Yoga and Meditation

Aromatherapy is a type of therapy that relies on the use of fragrances, smells or aromas, a fact made quite clear by its name. However, in the traditional sense it refers to the distilled essence of a plant, and not a synthetic version. Aromatherapy can be used for simple purpose of relaxing you, or it can be helpful for a number of physical or psychological symptoms. What follows are some interesting and useful facts about essential oils and aromatherapy.

People who have sinus problems, asthma or even a bad cold can use aromatherapy to help clear their nasal and bronchial passages.

If you simply want to help yourself relax try using your favorite essential oil in your bath.

You might even find that essential oils can relax aching muscles as well as soothe the mind after a long days work. For a unique experience try experimenting with different blends at bath time. You will also get that same fragrance throughout your body. You don’t have to immerse yourself in an entire bottle of oil just a few drops is all it takes to transform your bath into an aromatherapy session.

Aromatherapy can also be used as a natural sleeping aid. Since essential oils are great for relaxation and one of the biggest causes of insomnia is stress, they are very effective at regulating your sleep patterns. Sandalwood and citrusy oils, such as lemon and orange, are great to start off with to treat your insomnia but there are many other oils and blends that can do the trick. Some people like to use aromatherapy to promote lucid dreaming, while others simply use it to be able to sleep better. You can place a couple of drops of essential oil on your wrists and forehead, or on your pillow and you can achieve either of these. As we’ve gathered, aromatherapy might be an easy option for allowing us to feel better, yet it has a variety of uses and advantages. That’s the explanation for it being put to use in one method or another by almost every culture around the globe. Apart from you desiring to utilize aromatherapy in some of the methods talked about above, or for an objective of your own, there’s no reason you can’t commence at enjoying the satisfaction it can present you with today.

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As people learn more about the many uses of essential oils in treating various problems or just to improve the atmosphere of a room, aromatherapy has become more and more popular. Since smells have been proven to affect our brains and our moods, aromatherapy does have a scientific basis. This article will look at some of the methods you can use to improve your life with essential oils and aromatherapy.

We all take a liking to particular scents and a disliking to others, and some scents also can adjust the way we feel or at times, call to mind old memories. That’s why perfumes and colognes are so popular. These are actually forms of aromatherapy, as they’re scents created to have a certain effect on the wearer, or people who come into contact with the wearer. The logic for essential oils being effective is because our sense of smell is connected to the limbic system of the brain, which can let loose of a number of hormones in our bodies. That’s the reason that distinct smells can make us feel calm, elated or even sexually aroused. Not surprisingly, scents can furthermore have unconstructive effects too, although these aren’t the ones we deliberately cultivate with essential oils.

Tea tree oil is very popular for its wide range of therapeutic properties. It’s especially useful for skin problems such as acne, athlete’s foot and boils. Due to it’s amazing properties, this oil that is indigenous to Australia is being used by people worldwide. It is a powerful way to treat infections, and it also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Tea tree oil can help to strengthen the immune system, especially if there is an epidemic of some kind going around. It is also helpful in treating arthritis, swelling, insect bites and cold sores when applied topically. Products such as toothpaste, gum rinses and mouthwash often contain tea tree oil due to its disinfectant properties. Keep tea tree oil away from your eyes and make sure you never drink it.

It is often used by parents as it has been found to effectively relax infants and kids. You can find two different types of chamomile, namely Roman and German, but they practically identical so it doesn’t matter which you use. While it is a gentle oil with no side effects to speak of, you can still be allergic to it.

Ylang-ylang is an oil whose home is found in the rain forests of the South Pacific and, despite it’s odd name, it’s fragrance is highly appreciated, as are all the benefits it offers. This oil is used medicinally to treat depression and promote relaxation, and, due to its lovely smell, it is often used in perfumes. Ylang-ylang also seems to help reduce high blood pressure, which makes sense because it reduces stress. You should use ylang-ylang sparingly at first because some people are known to suffer from various side effects including nausea and headaches.

There are hundreds of essential oils that have many different uses in aromatherapy. To some level, the ones you have a liking for will be a personal preference, although different oils are advised for various ailments and purposes as well. In this article we’ve only had room to go over a few uses for essential oils, because this is an enormous subject matter which you could delve into for a lifetime. However you don’t need to be a connoisseur to begin enjoying the bliss and benefits of aromatherapy immediately.

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Many people are not familiar with the therapeutic properties of essential oils and the benefits to be gained. They can be used to boost your emotional well-being and in some cases used in place of prescribed medicine. They are applied successfully to treat people who suffer from anxiety and can lift your spirits when you are feeling down. Some of the essences promote sleep and help to alleviate pain as well. There are various ways how to use essential oils to suit individual needs.

Relaxing or invigorating massages can help to alleviate pain or stress. The extracted oils are highly concentrated and usually must be diluted in almond, olive or grape seed oil. The healing process starts as the skin absorbs the oil. People who suffer from anxiety, depression, poor sleep patterns or chronic pain have found the oil treatment to be very effective.

These products can be combined with steam to treat sinus and upper respiratory tract ailments. A few drops of the oil of choice are added to a bowl of steaming hot water. The patient leans over the bowl and wraps a towel around the head and bowl. In this position he breathes deeply through the nose until he feels satisfactory relief. Asthma patients are advised to avoid this type of treatment.

Cold and warm compresses help with pain. Warmth is generally for those injuries that happened a long time ago that sometimes come back to hurt every now and then. Cold is more for the new injuries and bruises. These essences can help with headaches and fever even if a towel is soaked in cold water with the oil in it.

Women sometimes use certain essences when they make their own skin care products. This addition adds quality to what is being made and the whole mixture can help save money. Any type of cosmetic can contain these natural products to help people stay young and give the skin some vibrancy.

Spraying these products in the air can help people as well. Many fragrances are available and can make the room seem brighter and fresher. If that type has natural healing, then it will help with that as well. Just get a spray bottle, fill with water, and then add a few drops of the essence.

These are only a few ways on how to use essential oils. It is worthwhile keeping in mind that certain precautions are needed when using these powerful essences.They are essential to keep around.

Essential oils offer an alternative to traditional medications to reduce stress and promote healing. Essential oils are used in many applications.

The majority of yoga practitioners are keen on natural health. They understand that natural healing modalities have an important roll to play in being happy and healthy. At the same time, many are not familiar with the incredible health support offered by essential oils. In this multi-part article, we’re uncovering some of the many ways essential oils can contribute to the health of yoga practitioners. Here’s a review of using essential oils for keeping your immune system strong during the “cold and flu” season.

Immune support for the yogi who attends public classes can be very helpful. During the cooler months, we’ll find ourselves in full studios and close quarters — where it’s likely we’ll encounter someone with a cold at some time. Many practitioners also have children, which always seem to manage to bring home the latest sniffle. And on the occasion of traveling to a retreat, we really want to stay healthy, yet have the extra stress on our bodies from traveling, in addition to the extra exposure. Essential oils can profoundly support immune function in these circumstances, by simulating immune system action as well as directly eradicating viral and bacterial invaders.

For potent cold and flu prevention, essential oils can be either inhaled, topically applied, or both. The most effective means of all would be to have a diffuser running in your home, with anti-microbial, immune-supportive oils. Run the diffuser on a timer (5-10 minutes every hour) or continuously on its lowest setting, all the hours you and your family are at home. Inhalation of certain essential oils (narrow-leaf eucalyptus, for example) has been scientifically validated to step up the activity of immune cells in your bloodstream, and essential oil vapor has been proven to eradicate microbes both in the air and on surfaces in the same space. You can imagine that these activities can synergize for profound protection from colds and flu.

Topical application can be very effective when diffusion is not practical (such as when traveling). Essential oils are known to pass through the skin very redial, and into the bloodstream. Massage a few drops of oil into the areas of the lymph nodes, sternum, or top and bottom of the balls of the feet. Some practitioners will frequently apply a few drops of oil to their wrists, rub them together, then on the sides of their throat. This is a great idea to do just before class, or when stepping on an airplane to an exotic (or even not so exotic) retreat. You can also get the combined action of inhalation and topical application from adding oils to a bath. Just sprinkle a few drops into the bath once it’s drawn (so they don’t evaporate when the tub is filling).

So which oils to use? There are many “anti-viral” essential oils, and these are the best to focus on for immune support. Narrow-leaf eucalyptus (eucalyptus radiata), melissa (also called “lemon balm”), pine, lavender — and perhaps most potent of all, bay laurel — are all highly regarded for prevention of colds and flu. Combine these oils for best effect. Use the blend undiluted in your diffuser, and dilute as necessary for topical application. Make a simple blend of 3 parts each of eucalyptus, lavender, pine and bay laurel leaf, and 1 part (or even just a few drops) of melissa. There’s also a “new” type of thyme essential oil available, called “Benchmark Thyme”, worth adding to your recipe. It’s a blend of four thyme herb strains, formulated specifically for enhanced antimicrobial action.

Adding a few drops of lemon essential oil to your water now and then is a great, simple detoxifying agent that can synergize with other immune supportive practices. Lemon is a wonderful, mild antimicrobial oil that is also thought to aid in gently detoxifying the liver. This may be especially helpful when traveling, as our organ systems tend to get a little sluggish: add 5 or so drops of lemon oil to each quart of water and sip throughout the day. For a more concentrated action, add these five drops to one cup of water and drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

From a more esoteric perspective, which yoga practitioners might enjoy, one can consider that a body that is calm and balanced will likely have the best immune function. Frankincense essential oil is considered by some to be the premier immune system supportive essential oil for this reason. It’s health benefits are profound and complex. Among its many traits, it is thought to oxygenate the body, it has known anticancer action, and is a potent reducer of inflammation. The long-chain molecules are thought to stimulate the pineal gland, or “third eye”, and bring an overall balance and healthy calm to the body and mind. Simple deep inhalation from the bottle can be effective, as can anointing with a drop or two. Be creative in finding ways you enjoy this wonderful oil (just note that some may find its undiluted use a bit strong on the skin — diluting with your favorite carrier is a good idea if you’re applying more than a couple drops).

This quick overview of using essential oils for immune support can give the yoga practitioner some excellent ideas. If one or more of these feels right for you, you might consider investigating a little further — there’s lots of information available for this particular application of aromatherapy. And consider sharing with your yoga family, as it’s a wonderful thing to share health and vibrancy with fellow practitioners!

The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy and essential oil blends through the website.

Practitioners of yoga asana, of any style, are likely to be tuned into the world of alternative medicine. While many may have heard of aromatherapy and essential oils however, few are aware of what a fantastic healing synergy the oils have for the yogi’s body and mind. From relieving superficial soreness and healing deeper injuries, to boosting immune system function and warding off illness, to more esoteric actions of releasing emotional blocks and even stimulating the “third eye” — essential oils truly have much to offer the yogi of the West. In this first of a two part series, we’ll look at effectively managing pain and injuries to the soft tissues of the body.

Whether one has just started a practice of yoga asana, or has been practicing for twenty years, injuries can occur. Of course, the longer one has been practicing, the less likely this injury will occur “on the mat”. Either way, we’d really like to get back into the swing of our practice, and our lives, as quickly as possible. Essential oils actually have proven therapeutic effects (see, for example, pubmed.gov and search for “essential oil inflammation”) for the healing of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Effective blends will combine inflammation reduction, pain relief, and regenerative actions all in one formula.

When healing physical injuries, be they chronic or acute, the process must begin with reducing inflammation. This allows the exchange of damaged material out, and healing nutrients in, to the injured area. Reducing inflammation also reduces the potential for further inflammation, as well as reducing pain. Proven anti-inflammatory agents are found in the oils of ginger, German “blue” chamomile, frankincense and plai — a root oil from Thailand, similar to ginger. (Note that the “CO2 extract” oils are likely the more potent oils for this action, and are available from specialty online retailers).

To create a truly healing formula, the anti-inflammatory oils are blended with oils specifically to stimulate healing. The most effective of these is helichrysum, distilled from helichrysum italicum flowers grown in the Mediterranean region. Helichrysum is also highly anti-inflammatory and analgesic (in emergencies, it can be used “neat” at 100% strength to prevent bruising and such).

A fantastic, highly effective, formula would include the CO2 distilled oils of ginger, German chamomile, and frankincense and the steam distilled oil of Helichrysum. To make one ounce of the blend, add these oils to an empty one ounce bottle, then top it off with any seed or nut massage oil “base” (such as sweet almond or grapeseed — or any unscented body cream or lotion). Use 5 milliliters of helichrysum, 2 ml lavender, 1/2 ml each of ginger and frankincense. (You can reduce the helichrysum to 3 ml to reduce the cost of the blend, or instead use plai essential oil).

If the cost of helichrysum is too exorbitant, the essential oil distilled from “plai” root (similar to ginger) is becoming more popular for healing, and has been the subject of research backing its use. Also, if you find you need further support for actual pain relief, the addition of sweet birch essential oil can help — it’s primary molecular component is methyl salicylate, which is liquid aspirin. You can make a very effective blend focusing on inflammation and pain reduction with this recipe — for each one ounce of formula, use: three milliliters plai essential oil, three milliliters sweet birch, and one milliliter lavender, based in the carrier oil of your choice.

The yoga practitioner will find at least one, and perhaps both of these blends very effective at complementing their physical practice. It will also open the door to a whole world of aroma medicine, which ranges from purely medical applications to purely esoteric ones — a feature that is likely to deeply interest those who’s yoga is an integral part of their lifestyle.

More natural health information is available from the author at Ananda Aromatherapy Essential Oils and at www.synergyessentialoils.com.