BEAUTY KLINIC

Aromatherapy massage oil are commonly used as a combination for massage therapy as well as acupressure therapy. There are certain conditions and afflictions that are not advisable for use with many forms of aromatherapy massage oils. The reason for this avoidance is due mainly to the many different benefits and effects that one gets from the herbs and botanicals used for most of the aromatherapy massage oil mixtures.

One needs to be aware of the benefits and dangers of using some specific aromatherapy massage oils in order to be safe and healthy. Most of the oils used for aromatherapy massages are not applicable for use in an aromatherapy oil burner.

Hot and Cool

One of the many benefits of aromatherapy massage oils are their warming and cooling properties. Some muscular conditions will benefit from a warming oil which will allow the muscles to relax and recover from their condition. Sesame and peppermint oils can cause warming to form in the place where the oil is applied and are great for massaging sore and overused muscles. Arnica and sandalwood are great when the muscles need to be cooled down.

Treatments for Muscle and Joint Pain

Aromatherapy essential oils are also used to give relief to people who suffer from muscle and joint pain. Common conditions are arthritis, rheumatism, cramps and others. Many aromatherapy massage oils are very effective in reducing inflammation as well as loosening tight muscles that can be the cause of cramps. Sore muscles will also benefit from the massage itself while being calmed by the scent that goes with the aromatherapy massage oil.

Massage by itself is great. Massage with aromatherapy is even better. If you suffer from any sort of muscle pain or joint pain, you owe it to yourself to give aromatherapy a try.

Creating Ambience

Aromatherapy massage oils can also be used to set the mood for relaxation. When you go for a massage, your end goal is usually relaxation. Many aromatherapy oils on the market cater to this purpose. Aromatherapy massage oils can be applied on the skin for the essences to permeate the skin and work their magic as well as to stimulate the sense. Ahhh, relaxation…

Beginning aromatherapy can be a little discouraging. There’s SO many oils to choose from, with an incredible array of effects, and an equally incredible array of safety warnings. Where is one to start? Well, like learning anything new, the important thing is to actually get started - buy a few bottles of inexpensive, yet broadly appealing and effective oils and give them a try. It’s really more simple than you might think to use essential oils for things like stress reduction and minor wound healing. At the same time, you′ll be venturing into an entire branch of natural medicine, one in which European doctors even specialize in for addressing a wide variety of ailments. There are many, many excellent books available to advance your knowledge just remember that essential oils are potent medicines: start slowly, use essential oils that are considered safe in all applications, and keep learning to expand your area of expertise.

Aromatherapy really has a bad name in North America. Kinda soft and fuzzy, and maybe a little too ‘new age′ for many folks. But essential oils share many traits with other natural medicines; they’re really concentrated plant extracts that just happen to smell exceptionally good. ‘Volatile-Plant-Extract-Therapy’ would be a much more appropriate name. ‘Volatile′ simply means ‘easily evaporated’ - in this sense, essential oils are more like alcohol than oil. But unlike alcohol, essential oils are made up of very complex molecules that have a great breadth of healing properties. These properties vary greatly depending on the plant from which the oil was extracted. Many oils are known potent antibacterials, antivirals, anti-inflammates, and stimulate wound healing. Of course, their aroma’s DO have profound effects as well; laboratory studies have conclusively shown this in clinical settings. Inhalation is the simplest method of using essential oils, and is an excellent place to start with aromatherapy.

When inhaled, essential oils effect our limbic system, the seat of the brain’s emotional centers. Many oils have been found to sharpen concentration, reduce tension and anxiety, and even reduce depression. How can we reap these magnificent benefits? There are a few simple, cost-effective ways to prepare essential oils for inhalation and experience these wonderful effects: the ‘handkerchief method’, making your own ’smelling salts’, and making your own aromatherapy ‘mister’. More advanced users will want to use an electric diffuser that disperses a fine mist of essential oil throughout your environment. With a little research, you′ll be able to find the right oil or oil combination to suit your needs, and we′ll go over several effective ones here.

The handkerchief method is pretty straightforward - put a drop or two of an oil or blend on a tissue and inhale (careful with some oils though - peppermint, for example, can burn the sensitive skin around your nostrils if put in direct contact). You can even leave the tissue, handkerchief, or piece of cloth in a room or your workspace and the oil will continue to evaporate and have its effects. Making your own smelling salts is similar, and your preparation will last a while longer. To make the salts, fill a small vial with natural sea salt and drip essential oils into the salt. The amount of oil needn’t be precise - enough that there is detectable aroma, and not so much that the salt gets completely wet. Just unscrew the cap and inhale from the bottle whenever you need a lift, or, like the handkerchief, leave the vial open in your space, letting the aroma slowly fill the area. A mister can be used infuse a room with aroma - just add essential oils to water in a small spray bottle (10 drops per cup of water is a good starting point), shake before each use and spray! When you′re ready for a greater impact from the aromatic use of oils, find a quality cold-air nebulizing diffuser. These units make fine mist of oil, creating a significant concentration in your environment, and can have valuable health benefits beyond stimulating the smell sense - they can purify the air in your home or office, and can help with many infectious illnesses when used as directed by a health practitioner.

Here are a few easy recipes for the inhalation method: For uplifting the mood and brightening the mind - 4 parts of Rosemary, 3 parts of Lavender, 2 parts of Lemon and 1 part of Peppermint, OR 3 parts Clary Sage, 2 parts Bergamot and 1 part Sweet Orange. For calming anxiety - equal parts of Roman Chamomile, Bergamot and Orange, OR 3 parts Lavender, 2 parts Neroli and 1 part Bergamot. For creating a harmonious atmosphere - 3 parts Jasmine, 1 part Ylang Ylang and 1 part Sandalwood, OR equal parts Geranium, Patchouli and Bergamot. For simply bringing calm or inducing sound sleep, pure Lavender oil by itself may be perfect. These and other blends can make wonderful natural perfumes when diluted to 15% in Jojoba oil; Rose and Jasmine oils can be used this way by themselves.

Aromatherapy massage and topical application: Ideally, this is done with a partner, but self-massage will work as well. Creating your own massage oil is a straightforward process; just dilute 10 - 20 parts of essential oil (single or blended) per ounce of carrier oil. There are a variety of carrier oils available Sweet Almond is a great all-around oil and is recommended for general aromatherapy massage. As for the massage, itself, any technique will do - let your intuition be your guide. The blends listed above will work effectively as massage oils as well, when diluted in a carrier, though here are a few more fun recipes: For a sensual massage, per ounce of carrier oil, add - 8 parts Sandalwood, 6 parts Rose, 4 parts Lavender and 2 parts Ylang Ylang. For opening the heart, try 4 parts Spikenard, 4 parts Lavender and 2 parts of Rose. Finally, for sheer relaxation, use 6 parts Lavender, 4 parts Neroli and 2 parts Bergamot. Note that topical application of citrus oils (Orange, Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Lime, etc.) should be avoided on skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight in the following few days - these oils are known to be photo-sensitizing, and can make the skin more susceptible to burning by UV rays. The feet are excellent receivers of essential oil energy; this is the basis of reflexology. Many oils that can irritate sensitive skin elsewhere can be applied ‘neat’ (undiluted) to the bottoms of the feet; the tops of the feet are more sensitive, though this area will also have significant energetic results.

Don’t be afraid to create your own blends! You will certainly find particular oils that you enjoy - and aromatherapy is like that. It is the oils you find most enjoyable that are likely those that are most effective for you. An important starting note is to change the ratios of oils you are blending very slowly. Start with one drop of each oil in a small vial, mixing them and allowing a few minutes for them to blend before adding more oil 1 drop at a time. In general, citrus oils (Orange, Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Lime) tend to bring alertness while calming at the same time. Herb oils (Peppermint, Rosemary and Basil) tend to be invigorating, while floral oils tend to be relaxing (Lavender, Chamomile, Jasmine, Neroli). This is only a guideline - many oils have complex properties and will affect individuals differently - use your nose as a guide.

Medical aromatherapy, the use of essential oils to treat specific medical conditions, requires a bit more knowledge in many cases. There are a few excellent examples of employing oils for common needs: Lavender works very well for minor burns; it is anti-inflammatory and helps the skin regenerate. Blended half and half with Tea Tree, it can be used in place of other antibacterial agents on small cuts and scrapes. Helichrysum italicum oil is a remarkable healer of bruises and sports injuries; it can be used undiluted or at a 5-10% dilution in Hazelnut oil. Melissa oil is documented as an excellent treatment for the herpes virus. For support for common colds, inhale equal parts Lavender, Rosemary and Eucalyptus. For support in clearing chest and sinus conditions, use Lavender, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. These blends can be added to a carrier oil and rubbed into the chest, inhaled from a steaming bowl of water (with the eyes closed!) or used in a diffuser. The greatest promise for medical essential oil use lies in their profound ability to eradicate bacteria and viruses - this is where the need of an experienced professional arises, however. As with any medication, matching the correct oil and it’s application with the illness is critical, otherwise the oil may have no effect, and the patient may not heal. When done properly, however, remarkable results have been achieved.

Adrenal fatigue. You’ve probably heard the term, and may feel like it’s something happening to you. Suffering from burnout, or a lengthy bout of exhaustion you can’t seem to pull out of, but no obvious symptoms? Here’s a little primer on these very important glands and how to treat them right.

The adrenal glands are small pyramid shaped organs that sit atop each kidney in the lower back. The adrenals release their own ’stress hormones’ in response to certain situations or environmental conditions, and control the release of many other important hormones in the body such as DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. Their primary function is to prime the system to deal with life-threatening, stressful, or pressure-filled circumstances. They largely determine the energy level available for the necessary response.

In our fast paced western culture, an estimated 75% of individuals suffer from adrenal fatigue some time in their lives. This occurs when the glands can no longer keep up with the pace of outputting stress hormones, or when they no longer respond to repeated demands that they′ve heard too many times before. Signs and symptoms may include severe fatigue, lightheadedness upon standing, depression and irritability, lack of sex drive, exhaustion and general malaise. Adrenal fatigue is often associated with intense or prolonged stress, life crisis, trauma, and chronic illness. Other factors include certain lifestyle choices such as improper diet, substance abuse, and too little or irregular sleep.

One of the essential functions of your adrenal glands is to draw all your body’s resources into ‘fight or flight’ mode by increasing the production of adrenaline and various other hormones. When the adrenals are healthy one’s ability to respond to situations appropriately is enhanced. This renewed freedom allows for a whole host of possibilities given a stressful situation. When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release energy stores for immediate use, sharpen your senses, slow digestion and various other secondary functions. This function is extremely important in emergency situations - poorly functioning, overtaxed adrenal glands can lessen your ability to deal effectively with crisis situations. Another aspect of healthy adrenals is the ability to endure long periods of physical exertion such as seen in marathon running, swimming, long distance cycling, and similarly, the day to day responsibilities of parenting. When supported by healthy adrenals, one’s natural energy supply is balanced. It is your adrenal glands job to react to stress in a balanced manner so that one’s response is appropriate to the situation and not injurious.

The adrenal glands signal the storage, release and utilization of carbohydrates and fats, the conversion of fats and proteins into energy, and influence the distribution of fat on the body. Their output is involved in blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular function, digestive function, and in controlling blood pressure. The adrenals are further involved by playing a part in sexual interest and response - so poorly functioning adrenals can really put a damper on things by increasing fat storage on your belly while making you disinterested in the whole process altogether!

Here are a few simple steps to supporting adrenal gland health. Many of these will support your overall wellbeing as well, relieving your body of undue stress, and in turn allowing your adrenals to replenish their stores. First, get an adequate intake of pure, clean water. You needn’t drown yourself with it, but always having a bottle around to sip on can really make a difference. So many body processes require adequate amounts of water - and this is likely more than you think. Further, natural aging and other factors can desensitize your thirst sense, so again, you’ll likely feel better drinking more often than when you only feel thirsty.

Next is slowing down the pace of things at least a few minutes a day. It’s so easy to get wound up in all the day’s work, errands and other pressures that we rarely take a moment to sit quietly without distraction and simply release these things from our mind. Take a walk if you can; moderate exercise can be a supportive factor in lowering stress levels. But while doing so, try to ‘be present’, rather than letting your mind drift to all those tasks ahead of you - this will allow the greatest regeneration.

As for dietary recommendations, decrease (or preferably eliminate) intake of processed sugars and increase intake of natural earth sugars from root vegetables such as yams, carrots, turnips, and beets. Processed sugars truly poison the body every time they are eaten and causing stress to the system. Sweets are a hard habit to break, but you’ll notice a significant increase in balanced energy when you’re able to reduce their intake. Next, ingest adequate amounts of essential fatty acids. Various sources include fish oils, evening primrose oil, borage oil, hemp oil, coconut oil, and flax oils. Research which sources are best for your needs. Essential fats are precursors to many hormones in the body and will support your overall well-being. Finally, do your best to cut out caffeine from all sources. Even green tea, which is wonderful for you in moderation, can upset sleep patterns and add pressure to an already stressful lifestyle. Coffee is high in other stimulant compounds which seem to truly aggravate those already in tense situations, and cola and so-called ‘energy′ drinks may be the worst contributors to adrenal fatigue of all with their combination of processed sugars and refined caffeine.

As for some soothing treatments, taking time for baths using Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar (a tablespoon of either is sufficient) will help to pull out fatigue and ‘acidity′ from the your mind and body. Light a candle, read a book or simply soak in the warm water imaging your worries and stress washing away as you renew, strengthen, and ‘purify′ your energy. Consider adding a few drops of pure Lavender essential oil to your bath and allow the relaxing aroma to help you relax and refresh. A favorite essential oil bath blend: 4 drops Lavender essential oil, 1 drop Rose essential oil. Rose oil is often used for the decreasing stress and depression, while Lavender has a calming and mood lifting effect.

You may also use an essential oil blend that is said to replenish the adrenal glands without stimulation. Mix one ounce hazelnut oil plus 50 drops each of Black Spruce and Pine essential oils. For a gentle lift, reduce the Black Spruce and Pine to 30 drops each, and add 20 drops each of Cedarwood and Peppermint. Apply twice a day to the lower back for a week or two to help support glandular function - and you’ll smell great too!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, do what you can to improve your sleep routine. Getting to bed before 10pm is crucial - the hours between 10 and 12 are thought to be extremely important in rejuvenation. Try finishing your last meal as early as possible in the evening to get better rest, so the body is not spending as much effort digesting your dinner as it is replenishing all your other vital resources. Herbal sleep formulas are effective for many people, and are non-habit forming as some prescription medicines can be. Also, studies have shown that the aroma of certain essential oils in the room can have a dramatic effect on sleep quality - an easy way to experiment is to sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil on your comforter before retiring (be sparing, too much can actually be stimulating!)

Taking care of your adrenal glands is an important consideration in any health, wellness and fitness program when you want to feel your best and be prepared for any situation. Allowing them to replenish will help brighten your outlook on life and give you the energy you need for the things you love to do.

The content of aromatherapy gift baskets differs from one seller to another, but varieties do exist in the same shop too. Thus, instead of naturally scented body lotions you can go for a basket that includes aromatherapy bath salts for instance. The common element in all aromatherapy gift baskets is represented by the essential oils. One cannot practice aromatherapy without these key extracts that make the very basis of any therapy session. Then, though much more rarely, aromatherapy gift baskets could also include some form of diffusers, but the cost of such packages would be a little higher.

Aromatherapy soy candles are made of 100% pure soy wax that ensures a clean-burning period without any dripping or soot formation. Quality aromatherapy soy candles include only herbal colorants, meaning that the shades of green, rose, yellow or blue are the result of mixing natural pigments extracted from different herbs. Moreover, the element that distinguishes these candles from scented products is the all natural presence of essential oils in the composition. Here are a few features of aromatherapy soy candles that you should consider before making a purchase; yet, the products will very much speak for themselves once you try them for yourself.

The effects of aromatherapy on the nervous central system are well known, which is why most applications revolve around this impact on mood and positive psychological response that has been reported to function. Thus, certain herbal extracts and essential oils like rosemary and lavender, for instance, have been proved to trigger brain alertness and an increase in the nervous electrical activity. The effects of aromatherapy are constantly noticed on groups of people who are exposed to the inhalation of a scent. Afterwards, researchers can measure the level of relaxation or alertness, depending on the substance the subjects were exposed to.

Since of all senses, smell is the first to influence our health and emotions, which makes it perfect to use for healing purposes. The tools to operate such changes on our bodies are aromatherapy oils or essential oils that are basically volatile substances extracted by means of steam distillation or pressing. The applications of aromatherapy oils are extremely vast but the most common and popular to use are massage and body care with all that they include: perfumes, body lotions, bath salts, hair shampoos and more. In this context, the attribute of aromatherapy oils that surely seems overused is the relaxing and uplifting one.

Last but not least, the combination of massage and aromatherapy for depression cases has been one of the most fortunate and praised so far. The massage opens the energetic channels, stimulates the pressure points and allows for a direct and quick passage of the aromatic oils from the skin surface into the bloodstream. The relaxation level achieved through massage is much higher than that resulting from aromatherapy alone since more senses are stimulated at the same time. Constant therapeutic sessions of aromatherapy massage could actually help one get rid of the troublesome depressive episodes.

One further advantage of aromatherapy massage is the possibility for the essential oils to get absorbed into the skin, which would explain a higher efficiency rate and more benefits for one’s health. Here are just a few examples of the properties specific to the fragrances used in aromatherapy massage. Chamomile, orange, geranium and lavender are great for their calming and relaxing properties at the level of the central nervous system. Rosemary boosts up the energy levels and cleanses the body while tea tree, pine and eucalyptus have a great impact at the level of the respiratory system.

More recently, the field of aromatherapy has extended to the manufacturing of various products for the general household freshening or as bug repellent elements. Presently, essential oils are also generally used in the design of cosmetic commodities such as perfumes, soaps, facial toners and lotions; the natural components make the products a lot more reliable and safer to use.

Aromatherapy candles are suitable for the soothing of headaches, the calming of the irritated sinus or in the treatment of asthma and allergy symptoms. Moreover, natural fragrances have great tension and anxiety releasing properties with applications in every day life. The blends of essential oils are not restricted to the making of aromatherapy candles, they are also included in the composition of soaps, sprays, body lotions and bath salts. Simple natural treatments, this is the motto that best describes the extensive application of aromatherapy candles by people all over the world. How do aromatherapy candles work and how good are they for one’s health?

The greatest applications for aromatherapy remedies are those that aim at improving nervous conditions like high irritability, sleeplessness, concentration deficiencies and the like. Depending on how severe the problem is, more or less intense aromatherapy remedies can be used but only at the recommendation of an expert. Thus, candles and herbal bath salts can improve the mood and allow one to develop the relaxation state necessary for a good night’ rest. More severe conditions involve the controlled exposure to more complex aromatherapy remedies preferably in a therapeutic professional environment.

It must be noted that aromatherapy for depression is very often misunderstood and conducted improperly or superficially. Using essential oils at home could be a true relief, but you should also consider the instructions or the recommendations of the therapist; the best results in the use of aromatherapy for depression treatment have been registered with the practice in an organized professional environment. Thus, the therapist has a direct control of the session and the exposure to more concentrated doses of volatile oils triggers a better response on the part of the nervous system. The inhalation of the extracts is often gradual and closely supervised so that no side effects may appear.

Aromatherapy soy candles are made of one hundred percent pure soy wax that ensures a clean-burning period without any dripping or soot formation. Quality aromatherapy soy candles include only herbal colorants, which implies that the shades of green, rose, yellow or blue are the result of mixing natural pigments extracted from various herbs. Nevertheless, the element that distinguishes these candles from scented products is the all natural presence of essential oils in the composition. Here are a few features of aromatherapy soy candles that you should consider before making a purchase; yet, the products will very much speak for themselves once you try them for yourself.

The ways of procuring essential oils are closely connected with the variety of aromatherapy recipes. Even when made from the same plant, the oils vary in terms of concentration and properties. To start from a basic example, keep in mind the fact that the essential oils can be extracted from blossoms, roots, wood or from the entire plant. The creation of the aromatherapy recipes is just the beginning of a process that starts with the distillation, the maceration, the pressing or the solvent extraction of the essential oils. The specificity of one recipe or another will thus depend on the manufacturing of the essential oils too.