Aromatherapy

The History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy For Cancer 
Aromatherapy Oils & Properties

Aromatherapy is one of the most popular therapies quite simply because it makes us feel good and can provide a supportive environment to re-establishing feelings of self-esteem, independence and the body mind relationship.

How Aromatherapy Works

Essential oils stimulate the powerful sense of smell.  It is known that odors we smell have a significant impact on how we feel. Unlike the nerves involved in touch and hearing the olfactory nerves are directly connected to the brain.  Because of this our sense of smell is the most immediate of all our senses.  Olfactory likes and dislikes are often based on emotional associations.
 
Smell can evoke strong emotional responses.  A scent associated with a good experience can bring a rush of joy. A smell associated with a bad experience can evoke sadness or a feeling of fear or anxiety.
 
And let’s not forget that our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. Used directly on the skin essential oils enter down the side of the hair follicles and are carried into the bloodstream. 
 
Much of the art of a Holistic aroma therapist lies in selecting and blending oils to meet the individual needs of each patient.
 
At Inner Balance we blend Aromatherapy Oils for each person, but we also have blends that are specific in what they do for the individual.  For example:  We have a treatment called Autumn Spice, the base oil is vanilla spice with cinnamon and nutmeg.  It not only smells wonderful but it actually warms the soft tissue in the body and it will remain like that for a few days.
 
We also have Gifts of the Maji, that base oil is jasmine with the essential oils of frankincense, and myrrh.  These oils are good for mental stability, depression, anxiety, insomnia and breathing.

The History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been around for 6000 years or more.  The Chinese may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for well-being.  Their practices involved burning incense to help create harmony and balance.
 
The Greeks, Romans and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils.   Oils of cedar wood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians to embalm the dead.  When a tomb was opened in the early 20th century traces of the herbs were discovered with intact portions of the body.  The scent although faint, was still apparent. The Egyptian physician Imhotep recommended fragrant oils for bathing, massage etc. The Egyptians also used infused oils and herbal preparations for spiritual medicinal, fragrant and cosmetic use.
 
The Greeks also recognized the medicinal and aromatic benefits of plants.  A Greek perfumer by the name of Megallies created a perfume called megaleion.  Me Aleion included myrrh in a fatty oil base and served purpose (1) for its aroma (2) for its anti-inflammatory properties towards the skin and (3) to heal wounds. Hippocrates the father of modern medicine used aromatherapy baths and scented massage.  He used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.

The Roman Empire built upon the knowledge of the Egyptians and Greeks.  Discourdes wrote a book called DE Materia Medica that described the properties of approximately 500 plants.
 
A major event for the distillation of essential oils came with the invention of a coiled cooling pipe in the 11th Century, the contribution lead to more focus on essential oils and their benefits.
 
The 12th Century a German named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. 
 
Within the 13th century the pharmaceutical industry was born.  This event encourages great distillation of essential oils.
 
During the 14th Century the Black Death hit and killed millions of people herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer.
 
Within the 15th century more plants were distilled to create essential oils including frankincense, juniper, rose sage, and rosemary.
 
A growth in the amount of books on herbs and their properties also begins later in the century.
 
During the 16th Century one could begin purchasing oils at an apothecary and many more essential oils were introduced.
 
In the 16th and 17th Century perfumery remained a prosperous industry.  Women would have their jeweler create a special bottle to hold their treasured perfume.
 
During the earlier part of the 20th century a French chemist by the name of Rene-Maurice Gattefosse Become interested in the use of essential oils for their for their medicinal use.  Previously he focused on the aromatic use of essential oils, but his interest in their medicinal use grew after an accident heightened his curiosity while working he burned his arm rather badly, By reflex he plunged his burned arm into the closet liquid which happened to be large container of Lavender essential oil.  The burn he suffered healed quickly and left no scar Gatlefosse is credited with corning the term aromatherapy in 1928 within an article where he supports the use of using essential oils in their whole without breaking them down.
 
From the late 20th century on into the 21st century there is a growing resurgence to utilize more natural products including essential oils for therapeutic cosmetic and aromatic benefit.  The use of essential oils never ceased, but the scientific revolution minimized the popularity and use of essential oils in one’s every day life.
 
Today’s heightened awareness regarding the use of synthetics coupled with the increased availability of aroma therapy information within books the Internet has refueled the use of essential oil for therapeutic cosmetic, fragrant and spiritual use.

Aromatherapy For Cancer 

Aromatherapy use is increasing in Hospitals and Hospices.  Gentle massage using essential oil helps patients to relax which often eases their physical pain.  Although none of the essential oils are thought to be strong pain killers there are many conditions involving pain in which aromatherapy has been found to bring relief.  Pain and stress are very much related.  Using essential oils can ease these feelings. 
 
If you have cancer there are some points to keep in mind when using aromatherapy and essential oils.
 
*Keep the massage light & avoid deep massage, as well a near the lymph glands.
*DO NOT massage areas that have been irradiated
*DO NOT massage areas that have skin cancer
 
Various writers on health, cancer and medical conditions have compiled lists of oils which should not be used when you have cancer – See list below.
 
Essential oils to avoid when you have cancer:
 
Aniseed
Basil
Bay
Clove
Cinnamon
Fennel
Ho leaf
Laurel
Nutmeg
Star anise
 
 
Essential oils to avoid when you have estrogen (oestrogen) dependent cancers:
 
Aniseed
Citronella
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Lemongrass
Star anise
Verbena
 
 
Essential oils to avoid when you have skin cancers and melanomas:
 
Bergamont
And all sun sensitizing oils.

Aromatherapy Oils & Properties

Below is a listing of some Aromatherapy oils and their properties.

BASIL
Properties - Digestive, respiratory, soothing, calming, muscle relaxant, head-clearing,
Clarifying, mentally stimulating.

BAY
Properties - Soothing, antibacterial, circulatory, relaxing, anti-inflammatory.

BERGAMONT
Properties - Respiratory, uplifting, clarifying, antiseptic, digestive, skin and hair treatment.

CEDARWOOD
Properties - Anteisptic, digestive, astringent, tonifying, calming, harmonizing, strengthening.

CHAMOMILE
Properties - Soothing, analgesic, calming, muscle relaxant, digestive, balancing for the female system.

CINNAMON
Properties - Antiseptic, digestive, respiratory, tonifying for skin, aphrodisiac, astringent.

CLARY SAGE
Properties-Soothing, anti-inflammatory, calming, astringent, tonifying, warming, relaxing.

CLOVE
Properties - Antispetic, antispasmodic, analgesic, digestive, respiratory, carminative, warming.

CYPRESS
Properties - Balances the female system, stimulating, circulatory, respiratory,
decongestive, head-clearing, antispasmodic, refreshing.

EUCALYPTUS
Properties - Head-clearing, refreshing, stimulating, uplifting, respiratory, decongestive,
anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic.

FRANKINCENSE 
Properties- respiratory, benefits the female system, rejuvenating, comforting.

GERANIUM
Properties-Antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory balancing, tonifying,
Warming, refreshing, relaxing, harmonizing.

JASMINE
Properties - Relaxing, uplifting, positive effect on the female system, aphrodisiac,
strong sensual stimulant.

LAVENDER
Properties - Head-clearing, respiratory, skin healing, muscle relaxant, digestive, sedative,
calming, balancing, analgesic, antiseptic, decongestive, antidepressant.

LEMON
Properties - Antispetic, physical stimulant, skin tonic, antibacterial, astringent, diuretic, circulatory, refreshing, cooling, uplifting.

MYRRH
Properties - Healing, digestive, anti-inflammatory, respiratory, tonic, stimulating,
antifungal, astringent.

ORANGE
Properties-Antibacterial, calming, healing for the skin, circulatory, digestive, sedative,
Antidepressant, aphrodisiac.

PATCHOULI
Properties-Anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, sedative, relaxing.

PEPPERMINT
Properties - Digestive,  carminative, respiratory, anti-inflammatory, balancing the female system, cooling and warming, clearing, muscle relaxant.

ROSE
Properties-Antibacterial, balancing, astringent, antiseptic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac,
Anti-inflammatory, digestive.

ROSEMARY
Properties-Invigorating, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, uplifting, stimulating.

SAGE
Properties-Diuretic, analgesic, antiseptic, relaxing.

SANDALWOOD
Properties-Digestive, calming, relaxing, soothing, softening and healing the skin, antispasmodic, antidepressant, sedative, warming.

TEA TREE
Properties - Antiseptic, antifungal, digestive, skin healing, antibacterial, respiratory, decongestive.

THYME
Properties-Antesptic, disinfectant, circulatory, stimulating, respiratory, cleansing and
Toning for skin, muscle relaxant.

YLANG YLANG
Properties - Antiseptic, aphrodisiac, sedative.