Aromatherapy was given its name by a French chemist, R.M Gattefosse and used in describing therapeutic treatment that involved botanical oils. This type of approach addresses many different health problems, from conditions and issues with the skin to migraines and much more. Aromatherapy is frequently used by many people today as part of their weight loss plan.
Learn the History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils to benefit the mind and body, is a thousand-year-old healing practice which has received much publicity in the last twenty years. Most people probably think of it as the use of pleasant scents for mental and physical relaxation. But it is much more than that.
Aromatherapy-Making Your Own Massage Oil
Aromatherapy is the use of specific fragrant substances in lotions and inhalants to affect mood and promote health.
Unless unable to detect scents, we all use aromatherapy every day: smelling an armload of freshly-washed towels which has dried in the sun, your boyfriend’s aftershave, newly-cut grass or fresh coffee: in all instances, aromatherapy is immediate pleasure derived from inhaling scent.
Aromatherapy is an age-old practice. In 3500 BC, Egyptians used incense made from herbs, aromatic woods and spices in religious tributes. They believed as the smoke rose, so did their prayers and praises, wishes and wants.
Egyptian women often wore waxy herbal cones on their heads, which, when melted, released fragrance.
Aromatherapy has also been used medicinally for centuries. In European monasteries during The Plague, monks worked overtime growing angelica, as it was believed the herb could ward off the sickness that was running rampant. During World War II, essential oils such as chamomile, clove, lemon and thyme were used to treat gangrene.
While certain essential oils are chosen for specific ailments, some are “adaptogenic” which means they will be of beneficial use to whatever the body needs at the time. Such oils are lemon and lavender.
The process of extracting oils from plants and herbs is very painstaking, and it is important to choose the best oils possible. Some manufacturers “standardize” their oils to comply with a specific profile , and oftentimes additives are used or product is diluted with vegetable oil.
However, it’s very easy to make your own aromatherapy oils. The healing benefits are many, including stimulating cell renewal and fighting bacteria, fungus and infections.
You will need a good amount of fresh plant material, as you will be adding new flowers/herbs to the mixture every day for four days. You will need a “base oil”, which can be olive, grape seed or sweet almond oil.
You’ll need glass jars with corks for storage, which will allow the oils to breathe (no plastic). Also have some ziplock bags handy.
Into a ziplock bag, place 2 cups of flower/herb petals. Seal and bruise petals slightly with mallet to release oils. Place petals in 1 cup of oil. Cover.
Next day, drain the oil, squeeze out/discard petals. Add 2 cups fresh plant material. Repeat this process for two more days.
If you would rather purchase ready-made oils, make sure you look for clinical, or therapeutic, oils produced by organic growers.
Then, simply combine essential oils with easy-to-find ingredients to produce your own massage oils, body sprays and gel fresheners. Some favorites:
A soothing herbal bath to bathe away the stress and pain
A soothing herbal bath to bathe away the stress and pain is fairly simple to prepare. If a person can make a pot of tea, then he or she can make an herbal bath preparation. The following guidelines can help those who are new to herbal relaxation.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Next Page »