That is the essential question.
Essential oils are one of our planet’s greatest underappreciated resources. The use of aromatherapy is a system of natural help that can surpass simple medicine, as it can be used to prevent illness, as well as to alleviate symptoms. In the fourth century, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said that “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage everyday,” recognizing that burning aromatic herbs and oils offered protection against contagious diseases.
Today most of our medicines and household cleaners and “air fresheners” are chemically-based. The cumulative effect of these products combined with the toxic air we breathe (indoor air pollution can be much worse than outdoor pollutants!) just cannot be good — for our health and our planet’s. Hence the movement towards renewed interest in using essential oils in our daily life, and doing away with the chemical stuff.
Essential oils are chemical-free, natural and extracted from many species of leaves, roots, flowers, trees, grasses and fruits…… The safest alternative for our chemically-laden lives, right?
While the answer is a resounding “YES!”, before you run out to fill your medicine cabinet with a range of fragrant oils, there are cautions that everyone needs to be aware of. Many of these oils are the active ingredients in western medicine, and as such they require knowledge and understanding before using them. After all, you wouldn’t just take some of your cousin’s perscription medication because you liked the colour, or the shape of the pill, would you?
There are very few oils that can be applied directly to the skin. Most oils are diluted in a base, or carrier oil, so that they can be massaged or rubbed into the skin in the correct dosage.
Other methods of using essential oils are
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inhalation, using steam or applying the oils to a tissue
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in baths, showers or saunas, foot and hand soaks, diffusers and humidifiers
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the addition of essential oils to various products, such as creams and shampoos or household cleansers.
It is very important to first learn
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about the individual oils before you use them.
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how much to use of each oil, and what its ratio of dilution is
Many oils have strong effects on various medical conditions and we need to be aware of the effects of the oils first.
For example:
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Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme Essential oils should be avoided if one has high blood pressure
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Rosemary, Fennel, Sage, and Hyssop oils should be avoided if one has epilepsy
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Angelica should be avoided if one has diabetes
It is also very important to be carefull of essential oils during pregnancy. Many, many oils have an Emmenagogic reaction, that is, they can bring on menstruation. Personally, it is recommend that women do not use any essential oils during the first trimester- just to be on the safe side.
Instead of listing Oils to be avoided during pregnancy, which is rather extensive, the following is a list of oils that are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Although this list is accepted as “safe”, it is strongly recommend that you use extreme caution with essential oils during pregnancy and to see a qualified doctor of homeopathy or naturopathy before using any.
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Tangerine
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Mandarin
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Grapefruit
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Geranium
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Chamomile Roman
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Rose Bulgar
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Rose Maroc
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Jasmin
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Ylang-Ylang
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Lavender
