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Aromatherapy
is the art of healing with pure essential oils
There is a
wide range of quality among the natural Essential Oils produced
and available on the market today. Several important factors contribute
to this, including the overall quality of the plants used for extraction,
the expertise of the extraction process and the condition of storage
of the finished product.
Today, the vast
majority of Essential Oils in production are mass produced for the
flavour and fragrance industry.Only a very small percentage of the
Essential Oils produced today are of a suitable quality for therapeutic
treatment.
The full-bodied
fragrances are a prime indication of superior plant material, proper
extraction and maximum freshness. In medicinal treatment, excellence
of the oils in every respect is vital for safety and of prime importance
in achieving optimum results.
Essential oils
are aromatherapy's active ingredients. Logically most people associate
aromatherapy with beautiful aromas.
But as the name
also suggests, aromatherapy is a powerful therapy that is now well-recognised
and well utilised for helping to deal with a variety of physical
and emotional problems using aromatic essential oils from plants.
Essential oils
contain hormones, antibiotics, pheromones and cell regenerating
agents that nourish, energise and protect the living plant. These
properties strengthen the plant’s immunity to disease by killing
bacteria and neutralising viruses. By extracting essential oils
from plants we too can harness their healing qualities and apply
them to the human body.
A popular method
of using essential oils is by “vapourising” in an oil-burner or
vapouriser. However essential oils are far more effective when they
come into contact with the body, through direct application, massage,
spritzer, bathing, gargle and inhalation.
Choosing
and Blending Oils
An oil blend
is made by mixing a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oils.
We all like different scents, and it is essential that the aroma
of the blend appeals to you, or to the person you are going to massage.
First, decide
what effect you hope to achieve: do you want
- the aroma
to sedate or revive
- to energize
or to calm
- for their
therapeutic properties
- or simply
to pamper
Make a list of
essential oils suited to your requirements. Select two or three
from your list - good blends usually combine all three notes: top
(gives the initial scent), middle (adds body to the blend), and
base (released last, this gives the lingering scent).
The general
rule is that a little is best. A weak blend of oils often smells
better and is therefore more effective than a stronger blend.
It is important
to follow all safety precautions regarding essential oils. Depending
on the severity of the health conditions it might be worth considering
an appointment with an aromatherapist.
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