Aromatherapy-Ayurvedic Remedies
- By:Robert Baird Baird
The use of pure essential oils from plants dates back many centuries, and the history of aromatherapy is in many ways part of the history of herbal medicine as a whole. The Arabic countries are credited with first discovering the process of distillation of oils, around a thousand years ago, and since then their use has spread both eastwards through the Indian sub-continent and westwards into Europe. Much modern research has taken place, for example, in France, ranging from perfumery applications to medicinal uses as powerful anti-infective agents .
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances-pure oil of Rose, for instance, may require 5,000 roses to make just 5 ml(1 tsp) of oil! For this reason they should be treated with respect and used sparingly- small is definitely better(and cheaper). In large doses many essential oils can become somewhat irritating to the skin, and a few are quite toxic if not used correctly.
Since a large part of their effect on our moods and emotional states occurs through our sense of smell, it is important not to use any individual oil for too long, as they become tolerated and less useful. As a general rule, do not use an oil on a daily basis for more than 10 days. Similarly, do not inhale or mix too many oils together at one time; the olfactory centre in the brain becomes confused and an excess of essences can cause headaches or even nausea. Three or at the most four oils should be the maximum; two may be better.
A common way to use essential oils for self-treatment is in the bath. Place 6 drops on the surface of the bath water just before entering. The drops quickly form a thin film over the surface which adheres to the skin and is partially absorbed, helped by the warmth of the water. For oils such as Peppermint, which can make the skin tingle if used in large amounts, just add 3-4 drops, whereas with a mild and generally very safe oil such as Lavender, 10 drops can be used. If using a blend, the above suggestions represent the total number of drops to use in the bath. For compresses, use a maximum of 5 drops in a small bowl of hot or cold water as directed in this book.
Another important method for using oils is diluted into a base vegetable oil and applied to the skin in massage. For home use a general dilution rate should be 1 percent; since essential oils are usually sold in dropper bottles, this means a maximum of 20 drops per 100 ml(4 fl oz/1/2 cup) of base oil. Different cultures over the centuries have favoured various vegetable oils for massage, mostly dependent on local availability. Probably the most versatile oil is that of Sweet Almond; it is absorbed well into the skin and helps to nourish the skin, too. Other good base oils are Grapeseed, Sunflower and Safflower; the lightest oil of all is Coconut, but it may become solid at cool temperatures.
Keep aromatherapy oils in wellÂstoppered bottles, out of the sun, when not in use.
Essential oils are very concentrated: add a drop at a time and only use the amounts suggested.About the author:
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