A DIY guide to at home Aromatheraphy that’s easy and fun.
Scent has a powerful effect on us humans. The olfactory nerve connects our nose to the limbic system. The part of our brain that rules emotions.
Essential oils are extracted from the aromatic essences of plants, trees, fruit, and flowers. Each has its own unique healing properties. Inside, they are able to interact in 3 different ways, pharmacologically, physiology, and psychologically.
Aromatherapy literally means “treatments with scents”. It treats the physical and emotional health of a person thru essential oils or concentrated plant oils. Despite extensive research, the chemistry of essential oils is not fully known. I believe this is Mother Nature at her best. She is not going to divulge all her secrets.
Some plants, such as Lavender are known as adaptogens, which means they do whatever the body needs at that time. AMAZING! This is why you see lavender in so many products.
There are several ways to get the plant therapies into your systems. One of the most effective is massage. Studies have shown that massage with essential oils releases tension and the manipulation of soft tissues of the body has been proven to release stress and tension. The oils are immediately absorbed into the skin and then into the bloodstream.
Another is steam inhalation. Think chicken soup or a steaming cup of organic herbal tea. Or simply a pot of boiling water or a vaporizer. This treatment is most effective for colds or allergy issues.
A compress is another effective tool to localize treatments. Grandma was right about that washcloth! Both hot and cold compresses are great ways to soothe.
Baths are a relaxing and effective way to introduce plants into your life. If you don’t do baths regularly, I encourage you to make them a part of your daily life. And don’t forget footbaths! They are awesome on hot days to cool you down. And on cold days to warm you up.
Creams, lotions and Oils are also very effective. This is why I am concentrating on oils, balms and lotions for healing therapies here on The Butterfly Hill.
I wanted to focus on simple remedies that we can all do easily at home. To continue our education of plants as healing therapies as Mother Nature intended.
Peppermint has been known for centuries for headache and nausea relief. So much so, that it is now used in Western medicine regularly. It is a stimulant and an expectorant. And can reduce fevers by sweating and cooling the body. I swear by pure peppermint oil for insect bites. If I can get it on the bite in the first few minutes, it’s almost gone in an hour. Both muscle and mental fatigue are relieved by peppermint.
Chamomile is the gentile soother that induces sleep. Which is why it is recommended for children. It is also beneficial for skin aliments, relieves pain and settles indigestion.
Cinnamon is a respitory and circualtory simulant helping with chest congestion and rhematic problems. It also has a cooling effect on fevers.
Orange is great for insomina. It normalizes blood pressure and has a feel good effect as a senorory stimulant. It stimulates the lymphatic systems to keep them from retaining water. It works well with honey, cinnimon and clove.
Lemon is both diuretic and a laxitive. Beacuse it also conteracts acidity it helps to reduce acid indigestion, arthritis and rheumatism.
Lavender is the most versitle and most beloved of all essentail oils. It is calming, soothing, it’s an antidepressant. It blances and has antiseptic, antibacterial and painkilling properties.
Rose a celebrated aphrodisiac, seditive and it also has antideperssant properties. Give more roses!
Rosemary is refreshing and a stimulant which is great for poor circulation, low blood pressure, and fatigue. It has been used to tone the skin and aid with dandruff. Its antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and a diuretic which means its useful with water retention.
Ginger is good for nausea, it is an antiseptic, and antioxident. It’s also good for colds and sore throats. It’s a rubefacient which can ease pain from poor circulation, arthritis or muscle pain.
I hope you enjoyed learning about aromatherapies as much as I have. Come join our fun educational community which learns together without annoying ads!
