Aromatherapy - effects and recipes

Recipes and Effects of Holistic Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a holistic form of therapy in which body, soul and spirit are harmonized through the action of plant essences. These essences, also called essential oils, are used in many different ways. In the foreground of this therapy is the sense of smell, about which the essential oils are taken in first. The sense of smell reacts immediately, for example with joy, relaxation, but also disgust and rejection. This makes aromatherapy useful for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.

Contents:
Historical review
impact areas
Essential oils
Production process of essential oils
Classes of essential oils
Applications of essential oils
Examples of application

Historical review

As early as 4500 BC, oils such as cedar, nutmeg and cinnamon were used for embalming members of the upper classes. The Egyptians recognized the purpose of the plants around 3000 BC and used the essences for embalming, in cosmetics, for massage and also for health. Incense was burned at important state records at that time, with slaves carrying perfume cones on their heads, from which the fragrance poured. At that time, pills, ointments, powders and suppositories were already made from the essential oils. At the time of Christ's birth, there were already a large number of perfume shops selling fine oils from Egypt. Emperor Nemo had tubes in his palace, through which the smell of various perfumes exuded.

impact areas

1. The sense of smell
Animal and human have always relied on the smell. Animals used prey to catch their prey, spoiled food had to be detected, and people were using their noses to forecast weather changes.

Over the years, today's people, influenced by nutrition, smoking, the environment, and an abundance of smells that constantly pour in on us, have lost some of the primordial sense of smell. Even language creates a bridge between words and the smell, such as "I can not smell it," "It stinks to the sky," or "Follow the nose." Also, the smell makes memories come up. How often do we think "it smelled like grandma" or, "that smell reminds me ...".

The smell itself begins in the uppermost turbinate. There, nestled in olfactory cells, there are two postage-stamped brownish districts. These absorb the smell, then lead it via the olfactory nerves into the limbic system and from there into the central brain. From the brain there is a feedback, whereby so-called neurochemicals are released and a reaction in the form of sensations is triggered. The feelings that occur are perceived, for example, as dampening, stimulating or euphoric. In this way, the essential oils used in aromatherapy, which are used for a variety of diseases, mental disorders or ailments.

2. The skin
The skin is a large detoxification and absorption organ with an area of ​​about two square meters. The skin separates the outside world from the inner world. Through the pores of the skin and also via their hair follicles, small molecules can enter the body. Essential oils have a simple molecular structure of small size, which facilitates penetration into the skin. The essential oils applied through the skin show reflex effects on various organs.

3. The breathing
Through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract enter the vapors of the essential oils. This has for example an anticonvulsant, expectorant or disinfecting effect.

Essential oils

The term essential oils comes first of all from the word "ether" from the Greek. At that time the Greeks called the residence of the gods "ether". Later, in the eighteenth century, the term "ether" was used to refer to primeval matter, and in modern times it is understood to mean an extremely volatile and anesthetic liquid, which comes closest to the quality of an essential oil.

Essential oils are liquid components of fragrant plants, which are classified as oils, but have completely different consistency. They are highly volatile, mix poorly with water, but dissolve well in high-percentage alcohol. The source material for essential oils is contained in various parts of plants, such as shells, leaves, flowers or resin.

In aromatherapy different essential oils can be used according to the needs of the patients. Image: Floydine / fotolia.com

Production process of essential oils

1.Wasserdampfdestillation
This is the most common method. Crushed plant material is placed on a grate in the distillation flask. Steam is added from below. This dissolves the essential oil. The vapor is collected and sent to a collecting vessel containing water. The oil floats on the water surface. This is then skimmed off. In order to achieve a good quality in the steam distillation, the process must be carried out slowly. Excessive pressure and / or excessive heat can destroy the ingredients.

2. Enfleurage
This procedure is extremely expensive. It is used to obtain hard-to-isolate flower parts, if this is not possible with steam distillation. A glass plate is spread with butter or fresh pork fat and arranged on the freshly picked flower parts. Over it comes a second glass plate, coated with butter or fat and a layer of flowers. In this way, about five to six glass plates are placed one above the other. The flowers are changed daily. The whole process takes several weeks, until the fat is saturated. With the help of alcohol, the essential oil is extracted from the fat. The alcohol is later removed by evaporation. The method is mainly used for flowers such as those of jasmine or rose used. The elaborate process is also reflected in the price of a high-quality rose or jasmine oil.

3. Extraction using chemical solvents
The extraction is applied to flowers that are very sensitive to temperatures. For extraction, chemical solvents such as hexane or carbon tetrachloride are used. This of course makes the process cheaper and much easier. The plant parts are mixed with one of the solvents and heated. Once the essential oil has dissolved, the solvent is distilled off under vacuum and washed with alcohol. However, the handling of such manufactured essential oils is not entirely uncritical, as again and again traces of chemical solvents can remain in the oils.

4. cold pressing
The cold pressing does not use heat, otherwise the important components of the plants can be destroyed. The fruit peels are crushed and then cold pressed.

Classes of essential oils

The essential oils are divided into different classes, depending on the degree of volatility, which can be read on many bottles. Thus, the lowest grade oils remain the fragrance the longest, with scents of the top class, the fragrance is the fastest volatile.

base notes
This is the lowest class, which says nothing about the value. Examples of the use of the base note are nervousness, restlessness, instability and chronic processes. Myrrh, frankincense, cedar, sandalwood and many other oils have the base note. For fragrances of the base notes, the volatility is the lowest, the fragrance remains the longest.

heart notes
The middle note is the middle class, which is responsible for digestion and metabolism. These include oils, such as cardamom, fennel, aniseed, coriander, peppermint and basil.

top note
The top note represents the top class. An oil of the top note acts and evaporates the fastest. The top note is used for lethargy, melancholy, apathy and uses oils such as rosemary, juniper, sage and lavender. A good mix will contain an oil from every note. This unites body, soul and spirit into a single entity.

Applications of essential oils

1. in the aroma lamp
Two to five drops of an essential oil, depending on the size of the room, are added to the water of the aroma lamp. If children are in the room, lower doses should be used. The aroma lamp should not burn for longer than two to three hours at a time.

2. for massage
For the application in aromatherapy, essential oils are often used for massage. After a detailed medical history, it is important to find out which aroma oils are right for the person in question right now.

Some therapists also let the patient "pull" the oils themselves. This means that without knowing or even knowing the names of the oils, they simply intuitively choose one or more oils from a number. The essential oils are then added to a so-called carrier oil, which is massaged. Examples of carrier oils are almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil and sesame oil.

3. for envelopes
Essential oils work very well in conjunction with envelopes. The oils or oil are added to the cold or warm water, mixed together and a cloth soaked.

4. as a bath additive
As the aroma oils are extremely difficult to mix with water, a carrier substance is used for the application in the bathtub. The aroma oils are stirred into honey, cream, butter or oil (for example almond oil), mixed and added to the bath water.

5. for inhalation
Inhalation can be assisted with the appropriate essential oil. This is added to the hot water, stirred and then inhaled. Here are two to three drops absolutely sufficient. For children, one drop of the essential oil is enough.

6. to gargle
Pure essential oils can be used to gargle. Here is the principle, less is more.

7. Internal intake
The internal intake of an essential oil is completely in the hands of an experienced therapist. On the one hand, not every oil can be given orally, on the other hand, it is very important to pay close attention to purity. Also, the amount of oil that is to be taken must not be exceeded by any means. The experts explicitly caution against being self-medicated.

For all applications: Less is more. Likewise, it is very important to pay attention to the purity of the essential oil. Oils from low-cost products can do more damage than they help. Unwelcome reactions include malaise, nausea, headache, and even anaphylaxis (severe immediate allergic reaction).

Aromatherapy application areas

With insect bites, a drop of pure lavender oil helps against itching and swelling. To relieve headaches is peppermint oil, with which the temples are massaged. But beware, the essential oil should be used sparingly near the eyes. With pimple, dabbing the inflamed areas with a hint of tea tree oil is suitable. Oil, such as ylang ylang, rose, jasmine and sandalwood, is aphrodisiac. Warts can also be dabbed with a small drop of tea tree oil. Lavender oil is recommended for a relaxing massage. (Sw)