Aromatherapy
“Synthetic or inorganic substances do not contain any ‘life force’; they are not dynamic. Everything is made of chemicals but organic substances like organic oils have a structure which only Mother Nature can put together. They have a life force, an additional impulse which can only be found in living things.” Robert Tisserand
Aromatherapy is powerful medicine and amazing healers of phsyical, mental, and emotional ailments. They must be used with caution, however. Some essential oils can cause early labor, cause abortions, and/or damage to your liver, kidneys and nervous system among other things. Essential oils can also interact negatively with certain medications. Not only can essential oils directly affect the cells of the body, they also cross the blood-brain barrier via the skin as they are absorbed and travel around the body via the bloodstream. This is how they deliver benefits to the body's systems and organs.
It is very important to either consult with an expert before using oils or to do extensive research on the oils you are working with so that you truly understand both the benefits and the contraindications of the products that you are using.
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of highly concentrated extracts of flowers, leaves, stems, roots, seeds, bark, resin, or fruit rinds. Essential oils are used to promote health, harmony, and a sense of peacefulness. Properly administered essential oils can speed healing, help prevent disease, and create emotional wellbeing.
Preventing and Treating Disease
Essential oils have also been studied for their disease-preventative potential, as well as for easing the suffering resulting from treatment for diseases – for example, cancer treatment. A study conducted by F. Mujeeb, et al., has shown positive results.
Among plant derived compounds, essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants have been reported to possess anticancer properties. EOs have also been reported to improve the quality of life of the cancer patients by lowering the level of their agony. EOs-mediated therapy ... can be used in combination with cancer therapy to decrease the side effects of the drugs. Hence, EOs can be used for improving the health of the cancer patients and as a source of novel anticancer compounds.
Essential oils defintielly have a place in the healing world! There is so much benefit to the proper use and administration of EOs for conditions as diverse as depression, anxiety, the common cold, and pain relief. As an example:
- Peppermint can help with depression and can also clear the nasal passages, as well as easing headaches.
- Grapefruit can perk up energy and act as an aphrodisiac and can help treat acne and descrease blood pressure.
- Lavendar can ease anxiety and help us to relax.
How It Works
Aromatherapy stimulates smell receptors in the nose when inhaled and enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin. These receptors then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions. Because essential oils are able to easily cross the brain-barrier they are an ideal healing modality for brain issues. Once the oils cross the barrier they are quickly absorbed and then interact with the central nervous system.
In her article “Heal the Brain with Essential Oils”, Judi Cohen states:
Terpenes are found in most essential oils and are chemically credited with the ability to reprogram the DNA at a cellular level, in effect working as stem cells to correct bad cellular codes. Sesquiterpene molecules—commonly found in roots, resins and woods like Cedarwood, Vetiver, Spikenard, Sandalwood, Black Pepper, Patchouli, Myrrh, Ginger, Galbanum, and Frankincense—are also attributed with the capability of carrying oxygen into human tissue.
Interesting Fact(s)
- Essential oils are often used by midwifes to bring on labor or ease labor pain. Commonly employed oils include: Citrus Blossom oil, Clary Sage oil, Lavender oil, Jasmine oil, and Peppermint oil to name a few.
- Research suggests that essential oil constituents are found in traceable amounts in the bloodstream following topical applications. If you are a cancer-risk, consume medications, are pregnant, or have any other health conditions, consult with a licensed professional to ensure the essential oil used does not affect hormone balance or medications. Aromatherapy is magical but requires knowledge and training to be used safely and effectively. In many countries, one must be a licensed practitioner to provide aromatherapy services to the public. This is not true in the United States. Find an Aromatherapist that a certification or formal training.
- Warning: Commercial perfumes are not essential oils. Perfumes are synthetic fragrances that have the potential to cause real harm in the body. They are hormone disrupters that can injure your health and lay the groundwork for, or maybe even cause, serious disease, including cancer. Without getting too scientific, it’s all about the Phthalates. They really mess up the endocrine system – and not only yours. Anyone subject to smelling your synthetic fragrance is also affected. Avoid synthetic perfume, or lotions or other cosmetics containing synthetic fragrances.
I often use aromatherapy as a part of my healing practice with working with clients at The Health Hut in League City, and my beautiful store, Crystals & More, carries a lot of different essential oils for healing. If you are ever in the neighborhood, drop by!
Dr. Lola M. Scarborough
The Health Hut / Crystals and More, A Metaphysical Store