essential oils are: Rosemary, Thyme.
I
suffer from epilepsy – what oils should I avoid?
Fennel, hyssop, rosemary, sage, thyme because these oils can
be stimulating to the nervous system. On the other hand, ylang
ylan has been shown to be beneficial to epilepsy sufferers.
Can
I use Massage Blends in my oil burner?
No because the essential oils are in a carrier oil base, they
will not readily vapourise. Pure essential oils or the blends
in our Environmental Living range such as Heaven, Serenity,
etc. are the only products suitable for vapourising.
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