Aromatherapy –

Aromatherapy is one of the most ancient sciences of healing, relaxing and reenergizing with the help of using plants and their parts. The root, bark, flower, fruit, seed and nut of any plant play essential role in this natural science. It is considered to be most popular branch of alternative medicines. The word aromatherapy is taken from two words; aroma that means smell and therapy meaning toheal. Together, it is fragrance that heals!

In other words, Aromatherapy is an effectual complementary medical aid that involves systematically using some essential oils from aromatic plants in holistic healing procedures, for improving physical and emotional wellbeing. In this effective healing method, both of them; patients and therapists have important roles.

The experts use massage that is combined with some essential oil to initiate the process of disease healing. Such oils are often called as the 'life-force' of that particular plant since they contain potential and beneficial properties those might either be relaxing or invigorating, based on which particular oil is in use. They are usually strong antiseptics and anti-bactericidal agents, while others are anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents.

Essential oils – the heart of aromatherapy massage

Essential oils form the platform of aromatherapy. Such essentials oil is nothing but the extract of particular plant and its parts and form its life-force. Essential oil is extracted by various procedures such as fixed oil, cold expression, steam distillation or alcohol extraction. They are very concentrated and hence, cannot be used directly onto the affected areas/body. Such oil can be blended together with some other diluting material and this blend is known as synergy. The synergy is considered to be more virile than the individual oils. However, to reduce the potency of essential oils, one can dilute them by adding some carrier oils.

Benefits of aromatherapy massage

Aromatherapy massage with essential oils affects the person’s mood. They enter through the olfactory system and positively impact the nervous system, thus improves mood and relaxes or energizes the subject. This will help in alleviating stress and accelerating the healing process in the body. The essential oils also possess cosmetic properties and can be used in skincare and hair-care product.  Many of essential oils possess anti-viral, antifungal and antiseptic actions and hence they can also be used as household products that clean and serve as antiseptic lotions. These oils can be inhaled, massaged on the body, added to the bathwater or shower-water or just sprayed in the room. 

Here are some examples of the extracts of the researches that are being done on aromatherapy massage:

Self-massage markedly improved symptoms and wellbeing in people suffered from lymph edema. It also somewhat, but not significantly reduced limbs’ volume. Nevertheless, carefully selected aromatherapy oils not appeared to be more effective as compared to the massage without aromatherapy oils.

16 first-time mothers had a ½ hour aromatherapy massage two days after their childbirths, while 20 of others received standard post-partum caring. The aromatherapy massaging group had markedly decreased ratings of post-partum blues and anxieties and had increased energy and attachment to their newborns.

Researchers suggest that patients having cancer, particularly in the palliative care setting, are more-and-more using aromatherapy and massage.

Some popular aromatherapy massage plants

Melissa(Milissa Officinalis, Family - Labiatae)

This is a popular garden herb called also as 'Lemon Balm'. It has soothing but uplifting effects on mind and body. It is better to comfort the oil during the cold seasons and when there is high pollens count. However, large amounts (about 300lb of fresh lemon balm plants yield 10ml of oil!). Therefore, most of these oils one finds are blended ones. Warning: One should not use Melissa onto the skin under direct sunlight. Dilute to 1% and use only three drops in a bathwater as it might cause irritation of the skin. The oils have a lemony aroma and sharp floral-lemon flavors.

Mimosa(Acacia dealbata or A. decurrens, Family - Mimosaceae)

This is known anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory agent and since many years, it is used as part of a skin moisturizing regimen.

Mugwort or Armoise(Artemisa vulgaris, Family - Asteraceae)

This essential plant is considered to be assisting in to promote vivid dreams! This is also used for regulation and balancing female menstrual cycles. It is also said to boost one's psychic powers.

Bookmark:

Post your Comments below

Comments

Name

Comment

Please enter the text you see in the image below in the appropriate input box.