Essential Oils - Methods of Use
There are many ways of using essential oils. Aromatherapy is easy to learn and easy to use. Most people still think of aromatherapy as a massage with oils but there are many ways to use oils in everyday life.
Room Burner:
This is probably the easiest way to incorporate essential oils into everyday life. Some points you should check when purchasing a room burner are to make sure that the bowl element of the burner is fairly deep; that the candle are is fairly large and has sufficient holes to allow excess heat to escape, otherwise your burner may crack and that the base of the burner is fairly thick or has a raised rim. It is advisable to place you burner on a heat resistant mat on not directly onto a sideboard or other furniture.
To use oils in a burner simply fill the bowl with water and add 3 to 5 drops of your favourite oil or combination of oils (I will cover combinations in a later blog). Light a tea light and enjoy the aroma.
Benefits of burning oils:
Psychological conditions can be treated with great effect using a room burner. Headaches in particular respond very well to this method as do respiratory conditions. Using a room burner can create a therapeutic atmosphere in a room where someone is ill. The room burner is also a good preventative against airborne viruses and bacteria.
Showing posts with label inhalation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inhalation. Show all posts
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Sunday, 2 November 2008
How Essential Oils work (part 2)
How Essential Oils work (part 2)
Absorption
Essential oils are absorbed into the skin and from there directly into the blood stream. There are several methods to achieve this including bathing, compress and massage. Inhaling oils is also a method of absorption as the oils reach the blood stream via the lungs.
Essential oils appear to work in two ways. The chemicals in the oils find their way into the bloodstream and boost the levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins and so on that are naturally produced in the body. The seek out areas of the body that are deficient and provide a supplementary addition to the chemical balance in the body.
The other way that oils seem to work is they trigger the body's own immune system.
The absorption rate of essential oils varies between individuals and oils. Skin penetration takes only a few minutes but absorption into the blood stream will vary depending on the persons size, circulation and general health - anywhere from 60 minutes to 6 hours.
The oil is released from the body by natural ways including urinating, perspiration etc. Again the rate of expulsion will vary depending on the individual. Essential oils leave no toxins behind unlike laboratory-produced medication.
Absorption
Essential oils are absorbed into the skin and from there directly into the blood stream. There are several methods to achieve this including bathing, compress and massage. Inhaling oils is also a method of absorption as the oils reach the blood stream via the lungs.
Essential oils appear to work in two ways. The chemicals in the oils find their way into the bloodstream and boost the levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins and so on that are naturally produced in the body. The seek out areas of the body that are deficient and provide a supplementary addition to the chemical balance in the body.
The other way that oils seem to work is they trigger the body's own immune system.
The absorption rate of essential oils varies between individuals and oils. Skin penetration takes only a few minutes but absorption into the blood stream will vary depending on the persons size, circulation and general health - anywhere from 60 minutes to 6 hours.
The oil is released from the body by natural ways including urinating, perspiration etc. Again the rate of expulsion will vary depending on the individual. Essential oils leave no toxins behind unlike laboratory-produced medication.
Monday, 27 October 2008
How essential oils work (part1)
How Essential Oils Work (part 1)
In order for essential oils to have any effect they need to be absorbed by the body. The safe way of doing this is either by inhalation or absorbtion.
Inhalation
Smells can often stimualte us in some way, the smell of freshly baked bread, coffee or even a smell that may send us back to our childhood. The fact that this happens shows just how powerful aroma can be.
Aromas work by stimulating the olfactory nerves at the back of the nose which then send messages to the olfactoy bulb that is situated in the third ventricle are of the brain - the limbric system. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for our primative drives of sex, hunger and thirst.
In order for essential oils to have any effect they need to be absorbed by the body. The safe way of doing this is either by inhalation or absorbtion.
Inhalation
Smells can often stimualte us in some way, the smell of freshly baked bread, coffee or even a smell that may send us back to our childhood. The fact that this happens shows just how powerful aroma can be.
Aromas work by stimulating the olfactory nerves at the back of the nose which then send messages to the olfactoy bulb that is situated in the third ventricle are of the brain - the limbric system. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for our primative drives of sex, hunger and thirst.
Friday, 24 October 2008
Essential Oils and how they are obtained
Essential Oils and how they are obtained
There are several different methods of extracting oil from the plants.
Distillation
There are several different methods of extracting oil from the plants.
Distillation
Steam distillation is the most widely used method of producing essential oils. A quantity of the plant is added to a still, covered with water and steamed. The vapour is cooled through a condenser which reduces it to water. This water us then collected and the essential oils either floats on the top or sinks to the bottom if it is heavier. The oil is then seperated from the water and ready to be used.
Expression
This method is probably the easiest method of obtaining essential oils. You could even express your own oils at home. Citrus oils are obtained using the expression method. The peel of the fruit is squeezed onto a clean sponge and once saturated the oil can be bottled - simple!
Sue
Monday, 20 October 2008
Storing Essential Oils
Storing Essential Oils
Essential oils can evaporate very quickly when exposed to air. Air can also cause the oils to oxidise and your oils can also be affected by light and heat.
Always purchase oils that are sold in dark coloured glass bottles with air-tight caps. essential oils can react with plastic, so avoid any oils not in dark glass bottles. Keep your essential oils cool and in a dark place but be aware that some oils may thicken or become cloudy if they are too cold.
Most essential oils can last and maintain their quality for at least 12 months if they have been correctly stored. Some oils mature and mellow with age such as Patcholi and Sandalwood.
Beware of cheap essential oils - you are better not to purchase them - they will not have the theraputic benefits that you are after. Remember you get what you pay for.
Sue
Essential oils can evaporate very quickly when exposed to air. Air can also cause the oils to oxidise and your oils can also be affected by light and heat.
Always purchase oils that are sold in dark coloured glass bottles with air-tight caps. essential oils can react with plastic, so avoid any oils not in dark glass bottles. Keep your essential oils cool and in a dark place but be aware that some oils may thicken or become cloudy if they are too cold.
Most essential oils can last and maintain their quality for at least 12 months if they have been correctly stored. Some oils mature and mellow with age such as Patcholi and Sandalwood.
Beware of cheap essential oils - you are better not to purchase them - they will not have the theraputic benefits that you are after. Remember you get what you pay for.
Sue
Friday, 17 October 2008
Importance of using Quality Essential Oils
Importance of using Quality Essential Oils
The quality and purity of essential oils is very important. Unless the oil is of top quality and extracted by an approved method, it is of no use theraputically. The aroma may still be exact but the properties of the oil may be diluted. One of the dangers with essential oils is that they can be easily adulterated with cheaper oils or other liquids to make them go further. For example Sandalwood cna be diluted with castor without any obvious detection. Oils can be made synthetically in a laboratory and produce the same aroma as pure oils. These will tend to be cheaper but they will not be as effective as some of the trace elements in essential oils can not be artificially duplicated.
Always purchase your oils from a reputable and reliable source - check that the oil is the correct one and the latin name is evident.
The quality and purity of essential oils is very important. Unless the oil is of top quality and extracted by an approved method, it is of no use theraputically. The aroma may still be exact but the properties of the oil may be diluted. One of the dangers with essential oils is that they can be easily adulterated with cheaper oils or other liquids to make them go further. For example Sandalwood cna be diluted with castor without any obvious detection. Oils can be made synthetically in a laboratory and produce the same aroma as pure oils. These will tend to be cheaper but they will not be as effective as some of the trace elements in essential oils can not be artificially duplicated.
Always purchase your oils from a reputable and reliable source - check that the oil is the correct one and the latin name is evident.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Aromatherapy
A brief history about Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC, although the term “aromatherapy” was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist Gattefossé who accidentally discovered in laboratory that lavender oil relives pain and assists to slight burns healing. The word “Aromatherapy” comes from Greek words made up by the word fragrance (aroma) and the word treatment (therapy).
Aromatherapy began with the Egyptians, who used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants which were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming.
Ancient Egyptians used part of specific plants for religious rituals, as certain smells could raise a higher consciousness or promote a state of tranquillity. Frankincense was burned at dawn as an offering to the sun and myrrh was offered to the moon. The Egyptians who were experts at embalming used aromatics to mummify bodies.
Egyptians understood the principles of aromatherapy and incorporated it into their cooking as well. Specific herbs helped the digestive process, protected against infection, or built the immune system. After bathing, the Egyptians used to be massaged with fragrant oils.
In todays world we tend to use essential oils mainly in an oil burner but - as you will see from my posts - the benefits and uses of essential oils are many.
Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC, although the term “aromatherapy” was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist Gattefossé who accidentally discovered in laboratory that lavender oil relives pain and assists to slight burns healing. The word “Aromatherapy” comes from Greek words made up by the word fragrance (aroma) and the word treatment (therapy).
Aromatherapy began with the Egyptians, who used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants which were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming.
Ancient Egyptians used part of specific plants for religious rituals, as certain smells could raise a higher consciousness or promote a state of tranquillity. Frankincense was burned at dawn as an offering to the sun and myrrh was offered to the moon. The Egyptians who were experts at embalming used aromatics to mummify bodies.
Egyptians understood the principles of aromatherapy and incorporated it into their cooking as well. Specific herbs helped the digestive process, protected against infection, or built the immune system. After bathing, the Egyptians used to be massaged with fragrant oils.
In todays world we tend to use essential oils mainly in an oil burner but - as you will see from my posts - the benefits and uses of essential oils are many.
Sue
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