Aromatherapy at home is being used more and more often not only for the treatment of various diseases, but also for raising the mood. Essential oils have virtually no contraindications and are completely safe for human health. They (unlike medicines) do not stay in the body and are excreted without any consequences.
Why is aromatherapy so useful and attractive? Which plant oils can be used in certain situations (to eliminate diseases, in cosmetology, to relieve stress)? Does aromatherapy treatment have contraindications? You will find answers to these questions below.
What is aromatherapy?
This term has a double meaning:
- This is a science whose subject of study is the effect of essential oils on the human body.
- This is the process of treating various diseases with the help of the above aromatic substances.
It should be noted that aromatherapy, carried out at home, has recently gained particular popularity. Russian healers say that anyone who has used this type of treatment at least once to eliminate a specific disease will never give up on him.
Aromatherapy, in addition to successfully eliminating the symptoms of various diseases, perfectly fights stress and depression, remarkably relieves fatigue and strengthens the body as a whole.
Nowadays, when there is excessive pollution of harmful environmental substances, essential oils for the body will be an invaluable gift. They will help to cheer up after a hard day's work or, conversely, to relax.
The benefits of essential oils
Alternative medicine recommends aromatherapy treatment. Essential oils have an incredible healing effect on the human body:
- normalize sleep;
- eliminate stress;
- restore energy;
- soothe nerves and relieve irritation.
In addition, such products help to cope well with many problems, such as colds, nervous system disorders, arthritis, rheumatism, headaches, cramps, high blood pressure, motion sickness, colic in children, heartburn, swelling, cellulite.
Aromatherapy action
It should be noted that odor is essential for humans. For example, many memories are closely related to him. Once caught, the aroma remains forever in the memory. The healers note that there are two tools for influencing the body:
- memory of smell;
- composition of the ether.
Aromatic substances are produced from the hood of a certain plant. They have the ability to create a strong barrier against bacteria and viruses. Some essential oils enhance the effects of chemicals.
Aromatic substances do not linger in the body for longer than 40 minutes. Then they are excreted, while not harming human health.
Practical application
Aromatherapy at home is actively used for a variety of purposes. How are essential oils used? Very simple. There are aroma lamps. They add specially selected substances. But if there is no such product, you can do it yourself. To do this, you need to take a regular candlestick, insert a small candle into it. Install a small stand above the wick, only of such material so that it does not melt. There you need to pour a little water and add a few drops of essential oil (4 drops of the product will be needed per 30 square meters). The distance between the candle and the stand is at least 20 cm, otherwise the water will begin to boil. This installation may well be able to replace the aroma lamp.
Home aromatherapy is carried out in other ways:
- Apply to special items (small pillows and figures, aromaamendalons).
- Do inhalation.
- Spray out of a spray bottle.
- Take a bath.
- Do the massage.
Essential oils for pregnant women
For women in the position of particular relevance is aromatherapy. At home, it can be carried out without problems, it is only important to choose the right healing substance.
When resorting to treatment with aromatherapy oils, it is recommended for pregnant women to observe several simple rules:
- Acquire products only in pharmacies.
- Check them for an allergic reaction from the body.
- Do not use unpleasant odors.
- Before carrying out the procedure, be sure to consult with an experienced specialist.
A visit to the doctor about this issue is extremely important, since each person has individual contraindications, not to mention a woman in a position whose body can behave differently during treatment with essential oils. In addition, there are some products that are forbidden to use by pregnant women, as they can cause serious health problems for both the mother and her baby.
Essential oils that are shown to women in position:
- anise;
- jasmine
- neroli;
- Lemon
- petite graine;
- roses.
Aromatic oils have a positive effect on the pregnant woman's body:
- calm the nervous system;
- act as an antiseptic;
- destroy bacteria;
- increase immunity;
- improve the digestive tract;
- affect respiratory function;
- stimulate appetite;
- anesthetize.
Such home aromatherapy is absolutely harmless, but if you use only natural essential substances.
Options for children
The reaction of babies to different flavors is mostly positive. Essential oils help prevent colds in children, normalize their sleep, maintain a good mood.
The choice of aromatics for the smallest needs to be taken seriously. It should be noted that in most cases children like warm and sweet smells. It is advisable to apply such oils on special small pillows or on clay figures.
Experts note that there are a number of substances whose use excludes children's aromatherapy. Essential oils, in addition, in most cases it is not recommended for babies under 2 years old. Only a doctor can prescribe a similar method of treatment.
So, aromatherapy for children under 1 year of age prohibits the use of peppermint. Until the age of 6, it is undesirable to use essential oils of geranium, tea tree, thyme and rosemary. Up to 12 years old, it is not recommended to use clove oil.
Aromatherapy for children will be effective if you follow a few important recommendations:
- Do not break the rules for storing oils.
- Do not use these substances inside.
- Do not use oils undiluted.
- Follow the dosage indicated in the instructions.
- Before use, consult a practicing aromatherapist.
Aromatherapy Recipes
There are special combinations of oils that help in a particular situation:
- for insomnia, it is recommended to take 3 drops of lavender oil + 3 drops of ylang-ylang oil;
- for the treatment of colds, you need to prepare the following mixture of oils: 2 drops of tea tree + 2 drops of eucalyptus + 2 drops of sage;
- To eliminate skin problems (inflammation, redness, fissures), it is necessary to take such oils in the following amounts: 3 drops of clary sage + 2 drops of lavender + 1 drop of chamomile.
Pregnant women are recommended to use the following aroma cocktails:
- with toxicosis, alternative medicine advises lemon oil, peppermint and grapefruit to take 1 drop and rub into whiskey and dots behind the ears;
- a mixture of the following oils will help improve your mood: 3 drops of jasmine + 3 drops of rose + 1 drop of patchouli;
- stress can be relieved with 50 ml of peach oil + 3 drops of rose oil + 3 drops of palmarosa oil + 5 drops of lavender oil + 2 drops of honey (rub in the wrist or points behind the ears);
- essential oils of sage, verbena, jasmine or clove are great for relieving labor (apply 1 drop on the upper lip).
Aromatherapy for children is carried out with the following combinations of healing products:
- For the treatment of colds, the following oils are taken: 2 drops of eucalyptus + 1 drop of tea tree + 2 drops of lavender. Combine this mixture with a spoon of vegetable oil and rub into the chest and back of the child.
- When insect bites, you need these oils: 1 drop of lavender + 1 drop of chamomile. Lubricate the affected area with the resulting product.
- To treat barley, dissolve 1 drop of chamomile oil in a dessert spoon of warm water. Make lotions on the eye.
- To relieve heat in children over 6 years old, you need to take these oils: 2 drops of eucalyptus + 2 drops of lavender + 1 drop of tea tree + 1 dessert spoon of vegetable oil. With this mixture, lubricate the neck and tonsils.
Essential Oil Treatment Tips
It should be noted that the use of the same essential oil is recommended for no more than 10 days. Over time, the body gets used to the substance used, the healing properties of the latter are reduced.
Undiluted essential oil is forbidden to be applied to mucous membranes and skin.
It is recommended to store these substances in a dry and cool place where a stable temperature is observed.
Last but not least advice: always follow the instructions that came with the substance vial. Never exceed a dosage and pay attention to contraindications.
Selection rules
When buying aromatics, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Bubbles with oil should only be dark in color, since this natural product is afraid of sunlight.
- The name of the fragrance must be written in Latin letters with the designation "100% natural essential oil."
And the main thing: high-quality natural aromatic oils cannot be cheap.
Aromatherapy: reviews
On the Internet there are many responses of people who used essential oils to eliminate various health problems. The reviews are mostly positive.
In most cases, people recommend using aromatic oils to increase immunity and improve mood. There are reviews of people who have used such natural products to reduce cravings for alcohol (especially cedar tree oil helps in this).
Many reviews from women using aromatic oils in cosmetology. For example, rosewood oil, according to the responses, perfectly eliminates any signs of allergies (itching, burning, red spots), stretch marks and other problems with the skin.
There are many responses from patients for whom aromatherapy has become almost the last hope to be cured. Essential oils helped them cope with many women's problems: cervical erosion, inflammation, candidiasis.
Harm
It should be noted that aromatherapy has practically no contraindications. Oils can occasionally cause minor side effects:
- Dizziness
- headaches;
- an allergy.
This happens only when a person without the recommendations of a specialist improperly selects aromatic substances for himself.
Also, with particular care, the above products should be used by nursing mothers and pregnant women, because there are a number of aromatic oils that they are strictly forbidden to use.
Aromatherapy at home is a pleasant way to treat many diseases. Be healthy!