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BENEFITS
Various
kinds of aromatic extracts from plants have been utilised for
their health giving properties long before humans were around.
Animals and insects can be powerfully affected by the smells
from plants; just think of what catmint does to cats.
For many insects and animals life revolves around smell.
Fragrance
is a key part of everyone's lives,
whether that smell is good or bad, and even if we are not conscious
of the smell. For example, a lot of research has been
undertaken on pheromones (animal/human natural fragrances).
These odiferous molecules seem to play a key role in our own
biological functions - particularly where fertility and reproduction
are concerned. Perhaps it is not unexpected that many of the
fragrance molecules found in plants also occur in insect and
human pheromones.
So
what's this got to do with essential oils and absolutes?
Medical
research has already proven that
these fragrances can have effects on the human mind. Lavender
oil producing
relaxation without
affecting motor skills is well confirmed. These oils are
NOT the same as sedating drugs that tend
to suppress motor function and dexterity. Rather, they seem
to help reduce the interference of the mind on the body, and
thereby allow our inbuilt self healing mechanisms to function
normally.
As
well as relaxing essential oils,
we also have those such as rosemary that in most people will
act as a mental stimulant.
However, when dealing with psychological matters we have to
be careful about making broad generalisations. For example a
powerful smell like rosemary will act as a stimulant in most
people, but there are instances known where the opposite action
has occurred. If an individual is anxious or hyperactive, and
yet they love the smell of rosemary, then the mind will take
over and it will relax them. (See Articles
Archive for more on how aromatherapy works).
Although
essential oils are wonderful for psychological factors,
they have many other uses. They
are some of the finest healing agents available for severely
damaged skin, but to use them effectively and safely for such
conditions requires an in depth knowledge of the subject. On
the other hand, anyone can dab a bit of tea
tree oil, or german chamomile oil onto
a mild burn or insect bite as
a first aid measure. However, essential
oils should never be used routinely
on the skin in their undiluted state.
Many
essential oils have powerful antibacterial
and antifungal actions, however, for major infections
one must have a good knowledge because essential oils vary dramatically
in these actions. That's not to say that if you have a secondary
bacterial lung infection following flu, that you need a good
knowledge to use essential oils, you don't. Several common
oils like lavender and tea
tree in some warm water and the vapours inhaled, are
excellent simple home remedies for soothing bronchial tract
infections.
If
the use of aromatic oils is combined with a good massage then
both the physical and psychological/spiritual effects are greatly
enhanced. Anyone that has a back
ache from overwork should try getting a massage with essential
oils. If that is not possible, then just use some essential
oils in a nice long bath and see the difference it makes.
Greater
detail can be found in the Articles
Archive and information resorces are on:
www.aromamedical.com
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