Aromatherapy – as you might easily guess – involves the use of various smells or odors. These odors are found in oils extracted from the flowers, leaves, branches or roots of various plants, and though usually used via olfactory sensor activation (smelling them :o), they are also used topically and, on occasion, ingested.

How do they work?

Aromatic molecules entering the top of the nasal passage are biologically altered, then travel to your limbic system (a complex system of structures near the center of the brain). These structures (two of the more commonly known of them are the pituitary and the hypothalamus) control everything from your blood pressure to your food cravings, memory, and your entire nervous system.

Once these altered molecules enter these structured they’re altered again, then used to control all these bodily activities.

Kinda adds a dimension of value to the use of aromas for health – huh?

An interesting word that’s at the center of all of this is homeostasis. Homeostasis is the tendency of something to return to its original shape.

If you were to hold a plastic bowl on both sides and pull it until it was elongated, the moment you let go it would return to its original shape. Likewise, bend a spring in half and the minute you let go it will ‘spring’ back.

A huge portion of the limbic systems job is to cause homeostasis in your body. It regulates your hunger, thirst, response to pain, levels of pleasure, sexual satisfaction, anger and aggressive behavior, and more. So when one of these goes out of whack, sniffing a little lemon oil just may help bring it back.

Hmmmmm . . . homeostasis . . . . homeopathy . . . . holistic medicine . . . . I wonder if there’s any relation there?

Conditions that may benefit through the use of Aromatherapy include;

Viral and bacterial infections – due to their microbe fighting agents

Herpes Simplex – there’s an oil called true rose (also true Melissa) that was shown to give complete relief from lesions.

Skin conditions- many things from acne to insect bites and preventing stretch marks

Stress- consider the calming effect of roses on an angry partner :o)

Because the methods of application and large variety of uses for these oils is so varied, I’d highly recommend talking to an Aromatherapist if you have a condition that other modalities aren’t helping. If you can’t find one in your area, try the Internet, but try to find a human being you can communicate with (even if only via email) who can answer your questions and suggest what will work for your condition.

In the meantime, following are a few examples of Aromatherapy you can practice yourself at home:

Insect bites – Lavender

Digestive discomfort – Take a drop of anise seed oil on a spoon of honey.

Burns – Lavender again, as it helps restore burnt skin

Energy loss – black spruce and peppermint are excellent stimulants

Relaxation – Citronella and Eucalyptus citriodora rubbed on the inside of the wrists, solar plexus or temples often bring rapid tension relief. * Try this when an active mind is causing insomnia.

Overly Active Children – Children seem to like Mandarin, and can help calm them.

Nausea – Peppermint will help with both general nausea and travel sickness

Don’t be shy about taking this list to an Aromatherapist or your favorite health food/nutrition store to check out these remedies. While you’re there, ask about others you might want to add to your natural medicine cabinet.

One nice thing about Aromatherapy products is that they’re not chemically altered, and as such, are non-toxic and without negative side effects. Another is that they’re inexpensive, at least when compared to most over the counter drugs. Try one. If you get a surprise, it’ll more than likely be a pleasant one :o)

John

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