Aroma Therapy.

The word ‘aroma’ is derieved from the Greek word ‘spice.’ To-day it broadly means fragrance.’Therapy’ means curative treatment. And ‘aroma therapy’ means therapy by the use of fragrance.It is a form of complementary medicine.It consists of the use of aromatic essences or oils extracted from wild or cultivated plants.It draws on the healing powers of the plant i.e instead of using the whole or part of the plant it employs only its essential oils.This potent aromatic substance is housed in the tiny glands on the outside or deep inside the root,wood,leaves,flowers or fruit of the plant.

The use of plants to cure disease is as old as the human race. Animals,for instance,have always treated themselves by eating specific herbs and grasses.Aromatic substances have always played an important role in medicinal practices of Hebrew,Arabic and Indian civilizations. In the epic of Ramayana,the use of Sanjeevani Booti to bring Laxman to consciousness is a well known fact.For the ancient Egyptians aromatherapy was a way of life.The term aroma –therapy was actually coined by a French chemist and scholar-Dr.Rene Maurice Gattefosse in 1928 to describe the therapeutic action of aromatic plant essences.It is said that one day after burning his hand he plunged his hand into the nearest receptacle and his pain ceased quickly and skin was healed.He found that the receptacle contained essential oil of Lavender.He did several experiments and successfully used the essential oils to treat the patients in the military hospitals.Later on the research was carried on by Dr.J .Valnet and French Biochemist Marguerite Maury extended its use in cosmetology.

How It Works:-

Aromatherapists believe that the essential oils enter and effect the body and the mind by two principle routes-

1.The olfactory system and

2.the skin.

They act as triggers on the central nervous system when inhaled and permeate the skin through capillaries and cell tissues when applied on the skin.All essential oils help to balance emotions by their stimulating,uplifting,relaxing or euphoric properties.Similarly essential oils appear to be antiseptic and bactericidal and help in the treatment of viral infections which are resistant to all known orthodox medicines.Many essential oils have the potential to stimulate healthy cell renewal and growth and to regulate and restore balance of the mind and body system.Essential oils are noted too,for their ability to reduce stress and stimulate sluggish circulation.These qualities combined with their regenerative powers,give strength to their claims that they boost the immune system.

Nature Of Essential Oils:-

These are odoriferous liquid components of plants,trees and grasses.They are contained in the tiny oil glands or sacs which are concentrated in different parts of plant.They may be found in the

1.Petals(Rose),

2.Leaves(Eucalyptus),

3.Roots of grasses(Vetiver),

4.Heart wood(Sandal wood),

5.Fruit(Lemon),

6.Seeds(Caraway),

7.Rhizomes(gGnger)

8. Resin(Pine)

And sometimes in more than one part of the plant.Lavender for instance yields oil from both the flowers and the leaves,while the orange tree produces three different smelling essences with varying therapeutic properties.

The chemistry of the essential oils is complex.They consists of hundreds of constituents broadly categorised as terpenes,esters,aldehydes,ketones,alcohols,phenols and oxides.This explains why a single essential oil has a wide range of therapeutic properties.There are a large number of essential oils with different properties and uses.

For example:

1.Lemon Grass oil.(cymbopogan citratus)-Very good antiseptic and detoxifying agent.

2.Ylang-Ylang.(Cananga odorato).-Antidepressant ,promotes hair growth,treats insomnia,high blood pressure,nervous tension and stress related issues.

3.Winter green(Gaultheria procumbens).-Antiseptic,diuretic,stimulant and antirheumatic.

4.Pine,Scotch(Pinus syvestris)-cooling mentally stimulating,yet comforting to emotions.

5.Thyme(Thymusvulgaris)-It is a tonic stimulant,digestive,antispasmodic,balsamic.It can help in asthma,flu,colds,coughs,fever,nervousness as well as aches and pains.Also effective for skin problems.

6.Rose(Rose centifolia)-Skin care,thread veins,dry skin,eczema,palpitations,poor circulation,hay fever,depression, stress.

7.Neroli(Citrus aurantium)Skin care,stretch marks,palpitations,poor circulation,diarrhoea,anxiety,PMS,shock stress related problems.

8.Orange sweet.(Palpitations,fluid retention,respiratory ailments,colds and flu,nervous tension.

9.Myrrh(Commiphora myrrha)-Athhlete’s foot,skin care(especially mature skin)ringworm,wounds,arthritis,gum infections,mouth ulcers and nervous tension.

10.Jasmine(Jasmine officinale)-Depression,nervous exhaustion and stress.

These are just a few, and the list is long indeed.

As the essential oils are very potent,they are mixed in carrier oils before use.Some of the carrier oils are-

1.Almond

2.Safflower,

3.Jojoba,

4.Coconut,

5.Wheat germ,

6.Apricot,

7.Avocado oil

8.Olive oil etc.

An easy way to calculate how much essential should be added to make a blend is-measure the amount of base oil in milliliters and add half that number of drops of essential oil.

For example:-

To a 50 ml bottle of base oil add about 25 drops of essential oil-this gives 2.5% dilution.Add a few drops more for physical remedy,a few drops less for emotional problem.

Or

To a table spoon of base oil add 6-9 drops of essential oil.

Or

To a teaspoon of base oil add 2-3 drops of essential oil.

As essential oils are synergistic, complimenting and enhancing each other’s actions, blends of 2-4 essential oils are used for optimum therapeutic effect.

Methods Of Use:-

1.Bath.This is the easiest and most popular way of using an essential oil.Simply add 5-10 drops in the bathing water and relax.Below are given two blends for different purposes.

Uplifting Bath.(Morn) - 40 drops of Lemon/Lemongrass.30 drops of Black Pepper.20 drops of Juniper Bery.10 drops of Pepermint.

Relaxing Bath.(Even)--30 drops of Petitgrain. 20 drops of Clarysage. 20 drops of Lavender. 10 drops of Patchauli

2.Massage is the main method used by therapists. Soothing and stimulating blends are used as per the need.

3.Vaporiser method.In this the oil is vaporized in the diffuser,which is heated gently by tea lights.Electric diffusers can also be used for this.This is also easy yet effective way of using the oils for larger areas and people.For example-Sweet basil can scent a room and rid the room of unwanted odor. Antiseptic oils like Eucalyptus can rid the room of germs and help respiratory complaints.

The other methods include –neat application,mask,gels ,compress,steam inhalation,flower waters,perfumes,douche and gargles.However,a patch test should be done prior to use,specially neat application or inhalation.Given below are a few blends for our readers to prevent and slow down aging and wrinkles ,high blood pressure and insomnia.

1.Add 3 drops of any of the cytophylactic( those that stimulate new cell growth)oil such as Lavender,Neroli,Frankincense,Carrot seed,Myrrh,Rose and Patchouli to a teaspoon of wheat germ oil and massage gently specially the area around the eyes before sleeping.

2.A good basic blend is 1 tablespoon of Jojoba(or Almond) oil,1 teaspoon of Wheat germ oil,6 drops of Lavender,3 drops of Neroli and 2 drops of Frankincense.To this can be added a teaspoon of rich carrier oil like-Apricot,Avocado,Hazelnut,Evening Primrose or Peach oil.

For high blood pressure,an excellent blend for this is-In 1 table spoon of carrier oil, add 3 drops of Ylang-Ylang,Lavender and Marjoram individually or together and give a gentle massage.

The best oils for insomnia are Lavender,Vetiver,German or Roman Chamomile and Neroli. These can be used in bath,massage with carrier oil,diffuser or simply putting a few drops on the pillow.

I hope the readers will not only enjoy but also find this wonderful therapy useful.

Forever In Gratitude To Her Divine Grace and blessings of Gurudev!