Aromatherapy

[Luc]

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health. (Wikipedia)

It is said that aromatherapy can prevent certain diseases and help reduce pain and anxiety, enhance your energy and short-term memory.

Two basic mechanisms are offered to explain the purported effects. One is the influence of aroma on the brain, especially the limbic system through the olfactory system. The other is the direct pharmacological effects of the essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6,000 years. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Essential oils were also commonly used for spiritual, therapeutic, hygienic, and ritualistic purposes.

[…]

More recently, René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist, discovered the healing properties of lavender oil when he applied it to a burn on his hand caused by an explosion in his laboratory. He then started to analyze the chemical properties of essential oils and how they were used to treat burns, skin infections, gangrene, and wounds in soldiers during World War I. In 1928, Gattefossé founded the science of aromatherapy. By the 1950s massage therapists, beauticians, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and other health care providers began using aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy did not become popular in the United States until the 1980s. Today, many lotions, candles, and beauty products are sold as "aromatherapy." However, many of these products contain synthetic fragrances that do not have the same properties as essential oils.

Some experts believe our sense of smell may play a role. The "smell" receptors in your nose communicate with parts of your brain (the amygdala and hippocampus) that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories. When you breathe in essential oil molecules, some researchers believe they stimulate these parts of your brain and influence physical, emotional, and mental health. For example, scientists believe lavender stimulates the activity of brain cells in the amygdala similar to the way some sedative medications work. Other researchers think that molecules from essential oils may interact in the blood with hormones or enzymes.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/a...apy-000347.htm


Modes of application

Aerial diffusion: for environmental fragrancing or aerial disinfection
Direct inhalation: for respiratory disinfection, decongestion, expectoration as well as psychological effects
Topical applications: for general massage, baths, compresses, therapeutic skin care (Wikipedia)

Although essential oils have been used therapeutically for centuries, there is little published research on many of them. However, this is beginning to change as more scientific studies on essential oils are conducted around the world.

Clinical studies are currently underway in Europe, Australia, Japan, India, the United States, and Canada. Many of these studies describe the remarkable healing properties of various oils.


What does the research say?

Research studies on essential oils show positive effects for a variety of health concerns including infections, pain, anxiety, depression, tumors, premenstrual syndrome, nausea, and many others. The resources on this page are meant to highlight a few examples.

http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/expl...essential-oils The list of current studies on the benefits of aromatherapy in the same link.

As with any other type of WD treatments, this one, too, would need to be done in moderation, especially in early WD, when our bodies are ultra-sensitive to any kind of stimulation.

Please, share your experience with aromatherapy.

[Sheila]

Very interesting info, Luc!

Lavender is a super-healing plant. It has so many uses. I use this oil to make me at least take one deep breath.

I use eucalyptus or pine in steaming water for my sinuses.

I add lemongrass to sesame oil for my bath.

And I've used peppermint on my feet.

[PAROX2010]

Wow, today gift got azahar essential oil.
Still do not know how to use it ... in the bathroom???
I have to investigate ....

Thanks Luc

Hugs

[Junior]

Aromatherapy kind of 'took off' here in OZ about 15 years ago and I got into it as well. I don't do it much now but I did learn a few things along the way. Peppermint is great for a range of digestive issues, including seasickness. Lavender is a 'cure all' and is very calming. Eucalyptus is great for tired and aching muscles. And I've been able to get rid of warts by applying a drop or two of tea tree oil - the proper essential oil - 3 times a day. They don't come back either because the oil gets right into the body and kills them at the source.

Oh and hubby STILL soaks his feet using various oils after running. He's one of these weird people who thinks that running is 'fun'

[Sheila]

Jr -- That's interesting about the tea tree oil. That stuff is super.


Parox -- Let us know what you find out about the azahar / orange blossom.

[PAROX2010]

The essential oil obtained from orange contains substances mild anxiolytic and hypnotic. Hence the medicinal properties of orange blossoms in the treatment of anxiety, sleeping problems and even in somatic type indigestion.

The flowers have a sedative, hypnotic and slightly spasmolytic, snack-eupéptico and flavoring. The fruits have properties such as vitamins, for its wealth of ascorbic acid, and laxatives. Pectin gives as antidiarrheal and hypocholesterolemic properties. The pericarp, and leaves, as venotonic activity and vasoprotective; bitter principles are responsible for their snack and eupéptico effect.

http://aromaterapiaesestilo.blogspot...de-azahar.html
http://www.blognutricionysalud.com/f...r-propiedades/

Hug

[Luc]

For according to a new study1 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the essential oils which form the basis of aromatherapy for stress relief are also reported to have a beneficial effect on heart rate and blood pressure following short-term exposure - and may therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, on the downside, those beneficial effects were reversed when exposure to essential oils lasted more than an hour.

The study was performed in men and women working in various spa centres in the city of Taipei in Taiwan, where the traditions of ancient Chinese civilisations are maintained in religious ceremonies and healing therapies. Aromatherapy, as practised today, is still presented as natural healing with essential oils extracted by infusion from aromatic plants.

One hundred young, healthy non-smoking spa workers taking part in the study visited the study centre on three occasions (about once a week), when each volunteer was exposed to vapours of essential oils released from an ultrasonic ioniser for two hours. During this time and on each visit three repeated measurements – resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) – were taken from each spa worker in the study room, a small space measuring 4 metres in height by 3.5 m in length and 3.2 m in width. Before each participant entered the study room, 100% pure bergamot essential oil was vaporised for 1 hour.

Essential oils are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) composed of hundreds of aromatic chemicals, and VOC levels in the room were also measured throughout the study period.

Results showed (after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, day of the week, and visit order) that the room's VOC level was significantly associated with reduced blood pressure and heart rate for between 15 and 60 minutes after the start of exposure. These associations were statistically significant. For example, after 45 minutes exposure 15-minute SBP had reduced by a mean of 2.10 mmHg and heart rate by 2.21 beats per minute.

However, after exposure for more than 1 hour - from 75 to 120 minutes after the start of exposure - VOC levels became associated with an increased 15-minute mean blood pressure and heart rate. After 120 minutes, for example, mean SBP had risen from baseline by 2.19 mmHg, and heart rate by 1.70 beats per minutes. Thus, say the authors, "prolonged exposure for longer than 1 hour to essential oils may be harmful to cardiovascular health in young, healthy subjects".

As background to the study the authors note that aromatherapy has long been used for stress relief and associated with some healing properties. Even exposure to the essential oil vapours from fragrant candles has been found to reduce test-taking anxiety among nursing school students in the USA.

However, says investigator Dr Kai-Jen Chuang from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan, it is still unknown if exposure to essential oil increases the risk of cardiovascular events through a partial effect on blood pressure and heart rate.

"Our results suggest that exposure to essential oil for 1 hour would be effective in reducing heart rate and blood pressure," said Dr Chuang. "However, the most interesting finding of our study is that exposure to essential oil for over an hour was associated with elevated blood pressure and heart rate."
Dr Chuang explained that, although the effect of essential oils on stress reduction has been well documented, epidemiological studies have reported an association between VOCs and cardiopulmonary effects - asthma among hairdressers, for example. Studies by Chuang's own group in Taiwan have already shown that exposure to VOCs for over an hour in hair salons can lead to increased serum levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and 8-OHdG (a marker of oxidative stress). Overexposure to essential oils, he suggested, may in such ways be harmful to cardiovascular health in young, healthy subjects.

He also noted the opinion of the American Heart Association on air pollution in the development of cardiovascular disease. This acknowledges the direct effects of air pollution on the lung and cardiovascular system through neural and central mechanisms to cause a systemic inflammatory response.

"These potential biological processes may also be applied to the adverse effects of VOC exposure on cardiovascular health, although at this time there is no proof available for this hypothesis," said Dr Chuang.

http://www.escardio.org/about/press/...?hit=dontmiss#

So, as with every type of treatment, just remember to not overdo it.

[Sheila]

Doesn't it seem like an overstatement to claim that more than one hour’s exposure *to essential oils* causes problems, when all they discovered was that more than one hour’s exposure *to bergamot oil* caused problems? N’est-ce pas? Did I read that right?

I would want to learn more about how bergamot works. It could be that lavender stays beneficial for 24 hours a day.

[Luc]

It looks like they may have contradicted themselves a bit in this article in places too, apart from saying the obvious; too much of something = not good. I guess the best is to simply go the middle way - trying gently some of this, then some of that (flavour).

Here's some info on the bergamot oil. It's a very "anti"-plant (in a positive sense) - the bolded part of the text;





Bergamot Essential Oil

What is the Genus Species? Citrus bergamia

Why is this information important? It is always a good idea to know your genus species of your essential oil, so you know what you are getting! Too many companies label essential oils generically which means none of us know what they are putting in the oils they sell to us!

What Part of the Plant is Used? Rind or peel

Most Interesting Historical Reference?

Did you know that Columbus brought bergamot from the Canary Islands to Italy?

Where is the name derived from? It is thought that Columbus brought the tree back to Bergamo an Italian city in Northern Italy.

Why is this information so important? Its not, it’s just a fun fact!

What are the Plant Properties? Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, hormonal support and sedative.

What are the Documented Uses and Benefits of Bergamot? Addictions, agitation, anorexia, anxiety, loss of appetite, colic, depression, indigestion, infections (herpes, cold sores, respiratory, urinary tract), inflammation, insect repellent, insomnia, parasites, rheumatism, oily skin stress and vaginal Candida.

What is the Aromatic Affect on the Mind? Its sweet and fruity aroma is uplifting and relaxing.

What is the Spiritual Influence? The benefits of bergamot include the spiritual and emotional as well. Bergamot releases the need to be in complete control so that we can flow with life more easily.

When we can relax and trust the universe to handle details of any life situation, we release the fear of the unknown and become clear about our own mission.

For theses reasons, this is why Bergamot is helpful when dealing with addictions or compulsive behaviors. Use it to help with smoking, drug and alcohol addiction especially when depression is a key element.

Because this oil opens the heart chakra and is uplifting to the mind, it can relieve anxiety, stress and depression. Place on the heart to release this patterning and embrace relationships (self and others).

What Chakra is Affected? Promotes opening of the solar plexus and heart chakras.

What is the corresponding Chakra Color? Orange and green.

More at: http://www.experience-essential-oils...-bergamot.html

[Luc]

List of essential oils

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_essential_oils

It may be in no ways exhaustive, but still mighty impressive.