Anatomically, the nose is the gateway to the brain. Our scent receptors are closely linked to the emotional centers of the brain. Every scent we inhale exerts a direct influence on the mind and emotions. Scent can transport you in time to special moments and feelings; and more importantly scent can heal.Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.
All of us practice aroma therapy 24 hours a day. The air we breathe is full of odors and fumes eminating from a myriad of sources. The human olfactory organ has 10 million scent-detecting cells, each with two hair-like nerve endings that pick up odor molecules dissolved in the mucous membrane. These 20 million cilia are sensitive to thousands of different odorants. Thanks to technological advances, the brain/mind mysteries and the neurochemical links between our senses and emotions have been unraveled.
According to the book, Absolute Beauty by Riachur, in the 1920's, a French perfumer, Rene M. Gattefosse, brought new popularity in the West to the medicinal powers of essential oils after he inadvertently plunged his badly burned hand into pure lavender oil following a laboratory explosion. When the wound healed within hours with no infection or scarring, Gattefosse turned his professional attentionto the therapeutic and cosmetic uses of pure essences. Westerners credit him with coining the term "aromatherapy".
Essential oils, the pure essence of a plant, have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely. The Essential Oil Profiles area details over 90 essential oils. Absolutes, CO2s, and Hydrosols are also commonly utilized in aromatherapy. Although essential oils, CO2 extracts and absolutes are distilled by different methods, the term essential oil is sometimes used as a blanket term to include all natural, aromatic, volatile, plant oils including CO2s and absolutes.
In the Bible, there are many instances where aromatic oils and herbs were used.
FRANKINCENSE
AROMATHERAPY QUIZ What Kind of Aromatherapy Do You Need? (answer "yes" or "no") (source: The Essential Oils Book by Colleen K. Dodt)
1. Do you feel tired a lot?
2. Are you sometimes sad and moody?
3. Do you feel as if you could really use a lift?
4. Do you need to feel more energized?
5. Do you sometimes overeat?
6. Have you been having some pretty big mood swings lately?
7. Do you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, unable to get back to sleep?
8. Do you feel anxious?
9. Do you feel stressed and pressured?
10. Are you sleeping poorly?
11. Could your sex life use a little more sparkle?
(see results below...)
ROSE
Sweet Basil
AROMATHERAPY QUIZ RESULTS...
If you answered "yes" to questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, you suffer from depression. anti-depressant oils: bergamot, clary sage, jasmine absoute, lavender, lemon, sweet orange, patchouli, peppermint, rose, rose geranium, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.
If you answered "yes" to question 5, you tend to overeat. avoid overeating: grapefruit
If you answered "yes" to questions 2, 6, you have mood swings. to balance mood swings: bergamot, grapefruit, jasmine absolute, juniper, sweet orange, rose, rosewood.
If you answered "yes" to question 11, an aphrodisiac may assist. aphrodisiac: clary sage, jasmine absolute, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.
If you answered "yes" to questions 5, 7, 9, 10, you need to reduce stress. to reduce stress and tension: grapefruit, lavender, rose, rose geranium, rosewood, sandalwood, vanilla, ylang-ylang.
If you answered "yes" to 7, 10, you need to reduce anxiety. to reduce anxiety: jasmine absolute, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.
If you answered "yes" to questions 1, 3, 4, you need some help rejuvenating. rejuvenating: lemon, peppermint
The lists above provides some helpful suggestions of the most common essential oils to help you choose the perfect one for your needs. Achieve the benefits of these powerful oils by using a diffuser, inhaling from tissue or handkerchief, or massage.
Warnings: Some essential oils should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, epileptics, diabetic, and those who suffer from hypertension.
Most should be diluted with a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or hazelnut and not applied directly to the skin. Most are never to be taken orally.
Here's To Your Health--Live Long And Prosper! Embellir Corporation 2577 Broad Avenue (Historic Arts District) Memphis TN 38112-2615 901.452.1950 (p) 901.452.1949 (f)
