You are currently browsing the archives for 2006.
Displaying 11 - 20 of 21 entries.

Five Tips For Buying The Best Aromatherapy Oils

  • Posted on October 30, 2006 at 12:48 pm

Walking into an aromatherapy supply store can feel like walking into a slice of heaven. The sweet scent of aromatic skin care solutions excite the soul while the tantalizing aromas coming from scented candles steal the show. However, the aromatherapy connoisseur knows that not every scented oil and sweet smelling candle on the shelf contains healing power. Here are five tips to help you find only the best in aromatherapy products. Tip #1: Check the bottle. If your aromatherapy essential oil is in a clear bottle or a plastic bottle, then you should not get it. Light has a damaging effect on oil and truly essential aromatherapy oils can be contaminated when stored in plastic bottles.

Tip #2: Check the label. Keywords such as “perfume” or “fragrance oil” are a big sign that the oils contained within the bottle are not pure essential aromatherapy oils. Even though the bottle may have the term aromatherapy printed on it, if you see natural identical oil or fragrance oil on the label, then your aromatherapy oil more than likely contains unwanted perfumery chemicals.

Tip #3: Check for dust. If you see an aromatherapy product on the shelf that has dust on its cap or around its container, then avoid getting it. Dust generally means that your aromatherapy product is old. Like many other types of oil and solutions, as aromatherapy products age, they lose their healing powers and aromatic scent.

Tip #4: Check the price. Different types of aromatherapy oils demand different prices. Pure therapeutic oils that are exotic cost more than aromatherapy oils that are more common. If every bottle of aromatherapy oil is the same price, you may want to reconsider.

Tip #5: Do your research. Each type of aromatherapy oil has a different therapeutic quality. The scent of aromatic essential oils such as cypress is good for treating coughs and asthma. However, the scent of Patchouli is used for anxiety, depression, and healing skin conditions.

Don’t let the sweet talk of the salesman override the natural therapeutic power of pure essential aromatherapy oils. Whether you are purchasing your aromatherapy supplies from one of the many great online retailers or from the local establishment at the shopping center down the road, by following these five tips you can avoid the pitfalls and start enjoying the healing power of aromatherapy.

About the Author

Vincent DeLuca is author of “Healing Health from Home.” To learn more about aromatherapy and purchasing aromatherapy supplies, look at the aromatherapy resources available at http://www.aromatherapy-oils.info

Written By: Vincent DeLuca

Continue reading Five Tips For Buying The Best Aromatherapy Oils »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy And Weight Loss

  • Posted on October 24, 2006 at 12:48 pm

All of us will like to see ourselves well groomed and fit enough to look great and flaunt those athletic physiques among friends and relatives.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible for the most obvious reasons; we simply can not maintain our body weight. For some people the dilemma of being overweight starts first in the mind: It is all psychological and once the mind is healthy, the slimmer body will automatically follow. Mentally, aromatherapy can help you to fight stress and lift your mood.

The connection between smell and emotion are thought to be extremely close. Taking a deep breath of pleasant smells triggers positive reactions in the brain, resulting in a sense of wellbeing and goodness. We are all very unique. If oil works well for one person it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work the same for the next person. The way the oils are used could also make a difference; one person might benefit more by using the oils in the bath, rather than inhalation, massage or burning the oils.

The same theory holds good in case of human weight; more you feel good and hale, the more will be the care towards your physical well being. A regular aromatherapy session may help you achieve weight loss campaign, by increasing your sense of well-being and relaxation. However, aromatherapy cannot produce desired weight loss without you creating your own calorie deficit regime, either by eating a calorie-reduced weight loss diet, or by increasing calories burned through rigorous exercise, or more ideally by a combination of diet and exercise. Aromatherapy has proven to be very useful for this weight loss. This natural way of treating has no side effect at all as compared to other treatments.

Certain essential oils are very useful in weight loss trial, like Birch, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lemon, Orange, Tangerine, and Fennel. Massage is probably the best method and oils must be used with base oils like sweet almond, which makes oil less strong and easy to use. Applying oil to those places were fatty tissues are more, will really help to reduce the fat level and make your physique well shaped.

Essential oils used here are not only sweet smelling but have also the capacity to make your digestive system good, that in turn also helps in weight reduction. How ever, one must see that the oils used should be in moderate amount and mixed with carrier oil before using.

A calculated dosage, rigorous exercise-workout and a strict diet will go a long way in achieving a significant weight loss.

About the author:

Find more great aromatherapy information at http://www.essentia laromatherapy.co.uk

Written By: Lorna Findlay

Continue reading Aromatherapy And Weight Loss »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy: Revive Your Senses

  • Posted on October 18, 2006 at 12:48 pm

The art of aromatherapy had been practiced since the earliest times. Strong evidences were found to link aromatherapy to ancient traditions. Though aromatic oils had been used to treat and cure various ailments and conditions for who knows how long, the formal study on their properties only started in the year 1928.

In it’s simplest form, aromatherapy is the use of essential plant oils for therapeutic purposes. They are normally employed to relieve a person from stress and a variety of stress-related conditions. And also for promoting an individual’s general well being and in invigorating the body and the psyche.

Aromatherapy works by inducing the olfactory nerve cells with aromatic oils, which then carries out the message to the limbic system in the brain. Limbic system is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling memory and emotions.

Aromatherapy is concerned in both the workings of the physical and emotional aspects of the person under treatment. Physically, aromatherapy helps in relieving specific conditions trough the stimulation of the nervous, immune and circulatory system. In emotions however, they may evoke pleasant memories.

Yet, the medical circles do not agree if aromatherapy in itself is instrumental to the complete healing of a certain condition. But the idea of recovery through aromatherapy is widely accepted.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are derived from the distillation of the elements of a plant like the leaves, roots, flowers, stems and bark. They hold the true essence of the plants from which they originally came in high concentration. Though termed as oil, essential oils normally do not have the real properties of oil. Some essential oils are yellow like that of the lemongrass and orange and many are clear.

These oils are used in a variety of methods: through inhalation, by adding them in the bathwater and by the application of the diluted oil on the body.

The use of oil in aromatherapy is only restricted to those with unadulterated qualities. The purest of the essential oils alone have the therapeutic values.

The following is a list of the most common essential oils used in aromatherapy. Some of which are used as carrier oils (also known as vegetable oils or base oils):

- Almond, Sweet
- Apricot Kernel
- Avocado
- Borage
- Cocoa Butter
- Evening Primrose
- Grapeseed
- Hazelnut
- Jojoba
- Kukui
- Macadamia Nut
- Olive
- Peanut
- Pecan
- Rose Hip
- Sesame
- Shea Butter
- Sunflower

Below are listed essential oils that are not advisable to use in aromatherapy, especially if not supervised by a professional aromatherapy practitioner.

- Ajowan
- Almond, Bitter
- Arnica
- Birch, Sweet
- Boldo Leaf
- Broom, Spanish
- Calamus
- Camphor
- Deertongue
- Garlic
- Horseradish
- Jaborandi
- Melilotus
- Mugwort
- Mustard
- Onion
- Pennyroyal
- Rue
- Sassafras
- Thuja
- Wintergreen
- Wormseed
- Wormwood

Aromatherapists put into practice the workings of aromatherapy in a spectrum of work environments including:

- private practice
- mobile visiting practice
- natural health clinics
- beauty therapy clinics
- health clubs
- hospitals
- hospices and
- nursing homes.

In spite of the lack of formal research on aromatherapy therapists and European physicians are often prescribing certain aromatic oils for a range of complaints including colds and flu, insomnia, sinusitis, migraines, digestive problems and muscle pains. It must be understood though that aromatic oils must never be taken orally and should be first tested to determine the degree of skin’s sensitivity to some oils.

About The Author

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides aromatherapy resources on http://www.about-aromatherapy.info.

Written By: Robert Thatcher

Continue reading Aromatherapy: Revive Your Senses »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy As Weight Loss Tool

  • Posted on October 12, 2006 at 12:48 pm

Aromatherapy Weight Loss

Aromatherapy Weight Loss in many cases is extremely effective and less costly than other diet plans. All of us will like to see ourselves, well groomed and fit enough to look great and flaunt those athletic physiques among friends and relatives. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for the most obvious reasons; we simply can not maintain our body weight. For some people the dilemma of being overweight starts first in the mind: It is all psychological and once the mind is healthy, the slimmer body will automatically follow. Mentally, aromatherapy can help you to fight stress and lift your mood.

The connection between smell and emotion are thought to be extremely close. Taking a deep breath of pleasant smells triggers positive reactions in the brain, resulting in a sense of wellbeing and goodness. We are all very unique. If oil works well for one person it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work the same for the next person. The methods, by which the oils are used, will also make a great difference; one person will accrue benefit more by using the oils in his bath, rather than inhalation, massage or burning the oils.

The same theory holds good in case of human weight; more you feel good and hale, the more will be the care towards your physical well being. A regular aromatherapy session may help you achieve weight loss campaign, by increasing your sense of well-being and relaxation. However, aromatherapy cannot produce desired weight loss without you creating your own calorie deficit regime, either by eating a calorie-reduced weight loss diet, or by increasing calories burned through rigorous exercise, or more ideally by a combination of diet and exercise. Aromatherapy has proven to be very useful for this weight loss. This natural way of treating has no side effect at all as compared to other treatments.

Some essential oils are very useful in weight loss trials, like Birch, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lemon and Fennel. Massage is probably the best method and oils must be used with base oils like sweet almond, which makes oil less strong and easy to use. Applying oil to those places were fatty tissues are more, will really help to reduce the fat level and make your physique well shaped.

About the author:

Massage Richmond Va & Chair Massage Richmond Virginia

Written By: B W Zelock

Continue reading Aromatherapy As Weight Loss Tool »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy – More Than Just Hot Air

  • Posted on October 6, 2006 at 12:48 pm

Many people have found aromatherapy very helpful in terms of their general feelings of psychological and physical wellness. Aromatherapy uses volatile plant oils in a natural form in massage, candles and other delivery methods.

Aromatherapy uses “Essential Oils”. The vapors from these oils benefit many people when they are absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream, giving physical benefit. The aroma of the inhaled oils stimulates certain receptors in the brain, giving psychological benefits.

The benefits of alternative therapies like aromatherapy are difficult to prove or disprove, but millions of people spend millions of dollars on these products and do so again and again, so they must be feeling better.

Essential oils are different from perfumes and commercial fragrances in that essential oils are 100% natural and contain no man-made chemicals, as so many perfumes do. Many people use a special burner to heat their oils to vaporize them using a tea-light candle underneath.

It is important to take advice only from an experienced and qualified aromatherapist because too high a concentration of some oils can be harmful, especially if applied to the skin. Be sure to get expert advice because some essential oils can cause sensitization or allergic reactions. Sensitization means that you will have little reaction on the first exposure, but subsequent use will cause a massive adverse reaction. Penicillin has this sensitisation effect on some people, a mild reaction the first time, but a second dose can be fatal if you are allergic to the antibiotic.

In aromatherapy massage essential oils, well diluted with “carrier oils” are rubbed into the skin. The diluted essential oils are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. Use of “Carrier Oils” is essential for safe application of “Essential oils” to the skin without very serious adverse reactions.

“Essential Oils” are often blended to give a greater effect than one could expect from the amounts of the separate oils.

About the Author:

Ciara McGrath taught chemistry for 28 years. She has four daughters. Find more info here. For more info visit aromatherapy and massage therapy.

Written By: Ciara McGrath

Continue reading Aromatherapy – More Than Just Hot Air »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy And Kids

  • Posted on September 30, 2006 at 12:48 pm

Aromatherapy is a new approach to emotional well being and healing through the use of essential oils. Oils in aromatherapy have soothing effect on the body, mind and soul.

A gentle hug, smile or a kiss are forms of connection, bonding between the parent and the child. A loving nurturing touch of massage on the feet, arms, hands, back, abdomen and legs is therapeutic for both the child and parent, usually the mother. Babies at six weeks of age can recognize their mother’s scent, hence making them extremely sensitive to any kind of fragrance, pleasant or unpleasant. Fragrant essential oils used during the upbringing of your child supports your little one’s health, happiness and well being.

Essential oils have distinct composition determining the fragrance, colour, and effect on our body. Before you introduce your child to the aromatic world of fragrances, seek advice from your GP or qualified aroma therapist. If possible, carry out detailed research your self on the oil you plan to use on your infant or child.

Listed below are few commonly used essential oils that are used for kids.

- Lavender oil is excellent home remedy for headaches, earaches and even insect bites. – Geranium and rose oils act as a good skin softener, toner and natural astringent. – Chamomile and peppermint oils prevent hair loss. – Lavender, lemon and curry leaf oils provide relief from dandruff. – For any bruises and burns, use tea tree and lavender oils. – Black pepper oil is good for constipation. – Cedar wood, eucalyptus and tea tree oils alleviate coughs. – Ginger, lavender and thyme oil works wonders on sore throats. – Lavender and roman chamomile oil blend allows for restful sleep at night. – Lemon and grapefruit oils added to a tub of warm water for a bath refreshes the kid.

A word of caution for any parents planning on using aromatherapy oils on their children. Please exercise caution while using essential oils. Its best to stick to mild oils and less is best. Since essential oils are highly concentrated, make sure that they are properly diluted with water or carrier oils. Improper dilution can result in skin irritation for your little ones. Don’t let your children be alone while using essential oils.

About the author:

Kevin Pederson is the Webmaster for Aromatherapies.net, an Online guide to Aromatherapy alternative medicine, essential oils, recipes, synergies, blends, oil profiles and products.

Written By: Kevin Pederson

Continue reading Aromatherapy And Kids »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy – a world of fragrance

  • Posted on September 24, 2006 at 12:48 pm

Aromatherapy – a world of fragrance.

The ancient Egyptians used aromatherapy thousands of years ago. Aromatherapy, a word that derives from ‘aroma’ meaning fragrance or smell and ‘therapy’ meaning treatment is based on an ancient principle that the spirit and the body should be in harmony. Hippocrates claimed that the secret to good health was to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage each day.

Aromatherapy, the healing art of using essential oils extracted from aromatic plants for therapeutic purposes is enjoying a modern-day revival. Extracted from fruit, flowers and tress, blends of these essentials oils can be incorporated for their healing properties and create a particular aroma.

Each essential oil used in Aromatherapy can be used either alone or in combination with other oils to promote health and a sense of emotional well-being. A full Aromatherapy treatment combines the beneficial properties of essential oils with a warm relaxing massage

While essential oils are considered to be safe to use, they are very powerful, highly concentrated substances which should be treated with a great deal of respect.

Some of the most common essential oils and their effects:

Chamomile: Soothing and harmonizing
Clove: Warming
Fennel: Clearing
Eucalyptus: Balancing and stimulating
Grapefruit: Refreshing
Jasmine: Soothing
Lavender: Calming and healing
Lemon: Cleansing and stimulating
Orange: Calming and energizing

Before beginning any Aromatherapy treatment, it is important to understand how each essential oil works. Do not use any oil that you are not familiar with. Certain oils should be used during pregnancy or when brest feeding. Always consult a professional for advice on which Aromatherapy treatment best suits your needs.

Spas in Canada Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved

About the Author

Canadian health and wellness spas offer a wide range of great spa experiences. For more information on Aromatherapy contact the spa team by email: spas@spasincanada.ca

Angie Kocsi is co-founder of Spas in Canada. After many years enjoying the great spas in Europe and drawing upon her knowledge of the corporate world and a successful career in Public Relations and International Marketing www.spasincanada.ca was created.
Contact the spa team email: spas@spasincanada.ca

Written By: Angie Kocsi

Continue reading Aromatherapy – a world of fragrance »

Care to leave a comment?

Aromatherapy’s Origins and How it can Benefit You

  • Posted on September 18, 2006 at 12:48 pm

The origins and benefits of aromatherapy

Aromatherapy first got its name in the 1920′s by a French chemist named Rene Maurice Gattefosse. He said it involved using essential oils from plants, flowers, and roots among other things to promote healing.

There are now many different versions of aromatherapy and one must be careful in selecting which products to use and which to avoid. True aromatherapy involves natural items like bark and leaves that have theraputic effects on the body. However, there are some products around that use synthetic scents for aromatherapy. These candles or incense may smell like the true ingredients of true aromatherapy, but they are not. In fact, they can even damage the body by releasing toxins into the air as they burn. Many candles are even petroleum based which can also release toxins into the air. The best type of incence to buy is the kind that burns using soybean wax. This type burns clean and can heal the body.

There are many different schools of thought involving aromatherapy. Some believe it can heal everything from a headache to athletes foot. Others view it simply as a way to calm their nerves. Still other call cooking with herbs part of aromatherapy. No matter how you officially define aromatherapy, however, there are a large number of testimonials giving credit to the healing properties of some of the herbs involved with insence.

Lavender can used for relaxing and can bring a sense of peacefulness to the room. Sandalwood can help ease stress and anxiety. There are many different types of flowers, plants, berries, roots, and seeds that can be combined to have an excellent effect on the senses. Different combinations can create smells and aromas that trigger the memory to a happy event or occasion or just create a relaxing mood for all to enjoy. Those that struggle with restlessness and stress could really benefit from burning the pure oils to calm their nerves.

Anybody can add incence and candles to their room easily and it can be a great way to heal the body and relieve stress.

About the author:

Jake Randal also maintains AllGifts4You for the best selection of gifts on the Internet, including incense. Deals-For-Kids has the best selection of toys and comics anywhere.

Written By: Jake Randal

Continue reading Aromatherapy’s Origins and How it can Benefit You »

Care to leave a comment?

How To Use Aromatherapy Candles

  • Posted on September 12, 2006 at 12:48 pm

The first thing you want to do is be sure that you have true aromatherapy candles. Scented candles are not aromatherapy candles. Make sure they contain pure essential oils.

There are many different types of aromatherapy candles to help treat a variety of conditions. For instance if you are wanting something that will invigorate you because you are tired from work or dealing with the kids, take a break and light an aromatherapy candle for energy containing oils such as peppermint, spearmint, basil, and eucalyptus. Some other good energy oils are cedar, rosemary, cinnamon, and vanilla.

If you need to relax because you are all revved up from work or you have trouble relaxing to go to sleep you will want to burn a relaxing aromatherapy candle containing oils like lavender, chamomile, geranium and rose. To help you increase concentration, use aromatherapy candles with lemon, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass, and bergamot oils to help block out distractions and help your creativity.

Aromatherapy candles can do a lot for creating atmosphere as well. If you want to have a quiet romantic evening at home with someone special and you have already gone out of your way to make everything else right, aromatherapy candles can offer that finishing touch. After you have cooked up a fabulous gourmet dinner and have set the table with fine china and crystal topped off with a vase of fresh cut flowers, light an aromatherapy candle that creates sensuality with oils like vanilla, neroli, rose, clary sage, sandalwood.

Always keep in mind that if you are burning multiple candles, only group those of the same type. Don’t light relaxing and invigorating candles at the same time, they will compete with each other and the loser will be you. Remember, aromatherapy candles aren’t just for company and special occasions; you can use them everyday to increase your own quality of life. Aromatherapy candles can go a long way to giving you pleasure with very little exertion on your part.

About the author:

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get your aromatherapy candles online at http://www.aromatherapycandlesplus.com

Written By: Gregg Hall

Continue reading How To Use Aromatherapy Candles »

Care to leave a comment?

What is Aromatherapy?

  • Posted on September 6, 2006 at 12:48 pm

What is Aromatherapy? It is the practice of using volatile plant oils (and essential oils) for physical and psychological well-being.

Before I get started take note that fragrance oils (fragrances) are not essential oils. This is because they contain unnatural chemicals and do not provide therapeutic benefits like essential oils.

Essential oils are the pure “essence” of a plant and when used properly will provide both psychological and physical benefits. There are many essential oils. Absolutes, CO2s and hydrosols are also commonly utilized in aromatherapy. CO2s and absolutes are often defined as part of the term “essential oil”.

Essential oils are very powerful and concentrated and should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. When applied to the skin essential oils are believed to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The components of the various oils are believed to aid in a variety of physical conditions including: health, hygiene, mental and beauty. To apply essential oils to the skin carrier oils (pure vegetable oils) are used to dilute the essential oils and carry them to the skin. Examples of carrier oils include (but are not limited to): apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil.

Inhaling essential oils is believed to offer both physical and psychological benefits. The aroma of a natural essential oil stimulate’s the brain to trigger a reaction. The naturally occurring chemicals in essential oil are drawn into the lungs and can supply a physical benefit, as well. Be careful. It is easy to use essential oils in a dangerous way.

Oils can be blended together to provide a specific therapeutic action, or pleasing aroma. Synergistically blending oils in proper proportions is considered to have a further reaching effect than that of each oil working alone. This is what the art of essential oil blends is all about.

About the author:

I am a full time webmaster living in the United States. When I am not working then reading or eating is occupying my time. I spend most of my time working on Big Blog Directory and my Online store.

Written By: Tim Semones

Continue reading What is Aromatherapy? »

Care to leave a comment?