Aromatheraphy for Natural Health: An A-Z Guide to Essential Oils, Wellbeing and Natural Therapies
Today, aromatherapy is one of the most popular of all complementary therapies, offering a wide range of highly effective treatments to both the acute and chronic stages of illness and disease. At the same time, regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby establishing a preventative approach to overall health.
I love all types of flowers but my favourite are bright flowers!
In my garden are all different kinds of flowers but they are all mostly brightly coloured!
I have gladiolus,lupins,roses,daisies,tulips,daffodils,perrenials and lilies!
I enjoy sitting in my sunroom looking out at my lovely garden especially in the summertime!
It takes a good bit of work looking after the flowers I deadhead them,prune the roses,get rid of the weeds,water them during the summer months and also transplant some of them!
Last summer I bought a few bags of flower bulbs in Lidl and put them in pots in our polytunnel and when they were fully grown I transplanted them into bigger pots in the garden!
I enjoy looking at all the lovely colours especially the red flowers as red is my favourite colour!
Red is a beautiful colour as it is cheerful and bright!
See below a photo of my favourite flower in our lovely garden!
Do you have a favourite flower I would love if you all would post a picture if you do in the comment section below or send me an email!
I love all types of flowers even wild flowers when I go for a walk I sometimes take a photo of the different wild flowers in my locality!
See below some pictures of the wild flowers!
These are some beautiful bluebells I saw at the side of the road arent they lovely!
These are some wild flowers I liked the look of I dont know what they are called would any of you know their name?
This is a close up picture of a white narcissus at the corner of a field!
I saw some really pretty pink flowers during my walk!
These are a selection of wild flowers in Ireland!
Why dont each of us post one of our favourite wildflowers in the comment section below and see who can take the prettiest shot!
One of the reasons that aromatherapy has been so hugely successful is because it uses a holistic approach, whereby the aromatherapist takes into account a persons medical history, emotional condition, general health and lifestyle before planning a course of treatment. The whole person is treated – not just the symptoms of an illness – and this is in direct opposition to the modern trend of just treating the presented condition.
Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.
Because smell is so closely associated with memory, the sense of smell and the physiological processes involved can trigger memories associated with a particular scent, and recall the emotions we felt at that time. This can energize our spirits or bring back a mood of being happy and loved.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from botanical material (flowers, herbs and other aromatic plants) to achieve relaxation, relief from stress and other disorders. The oils are applied to the body in different ways – massage, inhalation, bath, creams, compresses etc and as a rule are not taken internally.
This form of treatment is based on the premise that minute quantities of the oils are absorbed into the body through the skin or lungs (in inhalation therapy) and then interact with the body chemistry to counter stress, boost the immune system and assist with a host of other medical problems.
It must be kept in mind that this form of treatment to help alleviate medical conditions should be seen as a complementary therapy and not as an alternative to conventional medicine.
Never adjust your medications without the guidance of your doctor, and if you suspect you may be diabetic, schedule a consult with your doctor right away.
For more great Health and Nutrition Tips refer to the website positivehealthwellness.com.
One way to boost your diabetes management is with essential oils, used in various ways to improve insulin sensitivity, manage body composition, and improve overall digestive wellness.
For diabetes and essential oils, the key is to think outside of the box. If you are working toward weight loss to relieve the severity of your diabetes, then diffusing essential oils that energize and potentially benefit weight loss might be the way to go.
If you’re trying to help a wound heal while diabetes hinders the process, an antiseptic and healing oil in a topical formula could do the trick.
Essential oils can be used to reduce the side effects of some complication (ulcer: loss of skin integrity) and can also ameliorate the stress of the coping with a lifelong chronic condition such as diabetes.
Diabetes complications can occur throughout the body, and essential oils can help to counter these issues and support the body’s intended processes. Look for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and stress relieving oils as a start to your essential oil “medicine” cabinet.
Health Benefits Of Essential Oils
Essential Oil Benefits: 29 Amazing Essential Oil Benefits for Better Health
Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, essential oils protect plants and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.
The physical and chemical properties of the volatile aromatic compounds that compose essential oils allow them to quickly move through the air and directly interact with the olfactory sensors in the nose.
Such unique properties make essential oils ideal for applications inclusion in aromatherapy – using these compounds from plants to help maintain a healthy mind and body – as well as other applications. The type of volatile aromatic compounds present in an essential oil determines both the oil’s aroma and the benefits it offers.
If you’ve got diabetes, these oils won’t cure it. There is no known cure for diabetes. What they can do is help manage your blood sugars and other symptoms that come along with being diabetic. Some will be able to help regulate blood sugar while others will deal with more specific symptoms such as diabetic neuropathy (pain).
When using essential oils for diabetes, make sure that you’re only using 100% pure essential oil .You can use these essential oils for diabetes in a couple of different ways.
First, you can pick up an essential oil diffuser and diffuse them through the air in your home. This has the added benefit of helping your home to smell amazing and letting others in your home get the benefit of the oils too.
If that doesn’t work for you, you can mix them with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil in an essential oil roller bottle to directly on your skin as a massage oil. Coconut oil also makes a fantastic carrier oil and actually has fantastic benefits for diabetics too.
Massage is the most common aromatherapy treatment. The combination of the essential oils and beneficial effects of manual massage promote healing on the body’s tissues and internal organs. The essential oils are never applied directly to the skin rather they are mixed in a base medium to minimise any potential allergic reaction.
Everyone appreciates a hot relaxing bath and many people add proprietary perfumed products. A lot of these products contain the type of essential oils used in aromatherapy.
Adding essential oils to hot bath water can soothe and ease away pains and aches. It also helps to relax and induce a sense of calmness by ridding the body of any tiredness. The hot water also helps to release soothing vapours from the essential oils.
Hair conditions such as dandruff, dry scalp and greasy hair can be treated by aromatherapy. Drops of an appropriate essential oil added to an olive oil or almond oil base creates a therapeutic conditioner.
As an effective therapy for muscular injuries and ailments, rheumatism, headaches and bruises aromatherapy compresses are excellent.
An aromatherapy compress is prepared by dropping five drops of aromatherapy oil into a bowl of water and soaking a piece of absorbent material in the solution. Cold water should be used for acute pain, swelling or feverishness.
Hot water should be used for chronic pain. After soaking the material squeeze out excess water but leave the material quite wet. Apply the wet material to the area to be treated and secure it in place with bandage wrapping. The aromatherapy compress should be left in place for a minimum of two hours.For serious ailments the compress should be changed when it reaches body temperature.
A steam inhalation can help relieve congestion and coughs, and can also produce beneficial results for those with oily skin or acne. Add a few drops of the oil to a bowl of water. Sit with your face above the bowl and cover the entire head with a towel so the vapours do not escape. This method achieves fast and effective results, and taking deep breaths helps to accelerate the process.
Aromatherapy steam: Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water to relieve congestion and clear the sinuses. For stress headaches, try several drops of chamomile and lavender.
The scent from aromatherapy oils is so strong that they can make the best air fresheners in your home.
For example, place a few drops of your favorite Essential Oil onto a small piece of cloth and toss into the clothes dryer. The heat from the dryer will activate the scent and make your clothes (and the entire room) smell great!
Click Here For More Information On Essential Oils
Aromatherapy Tips
DON’T: Don’t buy perfume oils thinking they are the same thing as essential oils. Perfume oils do not offer the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Even if you only intend on using aromatherapy in your lifestyle for the sheer enjoyment of the aroma, essential oils that are breathed in can offer therapeutic benefits. These benefits do not occur with the use of perfume oils.
DON’T: Do not use water to dilute Essential Oils, water only INCREASES the strength of the oil. If you ever mistakenly apply an oil to your skin and it ends up burning or itching, do not use water to dilute it–instead you should use a carrier oil.
DO: To test if you’re sensitive to an essential oil (which is probably best to do before using it in a skincare preparation): Combine one drop of essential oil with 1/2 tsp carrier oil (like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond). Rub this on the inside, upper portion of your arm and wait a few hours. If no redness or itching develops, you’re most likely not sensitive to that essential oil.
DO: Read as much as you can on Aromatherapy. It is very easy to get started with Aromatherapy, but there are safety issues that you need to be aware of.
DO: Be selective of where you purchase your essential oils. The quality of essential oils varies widely from company to company. Additionally, some companies may falsely claim that their oils are undiluted or pure when they aren’t.
DON’T: It is wise not to purchase oils from vendors at street fairs, craft shows, or other limited-time events.
DO: Purchasing oils from reputable mail-order companies and websites may result in obtaining higher quality oils at less expense than purchasing oils from a generic local health food establishment.
DO: Store your oils in dark glass (amber or cobalt blue) and in a cool, dark place.
DO: Pay special attention to all safety information on all essential oils that you use. This is even more important if you have any medical condition or are pregnant.
DON’T: Do not take essential oils internally, especially oils like wintergreen and eucalyptus. While some essential oils may be used well-diluted in something like toothpaste with safety, it’s generally recognized that there’s no need to take essential oils internally.
DO: Last but not least, do enjoy introducing aromatherapy into your lifestyle!
If you have any information,questions, or feedback you would like to include in this webpage.
Please email momo19@diabetessupportsite.com or leave your comments below.
Hi Maureen as a person who has diabetes I found your article to be very interesting and informative. I had purchased some essential oils last year but they were for something totally different. I have heard about using essential oils for aromatherapy before but never really looked into it. After reading your article I am going to explore this option more.
I do remember years ago if one of us kids were stuffed up really bad my mother had us inhale steam with our head above a bowl and covered with a towel. I have no idea what she put in the water back then but it sure did work.
So thanks for the great info!
Hello Maureen,
It is highly beneficial for diabetics to play an active role in the management of their diabetes by reading, researching and networking with others that have diabetes.
I find these activities can dramatically help diabetics like you and me understand this complex disease and learn important information that can help us better maintain control of our blood glucose levels and thus reduce the chance of diabetic complications.
Factors like stress management, getting a restful night’s sleep, laughter, healthy food, exercise and positive relationships can all impact how we feel not only our day-to-day blood sugars but most importantly our overall health.
For hundreds of years, we know that essential oils and herbs were used for medicinal purposes from uses such as an anesthesia to relaxation.
There isn’t any medical evidence to support the use of essential oils as a treatment for diabetes.
However, essential oils may be used to help treat complications of diabetes, including gastrointestinal issues,weight gain,improving energy (thanks to a deep, restful night’s sleep), naturally encouraging detoxification and supporting the immune system.
It is a misconception to believe that all diabetics are overweight or obese, or that obesity causes diabetes. However, weight loss and exercise are strongly encouraged as a method to help manage blood glucose levels.
Although essential oils do not directly promote weight loss, they can be uplifting and help provide the emotional support needed to maintain the energy and motivation for weight loss and ongoing fitness.
Essential oils should be used with caution and in conjunction with your doctor’s recommended treatment.
I strongly recommend that diabetics absolutely refrain from any internal use of essential oils without being under the direct care of a qualified aromatherapist and their doctor.
Hi! I like reading your post about aromatheraphy and its effects on diabetes, as I myself is a diabetic. You have detailed information about the benefits of aromatherapy and the different essential oils. These information are very useful and informative. I’ve heard about aromatherapies before but I never really thought it had medical benefits. I use essentials oils just for fragrance and I did not know that by having them in my home it helps healthwise. Perhaps, I should be more observant now of the effects and next time I shop for these aromatherapy oils I have a better understanding of how it it going to affect my health. Thank you for a very informative post.
Hello Rebecca,
It is great that you enjoyed reading this article and found it informative.
Plant oils have been used by many different cultures for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
The Egyptians used plant oils for cosmetic reasons, and are credited for inventing perfume. They also used oils from plants such as myrrh, cedarwood, clove and nutmeg to embalm their dead.
The Greeks and the Romans used the oils as perfumes, as anti-inflammatories and to heal wounds.
Today, aromatherapy is used in North America and Europe, particularly in France, for its therapeutic qualities.
Aromatherapy can be a useful tool for stress-relief and relaxation at home.
Many people take aromatherapy baths by adding a few drops of certain oils such as lavender, geranium, rose, sandalwood or spruce oil to a hot bath and soaking for at least ten minutes.
If done correctly, aromatherapy is a very safe practice. However, because some plants contain harmful toxins, it is important to understand the oil and how to apply it. Never put undiluted oils directly on the skin (except lavender and tea tree oil for certain skin conditions), and keep them away from the eyes and from open flames. Oils should also never be swallowed.