Aromatherapy Oils Improve Mind, Body & Spirit!

Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that utilizes essential oils found in plants to promote physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Essential oils are produced by steam distillation.  Through the process of distillation the oily component of the plant is separated from the water. The ending process is an oily volatile component which is the basis of plant scent. It dates back to ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans and Chinese cultures that used to burn scented flowers and herbs to enjoy aromatic baths and massage. It is also used in skin care solutions for curative and cosmetic purposes.

Scientific research has proven that Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects. Aromatherapy benefits includes stress and headache relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormone regulation, muscle relaxation, immune system stimulation, blood circulation, dry skin relief and more.

In a study carried out at the Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano en Chile, it was found that anxiety and stress were reduced in a group of hospitalized patients in an Internal Medicine Ward. These two conditions are difficult to treat with traditional medicine. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of aromatherapy administered by simple atmospheric diffusion of an essence with anxiolytic properties in both patients and staff. The chemical analysis of the essence evidenced compounds such as Linalool and Linalyl Acetate, which are thought to be responsible for the anxiolytic effect. It was found that 80% of hospitalized patients and staff in the Internal Medicine ward perceived the smell of the ward as “pleasant”, 71% of patients and 40% of the staff perceived some degree of relaxation and, 53% respectively perceived an improvement in their mood, 57% of the patients reported pain relief. Regarding adverse affects, 84% reported no adverse effects and the remaining 16% (7 patients) reported headaches and irritation of the eyes, and mucous. Reference: http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/pdf/856/85650406.pdf

Essential Oils can be blended together to create appealing aromas. They can also be blended for a specific therapeutic application. Properties from the oils cover a wide range of natural healing, relaxing and uplifting attributes. Essential oils that are carefully blended with a specific therapeutic purpose in mind are referred to as essential oil synergies. A synergistic essential oil blend is of critical importance.  It is clear that two oils of differing chemical compositions will have markedly different pharmacological and healing effects.

Essential oils that are inhaled offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help ease congestion is a prominent example. Aromatherapy activates the old factory process and lets us rediscover the nearly forgotten aromas of plants.  Perhaps aroma-therapy is the greatest asset to finding the link between physical and emotional health.

Essential oils that are applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The constituents of essential oils can aid in health, beauty and hygiene conditions. Since essential oils are so powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. To apply essential oils to the skin, essential oils are typically diluted into a carrier such as a cold pressed vegetable oil, also known as a carrier oil. Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and grape seed oil.

* Aromatherapy did not become popular in the United States until the 1980s. Today, many lotions, candles, and beauty products are sold as “aromatherapy.” However, many of these products contain synthetic fragrances that do not have the same properties as essential oils.

The United States does not regulate the use of the word aromatherapy on product packaging, labeling or in product advertising, so any product can be marketed as a product suitable for aromatherapy. There are quite a few products on the market that contain unnatural ingredients including fragrance oils and claim to be aromatherapeutic. It’s important to look at the ingredient label when seeking true aromatherapy products.

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Rhodiola Rosea: Herbal Adaptogen to Reduce Stress

Rhodiola Rosea or “Golden Root” can help our bodies adapt to stress. It has been used in the traditional medicine of Russia, Scandinavia, and other countries. Between 1748 and 1961 various medicinal applications of Rhodiola Rosea appeared in the scientific literature of Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Iceland. Since 1961, more than 180 pharmacological, phytochemical and clinical studies have been published.

Although Rhodiola Rosea has been extensively studied as an adaptogen with various health-promoting effects, it’s properties remain largely unknown in the West. This may be partially due to the fact that the bulk of research has been published in Slavic and Scandinavian languages.

Traditional folk medicine used Rhodiola Rosea to increase physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders. In mountain villages of the Republic of Georgia, a bouquet of roots is still given to couples prior to marriage to enhance fertility and assure the birth of healthy children. In Middle Asia, Rhodiola Rosea tea was the most effective treatment for cold and flu during severe Asian winters. Mongolian doctors prescribed it for tuberculosis and cancer. For centuries, only family members knew where to harvest the wild “golden roots” and the methods of extraction. Siberians secretly transported the herb down ancient trails to the Caucasian Mountains where it was traded for Georgian wines, fruits, garlic, and honey. Chinese emperors sent expeditions to Siberia to bring back the “golden root” for medicinal preparations.

Rhodiola Rosea has also been used as an astringent and for the treatment of hernia, leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge), hysteria, and headache. In 1755 Rhodiola Rosea was included in the first Swedish Pharmacopoeia. Vikings used the herb to enhance their physical strength and endurance. German researchers described the benefits of Rhodiola Rosea for pain, headache, scurvy, hemorrhoids, as a stimulant, and as an anti-inflammatory.

There are still more scientific studies being held in which scientists are exploring its diverse physiological effects. Future medical applications are being developed including medicines to treat diseases such as cancer and radiation sickness, and enhancing physical and mental performance.

Click Here for Information on Rhodiola Rosea.

10 Healthy Ways to Reduce Stress Naturally

1. Identify the Sources of Stress in Your Life
   However minor or major, the sources of stress can effect your appetite, mood, sleep patterns, immune functions, cognitive functions, mental perception and even sexual health can be affected. Recognizing the sources of stress can help you to mentally and physically prepare for or cope with daily stressors.
2. Balance Stress Sources
   After identifying your sources of stress you need to find a way to balance them. Your top sources of stress are really weighing on you both physically and mentally. Try to divide them up evenly and devote the same amount of time and energy to each source. This will help you to focus on rectifying the cause of that particular stress but not necessarily worry and ‘stress’ over it.
3. Exercise
   Physically activity can help work out the negative effects of stress on your body. Releasing endorphins is a great way to release built up anxiety. When your body is relaxed it also helps your mind to relax.
4. Get Enough Sleep
   Lack of sleep makes you vulnerable to anxiety and feelings of worry or panic. It can be difficult to sleep especially when you have a stressful event going on in your life that keeps you awake at night. Take an extra 15min to 30min to calm yourself down before bed. Don’t drink caffeine just before bed. Clear your mind and focus on breathing deeply and letting any unsettled matters or worry leave your body for the moment. Think of a short sequence of calming words and let them invoke you as you cuddle up in your bed. CALM – PEACE – RELAX – WARM. You can even think of a flavor or a persons face that brings you a lot of comfort.
5. Practice Deep Breathing Exercises Daily
   Breathing exercises can help to reduce the EXTRA built up tension that is caused by stress. They can help you unload the added weight caused by stressful situations and help your mind re-focus it’s efforts. Doing these daily can help your body to naturally respond and release or exhale added stress in immediate / unexpected stressful situations.
6. Take a Day off
   Everyone needs a little “ME” Time and we all look forward to days off. Stress can come from various sources and sometimes we just need to get away from it all. A vacation is not always in the cards right when we need it. So we suggest taking an extra day off when you’re at a boiling point. If you can’t take one off during the week due to work, then take one weekend day and devote it to extra sleep, taking a walk in the park, shopping, or whatever you LIKE to do that brings you enjoyment. This will help you mentally give yourself the extra attention you may need or the sense of happy and wellbeing you deserve. You will feel calmer and more relaxed after enjoying a day off and the rest of the week won’t seem as stressful.
7. Pursue a Hobby
   Keeping your mind busy is important to your sense of wellbeing. Work, deadlines and personal responsibilities are constantly filling your mind with stress, nervousness and feelings of worry. Take a load off by entertaining your mind with a hobby. Reading, writing, painting, fishing, collecting, knitting, and sports are all great hobbies. They let your mind take a vacation in the middle of the day or after work. You are in control of your hobby and there is no deadline on a hobby. This will keep your mind busy with healthy aspirations and personal achievements while allowing you to physically release some of your bottled up feelings and built up anxiety.
8. Avoid Junk Food
   Eliminate foods that create stress on your body. Processed foods such as artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, candy, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour products, foods heavy in preservatives and or heavy spices, chips and other snack foods. These can bring you down and make you feel sluggish.
9. Aromatherapy
   You know the old saying, “Take time to stop and smell the roses” well it’s true. If you stop to smell the aromas of nature you can have a day filled with less stress. Relaxing can be as simple as smelling! Chamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, vanilla and sweet marjoram are all natural aromas that stimulate the brain and  promote a sense of relaxation. Nature produces beauty and aroma meant for us to enjoy, you can use essential oils or incense.*Put a drop on a tissue and carry it with you, if you start to get stressed just pull it out and breathe in a calming aroma.

   *You can also burn incense in your home when you come back from work.
   This will comfort you and help you develop your calm happy place; you will actually forward to it after a long day.

10. Learn to Relax.
    We are all in demand in some way in our daily lives. Some of us need more encouragement to let loose than others. Teach yourself that relaxation is important to your overall physical and mental wellbeing. You can live a longer, healthier life if you are not always stressed out. Calm down, breathe, let it go. Take a walk, get a massage, listen to soothing nature sounds, get an extra nap in, go out dancing, but just relax!