Did
you know that one of the quickest way to evoke a memory is
through the sense of smell? Smell a pumpkin pie and it may
take you back to your mother’s kitchen at Thanksgiving…..smell
biscuits baking and it may take you to your grandmother’s
house. Smell is one of our most powerful senses. Smell is
also the sense that you loose first when you go to sleep,
and gain last as you awake. That’s why we often wonder
why people who are asleep at night are not awakened by the
smell of smoke in their homes.
Many moons ago, during one of the phases of my life when I
was a realtor and property manager, I always made sure that
the smell of vanilla was in the houses or apartments that
I showed to prospective clients. Vanilla has the power to
subconsciously evoke calm, safety, and security. Those are
all attributes that you want a client to feel when they are
considering purchasing or renting their home.
The study of and the art of using aroma is called aromatherapy.
It is used on a daily basis by individuals, businesses, masseurs,
chiropractors, therapists, realtors, and many more. Aromatherapy
is actually the ancient art of using distilled extracts of
aromatic plants to heal your body, mind, and spirit. These
distilled extracts are called essential oils. There are about
300 of these that are commonly used today.
We are all a combination of body, mind, and spirit. If we
ignore one of those aspects, we are only kidding ourselves
that we are a balanced individual. Aromatherapy can help balance
these aspects of ourselves. It is also used to evoke specific
moods and actions, soothe, calm, invigorate, and even help
you achieve a meditative state.
ALL ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are the natural substance extracted and distilled
from aromatic plants. These oils have the power to heal, containing
antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, effective
to both our bodies, our minds, and our emotions.
Essential oils have to be combined with a “carrier”
oil, and not used directly on the skin. When blended together,
they can be applied directly to the skin or diffused through
the air. Essential oils travel through the entire body and
can be used to “treat” or “affect” different
systems within our bodies.
When diffused through the air, essential oils affect our moods,
emotions, and energy or anxiety levels. They can contribute
to our overall well being. Also be sure to use pure essential
oils and avoid “aromatherapy grade” (translated
as synthetic) oils. Other than to smell pleasant, they have
no therapeutic properties.
MEDICINAL USES FOR THERAPEUTIC OILS
I have included some basic information on some of the more
commonly used oils and how they might be beneficial in your
life. Please don’t forget that this information is not
meant to replace medical advice or treatment from your health
care professional. I hope that you enjoy this information,
and encourage to research and learn more about this valuable
subject. Namaste….Dusty
CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is used to aid many skin conditions including sunburn,
psoriasis, eczema, as well as hay fever and asthma, nausea,
sprains, fever, nervousness, and depression. Chamomile has
properties as a diuretic, analgesic, and sedative. It has
wonderful calming effects. Chamomile can also help you in
recovery from addiction to prescription sedatives, and has
been found very useful for those with eating disorders.
You will find several varieties of chamomile. Chamomile Roman
is very useful for nervousness and sleep disorders. Chamomile
German is also very safe. However, be wary of Chamomile Maroc,
which is not true chamomile and does not have the same properties.
CLOVE
Ah, the lovely, aromatic smell of clove! Oil of clove is antiseptic,
an antibiotic, and an analgesic. Although clove is a spice
and can be incorporated in your cooking, it is also helpful
in stopping the spread of disease and infection, including
being used for the sterilization of medical instruments. Although
used for muscular disorders and some digestive problems, it
is most well known for use on a toothache. Clove can also
be used for sinusitis, asthma, and nausea. Just remember it
must be added to a carrier oil to be used on the skin.
EUCALYPTUS
I know that the distillation of eucalyptus can be traced back
to the late 1700’s. It was used in Australia to treat
colic and chest problems. The Australian’s had a plentiful
supply of this aromatic tree in the Blue Mountains of New
South Wales. The indigenous people of Australia knew that
this wonderful oil could cool in the summer and warm in the
winter. Eucalyptus has been used in human medicine as well
as in veterinary medicine. Most commonly it can be used as
an insect repellent, but can be used effectively for the treatment
of coughs and colds, as well as having anti-viral properties.
Eucalyptus seems to win the versatility award! It can be used
as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, antibiotic,
a deodorizer, and antiseptic. It has also been used in the
treatment of cystitis and candida, as well as in some cases
of diabetes. In this particular case, the variety used seems
insignificant.
GERANIUM
This wonderful oil is highly effective in working with your
emotions as well as many medical conditions, and smells great
to boot! Geranium increases the circulations to your skin
and provides a wonderful glow to your skin. Geranium has been
very effective in women’s medical issues including uterine
and breast cancer, menopausal symptoms, endometriosis, and
used for relaxation in times of stress and pain. It is also
useful for throat infections, blood disorders, as an antibiotic
or an astringent, diabetes, and as a sedative or nerve tonic.
This useful, pleasant smelling oil can be used alone or in
blends.
LAVENDER
Lavender oil is an extremely useful and important oil. It
is used as an antiseptic, sedative, anti-depressant, detoxifier
to prevent scaring and encourage healing. It is a must have
for burns. Lavender is known to stimulate the immune system
which stimulate the cells to encourage wound healing. When
feeling particularly stressed, I have found smelling lavender
to be a great help to me. It has also been used to help those
who are in clinical shock.
LEMON
What smells fresher than a lemon? It can stimulate and lift
your mood. Lemons kept ancient sailors from succumbing to
scurvy, as well as purifying water. Lemon oil is antiseptic
and antibacterial and is helpful for insect bites, stress
or tension headaches, as well as in the treatment of verrucus.
Lemon is a great salt substitute, as well as flavor enhancer
in cooking, and can be used for a tonic effect for your digestive
and lymphatic systems. The beauty world has long known the
power of lemons in dispersing that cellulite, dieting, and
preventing wrinkles. No bad, huh?
PEPPERMINT
You know, one of my earliest memories is of my mother giving
me peppermint candy for an upset stomach. Mom’s just
seem to know J
Peppermint has been used throughout history by the Egyptians,
the Chinese, and the Native Americans. It is helpful to the
digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems, as well as
being an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Peppermint is useful
in the treatment of bad breath, headaches and migraines, toothache,
fatigue, flatulence, varicose veins, indigestion, flue, fatigue,
rheumatism, and skin irritations. Believe it or not, it has
been used to deter mice, ants, and fleas.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary should be a bath essential in your home. It is used
as a morning stimulant and as an aid to tired muscles at the
end of a long day. Rosemary has long been valued by those
who create beauty treatments and is used for hair care, cellulite
remedies, and acne. Rosemary oil has antiseptic qualities
which are useful for fatigue, flu, headaches and migraines,
depression, muscle strains and sprains, diabetes, fatigue,
arthritis, and as a memory aid.
TEA TREE
Although non-poisonous to humans, tea tree oil is believed
to be more powerful than carbolic acid. Centuries ago, the
Aborigines, began using tea tree oil. Modern scientists have
begun and continue to research it’s antifungual, antibacterial,
and antiviral qualities. Today, tea tree is used to treat
athletes foot, dandruff, ringworm, toothache, candida, acne,
sunburn, and pyorrhea. A very hand oil to keep on hand!
THYME
Although you will want to do a little further investigation,
some forms of thyme are useful and some are not. However,
it does seem to keep insects and parasites out of your home!
Not bad in itself! Because thyme has potent antiviral, antiseptic,
antibiotic, and diuretic properties, it should be used carefully
and in moderation. Using too much can over stimulate the thyroid
and lymphatic systems of the body. It must also always be
used in a carrier oil on the body.
Because of thyme’s antiviral properties, it is useful
in the air of rooms where the flu has been present. Most of
us are familiar with the use of thyme in cooking, but it is
also useful in the preparation of antiseptic powder preparations,
and for the skin and hair. Thyme is also a natural aid in
clearing the body of toxins. This wonderful herb is widely
used in preparations to help acne, fatigue, rheumatism, whooping
cough, and warts. And don't forget: a tea made from thyme
leaves will stop that cough!
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