JenniO Creations Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of Aromatic Oils, usually known as ESSENTIAL OILS, for health and beauty purposes.

Essential Oils are the substances which give plants their fragrances, and herbs and spices their flavours. They are usually extracted from the plant by distillation, or by cold pressing.

Many Essential Oils confer benefits on;

THE MOOD (e.g. Lavender Oil is very relaxing)

THE SKIN (e.g. Tea Tree Oil is antiseptic and moisturising)

OTHER FUNCTIONS (e.g. Juniper Oil can help the body to rid itself of excess fluid; Eucalyptus Oil is a decongestant)

These benefits are often used by AROMATHERAPISTS to treat various conditions, and some of the more commonly used oils are listed below;

OIL	is used by Aromatherapists for
Basil	Migraine, nausea
Bergamot	Uplifting, absorbs cigarette smoke
Black Pepper	diarrhoea, aphrodisiac
Chamomile	insomnia, aphrodisiac
Clove	infections, pain, toothache
Clary Sage	menstrual problems, insomnia
Cypress	coughs, water retention, skincare
Eucalyptus globulus	Flu, rheumatism, colds
Fennel	menstual cramps, water retention, cellulite
Frankincense	catarrh, skincare
Geranium	depression, skincare
Juniper	water retention
Lavender	stress, burns, sinusitis etc etc etc
Marjoram	arthritis, asthma, insomnia
Peppermint	flatulence, digestive problems
Petitgrain	nervous tension, insomnia
Rosemary	fatigue, arthritis
Sandalwood	impotence, skincare
Tea Tree	antisepsis, skincare, room disinfection etc
Ylang Ylang	frigidity, impotence

Essential Oils are potent substances and there are restrictions on who should use them. The most important are detailed below.

NOT TO BE USED BY EPILEPTICS

Camphor, Hyssop, Rosemary.

NOT TO BE USED DURING PREGNANCY

Basil, Camphor, Cedarwood, Cinnamon Bark, Clary Sage, Clove

Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Rosemary, Sage,

Thyme

NOT TO BE USED BY CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD

Basil, Bergamot, Benzoin, Cajuput, Camphor, Cardomon,

Cedarwood, Cinnamon Bark, Clary Sage, Clove, Coriander,

Cypress, Fennel, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Hyssop,

Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Melissa, Myrrh, Patchouli,

Peppermint, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sage

Sandalwood, Thyme, Ylang Ylang

NOT TO BE USED BY BABIES UNDER 12 MONTHS OLD

All of the above plus Eucalyptus, Geranium & Neroli

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential Oils can be used in many different ways, depending on the purpose for which they are being used, and on the nature of the particular oils. The following are amongst the most common methods of use;

Massage - may be general, if it is being used for relaxation, romance etc, or of specific areas which are being treated for pain, discomfort, cellulite etc. Essential Oils are too concentrated; (and too expensive!); to be used alone for massage, and they must be diluted with a Carrier Oil. Any good quality vegetable is suitable; Grapeseed and Sweet Almond are frequently used. A 2% to 5% mixture is appropriate, and this can be achieved by adding 2 to 5 drops of Essential Oil to a 5ml plastic medicine spoon of Carrier Oil.

In the bath - add 4-12 drops of Essential Oil of Essential Oil to the bath water, and wallow in the vapours. Use in foot spas, jacuzzis etc, adjusting the number of drops of Essential Oils according to the total volume of water.

If you prefer a shower to a bath this does not preclude you from enjoying the benfits of Essential Oils. Shake 8-10 drops onto a sponge or flannel, stand under the runnming water for a minute or so and then rub yourself all over with your prepared sponge. Then stand under the running water for several more minutes.

Of the Essential Oils which are in common use there are two which can be applied to the skin undiluted. Lavender may be dabbed onto the forehead and temples for headaches, and over and under the eyes for sinusitis. It is also used as a first aid treatment for burns. Tea Tree is a first rate antiseptic, and may be applied to spots, acne, abrasions etc.

Inhalation - put some hot water in a bowl, add a few drops of Essential Oil, put a towel over your head and inhale the vapour. If you are at work, or on a journey, sprinkle a few drops of Essential Oil on a handkerchief or tissue, and sniff it from time to time.

Room Fragrance - various methods are available - e.g. oil burners, electrical diffusers, light bulb rings etc. These methods are particularly useful when the oils are being used for mood enhancement,; meditaion, relaxation, romance etc.

Hot and cold compresses - fill a bowl with hot or cold water and add a few drops of Essential Oil. Soak a piece of cloth in the bowl and apply it to the affected area. Cold compresses are particularly suitable for strains and sprains etc, hot compresses, hot compresses for abscesses and similar infections.

Skin lotions - If the oil is being used to improve the condition of the skin, or to treat a specific skin ailment, then it should be diluted with a Carrier Oil in the same proportions as were described under 'Massage'. It is often helpful to enrich the Carrier Oil with Evening Primrose, Jojoba, Wheatgerm or Avocado Oil. Add 10 drops of enriching oil to the 5ml Carrier Oil before adding the Essential Oil.

Sauna - Add a few drops of Essential Oil to the water which is thrown onto the heat source. Eucalyptus and Pine are traditionally used for this purpose, but Tea Tree, Rosemary and citrus oils are also very suitable.

Whichever oils you use, and however you intend to use them, please ensure that you buy them from a reputable source. Look for the words 'Pure Essential Oil' on the label, and expect it to state the botanical name of the plant from which it is extracted; (e.g. Lavandula angustifolia); as well as the common name; (e.g. Lavender). If the word 'Ingredients' is there, be suspicious- if the bottle contains Pure Essential Oil, there are no other ingredients, and there is no need to list them. If the word 'Ingredients' does appear, and anything other than 'Essential Oil of......' is listed after it, then the oil is NOT PURE, and you should not buy it as such.

Essential Oils are expensive. Look for good value for your money, but beware of very cheap oils - particularly those ranges; and they are there; where all the oils are the same price. You should expect to see a wide range of prices through the spectrum of oils; Lavender should be up to twice the price of Eucalyptus; Roman Chamomile should be up to 10 times the price. If these sorts of ratios do not apply, then the oils you are looking up are not pure and you should not waste your money on them. The other side of the coin is, of course, that if the oil is pure then you will require very little of it for each application. The bottle of pure oil you are buying may seem expensive, but it will last you a long time.