Over two thousand years ago, a Greek physician, named Theophrastus, studied and used flower essences and thus is responsible for much of our understanding of them today.:
Essential oils today are used in foods, medicines and cosmetics and the main focus of research is in the healing properties of aromatic plants and flowers.:
The term, "aromatherapy" was first originated by Professor Rene'-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist. His experiments with wounded soldiers during World War I provided extensive evidence of the medicinal value of these oils, especially Lavender. Lavender has proven to be superior to chemical antiseptics in killing germs and in it's aid to the elimination of toxins.:
Scents can travel from the olfactory nerves in the nose, to the part of the brain concerned with intuition, emotions and creativity, and can affect the chemical balance of the body. Psychiatrists and psychologists have taken hold of this fact, and are interested in the safe mood-changing potential of essential oils.:
Trained armoatherapists look to the holistic aspect of a person's life and approach massage and aromatherapy as an effective way to strengthen the body's defenses. Essential oils can be applied through massage but are also very effective when used in baths and inhalations. It's important to remember that these oils are very concentrated and potent, and a little goes a long way. The use of a few drops too many can reverse the beneficial effects and result in a bad reaction.:
Essential oils are produced by extracting oils from flower petals or plants through steaming or in grease. For example, it takes about 150 pounds, (can you imagine?) of rose petals to produce 1 fluid oz. of essential oil. This is one reason why rose, jasmine and neroli are all much more expensive than the other essential oils.:
When buying your oils, be sure to check the production methods of the brand you're buying. Buy only oils which are extracted from plants, not the synthetic oils. Synthetics may produce a good aroma, but that's all they have. There is no way to duplicate the other effective and active ingredients found in the "real thing"! It's the whole, natural oils with all the essential ingredients which will bring you health. It's not all in the scent!:
Oils produce a variety of benefits. Some have a relaxing or stimulating effect on the mind and spirit. Others relieve stress and tension, while still others are antibacterial and work to heal internal and external conditions. The use of these oils with a massage, improves blood circulation and cell growth of the skin, and may help to accelerate the elimination of wastes through out the body.:
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