Apr 08 2008
Enjoyable Essential Oil Therapy
Essential oil therapy using therapeutic essential oils is now recognized among mainstream medical practitioners as a healing therapy for the mind, body, and spirit. Whether this essential oil therapy is being used through aromatherapy or massage, essential oils – the healing properties of plants – provide prevention against and relief from a variety of minor ailments.
Fragrance Evokes Memories
There is no question that certain fragrances evoke memories and emotions. The smell of pine needles brings snowy winter days and holiday memories to mind. The smell of roses evokes springtime in a garden. Essential oil therapy uses the mind’s reaction to scent to promote relaxation and healing.
What Is Essential Oil?
Therapy using essential oil uses a liquid material that has been extracted from a plant in an intense, concentrated form. Essential oils are extracted from a variety of plant parts, including the bark, the leaves, flowers, seeds, berries, and sap.
Essential oils do not necessarily feel oily; many times they must be mixed with other oils, known as a carrier oil, to give them their oily texture and make them suitable for use in aromatherapy, scented candles, and massage oils.
Carrier oils are cold pressed, and are sometimes extracted from almonds, apricots, grapes, avocados, peanuts, olives, macadamia nut, walnuts and wheat germ. Raw, cold pressed oils are thought to have the greatest therapeutic effect as carrier oils because they have not been subjected to intense heat.
What Does Essential Oil Therapy Treat?
Just as different traditional medicines treat different ailments, the various essential oils act as therapy for different conditions. For example, organic citronella essential oil is used as a friction massage oil to treat painful muscles and joints. Organic eucalyptus radiate essential oil is used to relieve sore, aching muscles and to act as a decongestant.
Lavender’s herbaceous scent is used to relax and stimulate the spirit. Lavender is thought among essential oil therapy specialists to represent the perfect balance of energy. One can’t go wrong using lavender for a massage, a candle, or a warm bath.
Lemon essential oil is cleansing and evokes feelings of freshness and purity. Lemon is helpful in aromatherapy for depression or feelings and emotions associated with a heavy spirit.
Peppermint oil is used to revive the spirit quickly. The snappy smell of peppermint will waken a drowsy student and refresh a weary traveler.
Sweet orange essential oil evokes memories of sunshine and fresh air. Just as everyone in the room perks up when someone peels an orange, the smell of sweet orange is fresh and relaxing at the same time. Orange works well when mixed in a blend with spice oils like cinnamon, allspice, or clove.
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