| All plants contain a wide range of chemicals, from | | | | volatile oils, are aromatic, meaning they have a smell. |
| water, to inorganic salts, sugars, and carbohydrates, | | | | The nose is the only sense, which connects directly |
| and to very complex proteins and alkaloids. I will | | | | with the outside world. Ever noticed how you can |
| focus mainly on the chemical, which acts medicinally, | | | | smell something, somewhere, and your mood, or |
| with special emphasis involving aromatherapy. | | | | body's feeling can change almost instantaneously? |
| Aromatherapy is the art and science of using | | | | This is because the nerve endings in your nose, the |
| botanical essential oils to create a sense of well being | | | | olfactory nerves, pick up the scent molecules from |
| through a physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and | | | | the essential oils, and transport them directly to the |
| social balance. Essential oils are really not even oils at | | | | brain. This is where the reaction begins. |
| all. They are the volatile and fragrant part of the | | | | The effects of the pure essential oils will depend on |
| plants that are kept in a sac on the surface of the | | | | the particular essential oil. For example, lavender is an |
| leaves, or in the bark, flowers, seeds, and stems. | | | | excellent aroma for relaxing. It is not really known for |
| These oils are also known as volatile oils. | | | | it's antibiotic properties. The story goes during the |
| Volatile oils, if collected and extracted correctly, | | | | Middle Ages, the town of Grasse in France was |
| contain some of nature's most precious gifts. See, | | | | spared the hardships and misery of the plague |
| these oils are responsible for the antibiotic properties | | | | because it was the center of the perfume industry. |
| to protect the plant. These volatile oils also protect | | | | There were many acres of lavender fields, which |
| the plant by repelling insects. Some even stimulate | | | | surrounded the town. The distilleries filled the air with |
| blooming. So, in turn, imagine the strength and power | | | | the lavender molecules, and the antiseptic, antibiotic, |
| of each volatile oil when extracted. It is now 75 to | | | | and antimicrobial properties of the lavender are what |
| 100 times more powerful, than say, dried herbs. | | | | saved the people of the town of Grasse. Think they |
| Volatile oils, or essential oils, are very easily | | | | were believers? |
| transported and distributed throughout the entire | | | | There are many different pure essential oils, all of |
| body. Not only will they act locally, where applied, but | | | | which can affect your body's reaction in some way. |
| they will also act on the whole body. Whether they | | | | It is best to be very educated, and do your research |
| are taken internally, or applied externally, they will | | | | on what essential oil you would need for your |
| soon show up in the urinary system, the lungs, and | | | | condition. Aromatherapy can be very beneficial in |
| possibly in the secretions of your sweat, tears, and | | | | one's life for enhancement and improvement. Ensure |
| saliva. Essential oils can even make their way through | | | | you only buy top quality oils, from reputable suppliers. |
| the placenta into the foetus. Essential oils, besides | | | | You should easily be able to find out the following 4 |
| being antiseptic, also stimulate the production of | | | | details: what is the country of origin, botanical |
| white blood cells, thus increasing your body's own | | | | species, what part of the plant was distilled, and how |
| natural defence system. Their ease of distribution is | | | | was the oil produced? If you cannot find out the |
| how they can affect the entire body once they | | | | answers to these questions, go somewhere else. |
| enter it. | | | | Aromatherapy works, but only if you have good oils |
| When essential oils are applied externally, part of their | | | | and a little knowledge. |
| effect is from the nose. See, all essential oils, or | | | | |