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A Medicine Chest of Aromas - Self Care with Essential Oils

By: Erica Allen

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Turning to Aromatherapy

In the last few years there has been more attention on the consequences of using antibiotics and commercially produced antibacterial items. Reports of compromised immune systems and increased incidences of drug-resistant bacteria, fungi and viruses are well documented

Medical scientists are now searching worldwide for medicinal plants that exhibit exceptional antimicrobial properties. Much attention has been given to essential oils and their promising medicinal uses.

Modern health care, in all its complexity, has often disregarded individual needs and self- responsibility for one’s own health. Cultural attitudes of healthcare have transitioned from empowerment and self-educating to dependence and in some cases helplessness.

There are definitely situations where conventional medicine is appropriate and even very necessary. To discount the gains and contributions of modern medicine to emergency care and reconstructive surgery would be illogical. Alternative approaches to medical care should be embraced in areas where they are most effective. Aromatherapy, which is considered a method for healing and rejuvenation in alternative medicine, has many dynamic uses that can be safely stored in the medicine cabinet.

Treatment with Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is rather easy to adopt by those experienced with alternative medicine. For beginners there are aromatherapy blends that are safe and straight forward. The beauty of aromatherapy is that one can experience a relationship to the earth from the botanical essences as well as use in the privacy of one’s own home.

Many forms of alternative medicine require application from expert practitioners, aromatherapy does not. Thus, with some research, one can self-medicate and connect with personal health needs. It must be stated that time must be taken to read and research about essential oils before freely using them. Some essential oils are safe and can be used with liberal application, while others require specific know how. As with any new practice, start simple and add with experience.

Aromatherapy is known to work best for infections, the nervous system, psychological and hormonal imbalances, and moderately for autoimmune diseases (the body attacking its own cells and tissues). One of the most noted successes in essential oils in the use for viral treatments. Essential oils have emerged at being more effective than conventional antiviral drugs.

Essential Oil Recipes

For the Common Cold - As with the flu, using essential oils in a bath as well as in a direct massage is recommended. In a hot bath place thyme (2 drops), tea tree (2 drops), eucalyptus (1 drop), lemon (3 drops) and inhale deeply. Massage a blend of lemon (1 drop), eucalyptus (2 drops) and rosemary (3 drops) in a carrier oil around the chest, neck, and sinus area (forehead, nose and cheekbones).

For Sinusitis - A combination of rosemary (3 drops), thyme (1 drop) and peppermint (1 drop) used in steam inhalation is effective for sinusitis. One may also combine rosemary (5 drops), geranium (5 drops), eucalyptus (2 drops) and peppermint (3 drops). Add 5 drops of the blend in carrier oil and massage around the neck, ears, cheekbone, nose and forehead.

General Headaches - Combine lavender (3 drops) and peppermint (1 drop) and blend in a small amount of carrier oil. Massage around the base of the skull, the temples and along the hair line.

Laryngitis - Many of us sing in holiday choirs and attend festive parties that require an increase in voice usage. If symptoms occur, combine chamomile (2 drops), lavender (3 drops) and thyme (1 drop) and place in bowl of steaming water. Inhale deeply. You may also choose to make a blend with chamomile (5 drops), thyme (1 drop) and lemon (2 drops) and dilute in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage over neck area and behind the ears.

This is just a brief look at some aromatherapy protocols in use for self care. There are many fantastic texts available to take you deeper into aroma-medicine. Recommended readings include Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt's "Advanced Aromatherapy", Valerie Woorwood's "Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" and Battaglia's "Complete Guide to Aromatherapy", a personal favorite.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Flower essence practitioners will enjoy making personal flower essences blends for their clients. The author loves the North American Flower essence line.

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