Arthritic Joints Aromatherapy Blend

 

Aromas can effect mood and evoke memories. If the smell of baking cookies, a smoky campfire, or a lover’s favorite perfume have ever transported you back in time, calling up long-forgotten events and feelings, then you have experienced the powerful association between aromas, emotions, and memories. Long before modern scientists began the study of the physiological processes that underlie this association, human beings were exploring and utilizing the power of fragrant substances in their daily lives. Many ancient cultures, including those of India, China, and Persia have left records that document their use of fragrance for its effect on mental states and feelings. The Egyptians, in particular, made extensive use of incense and fragrant oils in their religious rituals. Kyphi, an incense containing at least 16 herbs and other fragrant plants such as Juniper, Cinnamon, and Myrrh, was used by Egyptian priests to facilitate the attainment of ecstatic states during religious rites. Virtually every culture has reported aphrodisiacal properties for various fragrances. In the harems, Sandalwood and Rose were prized for enhancing sexual desire and the essential oils of Vetiver, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Ginger, and Clary Sage have all been used for this purpose. Many ancient peoples, such as the Romans, became very skilled at utilizing certain fragrant plants for evoking specific mental states and aromatherapy lore reports highly selective effects for specific essential oils. For example, Frankincense and Cypress have been said to aid in dispelling grief, while Ylang Ylang and Juniper are claimed to aid in coping with guilt.

Today, we continue to be aware of the impact of aromas on moods and other aspects of our states of mind, such as alertness, sexual drive, and aggressiveness. Retailers have even attempted to “cash in�?on our innate responsiveness to scents by impregnating the air in their stores with fragrances which they believe will stimulate shoppers to make purchases. Their efforts often go awry, however, because those attempting to utilize aromas in this way frequently fail to distinguish between the beneficial effects of natural plant aromas and the deleterious effects of synthetic fragrances, which cause headaches and other unpleasant symptoms in many people.

Modern research supports our intuitive recognition of the impact of aromas on mood and other mental states. Different essential oils have been shown to produce consistently different brain wave patterns on EEG, even when experimental subjects have reported little perceived difference between the odors and have not noticed changes in mood or alertness. Findings such as these suggest that aromas can have subliminal, or unconscious, effects on our mental states and it is precisely this subliminal effect that aromatherapists hope to capitalize upon when they suggest diffusing specific essential oils into environments where people are likely to feel anxious or agitated. In her recent book, The Fragrant Mind, Valerie Ann Worwood, a well known aromatherapist, suggests diffusing essential oils, such as Lavender, in prisons and holding cells to help keep inmates calm and less aggressive. She suggests that in addition to having specific relaxing and calming effects, some essential oils may help to bring out the more positive aspects of peoples? personalities and attitudes.

Aromas may also be utilized in a conscious, intentional way to effect mood and mental states. Citrus oils, for example, are described in aromatherapy lore as being uplifting, gently stimulating, and conducive to alertness and concentration, while the essential oils of Lavender, Clary Sage, and Roman Chamomile are described as relaxing and soothing. With this knowledge, you might choose to diffuse a small amount ( 3 or 4 drops) of Grapefruit oil in your work space in order to support your efforts on an important project, or, you might similarly use essential oil of Clary Sage when you want to relax and feel comforted after a stressful event.

Any odor may acquire the ability to elicit a memory of a specific event, and the feelings associated with that event, if the odor was present during the person?s original experience. This can have positive or negative consequences. One of my former aromatherapy instructors, Jane Buckle, author of the book Clinical Aromatherapy in Nursing (Arnold Press, London), reports that because essential oil of Lavender was used as a disinfectant in morgues and on injury wards in England during WWII, the smell of this oil can elicit very painful memories and feelings of grief in some British people. This example illustrates very well why a person?s individual experience with an aroma must be considered before one tries to utilize it for beneficial purposes. However, by taking individual experience into account, very effective use can be made of the strong associations that are formed between memories and aromas. Students can utilize this association in a very practical way by diffusing a small amount of any personally pleasing, uplifting essential oil into the room while they study and then later inhaling a little bit of the same aroma from a bottle while taking their test. There is a good chance that recall will be stimulated, at least to some extent, by inhaling the same aroma that was used while studying. Don?t assume that you can study less, however!

The bond between odor and memory also provides a potential tool in psychotherapeutic settings, where practitioners may be able to facilitate recall of events by presenting aromas that were linked with those events. In addition, therapists may utilize classical conditioning techniques to ?pair? specific odors with desirable mental states (such as ?relaxation?) so that the odor may later be used to elicit the state. It is even possible that some complex physiological reactions could be classically conditioned by pairing specific odors with the administration of certain drugs by a physician.

There are many ways to enjoy the subtle effects of aromas at home. First, use only aromatic substances that are completely natural, as synthetic fragrances do not have the beneficial actions of natural ones and can cause headaches, palpitations, and other unpleasant symptoms. Consider your personal experiences and try to determine from these experiences which odors may have beneficial associations and which may have been associated with distressing events. For personal use at home, stick with aromas that have pleasing associations and effects. Fresh or dried herbs, flowers, or even some foods (such as apple pie) may be placed about the home so that their scents disperse into the air. In the spring and summer, a trip to the garden can provide a magical aromatic experience that is enhanced by the sight and feel of the plants and the sounds of chirping birds, rustling foliage and flowing water. Weeding and working for thirty minutes in a patch of basil, lavender, mint, or other aromatic plant is a wonderful way to relax and lift the spirits. Or, plant something fragrant next to a window. Plants that release their fragrance at night, such as nicotiana, are wonderful planted outside a bedroom window.

Essential oils offer perhaps the most convenient and powerful way to experience the beneficial effects of aromas. Essential oils are highly concentrated, fragrant plant extracts that are obtained by distillation or cold pressing of plant material. Essential oils can be utilized by diffusing them into the air, applying them diluted in a massage oil, or by adding a few drops to a warm bath. Because essential oils are so concentrated, only a very small amount is needed - usually just one to four drops depending on the method of use. The practice of using essential oils, and other aromatic plant substances, is known as Aromatherapy. Many good reference books on Aromatherapy and essential oils are now available and should be consulted for guidelines on proper use.

 

 Aromatherapy to bring harmony to your home

So, be kind to yourself. Use essential oils and blends to imbue your living habitat with a warm and calming ambience. And to subtly bring peace, clarity and creativity into your life.

Before selecting your oils, first consider those two primary triggers of chronic stress: glaring lights and incessant noise. Find ways to soften the atmosphere inside your home, to make it more welcoming and restful.

Using oil burners
The gentle warming heat of the candle (or tea light) releases the fragrant molecules of aromatic essential oils into the air to be absorbed directly into the body by inhalation. This is a soft, subtle, natural and very beautiful way to be sure that the brain is always producing plenty of "feel good" chemicals.

Burners and diffusers are fine around kids so long as they're safely out of reach. And while natural is the obvious way to go, sometimes (where hyperactivity, autism, senility etc is an issue), you may prefer the electric aromatherapy vaporizer.

Choosing a burner:
Look for a large water reservoir, long burning time, sealed surface and a safety hole at the back.

Using your oils:
You can use either one pure essential oil or a blend of different essential oils in your burner. As a rule of thumb, ten drops will be plenty in a burner with a nice big bowl. Top up with lukewarm water and don't let it burn dry. In baby's or children's rooms, halve the volume of oils you normally use.i.e. if 10 drops, use only 4-5.

Be creative with your oils. So little goes so far.

Mist Sprays
Use your essential oil blends to make a room spray. Simply fill a fine mist spray with water then add 20 drops of your favorite blends. Shake vigorously, then mist rooms as required. Especially great for bedrooms.

Vacuum Cleaners
Pop a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto your vacuum cleaner bag. Released by the warm air, the fragrance will permeate the whole room to create a calm and soothing environment.

Mopping or Wiping Down.
Use a similar technique when mopping the floor or wiping down surfaces. Lavender essential oil, in particular, has the added benefit of being a very powerful antibiotic and antibacterial agent, so is perfect in kitchen, bathroom, baby's room and anywhere there are children.

Washing Linen
A few drops of a calming essential oil such as Neroli, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Geranium or one of your blends in the final rinse water when washing towels, bed linen, cushion covers, tea towels and curta5ins adds subtle aromas that envelop you in harmony.

Cotton Ball Magic
Don't overlook the potential of the humble cotton ball. A drop of Neroli, Lavender, Clary Sage, Basil Oil containing pure geranium, ylang ylang, lavender and bergamot will do wonders when tucked into your drawers, pillow slip, walk in robe, linen cupboard or the cushion on your favorite chair.

Light Globes
2-3 drops of essential oil (diluted in a carrier oil) smoothed onto the standard light globe in your bedside, reading or mood lamp is beautiful and subtle. Try Lavender, Clary Sage or Patchouli.

Try these tips at work:

• Relax tensions by rubbing the palms of your hand with your Relaxing blend.
• Place a few drops of Lavender on a cotton ball or tissue and breathe in deeply.
• Wipe down work surfaces with lavender oil.
• Tuck a fragrant tissue, moistened with geranium or cypress essential oils into wherever you sit.

Use all the methods at your disposal to stay relaxed during the working day. Deep breathing, stretching, a break in the fresh air, a short walk, a 20 second hand or neck massage, lots of pure water, the occasional herbal tea and reducing your caffeine, sugar and alcohol intake will all help.

Stress reduction in your vehicle
The closed, private environment of your car provides an ideal opportunity for you to exercise stress control.

A favorite "trick" that is particularly popular with men is to soak a cloth in their favorite relaxing oil and tuck it somewhere out of sight but within smelling range.

As the interior of the car warms up, the fragrant essential oil molecules get to work like an invisible helper, untangling the knots of traffic tensions and helping the driver and passengers start and end the day calm and in control.

Joie Power, Ph.D.

WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY?  Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils in order to take advantage of their benefits for the body, mind and spirit.  Essential oils have been used therapeutically for hundreds of years but as modern medicines began to appear around the turn of the century the use of  essential oils declined.

In the 1950's, the practice of aromatherapy enjoyed a strong revival that has continued into the present.  While the professional   practice of aromatherapy requires extensive training, anyone can enjoy many of the benefits of essential oils at home with just a little reading in one of the many affordable and readily available reference texts now on the market.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?  Essential oils are complex mixtures of naturally occurring compounds that exist in some plants which have fragrant flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, or seeds.  From an organic chemist's point of view, the active constituents of essential oils are composed of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons which can be grouped according to their molecular structure into terpenes, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and phenols.

Essential oils may be extracted from plants using a variety of methods but for aromatherapy purposes, the only acceptable methods are those that are non-toxic.  This includes distillation, cold pressing, and, in a few cases, non-toxic solvent extraction.  A good therapeutic grade essential oil is produced using non-toxic procedures that preserve the life-giving vital essence of the plant. Essential oils vary greatly in quality and not all are therapeutic grade.

Do not confuse essential oils with vegetable oils, which are also sometimes called "carrier" or "base" oils.  Essential Oils are volatile, which means that they evaporate when exposed to air; they are very fragrant; they do not feel slick or oily, and do not leave an oily residue.  Vegetable oils, such as almond oil, apricot oil, olive oil, or avocado oil are not really fragrant; they do not evaporate readily; they do feel oily and leave an oily residue.  Vegetable oils are used in aromatherapy for the purpose of diluting essential oils so that they can be safely applied to the skin.

WHAT ARE FRAGRANCE 0ILS?  "Fragrance oils" are chemical mixtures that mimic  natural plant aromas.  They may smell just like the "real thing" but are not appropriate for aromatherapy. Read product labels carefully and avoid those labeled as "fragrance oils", "essential fragrance oils", or "nature identical".

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PURCHASING. Some products sold as "essential oils" are diluted in cheaper "carrier" oils or are adulterated in some other way.  Again, read product labels carefully but be aware that labels may not disclose full information.  Several popular aromatherapy books outline simple tests that purchasers can perform at home, to aid in detecting inferior products.  We encourage you to learn these methods and apply them to the products you purchase.  Become familiar with the botanical names of the oils you want to use and never purchase an essential oil that is not labeled with the botanical name, as well as the common name.

USE OF ESSENTIAL OIL:  Add 2 to 4 drops of essential oil to a warm (not hot) bath.  For a massage/body oil, add 1 drop of essential oil per teaspoon of high quality, cold pressed vegetable oil, such as sweet almond or grape seed oil.  For room fragrancing, add a few drops to a diffuser or a pot of steaming (not boiling) water.  If you are mixing several oils in a "blend", treat the "blend" as a single oil; in other words, use no more than 4 drops of the "blend" in a bath, or 1 drop of the "blend" to a teaspoon of  vegetable oil.  These and other methods of use are described in aromatherapy reference books.

STORAGE:   The shelf-life of most essential oils is about 12 months, with proper handling.  Oils should be stored in a cool (not cold) place, where they are not exposed to sunlight.  Refrigeration of essential oils is not recommended since some can be spoiled by this procedure.  Open bottles only for use and keep caps securely closed, as exposure to air speeds the deterioration of any botanical product, including essential oils.

What is the history of Aromatherapy?
The use of Aromatherapy actually predates written history. Combinations of resins, oils and fragrant plants were used in some form - for ceremonial, medicinal, or pleasurable reasons - in most ancient civilizations. Perfumes and aromatic plants were the basis for many of the early trade routes established among ancient civilizations. Some of the earliest documented uses of Aromatherapy were in Ancient Egypt. There, 3000-year-old papyruses have been discovered containing remedies for many types of illnesses; some of the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy today. The Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants and their essential oils to create massage oils, medicines, embalming preparations, skin care products, fragrant perfumes and cosmetics. There are other written accounts of aromatic oil use in Ancient Africa, Mesopotamia, Greece, Babylon, and China. In fact, the Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine, written in 2697 BC, is the oldest surviving medical book in China; it contains information on more than 300 plants and their properties.

Greek and Roman civilizations later adopted the use of aromatic oils for both medicinal and cosmetic reasons. The Western world's standard medical reference for more than 1200 years was a book on herbals written by the Greek physician Pedacius Dioscorides. In fact, many of his remedies are still in use in modern Aromatherapy. Aromatics were used in early Rome, where massage with oil would often follow a typical bath. The Romans, who were also voracious explorers and conquerors, expanded trade routes to East India, Arabia, and beyond. This enabled them to add a wide variety of new aromatic products to their repertoire.

Other examples of ancient cultures using some form of Aromatherapy abound. Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, has been practiced for more than 3000 years and incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects. Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in ceremony and in daily life. The Aztecs specifically were well known for their plant remedies, and a wealth of medicinal plants was found in Montezuma's botanical gardens when the Spanish conquerors arrived. North American Indians also used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies.

The modern term Aromatherapy was coined in 1928 by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. Decades later, another French medical doctor Jean Valnet, inspired by Gattefosse's research, published his own work in 1964, The Practice of Aromatherapy. In 1977, Robert Tisserand released his book The Art of Aromatherapy and was successful in capturing American interest in this ancient healing art. Through Valnet's, Tisserand's, and other scientists' work of the current era, the healing science of Aromatherapy has begun to be more widely known in the West.

Today in the West, the popularity of Aromatherapy as an alternative or complementary therapy is growing rapidly. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, in the U.S. Aromatherapy is a $300 million dollar business, and they project it to be a $1 billion dollar business by the year 2000. Already, in areas of Europe it is common to find mainstream doctors who practice Aromatherapy and health insurance companies that reimburse for treatments.

Aromatherapy, the use of scents from the essential oils of plants to alter mood and promote healing, is an ancient art currently enjoying a booming revival. While many common garden plants are used in essential oils—peppermint, basil and lavender, to name just a few—the quantities of flowers or leaves needed to produce the oil (It takes 1,000 pounds of jasmine flowers to make one pound of oil) means that even the most prolific gardeners would be better off buying their essential oils from catalogs or stores.

Most commonly, the oils are used in the bath (The water should be no more than l00°F and the oils should be put in at the end) or in a diffuser or placed on a handkerchief and inhaled when you need a lift. Since essential oils are very potent, they should always be diluted with a base oil such as sweet almond or grapeseed before being put on your skin. And don’t ingest any or get any in your eyes.

If you are pregnant or have a chronic illness of any kind, consult your physician before using any.

Here are some of the most common oils and their qualities:

Basil: Uplifting, clarifies thought processes.
Bergamot: Uplifting, yet calming.
Cedarwood: Relaxing, stress reducing.
Chamomile: Soothing and calming, excellent to use after an argument.
Fennel: Relaxing, warming, calming.
Fir needle: Refreshing, cleansing.
Frankincense: Calming, helps release fear.
Geranium: Balancing mood swings, harmonizing.
Juniper: Purifying, stimulating.
Lavender: Calming, soothing, relaxing.
Lemon: Uplifting, refreshing, mental alertness.
Lemongrass: Stimulating, cleansing, tonifying.
Lime: Invigorating, refreshing.
Mandarin orange: Uplifting, refreshing.
Marjoram: Very relaxing, anxiety reducing.
Myrrh: Strengthening, inspiring.
Orange: Uplifting, refreshing.
Patchouli: Inspiring, sensuous.
Peppermint: Stimulating, cleansing, refreshing, invigorating.
Pine: Refreshing, cleansing, stimulating.
Rose: Emotionally soothing.
Rosemary: Stimulating, cleansing, good for studying, invigorating.
Sage: Cleansing, purifying.
Sandalwood: Stress reducing, sensuous, soothing, helps release fear.
Spearmint: Refreshing, stimulating.
Ylang-ylang: Uplifting, sensuous.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Origin - France (Super is from Bulgaria)

Steam distilled from the flowers

Therapuetic grade

Middle/Top Note

Floral, sweet, herbaceous

Calming, soothing

Aromatherapy use - Skin care and skin rejuvenation, alleviates burns, wound healing, insect bites, reduces nervous tension, infections, headache

This is the true lavender (as opposed to spike lavender, lavandin, etc.) It is produced in France, where the best lavender in the world is grown and distilled into essential oil. Lavender oil is much loved and a very safe essential oil. Lavender is the most used essential oil in the states and can be blended into many formulas. True lavender is a wonderful remedy as well as fragrant component.

Aromatherapy - Absolutes

The difference between absolutes and essential oils.

Absolutes are in many cases more concentrated than essential oils. They are manufactured by a high cost labor intensive chemical expression verses steam distillation. Regardless of the processes advancement, absolutes tend to still contain trace amounts of solvent. All though the trace amount of solvent is minimal, it causes concern with those promoting the use of pure and natural products for therapeutic uses. This process is the only way that some oils such as jasmine and honeysuckle can be extracted. The aroma of absolutes are more characteristic of the actual aroma of the plant where essential oils can be different. Absolutes are superior for fragrance use.

Using chemical solvents such as pure alcohol or liquid carbon dioxide, absolutes are created from concretes (which are made from soaking plant material in hexane).  Concretes then go through a low temperature double distillation process which leaves a residual amount solvent and plant waxes. It is then diluted with alcohol, filtered then processed by vacuum distillation to remove the alcohol leaving the absolute. Since absolutes contain more non-volatile plant material than essential oils as well as solvent residues, they could provoke allergic reactions with sensitive people.

Jasmine Absolute

Jasminum grandiflorum

Origin - India

Solvent extracted from the flowers

Middle Note

Sweet with a deep richness

Aphrodisiac

Aromatherapy use - Sedative, dry or mature skin

Jasmine is native to India and Western Asia. There are many species of jasmine, up to 42 species have been recorded in India alone. We like the grandiflorum for its combination of sweet floral and deep notes and smooth character. It is an oil that brings a lightness and happy feeling to those who use it. Although this is an expensive oil, it is also very strong and should be diluted before using. It is best diluted in jojoba oil or used in a blend of other oils. As a minor component it mixes well with most other oils.