Essential Oils Used as Alternative Medicine

Aromatherapy is employed to heal the mind and the body through a natural method by using essential oils extracted from plants. It is said to have been very effective in many cases involving mood alterations and positive health benefits. Let’s take a look at the topic of alternative medicine by using essential oils.

A Brief History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy was used by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Chinese for its effects on mood, health, and also for cosmetic reasons as an alternative medicine. Some used these essential oils as antiseptics applied to fight off infections and keep the wounds clean during periods of extensive warfare. Due to the lack of plausible resources and research in the field of medicine in the early days, people sought the nature’s way of healing the body and were mostly experienced in the art of natural healing since that was the only thing they could trust their life with at that time. Hence the origins of aromatherapy replicate through the times of inadequate human knowledge in the field of medicine.

What are Essential Oils

Essential oils are extracts from plants or trees which are separated from the host plant or tree, through methods including distillation and/or expression. Examples of essential oils include:

eucalyptus oil
grapefruit oil
lemon oil
jojoba oil
thyme oil

These oils and various other essential oils have been known to have a particular chemistry, which is proven to have positive effects on the human mind and body. Base oils and hydrosols are also employed in aromatherapy in combination with the essential oils.

Aromatherapy for Natural Healing

Aromatherapy, if applied as alternative medicine, is known to have various physiological and psychological effects, some of which include:

• relief from stress and anxiety
• relief from headaches
• improvement of the mental level of comfort during sleep
• positive mood alterations
• positive regulation of hormones
• relaxation of muscles
• stimulation of the human immune system
• regulation of blood circulation
• healing of skin diseases
• positive effects against depression
• anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects

Aromatherapy is currently under extensive research and scientists believe that more benefits could be found in relation to aromatherapy.

Companies like Simply Earth offer subscription services that allow you to make your own essential oil remedies. They will send you everything you need PLUS the recipe for it.

Application of Essential Oils in Aromatherapy

The general modes of application of the essential oils in aromatherapy include the application of the essential oils through aerial diffusion for the purpose of disinfection of the air. These essential oils and other aromatic products can also be applied through inhalation of the aromatic compounds in a direct manner for psychological and respiratory effects. Surface application is also employed for positive benefits through proper massage, baths and skin care. Surface application is widely employed for this purpose which negates the risks associated with direct inhalation.

Precautions When Using Aromatherapy

It is mandatory for everyone to consult a qualified professional aromatherapist before using essential oils and serious precautions must be taken in order to avoid the following:

• Pure essential oils must be used with extreme caution; skin irritation could occur if used without proper dilution.
• Photo-toxic reactions might occur when applying citrus oils.
• Essential oils might act as sensitizers.
• Essential oils can be toxic to some pets.
• Some oils can cause gynecomastia.
• A few essential oils may produce the same effects as estrogen.
• These oils may be hazardous to pregnant women.
• Essential oils are naturally toxic materials that have been known to cause toxic reactions, such as liver damage and seizures, due to unsupervised ingestion.
• Essential oils may react with allopathic medicine if used simultaneously.

Under no circumstances should essential oils be used or applied without the consent and professional advise of a qualified aromatherapist.

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