Aromatherapy for Depression
Aromatherapy Scent is the most enduring of our senses. Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential and absolute oils. Essential oils are complex, highly fragrant and volatile substances, with varying degrees of complexity, fragrance, and volatility. They are the most potent and concentrated extracts of various parts of flowers, fruits, leaves, spices, roots, and woods. The plant’s essence molecules are approximately 75-100 times more concentrated as an essential oil than in the dried plant. It is a holistic treatment of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint. It has the power to transform our emotions, and heal our bodies.
Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients. The oils are obtained by steam distillation, expression (squeezing the oil from peel), maceration (immersing the plant in hot oil to release the essence) or enfleurage (pressing flowers between oiled glass plates). The essential oils are aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological properties, which improve and prevent illness.
There are about 150 essential oils. These oils are extracted by the means of steam distillation, cold expression, or fixed oil or alcohol extraction. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. When you take “Aromatherapy massage” with the essential oils, these oils are absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin. Other properties of the essential oils which are taken advantage of in aromatherapy are their stimulation, relaxation, digestion improvement, and diuretic properties. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials. Synthetically made oils do not work. They may also be added to steam inhalations or baths, added to compresses or spread throughout a room with diffusers. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are the life force of the plants from which they have been extracted. These oils can be massaged on your body, inhaled, added to your bath or sprayed in the air. Cold expression is used for citrus oils, and a method of solvent extraction for absolutes, concretes and resinoids. The newest technological process of extraction is the hypercritical carbon dioxide method: in part due to high cost, it is not as commonly available.
Aromatherapy uses aromatic essences that are extracted from plants. Aromatherapy is particularly effective in dealing with stress, depression and stress related disorders. ‘Depression’ is a term which encompasses a wide spectrum of psychic problems ans symtoms which, in turn, can lead to more serious illnesses. Aromatherapy, in helping to relax the patient and by reducing stress, may actually help to prevent such conditions. Depression related disorders, such as digestive problems, stress and other mental problems, can be treated by Aromatherapy. As depression is reduced, there is a corresponding improvement in sleep patterns and energy levels. In aromatherapy it is believed that the sense of smell is very powerful and directly connected to our brain, and therefore, to the hormonal activity in the body. Based on this logic, we can balance our hormones using essential oils. Many of the essential oils used for depression are from flowers and fruit. These essences have an uplifting effect on the mind and emotions. An aromatic bath two to three times per week is especially helpful for depression. Sometimes the aromatic baths are effective enough on their own as a remedy for mild bouts of depression or feeling blue.
Sandalwood is an essential oil used in yoga and in temples in many religions. It is indicated to treat anxiety, nervousness, and depression. Aromatherapy can help you relax, be energized, and create a feeling of well being. Aromatherapy is an alternative theatment that uses the highly concentrated essential oils that are extracted from plants to treat symptoms and assist in the healing process. Aromatherapy is aimed at revitalizing the body and mind while lifting your spirits. Aromatherapy will aid in promoting a sense of well being. Aromatherapy is also known for easing mental fatigue and insomnia. When you use these wonderful essential oils in the correct blend for massages, baths, diffusers and even personal perfumes you will begin to benefit from the use of aromatherapy. Using aromatherapy for depression will give you the peace of mind and the well being that you need. Bergamot (pressed from the peels of bitter oranges) has a strong reputation for its ability to uplift the mind and emotions. Bergamot has the ability to both relax the nerves and invigorate the spirit; with these actions, this important oil can be helpful for a variety of depressive condtions. Sweet orange, a close relative, works in a similar fashion, with a slightly sweeter aroma.
By: Juliet Cohen
About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for acne treatment and eye stye. She also writes articles on beauty tips.
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Parts Of Flowers, Pressing Flowers, Steam Distillation
Aromatherapy Guide for Beginners
Learning to use aromatherapy is a great way to relax, unwind, rejuvenate and uplift your spirits. It can also be a good way to start a romantic evening with that special person. If you are a beginner to aromatherapy the aromatherapy guide below will help you to uncover basic, introductory information in the practice of aromatherapy.
First, it is important to learn guidelines in purchasing quality essential oils. True aromatherapy essential oils should not be confused with perfumed oils or fragrance oils. Unfortunately, far too many vendors try to pass of oils that are a combination of fragrance and chemicals as essential oils. True pure essential oils come from the essence of the plant and provide numerous therapeutic benefits. Fragrance oils may smell nice for a time but do not provide any psychological and physical benefits.
When you are first getting started with aromatherapy it is a good idea to look for a good comprehensive aromatherapy book or even take an aromatherapy course as a way of learning as much as you can.
Getting started with aromatherapy is not difficult but there are a lot of different essential oils available and combining them can achieve different effects. Reading an aromatherapy guide book can help you learn all about safety guidelines for using essential oils and how to combine them for the best benefits.
Some of the best essential oils to get started with include lavender and chamomile; which can help you to relax, unwind and get a good night’s sleep. If you’re looking for something to uplift and energize you consider essential oils such as orange and grapefruit.
Be aware that essential oils should not be used in an undiluted form for physical application. Undiluted is fine for inhalation or steam inhalation as well as freshening a room or your laundry, but if you intend to use your oils for an aromatherapy bath or massage they must be combined with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil.
Finally, it is also important to learn how to store and care for your essential oils properly. A good aromatherapy guide will instruct you to store your oils in dark glass, such as cobalt blue or amber, bottles only. These bottles should then be kept in a cool, dark location. A wooden box is a good location and also portable.
By: Toby Russell
About the Author:
Toby Russell owns and operates http://www.benefitwitharomatherapy.com – an information site dedicated to educating and helping all those seeking a better understanding of the numerous health benefits of aromatherapy.
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Aromatherapy Course, Perfumed Oils, Uplift
Is Aromatherapy Helpful For Stress Management?
Stress management is very important especially to those people who get stressed easily. Today, there are so many techniques of managing stress. Some of which include cognitive therapy, meditation, autogenic training, exercise, deep breathing, conflict resolution, and relaxation such as fractional and progressive, effective time management, listening to certain relaxing types of music, and using natural medication. People who are into natural means choose alternative treatments that are validated by the clinic such as aromatherapy because they believe that this will not only relieve stress but can also bring potential health benefits. Nowadays, one of the most common services in various health centers and spas today is aromatherapy. This is because people believe that the process can help heal not only physical pains but also other conditions that are bought by too much stress and tension.People who would want to use aromatherapy as stress management technique should have an overall understanding about the practice including its history, its types, the supplies being used, means of application, current trends as well as the future market for it. Aromatherapy as a stress busterAromatherapy has a long and rich tradition when it comes to alternative healing and relieving tension. It dates back to the early civilizations and spread out across the globe. In fact, through the years it has undergone drastic changes in terms of application and the practice itself.
Today, aromatherapy is used not only as a means of healing but a stress buster as well.When it comes to aromatherapy, it involves the procedure that uses essential oils and aims to bring notable changes in a person’s mood or body. With the use of essential oils-which are derived from various plants and their part that are believed to have therapeutic properties-aromatherapy continues to be adapted by more and more people across the globe because of its numerous benefits. Essential oils are the primary medium that is used in aromatherapy. To be able to gain success in the procedure, it is a must that the person conducting it has a wide knowledge about aromatherapy to avoid further complications and accidents. For those that are new to aromatherapy, it is better to educate yourselves to various plant derivations of essential oils and the benefits they could bring. Many people believe that an alternative option such as aromatherapy can be an effective means of stress management because it targets muscle aches and pains, extreme menstruation, lung problems, urinary complaints, and stomach difficulties as well as in treating skin problems and conditions such as acne, boils, and even scars.
Aromatherapy is best in relieving conditions that are stress-related such as nervous tensions because the essential oils that are used usually have high balancing properties that are ideal for relaxation and intoxication. When you buy aromatherapy products. There are so many products that are available in the market today. So, buying tips when it comes to aromatherapy products are very important for people to ensure that there will be lesser room for mistakes. If you would be choosing aromatherapy as a stress management technique, always remember not to buy anything that you see in sight, make sure that you are particular about the packaging especially for essential oils, and don’t buy products that have the word “scented,” “perfume” or “fragrance” on the label because chances are, these wont be effective as you expect them to be.
By: Derren Peck
About the Author:
Derren Peck is a subject matter expert in workplace communications and specializes in leadership and interpersonal skills training. He runs an informational website on Stress Management and Relief and gives away some of his popular ebooks for free. Make sure you check out Derren’s site at http://www.EasyStressRelief.org
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Alternative Treatments, Health Centers, Stress Management Technique