Perfume History.

Essential Oil Properties Associated With Aromatherapy

2008-12-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

Imagine coming home from a stressful day and wondering how to diffuse the unhealthy stress that is being experienced. Some methods of dispelling stress include exercise, involvement in a hobby, and being involved in a stress relief center.

Unfortunately, many individuals today turn to destructive methods or the use of synthetic items to dispel that stress. These harmful substances can include cigarette smoking, the use of alcohol etc. Rather than using these harmful methods of neutralizing stress there are other alternative methods. One of those alternative methods is the use of aromatherapy.

When considering aromatherapy it is important to understand what aromatherapy is and the essential oil properties of the various aromas that are utilized to reduce stress, alleviate other physical conditions as well as serving in other practical ways around the household.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a therapeutic technique that utilizes the scents of various natural items found on the planet. These natural items can include trees, flowers, spices, etc. These scents are extracted from the natural products and are distilled into therapeutic oils that capture the essence of these natural items.

The essential oil properties of aromatherapy can be therapeutically accessed by the individual in two separate ways. Those two separate ways include the application of the oil upon the skin and the diffusing of the oil’s aroma by heating up the specific aromatherapy oil through the use of a diffuser.

In both instances, the affects of the oil help the individual to address specific physical conditions and emotions that they are experiencing.

Essential Oil Properties

There are specific uses associated with essential oil properties. Some of those essential oil properties deal with the therapeutic treatment of individuals who are experiencing various conditions or practical household uses that these essential oil properties can address.

For example if an individual is experiencing a headache, the essential oil properties of lavender can prove to be very beneficial. This can be accomplished by placing a few drops of lavender on the temple portion of the head and rubbing the oil around that particular area. Or, if an individual feels fatigued, allow the aroma of rosemary to permeate your senses. The use of rosemary helps to promote alertness within an individual and stimulate their memory.

In addition essential oil properties can be used as a practical deterrent for some insects. For example a few drops of peppermint around the doorway or window will help to deter ants from entering the home.

About the Author:

Ann Marier writes informative articles on general health issues providing helpful tips and advice. Her latest articles are about essential oils their different uses.

Ease Menopause Symptoms With Aromatherapy

2008-12-22T23:24:00.000-08:00

Menopause can be a physical, psychological and emotionally challenging time for many women. They will spend half of their adult lives in menopause, according to statistics which show the average life expectancy of women at 79.5 years nowadays.

By 2050 women will probably live to be at least 95 years old. A new generation of health-conscious women today is looking forward to this new phase of life with physical, spiritual and personal growth.

Most women think of menopause as the point when they cease to menstruate. They do not link irritability, anxiety, memory lapses, or mood swings to hormonal imbalance caused by this process of biological change. About 75% of all women experience some temporary symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, increase in level of cholesterol, decreased libido which may last for years; long term ones may include vaginal dryness and urinary problems.

Fortunately, these unpleasant complaints or symptoms can be prevented, reduced and relieved by making some changes to daily lifestyles with the right diet, nutrition supplements, regular exercise and adopting some complementary therapies such as yoga, tai chi, spa therapy or holistic aromatherapy, which all help to achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle with natural medicine. They also offer a safer alternative compared to Hormone Replacement Therapy. They also help to reduce the risk of future age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Aromatherapy, which has been well used for over 2000 years, is the practice of using distilled essences obtained from the leaf, stem, flower, fruit peel, bark or root of a tree. As the aromatic molecules from essential oils disperse in the air they:

# carry pleasant fragrances to your nose
# come in contact with the olfactory receptor cells in the nasal cavity
# transmit the information to the olfactory bulb which is a structure just above the nose.
# cause a response in the limbic system of the brain which works in conjunction with the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus region to regulate the hormonal activities
# trigger the production of hormones that govern appetite, body temperature, insulin production, overall metabolism, stress levels, sex drive and conscious thought and reactions.

Essential Oils can have a positive effect on all these functions through the sense of smell which happens to be the most complex and sensitive of all the five senses. The sense of smell is over 10,000 times more sensitive than your sense of taste and researchers have shown how aroma causes a brain reaction by activating the hypothalamus gland, the pituitary gland and the body’s hormones as well as stimulating the emotion and memory.

Aromatherapy is particularly effective for stress, anxiety and psychosomatic induced problems, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders and women’s problems such as PMS, menopausal problems and postnatal depression. It is a natural and non-invasive therapy designed to help a person enhance the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.

Essential Oils are very concentrated and their properties potent as they contain molecules small enough to enter your skin; except for oils of lavender and tea tree, essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil, usually a vegetable oil such as sweet almond or jojoba, to avoid irritation before applying on the skin. Essential oils can be used in a vaporizer, sprays, bath, hot or cold compress, perfume or for topical body application or massage.

Some recommended essential oils to help menopausal women:

# Bergamot uplifts mood and reduces anxiety and depression.
# Clary Sage eases hot flashes and night sweats and PMS.
# Chamomile has calming effect, ease tension, anxiety and headaches.
# Frankincense helps psychosomatic problems and anxiety.
# Geranium is a hormone balancer and reduces stress.
# Jasmine is euphoric and eases tension and anxiety.
# Juniper regulates period and relieves water retention.
# Lavender is sedative and aids sleep.
# Rose is a womb tonic and provides relief from pre menopause to post menopause.
# Sandalwood stimulates the development of sex hormones and promotes vaginal secretions.
# Ylang Ylang is aphrodisiac and relaxes the nervous system.

About the Author:

Elena Leong is a certified aromatherapist by International Federation of Aromatherapy (IFA) and the founder of http://www.1menopause.com - a website on menopause information and its associated symptoms and problems which can be prevented or reduced by some natural Chinese herbal supplement, complementary therapy and other natural treatment options to ease the process of menopause

Does Aromatherapy Really Work?

2008-12-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy, commonly associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is the use of volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other aromatic compounds from plants to affect someone's mood or health.

When aromatherapy is used for the treatment or prevention of disease, a precise knowledge of the bioactivity and synergy of the essential oils used, knowledge of the dosage and duration of application, as well as, naturally, a medical diagnosis, are required. In the Anglo-Saxon world, even among "natural" practitioners like herbalists or naturopaths, aromatherapy is regarded more as an art form than a valid healing science. At best, it is viewed as a complementary and seldom the only treatment prescribed.

On the continent, especially in France, where it originated, aromatherapy is incorporated into mainstream medicine. There, the use of the anti-septic properties of oils in the control of infections is emphasized over the more "touchy feely" approaches familiar to English speakers. In France some essential oils are regulated as prescription drugs, and thus administered by a physician. In many countries they are included in the national pharmacopeia, but up to the present moment aromatherapy as science has never been recognized as a valid branch of medicine in the United States, Russia or Germany.

Essential oils, phytoncides and other natural VOCs work in different ways. At the scent level they activate the limbic system and emotional centers of the brain. When applied to the skin in the form of massage oils they activate thermal receptors, and kill microbes and fungi.

Internal application of essential oil preparations, mainly in pharmacological drugs, may stimulate the immune system, urine secretion, may have antiseptic activity etc. Different essential oils have very different activity.; they are studied in pharmacology and aromachology.

While the practice of aromatherapy is sometimes thought to be confined to inhalation, it may include various methods, including:

* Inhalation (directly or diffused into the air)

* Absorption through the skin (baths, massages, compresses)

* Absorption through the mucous membranes (oral rinses and gargles)

* Ingestion (occasionally prescribed, with caveats)

Skeptics argue that while pleasant scents can be relaxing, lowering stress and related effects, there is currently insufficient scientific proof of the effectiveness of aromatherapy. Like many alternative therapies, few controlled, double-blind studies have been carried out. A common explanation is that there is little incentive to do so if the results of the studies are not patentable.

There are some treatments generally accepted in Western medicine to give a form of relief for the airways in case of cold or flu, such as mint and eucalyptus essential oils.

Some skeptics acknowledge that aromatherapy has limited scientific support but argue that its claims go beyond the data or that the studies are not adequately controlled and peer reviewed.

The term "aromatherapy" has been applied to such a wide range of products that almost anything which contains essential oils is likely to be called an "aromatherapy product", rendering the term somewhat meaningless in that context.

Some proponents of aromatherapy believe that the claimed effect of each type of oil is not caused by the chemicals in the oil interacting with the senses, but that the oil contains a distillation of the "life force" of the plant from which it is derived that will "balance the energies" of the body and promote healing or well-being by purging negative vibrations from the body's energy field.

Arguing that there is little scientific evidence that healing can be achieved, or that the claimed "energies" even exist, many skeptics reject this form of aromatherapy as pseudoscience or even quackery.

Disclaimer: The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about aromatherapy.

About the Author:

Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Find more aromatherapy resources at aromatherapy-centre.info.

Find Out More About Purchasing Aromatherapy Jewelry That Can Be Fashionable As Well As Helpful To You

2008-12-13T02:10:00.000-08:00

Many people are spending a great deal of time with trying to find different products that can help to bring more peace and tranquility into their lives and often times this feeling is captured by wearing aromatherapy jewelry and in this article I am going to talk with you some more about purchasing different types of aromatherapy jewelry that can be both fashionable as well as very helpful to you. There are different stores that you could possibly find something such as this in but you will probably have to really look around before you could run across too many items such as aromatherapy jewelry. Some of these could turn out to be very expensive while other pieces might not cost you any more than just ten or fifteen dollars, so make sure that you really shop around before making a choice.

This type of jewelry can really provide you with that calming but yet refreshing feeling too, just as any other aromatherapy products would do, plus you could enjoy having and wearing a unique piece of jewelry to show off to some of your friends and family members. Everyone will really think that it is adorable and they will all be very interested in knowing just where you had purchased such a cool piece of jewelry. Finding that tranquility and peace is so refreshing, as well as rejuvenating and once you begin enjoying products such as these you will never want to go a day without using any of them. We all need that special something that makes us feel and look younger and happier and having the ability to show it off in a more fashionable way will really be something a little bit more unique and exciting. There are many different aromatherapy lockets and necklaces to choose from and many of them are just very adorable, you might even be surprised at just how cute these things can be.

These pieces of jewelry have different types of scents and aroma's inside of them so that you can wear them and enjoy your day of constantly being able to smell that lovely smell that makes you feel so amazing and the scents are never too overpowering, so you do not have to worry about that at all. Walking through life each day while smelling some of your most favorite scents or wearing your most favorite scents, can really make you feel good and just change your entire mood when you least expect it really. Aromatherapy is used in many different ways and now knowing that you can also enjoy aromatherapy jewelry is just really exciting for me, just as much as it is for you! Get on the internet and do some browsing around, you will quickly run across the types of jewelry that I am talking about and whenever you decide which piece or pieces you would like for yourself, order up and enjoy the amazing scents!

About the Author:

http://www.BestAromatherapyInfo.com brings you real information on the latest in aromatherapy info. There's nothing to buy. Be sure to check out our wholesale aromatherapy product information pages today.

Find Out If Aromatherapy Products Are Safe For Your Children To Use Under Your Supervision

2008-12-11T02:10:00.000-08:00

There are many children that do have certain allergies and as most of you already know, they also have very sensitive skin most of the times, so you have to be real careful as to what products you use on them. In this article I want to provide you with more information about aromatherapy products, so that you can find out if they are safe for your children and how important it is that you never allow your children to use these types of products without your supervision. If used properly, after first finding out if your child is going to be sensitive to the products, your child can truly benefit tremendously from these types of amazing products. Aromatherapy products can be very beneficial to your children and as long as they are used under your supervision, they can enjoy the wonderful products just as much as you do.

The essential oils that are part of the aromatherapy kits will include products that can help your child rest better at night, improvement in their mood throughout the day and their overall health and mental wellness. Usually if a baby cries a great deal, it is because they can not express their thoughts or concerns through speaking and they are usually trying to tell you something. Sometimes they are hungry, other times they might have a bit of a tummy ache, no matter what it is, if you begin using aromatherapy products with your child, you will notice quite a big difference in their mood and overall attitude fairly quickly. It is so important to pamper your children and make them feel good as often as possible and they normally will respond in a very positive manner, just wait, you will see! By using aromatherapy with your children, you will have the opportunity to see just how much better it makes them feel and even sometimes behave. There are ingredients in these types of products that are very soothing to a child, as well as to adults and often times we all need to be soothed one way or another, it really tends to make all that stress just disappear.

There are some ingredients in aromatherapy products such as lavender, which can help to ease your child's pain from a terrible earache and we all know just how terrible earaches can be for the children. Using some of the essential oil products in the children's bath will really be beneficial as well because often times some of these products can really relax the heck out of the, helping them to rest better once they do go down for the night. Always talk with your family doctor before you ever use any aromatherapy products on your children, just to make sure that they see it to be suitable as well and to make sure that they do not have any concerns regarding aromatherapy products. Everyone that has experimented with such products are generally very much pleased and can not wait until more new and improved products are available on the market.

About the Author:

http://www.BestAromatherapyInfo.com brings you real information on aromatherapy info. We have everything related to aromatherapy. There's nothing to buy. Be sure to check out our aromatherapy store information pages today.

Comforting Properties Of Aromatherapy

2008-12-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

Grief is defined as feelings of sadness or overwhelming despair. This may be brought on by the death of a close friend or family member. Grief can be very debilitating and can result in problems with anxiety such as fear, panic attacks, and clinical depression. Sickness, illness, and disease can be caused by a broken heart. Grief, sorrow, and pain caused by overwhelming circumstances will take a toll on the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. The physical body not immune to these effects. It may seem conterintuitive that grief can lead to sickness but it's true. The immune system slows, becoming sluggish and weakened thereby allowing sickness and disease to enter the body.

As a result, the vital importance of conquering grief impacts the health and well-being of the whole body. A wounded heart may seem insurmountable but there are remedies. It is necessary to refrain from isolating oneself as a response to grief. One must spend time in the company of caring friends and relatives, allowing them to assist you through this difficult time. If you feel overwhelmed by grief to the point that you begin to have thoughts of death or suicide, you must immediately seek professional help. You may be entering into serious clinical depression and it is necessary to seek the help of a trained professional who can provide you with counseling and work through your grief. It is important to remember that no matter how insurmountable things may seem, the feelings do not have to be indefinite.

Life is a journey with many emotional peaks and valleys. Sometimes we need to keep in mind that brighter days are on the horizon. It is important is to talk to those in whom you have trust. If you share your feelings and keep the door of communication open wide, as time passes, you will begin to see the grief abate and you will develop coping mechanisms. Tools such as prayer and meditation can also aid in healing your broken heart. Scientific studies have demonstrated the power of prayer. One can find comfort in trying times by using a combination of available tools.

Aromatherapy can also aid in relaxation when one is feeling overburdened and in need of comfort. Some may find listening to beautiful music soothing as well. A nice hot aromatic bath, lighting some candles, and relaxing to some comforting music may be just what one needs. You may prefer spiritual songs or nature sounds, such as the sounds of birds, rain, or ocean waves.

Mandarin Palmarosa is a powerful herb that promotes calmness and can help soothe one's mind. Approximately 20 drops of Palmarosa can be added to the bath water for a calming and soothing bath. Palmarosa can also be combined with rose, lavender, geranium, ylang ylang, clary sage, or bergamot. If you are adding these to the bath, decrease the Palmarosa to ten drops and substitute ten drops of one of the other essential oils. It is optimal to soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. Keep in mind that it is important to follow the safety precautions found on the essential oil's label.

About the Author:

Barbara Jones writes for several web sites, on wellness and health topics.

Cleansing Toxins And Cellulite With Aromatherapy

2008-12-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

As women age, their bodies undergo many changes. Pregnancy, childbirth, and subsequently menopause subject the body to a lifetime of hormonal fluctuations, which affect the mind, body, and emotions. Along with all of these journeys that a woman endures over a lifetime a woman strives to maintain her physical appearance and the youthful figure that she once had as a young girl. Welcome to the battle of the bulge!

In this war zone you will combat the enemies of stress, hormones, junk food, and the effects of aging. However, don't give up! There are many weapons that have been given to you to help you overcome all of these tactics of defeat. Proper diet, exercise, natural herbs that have estrogen like properties, and whole organic foods will help keep your body nourished from the inside out.

There are many over the counter treatments, fad diets, exercise gadgets and prescription drugs that promise to help shed the pounds, tone the body, prevent wrinkles, remove the effects of hormonal imbalance or speed up the production of estrogen, and ultimately turn back the hands of time when the truth is that you don't have to fear growing old and you don't have to throw your youthful figure away either.

By living a life that removes stress, and has a diet full of wholesome rich organic foods, and by using the essential oils of herbs and plants you can treat many of the symptoms that appear before they become settled and evident in your life and appearance.

Aromatherapy is a wonderful weapon to combat stress, fatigue, aging, and it holds many beautifying effects for the skin, hair, and overall health. One of the most important aspects to maintaining your physical beauty and health is to detoxify the body of impurities regularly. Toxins will rob you of your beauty and slow down your body's ability to regenerate itself and maintain its optimum level of health and beauty.

There are many natural herbs that are highly effective in eliminating toxins and poisons from the body. One sign that you may need to cleanse your body, even if you have achieved your desired weight, is by the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is dimpled areas of collections of fat that lay underneath the skin. These spots usually collect around the hips, buttocks, and upper thighs. They have a strong resemblance to cottage cheese and most women would give anything to rid themselves of this look.

Aromatherapy offers many plants and herbs that have excellent results in removing the body of cellulite. Three of the most powerful herbs used to rid toxins and cellulite include Juniper, Grapefruit, and Fennel. A wonderful way to use these herbs is to make massage oil out of the essential oils and adding them to carrier oil. You can massage the oil directly onto the problem areas daily for maximum benefit. It is also recommended to drink a tea or herbal infusion made from these beneficial herbs. If you are new to Aromatherapy, always consult with an Aromatherapist before making edible teas or infusions and remember to always read the labels and safety instructions of essential oils before using them as well.

About the Author:

For additional information as well as other articles about aromatherapy and skin care. http://www.burts-bees-natural-skin-care-solutions.com/aromatherapy-natural-skin-care.html

Carrier Oils In Aromatherapy

2008-12-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

Essential oils in aromatherapy are highly concentrated and potent. Essential oils have adverse effect on skin if used undiluted. Though there are some essential oil exceptions that can be used directly on the skin. It is ideal to dilute essential oils with carrier oils.

Carrier oils are of a vegetable origin possessing highly therapeutic properties. Extracted from nuts and seeds by cold pressing as this process does not destroy the essential fatty acids & vitamins content.

Carrier oils provide much needed lubrication allowing hands to move freely over the skin, helping with the absorption of essential oils into the body. Carrier oils are light, non sticky and effectively penetrate the skin. They should be 100% pure, unrefined and cold pressed.

1 drop of essential oil = 1 tsp of carrier oil for 1% dilution. 2 drops essential oil to 1 tsp of carrier oil = 2% dilution and so on.

Commonly used carrier oils

- Apricot Kernel Oil - light, easily absorbed and moisturizes both the body and face well. Contains vitamin E. Extracted from the kernel of apricot fruit, it is pale yellow in colour. Vitamins A & B help in healing and rejuvenating skin cells. Good for all skin types especially for sensitive, inflamed and dry skin. Excellent oil for facial, leaving the face soft and supple.

- Avocado Oil - Rich in lecithin, vitamins, A, D, & E. Easily penetrates the skin, acts as sunscreen and helps in cell regeneration. Mix zinc oxide in half bottle of avocado oil and apply on skin that is exposed to the sun. Delays anti aging as it is rich in essential fatty acids. For intensive facial treatment for mature skin, refined Avocado oil is preferred as it lacks odor.

- Grape seed Oil - Odorless unlike most oils, it is light and good for skin not absorbing other oils. No greasy feeling after application. Slightly astringent, it tightens, tones the skin and alleviates acne. An ideal carrier for body massage.

- Jojoba Oil - One of the best oils for hair and skin. Penetrates the skin quickly, excellent for skin nourishment. Heals inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema, or any sort of dermatitis. Controls acne, oily skin or scalp as excess sebum dissolves in jojoba. Good for all skin types, but clogs pores sometimes. Good base oil for treating rheumatism and arthritis. Promotes healthy, glowing complexion.

- Rosehip Oil - Called the queen of carrier oil. Good oil for cosmetic, cell regeneration prevents premature skin aging and softens wrinkles. Good for eczema, psoriasis, PMS and menopause. When combined with calendula oil, it treats stretch marks, burns or scars. Cold pressed from the seeds of rose hips, it pale yellow light texture. Wonderful carrier oil for skin care.

- Sweet Almond Oil - Popular carrier oil in body massage. Lubricates and moisturizes the skin. Good for all skin types, especially eczema. Quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving your skin to feel soft and non greasy. Provides relief from itching, soreness, dryness, inflammation. Rich in proteins and vitamin D.

- Calendula Oil - infusion of marigold flowers, renowned for its soothing properties. Balances excessively oily skin, can be used alone or blended with almond or grape seed oil for body massage.

- Evening primrose oil - Perfect skincare oil for moisturizing, softening and soothing to dry and irritated skin.

- Wheat germ oil - highly nourishing oil with vitamin E. Perfect oil for dry, mature and lifeless skin.

- Sunflower oil - Used for facial treatments and body massage. Has good softening and moisturizing properties.

- St. John Wort oil - Infusions from the Hypericum bush; it is excellent for all types of sensitive, red and sore skin.

- Coconut Oil - Perfect moisturizer for body and hands. Light, easily absorbable into the skin giving smooth satin effect. Moisturizes and conditions brittle, dull or dry hair.

About the Author:

Sharon Hopkins manages sites on Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy essential oils are concentrated extracts of plants, their roots, stems, flowers and fruits. Further classified as carrier oils and massage oils.

Can Babies Use Aromatherapy?

2008-12-07T08:26:00.000-08:00

It has been a known fact for many years that aromatherapy can be used for the treatment of illnesses such as emotional as well as physical challenges. Today you can still find people that do not believe in the use of aromatherapy but they are diminishing in numbers. People today are well educated and know that the usage of aromatherapy products can have even extreme effect when used for treatment purposes. Normally we find that aromatherapy is used when treating adults but as with most other treatments it can be used for children and babies as well. The great thing about aromatherapy is that it is a healthy way of treatment compared to the chemical treatments offered by the medicine industry.

As well as with all other treatment types used for adults, you need to keep in mind that at child is not as big a human as an adult and therefore you will need to correct to dose used. You wouldn’t not want to give your child an overdose even with the usage of the aromatherapy oils that are normally safe to use. Secondly it is always advised when using “adult products” and “adult treatments” on babies, that you consult with a professional aroma therapist to avoid causing any harm.

The good thing about the use of aromatherapy for babies is that you can treat them safely and will not have to pump medicine into their tiny bodies to relief them of illness symptoms. You will be doing your child a huge favor as it has been proven many times that extensive use of medicine can cause other diseases later in life.

Will Any Type of Aromatherapy Work?
When you first start out buying aromatherapy oils and essential oils with various scents, there are a few basic things that you will need to be aware of and to pay attention to. First of all it is crucially important that you go for the essential natural oils and not the (much cheaper) synthetic oils. Unfortunately most people have not done their homework and might think that as long as it is called aromatherapy oil, it must all be the same. Fact is that is very far from the truth.

The difference between using natural essential aromatherapy oils and synthetic ones are that the natural one is plant based. It is made from extracts from herbs and plants while the synthetic ones (as the name clearly states) are man or machine made and often comes from different types of chemicals that are mixed together.

Some synthetic oils have been the cause of skin irritations and some have actually been banned from the market. Not that you are in a situation where you are thinking of using oils to treat your child or even your baby, is would an absolute catastrophe if you by doing so caused skin irritations because you wanted to save those extra few dollars. I you think of it in another way you should ask yourself the question: “What is my child’s health worth to me?” Will I risk it to save a few dollars? Hopefully your answer to that question is NO.

To find essential oils you need to start with the list of ingredients. Does the list look like it is made up of natural ingredients such as herbs or does it seem synthetic? Secondly the way the oils are packed will often tell you whether it is quality or not. Lousy packing is often the same as lousy quality. Finally the price will often give away the natural essential oils. It will be sold at a far higher price than the synthetic ones but there is also no comparability in effects at all.

When you have found what you are looking for there is only the choice of scent and the desired effect. I suggest that you talk to the person selling you the oils and tell them that it is for your baby and that the symptoms you want it to work for is so and so. That will provide you with the best possible start to use aromatherapy as a way of treatment.

About the Author:

To learn more about aromatherapy and how you can easily use an aromatherapy bath product as an easy way of treatment.

Using Perfume Samples - How Best To Use Them

2008-12-06T23:00:00.000-08:00

One of the best reasons to use perfume samples is to find out if you like the scent of the perfume and if you can wear it, before you actually
buy it. Perfume does not always smell good on just anyone; each individual has many different and natural body chemistry reactions to the effects
of perfume.
Although, some people cannot tolerate wearing or being around perfume, there are even more who do enjoy wearing and smelling perfumes, whether
they buy from a high-end store or purchased online at a discount or wholesale perfume business.
Although, perfumes may smell nice by sniffing the perfume bottle, you cannot really tell how a perfume will react to the body chemistry of
anyone. Once you apply a perfume sample to your skin you should wait about 10 to 15 minutes for the scent to develop and adapt to the features
of your skin.
It is best when sampling perfumes to use no more than three or four different types at one time. Doing so will help you to avoid devastating
your sense of smell, since your nose can only take so much and after awhile many different perfumes seem to fuse together on a single body and
produce unusual smells.
Perfume samples come in a wide variety of types from many different brand name manufacturers. You can try out all the latest designer and
signature perfumes you like by using perfume samples and then you can save money by buy your favorite perfumes at wholesale or discount prices.
Using perfume samples also help you find the right scent to wear for any occasion or time of day as well as even finding affordable gift ideas
when you share your perfume samples with others. When you use perfume samples you can save money while ensuring that the next bottle of men,
womens or kids perfume is not going to be a bottle that just sits on a shelf collecting dust.
Another great feature of using perfume samples is that you can try them all if you like to find just the right scent to match your sense of
taste and lifestyle, just not all of them at the same time. You should be able to find perfume samples in many local stores that sell perfume as
well as from some online discount perfume stores. Some popular magazines also provide you with small perfume samples.
When using perfume samples you may want to wait about an hour or so to find out how the true scent of the perfume may smell on you. However,
you should always trust your instinct when it comes to choosing the best perfume to wear. Perfume samples also make wonderful drawer and closet
sachets when you are in the mood for scenting your other items of attire.

Article written by Jessica Bradbury, you can learn more about designer perfume from her website, including chanel perfume.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Bradbury

Bring On The Love With Aromatherapy Candles

2008-12-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

When you are trying to incite a romantic mood you need to have some good quality aromatherapy candles to arm yourself with. These aromatherapy candles will be what makes or breaks your romantic evening. You need to take special care when choosing the aromatherapy candles that you want to use as well. There is nothing like a terrible smell to turn someone off and nothing like a great one to turn them on. The trick is to know which is which. Remember that what smells good to you may not smell good to your partner.

When you are in the planning stages of your special night you need to find out what kinds of smells will thrill your partner. Men often respond well to vanilla. Some experts even claim that vanilla scents are a male aphrodisiac. So if your partner is a mail then you may want to get yourself some great vanilla aromatherapy candles. These will get him in the mood right as he walks in the door.

What makes vanilla such a good choice of aromatherapy candles is that it appeals to almost anyone, both men and women. Very few people dislike vanilla aromatherapy candles and they will not take away from anyone appetite. If you have some of these aromatherapy candles burning they will even make your dinner taste better. They put people in such a good mood and they make them hungry as well.

You can place your aromatherapy candles all over the house, but only in the rooms that you plan on spending some time in. You may want to mix in your aromatherapy candles with other non scented candles. If you have too many aromatherapy candles around the scent can become overwhelming and that is never good. You want your scented rooms to be subtle and stimulating. So one or two aromatherapy candles in a room at one time is a good idea.

You should also take care with the aromatherapy candles that you choose. If you want to mix the candle scents you need to watch carefully. Some scents will not mix together well at all. Before you have your special and romantic evening you need to test the smells together to see if they blend well. This is vitally important to your entire evening.

You may want to have your candles on the actual dinner table be regular non scented candles. Having aromatherapy candles on the table is probably not a very good idea as it can interfere with the flavors of the dinner itself. So keep the aromatherapy candles away from the dinner table and your dinner will be a bigger hit.

You can have aromatherapy candles in the bedroom as well but do not light these before you get in that room. You should never leave candles unattended for too long, especially if you have pets. They could knock them over and start a fire. Proper aromatherapy candle safety is necessary at all times.

About the Author:

Candles HQ. Articles and information about all sorts of candles.

Something Smells - Aromatherapy In The Workplace

2008-12-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

Aroma therapy is something many businesses and employers think about. In many case studies, the use of aroma therapy in the workplace has been proven to reduce work related stress and improve activity, as well as reduce the cause of most illness. Aroma therapy is not only proven to add protection against infectious diseases, its been proven to affect the mood and morale of employees. Working in an aroma therapy treated environment enables employees to think more positively and clearly, along with feeling better altogether. Effectiveness at work and in a stress free environment will ease employees.

1. The Working Environment

Aromatizing our working environment can also be a purifying experience by the use of fungicidal, anti-bacterial, and antiviral therapy to reduce the chances of contracting a respiratory disease, allergies, or other negative effects generated by air conditioning units. These purifying agents also reduce the chance of contracting a contagious disease by those who work in crowded offices or schools. Some purifying agents also seem to have an ionizing effect by appearing to reduce static electricity caused by a large number of electrical equipment, like computers, copiers, fax machines, etc. When all this equipment overcharges the atmosphere, they can induce psychosomatic symptoms such as stress, mood swings, aggression and over all tension.

2. A Necessity Not Optional

A pleasant working environment is now more of a necessity than desire for employees when considering employment. Positive attitudes in the workplace are closely connected to an aroma therapy treated environment. Employee burnout and stress has become a continuing problem in the workplace that has many employers searching for solutions to these serious problems. Some factors that contribute to employees becoming stressed are computers, lack of sunlight, pressuring work demands, and deadlines, harsh chemicals used for cleaning and improper lighting. The use of aroma therapy in the workplace is taking a natural approach to adding comfort in the environment to reduce stress and therefore increase productivity.

3. How To Tell If Your Employees Need A Break

- irritability
- depression
- constant headaches
- sluggishness
- excessive absences or sick days
- lost sense of humor
- angry or defensive behavior
- making more mistakes
- trouble in concentrating

4. The Benefits Of Aromatherapy

Employees benefit

An aroma therapy treated environment offers a more comfortable and pleasant working environment. With this comes the ability to think more clearly and function more easily and also make fewer mistakes that take time to be corrected.

Employers Benefit

Think of the benefits! Less absenteeism, increased productivity, and increased morale. Aroma therapy can also help stop the spread of infectious diseases, such as coughs, colds, flu, sore throats and other illness that can keep employees away from their work or prevent them from doing the work correctly and in a timely manner.

5. Using Aromatherapy

Aroma therapy can be used in many forms. Candles (depending on the working environment and company policy), a water bowl, spray bottle or other method that is acceptable to the working environment. You can find aroma therapy items in most stores, mainly in small selections. Some malls may have an entire store dedicated to aroma therapy or you can shop online and find a particular scent or method to dispense the therapy. There is an abundance of fragrances available through aroma therapy. So that ones should you pick? All fragrances tend to have different functions; most will state what the expected function or relief affect it will have on the package. If you are searching for something specific, check online stores, they have lots that you may not consider.

About the Author:

For more great aromatherapy related articles and resources check out http://greattherapy.info

Uncovered Secrets About Cosmetic Perfume

2008-12-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

Everyone likes to look their best and we will go to extreme lengths to do so. We may go on a crash diet just to look good for that special event. Depending on the occasion, we may even buy ourselves a new outfit. Cosmetic perfume is no different than anything else. There are a variety of choices available, and a wide variety of price ranges as well. The media, television, advertisers and movies like to portray a certain image for us all to look and smell like, and many of us can probably say we own more than one type of cosmetic perfume. It isn't just for women anymore. More and more men are concerned with how they look and smell. This article will uncover some things about cosmetic perfume that may be news to you.
The cosmetic perfume industry is huge and growing every year. More and more manufacturers are paying big bucks to advertise their particular product, and of course each company claims to have the best on the market. Almost all retail variety stores that carry cosmetic perfume have sample bottles that you can try out. It's actually quite interesting to see all the different varieties, and smell the different fragrances. What a great selling concept, to be able to try on the cosmetic perfume, and see what it smells like on you. Our body chemistry is different for each individual, so what may smell good on one person may not be the same for another.
Cosmetic perfume is not only sold by the smell, but also the bottle it comes in. Many of the expensive perfumes come in designer bottles as well, so you aren't just paying for the name, but the bottle too. Almost all companies that carry any type of body skin care product use cosmetic perfume in them. You can now buy body soaps that can arouse any of your senses. Hair shampoos and conditioners come in many different fragrances as well, so deciding which one to choose can be quite difficult. You may buy a product because of the cosmetic perfume in it, only to find it didn't work for your type of hair or body chemistry.
Just making a decision about lip covers can be influenced by the cosmetic perfume in it. We all like to smell good and that now means every part of our body. You can buy cosmetic perfume in roll on, spray or powder form. You can even get cosmetic perfume in a variety of glitter colors. How cool is that.

If you need more helpful perfume tips then quickly head over to http://perfume-matters.com where you will find helpful perfume tips, advice and resources including Cosmetic Perfume information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Turner

Shopping Help For Aromatherapy Accessories

2008-12-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

My childhood memories of aromatherapy are restricted to the beautiful diffusers that my father bought for diffusing the essential oil aroma. Though they were largely clay pot diffusers, they looked attractive in varied colours and shapes.

Diffusers come in the category of aromatherapy accessories. Aromatherapy accessories include the whole range of storage boxes, bottles and jars, diffusers, burners, containers, dispensers etc. Essential oils and other aromatherapy products, being so precious (not exactly in price but in face value to the user), demand special concern in the form of aromatherapy accessories.

Storage box:
It is important to get the best storage boxes for storing your essential oils. Essential oils may get contaminated if exposed to too extreme temperatures. Similarly, direct sunlight is harmful for the aromatherapy products. The most common material used for preparation of storage boxes is alder wood. The boxes will be beautifully carved and given a natural wood finish. When shopping for storage boxes, check that it contain wooden dividers and brass clasp fittings. Also, decide the storage space before making the buying decision.

Bottles and jars:
Essential oils must be stored in dark amber or cobalt blue bottles. These are the best containers to prevent deterioration of the essential oils. Since essential oils are contaminated when exposed to direct sunlight, clear glass bottles are a strict no-no. Plastic bottles may be avoided, particularly when concentrated essential oils are to be stored. It is believed that the oil erodes the plastic and thus it gets deteriorated. The market today has large options for people shopping for bottles and jars. They are available in ranges of 5 ml to 10 ml. Bottles with beautiful designs can be purchased. Some manufacturers also offer the option to design on demand the bottles.

Electric diffusers:
Diffusers are one of the most popular aromatherapy accessories. They are available in a wide range from electric diffusers, nebulizers, fan diffusers, clay pot diffusers etc. They are a cleaner and more effective way of perfuming the environment. Electric diffusers can be left unattended too without the fear of it leading to fire, since there is no naked flame.

Dispensers:
Though dispensers and pipettes are only minor aromatherapy accessories, they are quite important. Use an ordinary dispenser and you have the danger of deteriorating your oils. When oil is dispensed from its container, a part of it is left on the pipette. It reacts with the oxygen outside and gets contaminated. When again the pipette is used, the contaminated oil contaminates the entire bottle of oil. So one must purchase the dispensers too with care.

In this way, we see that aromatherapy accessories have a large role to play in increasing longevity of your essential oils. So, take the same care when buying the aromatherapy accessories as when you buy the oils.

About the Author:

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils,Aromatherapy Accessories,essential oils wholesale visit http://www.ndaroma.com

Aromatherapy Distillation Equipment

2008-12-01T05:06:00.000-08:00

Distillation is a method of separation of substances based on differences in their volatilities. Distillation is used in aromatherapy to capture the essential oils from garden flowers and herbs. Once you have extracted the essential oil from the parent plant you can use it in any form that you like.

There are essentially four different methods that you can use to distil aromatherapy oil from plants. They are Enfleurage, Water distillation, Steam distillation and a combination of both which is known as Water and Steam distillation. Water distillation is the most common method practiced by home users. The other two methods are slightly more laborious and involve the use of highly specialized equipment, and are as such used more on a commercial level.

Enfleurage.
Historically this is probably the first method used to obtain the essential oils from plants. In this process, the flower petals are placed on fat in layers. The essential oils are transferred from the petals to the fat. Then the fat is be removed by solvents. The solvent is then removed by rectification and further processes re-dissolve the essential oils in alcohol. This is a very laborious and time consuming way of obtaining the essential oil.

Water Distillation.
This process involves the distillation of aromatic herbs and flowers over water to extract their essential aromatic oils. Prior to carrying out water distillation, the plant is finely powdered. The equipment used is relatively simple and low priced. However, the yield from water distillation is not as high as that from the other two.

Steam and Water Distillation.
This method uses a combination of water and steam to liberate the essential oils contained within a plant’s aromatic sacs through heat and pressure and transforms them into a liquid essence. The process is slightly more complicated than water distillation and the equipment used is a little costlier.

Steam Distillation.
Steam distillation produces the maximum yield and is used for extraction of aromatic essential oils on a large-scale commercial basis. The equipment used is expensive and suitable mainly for commercial purposes. As of now, steam distillation is the most popular commercial method for distillation of essential oils from plants.

Equipment.
Now that we know about the various processes of distillation, let us look at some of the kinds of distillation equipment that are available. Distillation equipment is available in a variety of materials. The common ones are glass, aluminum, iron, stainless steel, and copper. The vessel into which the raw material is placed is called the still. The still body is designed depending on the type of distillation process that it is to be used for. It can be designed to hold water, to have steam pumped into it or have perforated plates upon which the materials sit, etc.

The sophistication of the equipment will depend on the type of distillation process that you will utilize, and on the scale on which you wish to carry out your operations. Keep in mind that equipment that is just right for home use, could prove to be ineffective, if used on a commercial basis, and so on. The simplest sort of distillation equipment for home use would consist of a boiling flask, a receiving beaker, a copper distillation tube and a condensing cover. Ideally an alcohol based burner should be sued as a heat source. For commercial purposes you may want to utilize a commercial capacity steam distiller. These are large gas-fired distillers with built in automation and safety features.

Choose your equipment wisely so that you can get the best out of extracting your favorite essential oils from aromatic herbs and flowers.

About the Author:

Sharon Hopkins has managed number of sites similar to http://www.aromatherapies.net. It provides knowledge about the various benefits of aromatherapy in our life. Know different uses of aromatherapy distillation equipment that benefits our health.

The Scientifically Proven Health Benefits Of Aromatherapy

2008-11-29T22:45:00.000-08:00

For thousands of years, aromatherapy has been used to promote physical, mental and spiritual health. It involves using a plant's essential oil, taken from its flowers, leaves, bark or roots, and massaging it (mixed with another substance like oil or lotion) into the skin, inhaling it or using it to fragrance a room.

Even as far back as Egyptian times, essential oils were made by soaking plants and filtering the oil through a linen bag.

The actual term "aromatherapy," however, wasn't coined until 1928, by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist. He first used the oils to treat wounds during World War I, and later continued experimenting with them. He found that certain oils had different healing properties, and he classified each oil as antiseptic, stimulating, calming, antitoxic, etc., depending on its uses.

How Does Aromatherapy Work?

It's thought that essential oils activate nerve cells in the nose, which send impulses to the limbic system of the brain -- the part that deals with emotions and memory.

Aromatherapy is used both emotionally to invigorate, calm, relieve stress and more, and physically to help relieve certain conditions by stimulating the immune system, circulatory system and nervous system.

Essential oils can be applied by an aromatherapist, who can mix a custom blend of oils for a specific complaint, or can be bought individually in health food stores. Unless you are very knowledgeable about essential oils and their effects, it's best to consult with a trained aromatherapist before using them. Tiny amounts of essential oils can produce marked changes, and some can be harmful, particularly to pregnant women.

Traditionally, essential oils are used by:

Mixing them with a carrier oil or lotion, and massaging them into the skin.

Inhaling during an aromatherapy session.

Adding them to bathwater. (Check out the new, highly recommended Vermont Soap Organics aromatherapy bath salts.)

Health Benefits of Aromatherapy

Essential oils have been used to treat a seemingly endless number of conditions, including: Anxiety Depression Urinary tract infections Vertigo Headaches and earaches Panic attacks Dermatitis Fatigue Irritability Chickenpox Allergies Herpes Arthritis Stress Cancer Flatulence Laryngitis

Although much of aromatherapy's benefits are based on anecdotal evidence, aromatherapy is receiving more attention from researchers as an effective and safe treatment option.

Promotes Deep Sleep

A 2005 study published in the journal Chronobiology International found that lavender essential oil acts as a mild sedative and promotes deep sleep. In the study, 31 healthy sleepers spent three nights in a sleep lab: one to adapt to the study, the next with lavender oil administered into the air and the third with a control (distilled water) stimulus.

The lavender:

Increased the percentage of deep or slow-wave sleep in men and women.

Increased stage 2 (light) sleep.

Decreased rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep.

Further, all the participants reported higher vigor the morning after the lavender exposure.

Fight Staph Infection

Three essential oils studied by researchers at the University of Manchester were able to kill, within two minutes of contact:

MRSA (staph infection)

E. coli

Many other bacteria and fungi

They say the oils can be blended into soaps and shampoos that, if used by hospital staff, doctors and patients, could eliminate the spread of these "super bugs." Patients could even simply inhale the oils to prevent being at risk.

The particular oils used in the study will not be released until the researchers can find funding for a clinical trial.

Said researcher Peter Warn from the University's Faculty of Medicine:

"We believe that our discovery could revolutionize the fight to combat MRSA and other `super bugs,' but we need to carry out a trial and to do that we need a small amount of funding ... We are having problems finding this funding because essential oils cannot be patented as they are naturally occurring, so few drug companies are interested in our work as they do not see it as commercially viable. Obviously, we find this very frustrating as we believe our findings could help to stamp out MRSA and save lives."

Benefits for Childbirth

According to a paper published in the August 2005 issue of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, an aromatherapy service produced beneficial results for patients at a UK maternity unit. The aromatherapy was found to normalize childbirth and increase the satisfaction of mothers in regard to their labor experiences.

Improvement in Shingles Outbreaks

A case study of six hospice patients with shingles outbreaks found that a combination of three essential oils improved symptoms significantly.

The patients sprayed a solution of 95 percent distilled water, 5 percent essential oil blend of Ravensara, Bergamot and Niaouli onto the rash at least three times a day. According to Noel Gilligan, the registered aromatherapist who ran the study, after 48 hours, all patients reported:

A significant reduction in shingles pain.

A scabbing and healing of the shingles pustules.

Either a disappearance (one case) or reduction (five cases) or a "drying up" (three cases) of the pustules.

As we mentioned earlier, it is important to use caution when experimenting with pure essential oils. Certain varieties, in certain people, can exacerbate allergies and asthma, irritate the skin and cause uterine contractions in pregnant women. A trained aromatherapist can help you to determine which oils will be beneficial and safe for you.

About the Author:

This article was provided by the world's #1 most popular and trusted holistic living e-newsletter -- FREE to you right now at http://www.SixWise.com! The old way of thinking: "holistic living" pertains only to personal health. The new way of thinking: "holistic living" means prevention of the negative and adherence to the positive in all SIX practical areas of life: relationships, finances, career, home environment, safety and health. With the http://SixWise.com e-newsletter, you will get holistic wisdom from the world's top experts in all six of these areas -- completely FREE with a simple sign-up (and a guaranteed no-spam policy!) at http://www.SixWise.com.

Soothing Aromatherapy At Your Favorite Marrakech Riad

2008-11-25T22:45:00.000-08:00

While it is true that the real adventurers never lose enthusiasm towards going places, we can not deny the fact that traveling is a strenuous activity that can rob us out of energy. An exotic destination such as the city of Marrakech in Morocco requires every traveler to be fueled not only with mere passion for travel, but also with a well-nourished mind and body. A simple rest and sleep in a Marrakech Riad are not enough to comfort a traveler's body drained out of energy and vigor. So, how do you fully restore power for your mind and body while inside a Marrakech Riad? The answer is only a sniff away.

Aromatherapy, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is a “therapy using essential oils extracted from plant materials to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health and balance”. The extracted oils, which mostly came from fragrant flowers, are capable of bringing a calming and relaxing feeling that can relieve your body, mind, and soul from the stress and fatigue that any travel activity can bring. Do you know that some Marrakech Riad hammams are home to three rare kinds of essential oils that have many beneficial properties? If not, read on so you will know which essential oil your body needs at the moment:

1. Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil

The plant that gives out this essential oil can only be found in Morocco, particularly near the Atlas Mountain area, which explains the name. Atlas Cedarwood oil is clear so it mixes well with rose and cypress oils. It has a rich, woody, and long-lasting aroma that makes it a favorite ingredient in high quality perfumes. It is proven to improve the circulation of the blood and can help prevent urinary diseases. People with oily skins can benefit from this essential oil because once applied, it regulates the production of sebum or the oily substance of our skin. Many satisfied Atlas Cedarwood essential oil consumers in Marrakech Riad hammams claim that the oil reduces anxiety and calms the mind.

2. Bay Essential Oil

Spain and Morocco are the top producers of this essential oil extracted from a plant which belongs to the family of Evergreen trees. It is also referred to as Sweet Bay and Laurel. This herb, which used to be a symbol of courage and wisdom during the Roman period, undergoes steam distillation for the extraction of the oil. Bay oil relieves muscle pain, rheumatism and other general body aches. People with thinning hair should take advantage of the special property of Bay oils that promote hair growth. If you are in a Marrakech Riad hammam, ask for the masseurs to give you a massage with this essential oil that comes with the sweet scent of Ylang-Ylang or Juniper extracts. A pleasurable massage using the Bay oil will definitely prepare you for more exciting Marrakech travel adventures.

3. Argan Essential Oil

Southwest Morocco is the only place where you can find Argan, the tree which produces the fruit that gives out the precious Argan oil. If you are a skincare conscious traveler, it is recommended that you request the masseurs in your Marrakech Riad hammam to apply Argan essential oil on your skin because of its regenerative property; meaning it has the ability to reactivate cells that can make your skin look younger and healthy. Erase those unwanted wrinkles by applying a small amount of this vitamin E-rich essential oil on your face. The refreshing smell of Argan oil is also a proven stress-reliever.

You see, a Riad in Marrakech is not only a simple Moroccan accommodation. It can also be a place where you can get a soothing aromatherapy experience.

About the Author:

Racquel Balao-as is an in-house writer for the online media company Intelligraph Corporation. She finds great pleasure in writing about her Morocco travel adventures. For more information on Marrakech Riad, visit http://www.morocco-emotions.com

Experience Aromatherapy

2008-11-22T23:24:00.000-08:00

Commonly associated with complementary and alternative medicine, aromatherapy-a word originally introduced in 1928 by a French chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé, to describe the therapeutic action of the plants' aroma-is generally used today to boost a person's physiological or psychological state. Since the ancient Chinese civilization, as far back as 4,500BC, the Greek alchemists and the Egyptians practitioners, some centuries later, or contemporary aromatherapy fans, essential oils have been distilled by boiling and steaming from the plants, to be added to cosmetic products, medicine and food. These essential oils (EOs), which today are mostly extracted in labs from a variety of plants with special chemical treatments, are used by contemporary massage therapy practitioners or the vast public. Researchers have found that aromatherapy products increase the positive outcomes one may experience after inhaling and exhaling the released aromatic essences as these EOs are dissolved in water or are applied directly over skin.

Most people have been introduced to aromatherapy, as part of their massage therapy, or as a "luxury" process they are experiencing once in a while when treating themselves during a relaxing bath. The main branches of aromatherapy include, home aromatherapy, which takes place when one is self treated with the aid of perfumes and cosmetic products, clinical aromatherapy, which is an essential part of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy, ad finally, aromachology, which is a distinct term for the study of the effects of odors on one's mind and psychological state. But, regardless of the frequency one selects to perform an aromatherapy act, the fact still remains that the art of aromatherapy harnesses the potent pure essences of aromatic plants, flowers and resins to work on two powerful of human senses-smell and touch-to restore the balance between body and mind.

Aromatherapy has to be experienced a holistic type of therapy that works on a person if the "patient" is open to receive its unique characteristics. Used in treatments against stress, or to reduce minor ailments and negative emotional states, aromatherapy should not be considered as a substitute of conventional medical treatment, but rather a complementary method one has to attain a positive result for his or her health in less time. For instance, if somebody suffers from back aches traditional medical treatment should not be avoided just because an aromatherapy session has been scheduled. Especially for serious medical conditions, such as cancer, heart conditions, asthma, high blood pressure, neural disorders, and post-operative states, aromatherapy cannot be applied as the sole method of treatment to help a patient recover or fight the health situation. Nevertheless, an aromatherapy massage can go a long way.

Due to their high concentration levels, aromatic essential oils are measured in drops and used in a variety of ways. Scented candles, body and facial creams, or house-keeping products like room sprays, disperse their fragrance in the air and help people feel better. Whether one wishes to feel more relaxed or increase his or her energy levels, experiencing an aromatherapy massage through the use of essential oils is a therapeutic treatment for both mind and body that can work miracles on a person's nervous system. Improving a person's immune system and balancing emotions, essential oils penetrate the body via the skin and have a tremendously welcomed feeling of comfort. Thus, experience aromatherapy and let your body reach your type of "nirvana"-internal balance and peace.

About the Author:

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Alternative Health, Men's Health, and Science

Evoking The Right Moods With Aromatherapy Candles

2008-11-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

For your wedding anniversary this time, you planned a lovely evening, complete with a sumptuous dinner by the candle light. Though everything went right according to your plans, it were the candles that spoiled the evening. First, the table got all dirty with burnt wax all over it. Second, the soot and smoke marred the romantic atmosphere.

The ordinary candles that we get in the market are made out of paraffin. Paraffin is a petroleum-based product and thus results in more soot and smoke when the candle is burnt. So, if you are using these candles, be prepared for the unclean burning. However, if you want to avoid these, go for aromatherapy candles.

Aromatherapy candles are made from essential oils of plants. And lighting the room is only a secondary feature of these candles; the primary use is in stimulating oneself physiologically and therapeutically. It is well known that aromas and fragrances are effective for evoking mood and emotions. So if you are looking forward to romantic evening, just use aromatherapy candles and see how your beau says just the right words.

The market place has a wide range of options for you to choose in aromatherapy candles. Choose from floating, pillars, gel, votive and jar candles. If you are free and want to do something creative then go for designing aromatherapy candles for yourself. It is easy. You must be aware of the basic preparation method and have a knowledge of essential oils. And lo! Your candle is ready.

Lavender is the most popular oil used in the preparation of these candles. Light a candle when you are taking bath. Or place a candle by the dining table. Lavender has stress relieving features and will keep you stress free for the entire day.

You have a large choice in fragrance too. Just understand the mood you want to stir up and make your choice. If you are suffering from sleeplessness, you can use Sage, Chamomile, and Ylang Ylang. Looking for uplifting mood, use Rosemary and Grapefruit induced aromatherapy candles. Similarly, there are candles with aromas of Eucalyptus, Geranium, Peppermint, and many more.

The wax used for preparation of the candles must preferably be natural. The soot released from paraffin candles has been associated with many diseases. Vegetable based wax like soy, palm and beeswax burn clean and for long. They release less soot.

However, while purchasing aromatherapy candles, one must be cautious. What is sold as aromatic candles may be made of synthetic wax and fragrances. These may be toxic at times. So choose the aromatherapy candles with care.

About the Author:

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on Plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils,Aromatherapy Massage Oils,essential oils wholesale visit http://www.ndaroma.com

The Power Of Aromatherapy On Menopause

2008-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is typically associated with complementary and alternative medicine. It uses essential oils and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health.

Aromatherapy can be used to heal symptoms of physical, psychological and emotional discomfort when women move into the perimenopause and menopause years. This phase of life can represent more than half of their adult life if she lives to be 80 years old. So, we need all the menopause relief we can get!

Menopause is typically defined as the time when a woman's menstrual cycle stops for at least 12 months. But what about the years leading up to that final stopping point? There are many reported symptoms of what physicians now refer to as perimenopause that can begin as early as 30 for some women, but typically starts after 45.

Symptoms seem to vary in degree based on numerous other factors in a woman's life including diet, sleep and exercise habits, emotional well-being, relationships as well as other psychological factors. Things such as irritability, anxiety, memory lapses, or mood swings, night sweats and hot flashes are commonly reported - all due to the hormonal shifts happening because of our biological clocks changing.

About 75% of all women experience hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, an increase in cholesterol levels, decreased libido which may last for years; as well as long-term effects that can include vaginal dryness and urinary problems.

Fortunately, these unpleasant symptoms can be prevented, reduced and relieved by:

·Finding the right diet, eliminating sugar and caffeine

·Getting the right kind of sleep

·Performing stress relief practices such as meditation

·Drinking plenty of water (at least 64 oz per day)

·Taking high-grade nutritional supplements

·Possibly supplementing bioidentical hormones

·Regular exercise, and

·Adopting some complementary therapies such as yoga, tai chi, spa therapy or holistic aromatherapy

This is a time in life when achieving balance is critical to a woman's health. All of these things will also help to reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Aromatherapy has been practiced for over 2,000 years and uses distilled essences obtained for the leaf, stem, flower, fruit peel, bark and/or root of a tree.

When the essential oils release their aromatic molecules into the air they not only carry a pleasant fragrance to the olfactory bulb in your nose, they also cause a response from the limbic system of the brain. This area of our brain works in conjunction with the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus region to regulate a person's hormonal activity.

These scents can trigger the production of hormones that govern your appetite, body temperature, insulin production, overall metabolism, as well as stress levels and sex drive.

Essential oils can positively affect all of these functions through your sense of smell which is your most complex and sensitive sense. For example, your sense of smell is over 10,000 times more sensitive than taste and researchers have shown that aroma can cause a brain reaction.

Stress, anxiety and psychosomatic-induced problems are particularly helped by aromatherapy. Other symptoms such as muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders, PMS and postnatal depression are also highly improved by these aromatic scents.

Essential oils are very concentrated and their properties are potent. They contain molecules small enough to enter your skin. These oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil (except lavender and tea tree) before applying directly on the skin. You can also use a vaporizer, spray; put them in a bath, cold or hot compress, or use in a perfume. Essential oils are also fantastic in a massage.

Some recommended essential oils for menopausal women:
Bergamot: uplifts mood and reduces anxiety and depression

Chamomile: calming effect; eases tension, anxiety and headaches.

Geranium: balances hormones and reduces stress

Juniper: regulates period and relieves water retention

Rose: relieves pre-menopause and post-menopause symptoms

Ylang Ylang: aphrodisiac that relaxes the nervous system

Sandalwood: promotes vaginal secretions and stimulates sex hormones

Lavender: fantastic sedative properties that aid in sleep

Jasmine: euphoric and eases tension and anxiety

Frankincense: helps psychosomatic problems and anxiety

Clary Sage: eases hot flashes and night sweats as well as PMS

About the Author:

Cathy writes frequently on self-help and mid-life issues for women and men particularly menopause and andropause. A copy of her book can be found at http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com, http://aromatherapyessential--oils.blogspot.com; http://essential--oils.blogspot.com

The Many Aromatherapy Benefits Used Around The World

2008-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy Benefits can sometimes be helpful in a mild, gentle way in reducing stress, helping with mood, improving alertness, or helping to relax or induce sleep. However, one has to be sensitive to aromatherapy essential oil treatment, and not too many people may be sensitive enough to notice a clear benefit.

Aromatherapy Used for Alertness And Energy

Researchers from West Virginia have found that getting a whiff of pleasant odors periodically while driving increases alertness, reduces fatigue, and even lowers drivers' anxiety and frustration. By stimulating the nervous system, peppermint and cinnamon odors enhance motivation and performance, increase alertness, and decrease fatigue among athletes and clerical office workers. The effects of these odors on drivers, researchers had 25 college undergrads sniff peppermint, cinnamon, or a non-odor control for 30 seconds every 15 minutes during simulated driving conditions. We all know that driving can be stressful and these findings were extremely informational and interesting. As time goes on there are numerous aromatherapy benefits.

Essential Oils Used

There was a study done to investigate aromatherapy benefits and not just limited to enjoying nice scents. This study was done to test the effects on patients with depression, arthritis and pain. The essential oils used for this study were;
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Eucalyptus
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• And mixed with carrier oils such as Almond, Apricot and Jojoba oils

Aromatherapy benefits significantly decreased both the pain score and the depression score of the experimental group compared with the control group. Findings suggested that aromatherapy benefits can be useful for patients suffering from these conditions. For more info see http://www.allthingsaromatherapy.com/Aromatherapy_Treatment on Aromatherapy Treatment.

Benefits to Cancer Patients

Fatigue is one of the most distressful symptoms described in patients with advanced cancer. Patients received aromatherapy that was accompanied with foot soak in warm water containing lavender essential oil for 3 minutes, followed by reflexology treatment with jojoba oil containing lavender. Combined modality treatment consisting of aromatherapy, foot soak, and reflexology appears to be effective for alleviating fatigue in terminally ill cancer patients.

It is obvious that the benefits of aromatherapy are now being found to be better for us in mind, body and health. As the research continues to evolve and more proof is found the market will continue to grow, not only for consumers but also for the medical industry. The doctors of Holistic Medicine were already trying to let us know of these benefits but many people did not believe what they were conveying to us. Now people are starting to reap the benefits of aromatherapy and pay more attention to what others have to say.

About the Author:

You can also find more info on Aromatherapy and Aromathepahy Skin Care Products. Allthingsaromatherapy.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Aromatherapy.

The History Of Aromatherapy And Its Uses.

2008-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is part of the group called “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM). It involves using the ‘essential oil’ of plant material such as the leaves, flowers or / and roots to affect a person's mood or health. ‘Aromatherapy’ is a blanket term that refers to the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs such as the use of incense in Buddhist and Catholic religious ceremonies.

The word was first coined in the 1920’s by the French chemist Ren? Maurice Gattefoss?, who was interested in the healing properties of essential oils. One day, while experimenting in his perfume laboratory, he set fire to his arm. He doused the flames with a nearby bowl of lavender oil and noticed, over the following weeks, that his arm healed more quickly and with less pain or scarring than on previous occasions. However, it is likely that aromatherapy, per se, has been around a great deal longer. For example, the ancient Egyptians used fragrant oils for bathing, massage and embalming. This tradition was carried on by the Greeks and Romans too. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatic smoke to rid Athens of the plague. More recently, during World War II, the French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet used essential oils as antiseptics. Later, Madame Marguerite Maury termed aromatherapy as a ‘holistic therapy’, meaning that it treated the whole body and mind. She started prescribing essential oils as remedies for her patients. France is still the leading European country in aromatherapy, where some essential oils are ‘prescription only’ and all doctors consider its use in mainstream medicine.

Essential oils stimulate the powerful sense of smell. It is widely known that odours have a significant impact on how we feel, hence the use of perfume for millennia. In fact, doctors have found that a life without the sense of smell can lead to a high incidence of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. We have the ability to distinguish between 10,000 different smells, which probably enter through cilia (the fine hairs lining the nose) to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning.

Recent studies with brain wave frequency have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation, while smelling jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state. In Japan, a test on typists showed that when lavender was sprayed in the air, typing errors reduced by 20%; with jasmine by 33% and with lemon by 54%!

It is claimed by protagonists, that aromatherapy is especially effective in combating stress, anxiety, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders and women's problems, such as PMS, menopausal complaints and postnatal depression. However, British and American doctors are far less appreciative of its benefits other than in the reduction of stress and anxiety, which they also admit are modern day killers.

About the Author:

[Pranom Onnuamnoi is the owner of the website http://vitality.cashhosters.com, which provides advice on Health, Beauty and Wellness. You may republish this article, but only in its entirety and with this resource box and live hyperlinks in place].

The History Of Aromatherapy

2008-11-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy has been with us for thousands of years, probably since ancient times when Egyptians made incense from aromatic herbs to honor their deities. There are also references in ancient Chinese texts to the use of infused oils for massage from as far back as 2650 BC. It was not only in ancient Egypt and China that aromatherapy was practiced, for Hippocrates wrote of using aromatic herbs as well.

Hippocrates is known as the Father of Medicine and lived in Greece around 2500 years ago. He advocated the use of making massage oil infused with the aroma from flowers and herbs, as well as the benefits of aromatic baths. It was during this time that aromatherapy made great advances as a healing modality.

During the time of the Black Death in England in 1603, it was observed that those who gave in to the plague tended to work with perfumes and aromatics. This sparked interest in the effects of aromatherapy and scientific writings from the time indicate aromatherapy was studied extensively for its healing properties.

By 1800, aromatherapy was firmly established world wide and was used for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse is often referred to as the Father of Aromatherapy. He was a French chemist and he accidentally discovered the healing properties of lavender oil when he used it to treat a burn he suffered in his laboratory.

This fueled his interest and he went on to study aromatics and even coined the term ‘aromatherapie’ which the art is still known as today. His work garnered the interest of a French doctor by the name of Jean Valnet who also conducted research in aromatherapy and its use in the treatment of medical and psychiatric conditions.

Madame Marguerite Maury, who also lived in France studied the works of Dr Valnet and she formulated the first holistic aromatherapy approach.

Since that time, the practice of aromatherapy has spread around the world and gained immense popularity as an alternative form of healing the mind and body. Aromatherapy is commonly used to combat stress and promote harmony and tranquility within the body to lead to a state of well being.

One can be treated with aromatherapy in a spa or from a alternative health practitioner. It is also quite easy to treat yourself at home by using either prepared aromatherapy products or creating your own by using essential oils, or flowers and aromatic herbs found in nature.

About the Author:

Anne Morris provides articles on aromatherapy. You can find more of her work at the site aromatherapy-zine.com.

Find Out More About Some Of The Different Uses For Aromatherapy

2008-11-11T02:10:00.000-08:00

There are so many different reasons why so many people are absolutely in love with all different types of aromatherapy products and in this article I am hoping that you can learn a little bit more about this very popular thing. For so many years now, aromatherapy products have been being used by many people, for different ailments and other reasons and today they are all just as popular, if not more. You should learn all that there is to know about these different and amazing products because you too could definitely benefit from using these unbelievable products that have been around for so long now. Nobody needs any type of prescription to gain access to any of these types of products that are highly recommended to treat so many different kinds of ailments, so it is truly an amazing thing that so many people have the ability to find so much relief from something that you can purchase just about anywhere.

If you are having trouble finding different types of aromatherapy products in the area that you reside in, then just hop on the computer at home, because shopping for these types of products over the internet is a great way to find a large variety, as well as many wonderful discounts too. Many individuals truly believe that aromatherapy combined with different types of music and meditation, they have the ability to be relieved from all types of aches and pains that have been occurring throughout their bodies, as well as really improving their overall moods, without any prescription medication or anything else. A good healthy diet and exercise program, along with aromatherapy, can really change the way that you think and feel throughout your day and evening and your body will thank you later because it could also be responsible for slowing down the aging process that all of us have to deal with at some point in time. Find out about many of these different types of products right from your home computer system today, because there is really no sense in you just sitting around each day feeling so terrible and stressed out.

The amazing scents that come from aromatherapy really do have healing power because anyone that uses these on a regular basis can tell you that their mind and bodies feel so much more youthful and also very rejuvenated as well. These products are used for so many different ailments, including things such as, arthritis, joint pain or strains, depression and anxiety and really the list just keeps going on and on. It is time for you to find out for yourself just how incredible aromatherapy truly is, do not wait another day, your mind and body need this. Research more about aromatherapy to find out what all amazing benefits you can receive from using them each day and evening, you might just be surprised as to what all it is good for.

Benefits Of Aromatherapy

2008-11-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

Early in the 1920’s a chemist named Maurice Gatefosse discovered the benefits of aromatherapy by complete accident. Inside a perfume laboratory, while he was deeply engrossed in his work, he had, by accident, one of his arms catch fire. Thinking quickly, he tried to look for the nearest cold substance to put the fire out. He saw a vat of lavender oil and forced his burning arm into it. To his amazement, not only was the fir extinguished, his burns healed without scarring, too. From then on he used the word “aromatherapy” to describe the healing that he experienced.

Aromatherapy is what has become to be a sort of a science of how to use essential oils that are extracted from plants, herbs and other natural resources to produce products that enhance well being and sometimes even health. Aromatherapy uses a few methods, either by scent or by application to the skin – providing direct massage of the oils in the body so the oils get absorbed and express their activity by better and healthier skin.

Aromatherapy treatments have been proven beneficial by many through the years, may it be for therapeutic, emotional, physical, or spiritual use. Aromatherapy essential oils are also used in meditation practices and are believed to ease sore muscles and lift stressful moods.

Some of the conditions aromatherapy treats are: eczema, anxiety, stress or insomnia, muscular aches and pains, headaches, asthma, digestive problems, and menstrual or menopause problems. Whatever the situation is there is probably an essential oil to aid and heal.

A certified aromatherapist or massage therapist who uses essential oils may treat you to a full body massage or you can just buy certain aromatherapy products over the counter at pharmacies and health shops and treat yourself at home. There are also a lot of toiletries out there that contain essential oils and claim to add wellness or have healing capabilities.

Several spas in your local mall may also offer aromatherapy treatments like full body, face, and scalp massages; detoxifying algae wraps; facial, back and bust treatments; and even hand and nail treatments. They may also have treatment rooms for different aromatherapeutic rituals.

These spas may also offer several aromatherapy products that promise relaxation, stimulation and sensuality. Meaning, these products can help you distress and unwind, feel good, and boost blood circulation to keep your body active. They even promise healing inside and out.

So there we have them – most that you have to know about aromatherapy. If the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, and even Rene Maurice Gatefosse benefited from it, may be you too will. Just remember to keep everything in moderation.

About the Author:

Celia Namart is a traveler and researcher, an avid travels and an enthusiast of alternative medicine and natural remedies Celia is now writing articles about Aromatherapy Products at http://healthandcosmetics.com