Making scents of aromatherapy
by Jen Huska

For over 6000 years, aromatherapy has been helping to ease every day health symptoms felt by people around the world. There are healing properties connected to various essential oils, which were first discovered accidentally in the 1920’s by a French chemist. This French chemist burnt his arm and put it in the nearest cold liquid, which happened to be lavender oil. After doing so, he noticed pain relief right away and that the burn healed quicker with less discomfort and scarring.

Today, aromatherapy is still used with essential oils to help heal, minimize, and comfort the human race. Anita Wray from Parkwood Therapeutics in Bowmanville, Ontario, performs aromatherapy massages. She uses different essential oils depending on the patient’s mood and what symptoms they are feeling. Her clients often buy the oils to use at home in various methods: in a bath, a diffuser, as a compress, by inhalation, on a burner, or even as a deodorizer. Here are some scents and their uses:

Chamomile Blue: Anti-inflammatory properties, and helps soothe digestive tract complaints. Can also be useful as a sedative for insomnia. However, it’s not safe for use during early pregnancy.

Carrot Seed: This oil can be used to increase elasticity in aging skin, and helps tone and revitalize dry, pale skin. Can also be used as a detoxifier for the liver, digestive tract, muscles, and joints. For sufferers of gout and arthritis Carrot Seed is a good soothing essential oil. However, it must NOT be used during pregnancy.

Lavender: This is the most versatile essential oil, as it can be used for numerous health symptoms. It has incredible calming and balancing properties, along with being an analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, and antiviral oil. For those who have difficulty sleeping, Lavender can be used as a sedative. You can try a few drops on a tissue, which you put inside your pillowcase at night. Something that is really helpful is that lavender blends well with many other oils. Great for muscular pain and burns, lavender is a soothing agent for many skin types. Amazingly, it promotes the growth of new healthy skin cells, and can be useful on insect bites as well.

Lemon: This scent is a powerful antiseptic and astringent. Used in skin care as a stimulant, toner, and refresher; however, it can be irritating to the skin as well, so lemon must be used with caution. For those times of feeling low you can use it as an emotionally uplifting agent. Lemon does mix well with other oils as well.

Orange: Both an uplifting and calming scent, it must be diluted before use, as it may cause skin sensitivity. It has been reported to be useful in the growth and repair of skin.

Rosemary: This scent is proven to be helpful for mild respiratory and muscular symptoms.

Pine Needle: This scent can be used as a deodorizer as well as an antiseptic for the lungs and is helpful with muscular pain. Pine does refresh, deodorize, and stimulate the senses.

Interestingly, aromatherapy can also be helpful for those who may not be able to smell any of the oils/scents. Your body still reacts the same way as those who are able to smell the oils do, and the scents still help your body in the same way. The best way to use aromatherapy oils is by following directions on the package. To prepare the essential oils, be sure to follow directions exactly as they are written out. The amount of oil necessary often depends on age and the method of use. And of course, aromatherapy is not suitable for those who are sensitive to scents or fragrances. There are usually instructions on the package to test for sensitivity.

Next time you need to unwind, consider an essential oil that will awaken your senses and ‘smell’ your complaints away.

Source: Anita Wray, Parkwood Therapeutics, www.wikipedia.com