Aromatherapy
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Aromatherapy can be defined as "the use of very concentrated essential oils, which are distilled from plants to promote the health of body, mind, and spirit," according to Patricia Davis, Principal of the London School of Aromatherapy.
While aromatherapy has been popular in the U.S. for a while, it's been used around the world for centuries. The Ancient Egyptians used oils to anoint their kings, and herbs were burned during the Middle Ages in Europe to make the reek of filth in the streets and houses. Fashionable ladies carried nosegays for their alluring aroma, and bathed in lavender or lilac scented baths, and these are all early types of aromatherapy.
Modern Aromatherapy
Modern aromatherapy falls into several categories. It can be used cosmetically for skin care and a form of relaxation; for holistic massage and inhalation, medicinally for oral treatment of certain ailments; and in psychiatry to stimulate the feelings of patients. Many of these function of essential oils belong only to the European community, but many have them have traveled across the Atlantic and been accepted in America.
How Can Essential Oils Alter Your Mood?
The main reason essential oils alter our mood is because of our powerful sense of smell. Everyone has memories that are triggered by a certain scent. One of my strongest memories is of my grandmother cooking Sunday dinner for your family, serving everything on her Hall China form the Jewel Tea Company. What triggers this emotional memory, full of color and detail? The smell of real, fresh butter melting. One whiff and I'm back in my grandmother's dining room. Our sense of smell is connected directly to the part of the brain that stores memories and emotions. Also, smell is the only one of the five senses we cannot block out, so it's a powerful sense and mood enhancer.
Begin Experimenting
To begin experimenting with essential oils is relatively easy, but there are several things to be aware of before you dive headlong into aromatherapy. The simplest way to try aromatherapy is in your bath, but be sure to use only 3 or 4 drops of essential oils in a full tub. There have been cases of people receiving skin burns from too much essential oil in their bath water. Also, there are many poor quality imitation and synthetic oils on the market, so make sure you always buy your oils from a reputable dealer, and NEVER take the oils by mouth. Only a registered physician can prescribe essential oils for treatments of ailments, and then the oil is taken mixed with a base substance, such as sugar. Never use essential oils directly on the skin; they must be strongly diluted with a carrier, such as vegetable oil or almond oil.
A Simple Massage Oil and Some Home Ideas
You can create a very simple massage oil with 15 or 20 drops of essential oil mixed in a base of 2 fluid ounces of almond oil. A few additional drops of wheat germ oil will preserve the freshness of this oil.
A few drops of essential oil in a pan of boiling water will sent your home and change your mood.
You can also sprinkle a few drops on a light bulb, the warm bulb will spread the scent.
