Aromatherapy – Methods
June 3rd, 2010
The Aromatherapy Store Information bank details ‘How Essential Oils Penetrate the Body’.
There are 3 main ways that essential oils are utilized by our bodies – breathing (possibly the truest ‘aromatherapy’ mode), topical application (through the use of massage oils etc applied on to skin) and ingestion (in the UK the least used manner).
1) Inhalation
This approach is mostly viewed as the best direct method of the benefits of essential oils in combating emotional troubles such as unhappiness or stress. Once drawn into the body through breathing, the essential oil molecules strike the olefactory centre at the top end of the nostrils – and this assembly of approx fifty million sensory cells has straight connection to the human brain – witness the instant alarm sensation when the aroma of smoke hits this centre, the sense of smell providing a key risk warning system.
In inhaling the essantial oil, some molecules will unavoidably be passed down into the airways and lungs and might have immediate valuable effect in treating respiratory problems for instance congestion through instantaneous physical contact with the mucus membrane. Smaller molecules will go further and upon reaching the alveoli will be then transferred into the blood system, and from there round the body and also the organs. Deep inhalation raises the amount of flow and assimilation and is usually regarded as being the safest technique by way of minimising any possible ill effects.
5 drops over a tissue for an adult – 3 drops for children, the elderly as well as the pregnant – with 2 or 3 profound breaths should prove to be useful, and also a stiffer tissue tends to carry the scent better – kitchen towel for instance. The handkerchief can then be put inside the shirt or vest of the recipient to utilise the bodies warmth to diffuse ongoing vapours.
Other methods include a single drop over the palms of the hands, that are then rubbed together and cupped towards nose. This mode is usually only suggested when an intense burst is required and isn’t suggested in anyway for children, the aged or the pregnant.
Steamers can be found to buy which can supply a safe mode of diffusion – when steaming water or an oil burner is inappropriate for safety factors. Electrical diffusers also offer a good approach of dispersing the essential oil as they can diffuse the various weighted molecules of oil at the same time – whereas an oil burner, if too hot, will disperse the lighter molecules in a short time and the heavier molecules can sometimes be burnt and thus give off an acrid fragrance.
This mode of diffusion also offers the advantage that the airborne molecules are effective at combating bacteria which enable it to assist to keep the surfaces and areas freed from germs.
Entry Filed under: Health and Fitness