Concept Of Aromatherapy

Benefit of Essential Oils
Different oils elicit different physical and emotional responses. Some calm us; some excite us. Some make us happy; some make us reflective. Some enhance our spiritual side; some increase our desire for carnal pleasure.

The following is a list of commonly used essential oils and the response they are believed to evoke.

Basil: Promotes peace and happiness
Bergamot: Promotes restful sleep
Black pepper: Increases alertness
Chamomile: Promotes sleep and tranquility
Cinnamon: Increase energy and awareness
Clove: Promotes healing
Dill Sharpens the conscious mind
Eucalyptus: Promotes healing
Geranium: Promotes happiness
Ginger: Increase energy
Jasmine: Promotes love, sex, and sleep
Lavender: Counteracts insomnia
Lemon: Promotes health, healing, and energy
Lemon grass: Purifies the body
Nutmeg: Increase energy
Orange: Increase joy and energy
Peppermint: Sharpens the conscious mind
Rosemary: Promotes longevity
Sage: Improve memory
Thyme: Promote good health
Water lily: Promotes peace and happiness

Aromatherapy In Shower And Bath
Today's fast-paced living often allows little time for more than a quick shower. However, you still can enjoy aromatherapy shower by using natural soap with essential oil to clean the body but not dry out the skin. Then stand under a warm shower until you feel thoroughly relaxed. Body brush or a loofa can be used for exfoliating.

Therapeutic Spa Shower
Alternating hot and cold showers helps to stimulate the blood supply to the skin and restore lost tautness and vitality. Such spa showers are even said to help prevent premature aging of the skin and eliminate fatigue.
Take a warm shower until your skin is warm.
Switch the temperature to cold and hold the shower about 3 inches from the skin's surface. Quickly move the shower head over your whole body, directing over your face, down your arms and legs, over your torso, abdomen and back. The whole process should take no more than 30 seconds.
Repeat steps 1 and 2, then get out of the shower and pat off the excess water. Do not rub the skin, and dress warmly as soon as you are dry.
A bath helps keep body and soul together. A bath is one of the most wonderful ways to use aromatherapy. Sea salt added to bathwater helps removes toxic substances from your body. It cleanses the whole system. Minerals contained in sea salt help strengthen the immune system. Pour the mixture of sea salt and 5-10 drops of essential oils into the tub water. Stir well to allow the salt to dissolve. Enjoy your own creation of a fragrant ?sea water? for about ten minutes.

Steam Inhalation
This is an excellent way to treat throat, chest and sinus problems. Pour some boiling water into a bowl and add 10 drops of essential oil. Eucalyptus oil, in particular, is an excellent decongestant and a powerful natural antiseptic. Cover your head with a thick towel and breathe in deeply. Continue for about 10 minutes. Caution: do not use this method if you have asthma.

Foot Bath
Prepare a foot bath in a large bowl. Cold water will stimulate circulation and be refreshing on hot summer day when you feel heavy and tired, but don’t use cold water when your feet are already cold. A hot foot bath helps relax the whole body and helps soothe women with gynaecological problems, like cramps and weak or missed periods, as well as poor circulation.

Aromatherapy Massage
Basic massage methods can relax and rebalance your system. Massage is not just a treat or whimsy; it really does help you feel better. Even the most basic massage, done without any training or instruction, helps to stimulate the circulation and dilate the blood vessels. You can see this happening when the area that you massage reddens. The improved blood flow helps to reoxygenate the tissues, bringing nutrients to the site and taking away toxins. It also boosts the lymphatic system and can reduce fluid retention. The heat produced by the massage and the extra blood flow helps to relax muscular tension. Regular deep-tissue massage can be extremely helpful if you are under stress, particular if you combine it with therapeutic properties of sedative aromatherapy oils, which are readily absorbed into the skin during the massage.

Create a Room for Aromatherapy
One of the most enjoyable elements of going to a health spa is being in comfortable, sumptuous surroundings, so make sure you spend some time setting the scene at home. Turn the lights down low in the bathroom and light candles to enhance the atmosphere. Our sense of smell has a strong effect on the balance of our emotions and can be used to relieve anxiety, depression and mental fatigue. To make your bathroom and bedroom smell sweet, use an oil burner with a few drops of relaxing essential oil, such as geranium, jasmine or lavender. All you have to do then is lie back and inhale the therapeutic scent as you enjoy your spa treatments. Some important points to remember when using essential oils.