Aromatherapy

AROMATHERA-WHAT??

“Ain’t no way, no how, you’re gettin’ me to sniff some of that lavender or patchoooleee stuff!!  No sirreeee bub!  I’m a man and I don’t do that smelly stuff!  That aromathera-whatever is just some New Age nonsense!”

Hmmmm…to that I pose this question:  What man doesn’t love the smell of leather?  Or how ‘bout that “new car smell”?  “Baseball glove?” “Two-stroke motor oil?” “Freshly mowed grass?” “The smell of rain?” “The air by the beach?” “Cookies baking in the oven?” I have even known some men who love the smell of their (dirty) socks, gym locker or their favorite old T-shirt!  Or I’m sure we all have a favorite scent that reminds us of our grandmother, mother, dad, first boyfriend (for me it was Ralph Lauren’s Polo!!) Those scents trigger a pleasurable response or memory.  Of course there are odors that can stimulate negative thoughts and feelings as well:  perhaps “stinky diapers”? For some it’s the antiseptic smell of a hospital or doctor’s office.  Positive or negative, male or female, the odors we smell have a significant impact on how we feel.

Still doubtful?   Read on: in dealing with patients who have lost the sense of smell, doctors have found that a life without fragrance can lead to high incidence of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. We have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells; smells enter through cilia (the fine hairs lining the nose) and travel directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning.

Aromatherapy is the “study of scent in a therapeutic manner”; the practice of using volatile plant oils, (pure essential oils) for psychological and physical well-being. These essential oils can be added to the bath or massaged into the skin, inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room.  Essential oils stimulate our powerful sense of smell, which then can affect our mood, alleviate fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Essential oils have been used in healing since ancient times. The Chinese and Egyptians used essential oils widely, and eventually the Romans and Greeks learned of their therapeutic value in achieving balance and harmony in the human body. Aromatherapy uses two closely related senses: TOUCH and SMELL.

Research has shown that our sense of smell is highly developed and that aromas can have a profound psychological and physiological effect. When inhaling essential oils, the nose "knows". Nerve endings inside the nose are stimulated, the odor molecules travel through the nose to the olfactory bulb and messages are carried to the glands inside the limbic system, the part of our brain that controls memory and emotional responses. Neurochemicals are released and the effects
can be felt all over the body. Our olfactory system (sense of smell) is the most highly developed of our 5 senses; did you know that the cells in our olfactory system are renewed every 28 days? When the skin absorbs essential oils, nerve endings are stimulated and messages are carried to the underlying tissues: muscles, blood, lymphatic vessels and nerves; assisting the body in the process of healing.

This isn’t just “foo foo” wishing… it is a science! Studies of brain wave frequency have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. The fragrance of Jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state. What Are Pure “Essential Oils”?

Essential oils are aromatic essences (life force- similar to the function of blood in the human body) extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological properties, which improve and prevent illness. There are about 150 essential oils. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti- inflammatory, pain relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. Other properties include stimulation, relaxation, digestion improvement, and diuretic properties. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, they should be made from natural, pure raw materials.

It is important to note that perfume oils also known as fragrance oils or "fragrances" are not the same as essential oils. Perfume oils and fragrances contain unnatural chemicals and do not provide the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Unfortunately, many companies improperly use the term “aromatherapy” on products that contain unnatural, chemically manufactured perfume oils, so it's important to look at the ingredient label when seeking true aromatherapy products:  only those that are “therapeutic-grade quality” maintain the healing properties. And only pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are used in ChakraEssence products!

Benefits of Pure, Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils

1.      Essential Oils are regenerating, oxygenating, and immune defense properties of plants.
2.      Essential Oils are so small in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the skin.
3.      Essential Oils are lipid soluble and are capable of penetrating cell walls, even if they have hardened because of an oxygen deficiency.  In fact, essential oils can affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and are then metabolized like other nutrients.
4.      Essential Oil contains oxygen molecules which help to transport nutrients to the starving human cells.  Because a nutritional deficiency is an oxygen deficiency, disease begins when he cells lack the oxygen for proper nutrient assimilation.  By providing the needed oxygen, essential oils also work to stimulate the immune system.
5.      Essential Oils are very powerful antioxidants.  Anitioxidants create an unfriendly environment for free radicals.  They prevent all mutations, work as free radical scavengers, prevent fungus, and
prevent oxidation in the cells.
6.      Essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti cancerous, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, anti-parasitic, anti- viral, and antiseptic. Essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses while simultaneously restoring balance to the body.
7.      Essential Oils may detoxify the cells and blood in the body.
8.      Essential oils containing sesquiterpenes have the ability to pass the blood brain barrier, enabling them to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’ disease, and multiple sclerosis.
9.      Essential oils are aromatic.  When diffused, they provide air purification by; removing metallic particles and toxins from the air; increasing atmospheric oxygen; increasing ozone and negative ions in the area, which inhibits bacterial growth; destroying odors from mold, cigarettes and animals; and filling the air with a fresh, aromatic scent.
10.     Essential Oils help promote emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.
11.     Essential oils have a bio-electrical frequency that is several times greater than the frequency of herbs, food, and even the human body.  Clinical research has shown that essential oils can quickly raise the frequency of the human body, restoring it to its normal, healthy level. Our skin is the largest organ of our body—our temple.  We only have one body. Take loving care of it and pamper it as much as possible with pure. healthy products. Remember what goes "onto" your skin is absorbed "into" your body. Make sure you are aware of the ingredients in the products you buy. If the ingredients are not listed on the label or you are you unfamiliar with the ingredients, don't buy the product. Please refer to the How Safe Are Your Cosmetics? page on this website for a list of toxic chemicals to look out for when you read your ingredients
labels.

Ways to Enjoy Essential Oils:
Adding essential oils to the bath will add to the experience through your olfactory system thus creating an even more healing, relaxing enjoyable bath. Warm baths are soothing, healing and relaxing, if you add salt to your bath, you will be cleansed and purified, body and soul. Salt baths are best taken before you are ready for bed since they are so relaxing. You will wake up feeling renewed! Footbaths can help alleviate the effects of swollen legs after a days work. You only need 10 minutes to pamper your feet. Use a few drops of your favorite essential oil in warm water to help your feet feel
better! Massage is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body. It helps improve blood circulation, loosen sore muscles and relieve stress. All human beings have a primal yearning to be touched. It starts when we are babies. It is vital to all human beings at any age. Essential oils can be used for massage, the bath, body scrubs, a diffuser or in your favorite oil or lotion. Some essential oils are not recommended for the skin. Make sure you are aware of what oils you are using on your skin. The products found on ChakraEssence website use only skin friendly essential oils. Regular exercise is very a important part of taking care of your body, mind and spirit! It can improve your health, quality of life and help relieve stress. You don't need to join a gym, you can make it simple just by walking in your own neighborhood, put on some music and dance like no one’s watching, do whatever brings joy to your heart. Be good to your body and soul!  My personal favorite is Nia. (check out www.nianow.com for a Nia class in your area) Life is a journey –an “authentic journey to freedom”; we all have our days that just seem to flow and our more challenging days when we feel “out of balance” and stuck. Remember, the first step towards living a balanced life is taking care of YOU… nurturing you! Nature's remedies such as essential oils are extremely effective for lifting the spirit and restoring balance to mind and body. And utilizing the
essential oils that resonate with your energy, your centers of wellness is a priceless tool to add to your “balanced living toolbelt”.

References Used:
Reference Guide for Essential Oils, Connie and Alan Higley Healing Oils, Healing Hands:  Discovering the power of Prayer, Hands on Healing and Anointing Linda L. Smith The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple, David Stewart Ph.D., D.N.M. Essential Oils Desk Reference, Third Edition compiled by Essential Science Publishing Lavanda Aromatherapy Founder, Maria-Dolores Gonzales Board Certified Traditional Naturopath,Clinical Aromatherapist, Certified Nutritional Consultant, Certified Natural Health Professional, Skin Care Specialist, Researcher and Educator The Lovely Elizabeth with Golden Earth.net