Aromatherapy _ Essential Oils

Do you remember the smell of pumpkin pie cinnamon rolls or pine needles on a cold winter's day? Natural scents can bring back pleasant memories and offer relief from the stresses of modern daily life. Since the dawn of creation mankind has used plants for food and medicine. What is now called Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that has been used by every culture for more than 5000 years. Ayurvedic, Egyptian and Persian teachings used plants and herbs for medical purposes.

Most people are more familiar with aromatic herbs burned that are as incense for religious ceremonies and for "cleansing" purposes. Essential oils and herbs were often used in ancient rituals and for preparing the dead for the next life. Essential oils were used for mummification and anointing the dead and it posses great antibacterial, germ-killing processes that prevented or delayed decay.

Repeated references are made in the Bible to the anointing of one's feet and burning incense for rituals. My favorite Bible reference is Ecclesiastes 38.4: "The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth, and he that is wise will not abhor them."

In fifth century Greece the "Father of Medicine" Hippocrates said "Let food be they medicine." Hippocrates taught the use of plants and flowers for healing.

During the discoveries of many Egyptian tombs, there was evidence of plunder. The interesting finds were that essential oils were stolen and precious metals left behind. This indicates a history where the healing power of essential oils were more treasured than gold.

During the fourteenth century glove makers survived the Black Plague because of the essential oils they used for treating the gloves they made for the rich. Doctors began to carry essential oils to protect them from contagious disease.

In 1937 a French Chemist names Rene-Maurice Gattesforce coined the term "aromatherapy." After sustaining burns to his hand and face in an explosion he developed the use of essential oils for treating burn victims. Lavender is still used by many doctors for the treatment of burns.

French Physician Dr. Jean Valnet was impressed with Gattefosse's findings and used essential oils to dissenfect wounds from war injuries during World War II.

Two of Valnet's students brought his findings to Great Briatian, where aromatherapy gained great interest.

Between 1920 and 1930 Italian scientists conducted experiments to study the healing effects of essential oils. They studied the calming effects on the nervous system, blood pressure, breath and circulation rate. They also observed the bacteria-destroying effects of essential oils.

Professor Paol Rovesti at the University of Milan, conducted research with patients who suffered depression and hysteria. For Depression he recommended the following combination: jasmine, sandalwood, orange blossom, verbena and lemon oil. For Treatment of anxiety he recommended: bergamot, neroli, Cyprus, orange leaf, lime, rose, violet leaves and marjoram.

Globally Modern Medicine recognizes the power of electromagnetic charges (ORAC) from herbs and flowers. France still leads the way with the use of essential oils and herbs in medicine with the most patients being treated with some form of aromatherapy. In English hospitals one has a 50 percent change of being treated with some type of aromatherapy. In Japan it is not uncommon for businesses to employ some kind of use of essential oils to increase productivity, and decrease errors. In Russia they have "live plant therapy" for elderly patients for it's healing benefits.

Our sense of smell is 10,000 time more sensitive than our other senses. It is directly linked to our limbic brain and autonomic responses. It is where many of of emotional responses to life are originate and are stored. By working with aroma therapy we can change the response to trauma and disease thus changing outcomes for the patient.

Some conditions that can be helped with aromatherapy include: Nose bleeds, headaches, hangovers, catarrh, bruises, athlete's foot, cold sore, poison ivy, jet lag, detoxify, arthritis, autism, Alzheimer's, cancer, cholesterol, trauma, neurological disorders, depression, lice, blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, thyroid problems, infections, varicose veins, any many more.

One of the most effective treatments that incorporates aromatherapy is Raindrop Technique. This combines the benefits of massage with energy medicine. This technique reduces pain, and inflammation, balance the nervous system, regulate the gastrointestinal functions, boost the immune system, relieve stress, balance the emotional system, decrease sciatica, increase blood flow, and decrease infection. A single treatment can relieve pain and restore well being that sets the healing process in motions for weeks or even months.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of pure essential oils and herbs. The therapeutic qualities are found only in specially processed plant derived oils.

Check with your aroma therapist to see if your condition can be improved with aromatherapy. We recommend therapeutic grade oils by Young Living. Oils are powerful and should be used only as directed.