| Aromatherapy was first practiced thousands of | | | | combination with each other to produce the desired |
| years ago. It has only been in recent years that is | | | | results. Let's take Lavender for example. |
| has been making a come back. The main reason it is | | | | Lavender's effect is calming and therapeutic. Its |
| on its way back is because we have entered into a | | | | properties include: Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, |
| time of the holistic lifestyle. This means we are now | | | | antiseptic, diuretic, insecticide, sedative. Some of the |
| taking the connection of the mind, body and spirit | | | | things you would use Lavender for would include but |
| into account where health and wellness are | | | | are not limited to: Acne, anxiety, bronchitis, burns, |
| concerned. | | | | circulatory problems, colds, dandruff, flu, and |
| Research today has shown and continues to show | | | | headaches. |
| the benefits both emotionally and physically that | | | | The essential oils used in aromatherapy come from |
| aromatherapy provides. Today we actually get those | | | | different parts of the plant. For instance the flowers, |
| benefits without realizing it sometimes. For instance, | | | | twigs, leaves, barks, and the rind of the fruit. Some |
| when we buy fragrant candles we are using | | | | examples are: roses you would find the essential oils |
| aromatherapy. Or when we take a walk in a fragrant | | | | in the flowers, basil you would find them in the |
| garden or path we are using aromatherapy once | | | | leaves. |
| again. | | | | Because it takes a large quantity of the plant to |
| Now we can take the occasional benefits of burning | | | | produce essential oils they have become very |
| candles or walking through fragrant gardens and | | | | expensive. However, they are highly effective. For |
| utilize them in our everyday life. We do this by | | | | example you would only need a drop or two of the |
| becoming familiar with the different aromatherapy | | | | essential oil to produce a positive result. |
| scents and how they will help in our bodies and minds. | | | | Now that we've covered those aspects of |
| Today there is a whole host of illnesses that are | | | | Aromatherapy, let's turn to some of the other |
| plaguing our society. Medical science has made | | | | factors that need to be considered. |
| tremendous breakthroughs in many areas however | | | | Essential oils work because they have an immediate |
| there are still so many area left without treatment | | | | impact on our sense of smell. Therefore when we |
| options or answers. This is where we can apply our | | | | take in a whiff of an essential oil the olfactory |
| new aromatherapy knowledge. | | | | receptor cells in our body are stimulated and the |
| One way to utilize aromatherapy for ourselves is to | | | | impulse is transmitted to the emotional center of our |
| get acquainted with essential oils. Essential oils are the | | | | brain or the "limbic system." |
| concentrated essences from aromatic plants. You | | | | The limbic system is connected to areas of the brain |
| have probably heard of some of these aromatic | | | | linked to memory, breathing, and blood circulation, as |
| plants like Lavender, Oregano, Yarrow, and Echinacea | | | | well as the endocrine glands that regulate hormone |
| for example. | | | | levels in the body. The properties of the essential oil |
| Ok, now stay with me here, the essential oils from | | | | and its fragrance determine which of these areas are |
| the aromatic plants can be used alone or in | | | | stimulated and how. |