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Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic oils for the treatment and prevention of disease.  Two mechanisms are offered to explain how aromatherapy works.  The first is the effect of aroma on the brain, specifically the limbic system through the olfactory system (how we smell).  The other is a direct effect on the body by the compounds found in the oil.  Aromatherapists have known about the synergy between the oils and our bodies for centuries, but only recently have scientific studies been done.  These studies are proving what practitioners have known all along.

The use of aromatic oils dates back to antiquity when plant materials were dried, macerated in fatty oil, heated and filtered.  For centuries, man has used plants as medicine.  Dioscorides describes the use of oils and their healing properties in his De Materia Medica.  Later, the concent of aromatherapy as we know it today was first described in 1907 by European scientists.  While working with plant oils, scientists discovered the medical uses of oils and aromas to treat hospital patients.

Today, aromatherapy is regarded differently depending on where you are.  In France, where it originated, aromatherapy is widely used in mainstream medicine.  In the United States, Germany, Japan and others, aromatherapy is regarded as a complimentary modality at best and a pseudo scientific hoax at worst.

Whatever your stance, know that the use of essential oils works.  That being said, aromatherapy is not to be used is lieu of traditional medicine.  The use of essential oils and aromatic oils is to be used in conjunction with modern medicine and should be practiced with a skilled practitioners oversight.

Mystical Charm offers a wide variety of Essential Oils and Aromatic Oils.

Tags: aromatherapy, essential oils, oils

A new trend involves the use of essential oils to help with all sorts of problems. Rather than immediately turning to the doctor, some people prefer trying natural remedies first. One such remedy includes the use of essential oils, either as a rub or diffused into the air and breathed inward.

The following essential oils are known particularly for their ability to help with coughs, colds, and even bronchitis:

1. Anise — Anise has the rich and sweet scent of licorice. It is typically used to target bronchitis, colds, coughs, flu, muscle aches, and rheumatism. If someone has endometriosis, skin problems, or hyper-sensitive skin, they should be careful using anise. Anise blends well with other essential oils such as cardamom, Cedarwood, dill, fennel, mandarin, or rosewood.

2. Basil — Basil is sometimes known as the “royal remedy”, and is a beloved culinary plant in India, Asia, and many other Mediterranean countries. It has a sweet, herbaceous scent, and slightly licorice-like. It is typically used for bronchitis, colds, coughs, exhaustion, flu, insect bites, muscle aches, and sinusitis. In addition, basil is often used to treat nausea, motion sickness, diabetes, and constipation, providing Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium.

3. Benzoin — Benzoin, also known as gum Benjamin, is one of the classic ingredients of incense and as an aid to respiratory problems. Benzoin gives off a rich, warm, and slightly woody creamy vanilla scent. It targets respiratory system related ailments such as bronchitis, coughing, and laryngitis, and also can help skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, mouth ulcers, and scar tissue.

4. Cedarwood — The scent of cedarwood is fresh, woody, and balsamic. It targets bronchitis and coughs in addition to lowering stress. It is considered warming, uplifting, and toning in nature, sometimes even as an aphrodisiac because it is both grounding and inspiring. Some other interesting uses of cedarwood are as insect repellant, a help to acne and arthritis, and an aid with dermatitis.

5. Clove — Clove is used particular for asthma, bronchitis, and rheumatism. It can also, however, target arthritis, sprains, and toothaches. Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Avoid clove if involved with alcoholism, haemophilia, or having kidney or liver problems.

6. Eucalyptus — Eucalyptus is considered a refreshing and up-lifting essential oil. It can be used to treat skin problems as well as combating the effects of colds and the flu. More specifically, it helps arthritis, bronchitis, cold sores, colds, coughing, fever, flu, poor circulation, and sinusitis. Although toxic if ingested, using eucalyptus as an essential oil is quite safe. Eucalyptus blends well with other oils such as thyme essential oil, rosemary essential oil, marjoram essential oil, lavender essential oil, cedarwood essential oil, frankincense essential oil.

7. Peppermint — Peppermint not only helps asthma, headaches, nausea, and sinusitis, it can also aide in colic, exhaustion and vertigo. Peppermint has the reputation of being antiseptic and antibiotic in nature, providing a refreshing and energizing effect in aromatherapy.

Keep in mind that essential oils are for external use only, so be careful while handling them. Essential oils’ purpose in aromatherapy is to have the brain (lymbic system) channel the effects of the oils to balance your body’s systems. Overall, essential oils may not be a cure, but are often considered at least an aide in healing. Their effects could be beneficial to many.

Tags: alternative medicine, aromatherapy, diffused oils, essential oils, oils