Monday 24 October 2016

Essential Oils

In today's busy world many of us suffer minor ailments, headache, stress, sore feet and even sleep deprivation. These are very easily fixed with a pill or two, but at what cost? There are alternatives to chemicals to remedy most common and non-life threatening ailments. Medication prescribed by a doctor should never be left for alternative remedies. With any serious condition always follow your physician’s advice and never use anything without consulting him first. The uses of essential oils has been around for centuries. History has suggested that the Egyptians were amongst the first people to extensively make use of herbs and included their use in religion, beauty as well as medicinal purposes. Essential oils and resins were also extensively used in the embalming process. The Egyptians via the Mesopotamians had access to distillation pots that have been found at Tepe Gawra dating back about 3,500 BC.



The medicinal wisdom of the Egyptians were taken over and used by the ancient Greeks - and the most well-known physician of that time – Hippocrates (c.460 - 377 BC) was also a firm believer of treating the patient holistically and included essential massage as a treatment. The Persian physician Avicenna (980 - 1,037 AD) that has being credited with perfecting the distillation process of essential oils. Since the late 1970 and early 80’s the use of essential oils and aromatherapy has become a major part of alternative and holistic health systems, and has a huge following across the world. The term aromatherapy as we know it today was first used in 1937 by the French chemist and perfumer R. M. Gattefosse. He was not a believer of the natural health movement but was interested in the properties that essential oils exhibited. In 1910 he burnt his hand badly in his laboratory and being the first available compound handy, treated his badly burnt hand with pure undiluted lavender oil, which not only immediately eased the pain, but helped heal the hand without any sign of infection or scar. He also found that minute amounts of essential oils are absorbed by the body and interact with the body chemistry.

That being said never use oils you're not familiar with or that you have not gotten from a professional therapist. Please be aware that all oils except for Lavender and Tea tree oils, should be used diluted. Tea tree oil is HIGHLY TOXIC when ingested. It is also a POTENT IRRITANT of the conjunctiva of the eye. Should be kept WELL out of the way of children.

There are literally hundreds of oils are special and unique with wonderful uses. I have chosen my favourites: Jasmine
Antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, sedative. Dry, greasy, irritated sensitive skin. Muscular spasms & sprains. Catarrh, coughs, laryngitis. Frigidity, labor pain, uterine disorders. Depression, nervous exhaustion and stress related conditions. "Produces a feeling of optimism, confidence and euphoria - useful in cases where apathy, indifference or listlessness occurs."

Lavender
One of the most versatile oils. Abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete’s foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, inflammations, insect bites & stings, insect repellent, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, spots, sunburn. Muscular aches & pains, lumbago, rheumatism, sprains.
Asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, laryngitis, throat infections, whooping cough. Abdominal cramps, colic, flatulence, nausea. Cystitis. Depression, headaches, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tensions & stress. PMT, shock, vertigo.

Tea Tree
Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, acne, athlete’s foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, rashes (nappy), spots, varicose, warts, wounds (infected). Asthma, bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough. Thrush cystitis. Cold, fever, flu. Inhalation of treated steam, NOT INGESTION!

Citronella
Antiseptic, Excessive, perpetration, oily skin, insect repellent, colds, flu, fatigue. With these oils you can do a lot holistically for your family already, Jasmine in the proper dose with cream makes a wonderful topical pain treatment. Lavender in a bath or a few drops on a pillow helps with headaches and relaxes you for some good sleep. Tired feet can soak wonderfully in some Tea Tree and if you mix it properly you can spray some in shoes that might not smell so nice. Pure salt with dried tea’s and herbs infused with essential oils make using the oils very easy and relaxing. Reducing the use of Chemicals should be motivated by one thing, your skin.


By Belinda Addinall www.natural.addinall.ne

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