Aromatherapy: how and what is treated with essential oils. Rules to follow in aromatherapy. The use of essential oils in diseases of the bronchopulmonary system

Under natural conditions, treatment with sunlight and moonlight, sunrise and sunset, inhalation of natural aromas turned out to be effective. The oldest is the treatment with smells, that is, the inhalation of essential oils of various plants: roses, mint, lemon balm, wormwood, lavender, rosemary, fir, etc.

Sometimes, vivid memories of long-past events pop up in our minds, seemingly for no reason, but in fact they are caused by the smells that accompanied these events and which we then did not pay attention to. This is especially evident when communicating with objects of the plant and animal world. The earthly atmosphere is filled with the aromas of flowers, plants, their world is diverse and latent energy large enough. Even in ancient times, man realized the power of aromas and learned how to use them.

Aromatherapy is one of the oldest ways to heal, relax and energize your body and mind through aroma.

Aromatherapy is considered as an additional medical tool, mainly based on the use of essential oils, which are extracted from plants and their parts (oils can be extracted from leaves, roots, flowers, resin, nuts and tree bark. It is also widely used in autogenic training and meditation sessions.

The essential oils used are highly concentrated and cannot be used in pure form. They can be used in diluted and mixed forms with other oils to obtain the desired concentration.

In clinical aromatherapy, the oils used have specific effects on your body, including antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Essential oils are used for various purposes to achieve the desired effect. These oils can exert their effects when inhaled, applied to the skin, or ingested.

Aromatherapy Benefits:

Aromatherapy provides some medical and pharmacological effects on your body. Its most common use is to relieve pain and nausea.

There are various methods for using essential oils. They include:

Absorption through skin massage, bathing and compress
Absorption through the mucosa
Eating - This is rare, and only after the doctor's permission.
Inhalation - This is the most common way to use essential oils. This can either be by dispersing the oil in the air, or by direct inhalation using inhalers.

There are many therapeutic effects in the application of aromatherapy. Some therapeutic effects:

Anesthetic effect:

Some essential oils, such as menthol or camphor, can temporarily dampen pain receptors. Camphor oil is mainly used to relieve toothache.

Antiseptic effect:

Most oils have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects.

These oils work on your body's central nervous system, which can cause relaxation or other psychological effects.
Eucalyptus and menthol are used to treat congestion and infection of the upper respiratory tract. It enhances deep breathing. Also good for muscle pain.
You can use lavender for pain relief, relaxation, depression, burns, skin infections, rheumatism.
Rosemary oil can be effective for mental fatigue and acts as a pain reliever.
Jasmine oil can be helpful for dry, sensitive skin and with skin itching.
Peppermint oil can be used to treat asthma, colic, headache, colds, seizures, relieve lethargy, nervous tension etc.
Oils greatly affect your mood. They penetrate through olfactory systems and affect the nervous system. Hence, improves mood and gives energy and relaxation.
Essential oils also have cosmetic properties and can be used as a skin care product or as a hair care product.
These oils can also be used to reduce the symptoms of bronchitis, fatigue, migraines, respiratory diseases, acne, arthritis treatment , muscle pain, cystitis, colds and flu.

Aromatherapy treatment

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine. It is a holistic method of approach to the treatment of diseases, it takes into account physical symptoms, personality traits and emotional condition. For the treatment of diseases by this method, apply vegetable oils, which are obtained from the small glands of the leaves, stems, petals, bark of various plants.

Vegetable oils have been known since ancient China, and more deeply studied at the beginning of the 20th century in France by the chemist Gettefoss. Aromatherapy can help people who are suffering from long-term ailments for which conventional treatments have failed. This method of treatment relieves the condition of a person prone to stress, depression, anger, can heal insomnia, headaches, improve well-being, help with colds, sluggish digestion, impaired menstrual cycle and etc.

Oils, absorbed through the skin, circulate in the body, affecting the internal organs and systems, therefore, they have very effective healing properties. For example, a digitalis oil preparation is used in the treatment of cardiac diseases, lavender essential oil is an antidote for the bite of a poisonous black widow spider, against infections, viruses, bacteria and fungi - lavender, tea tree, geranium. Aroma massage held qualified specialist taking into account the location of the energy meridians. Ingestion - under supervision only professional doctor aromatherapist. An effective way of inhalation with the help of baths, steam inhalations, fumigation. The advantages of this method of treatment are recognized by medicine, research in this area continues.

Precautions when using essential oils:

Do not apply oil directly to damaged skin.
Before applying, you must know the properties of the product well.
Make sure the oil does not cause irritation or show any negative reaction.

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At functional disorders cardiovascular system essential oils of mint, fir, geranium, lavender.
In diseases of the digestive tract - essential oils of rose, clary sage, lavender, calamus, mint, Tauride wormwood.
For kidney disease, urinary tract, liver, biliary tract - essential oils of mint, lavender, rose, calamus, etc.
With functional disorders of the nervous system - essential oils of rose, mint, geranium, lavender.
In chronic bronchitis - essential oils of rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, fir, pine, lemon wormwood, clary sage, anise.
At bronchial asthma- essential oils of rosemary, lavender, clary sage.
At initial manifestations atherosclerosis - essential oils of laurel, lavender.

Essential oils of lavender, jasmine, mint, fir, eucalyptus, rose have a tonic effect. Eucalyptus essential oils are used to prevent cancer risk, monarda and eucalyptus are used as a radioprotector, monarda, basil, lemon wormwood, lavender are used as an immunomodulator, in spastic conditions various etiologies- laurel.

And a little about the oils themselves

Air essential oil

Calamus essential oil is obtained from calamus rhizomes by steam distillation. Air, folk names: calamus marsh, calamus fragrant, tatarnik, yarnik, yr, yabor, irny root, plush.

Calamus is considered to be native to China and India. It was brought to Ukraine during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. Calamus was believed to purify stagnant water and it is considered drinkable. To this end, the warriors planted the rhizomes they carried with them into the reservoirs they encountered.

Calamus rhizomes contain up to 4.8% essential oil, which includes d-a - pinene, d - camphene, d - camphor, calamen, azoron, acorone, isoacorone; alcohols: svinol, metalevgenol, borneol. The yellow or dark brown essential oil of calamus has a high viscosity and smells like camphor.

Calamus essential oil has antimicrobial activity against a number of microorganisms, in particular, the association of microbes of the periodontal canals in patients with periodontal disease, inhibits the growth of staphylococci, Escherichia, and has a fungistatic effect. The component of the essential oil azaron has a calming effect on the central nervous system, in the experiment it has an anticonvulsant, antiarrhythmic, antispasmodic, bronchodilator effect.

Glycoside acorin and essential oil affect the endings of taste nerves, increase appetite, reflexively increase the secretion of gastric juice.

Calamus medicines also increase bile secretion and diuresis, and have some antispasmodic effect. There is evidence of a sedative effect and a weak analgesic effect. Calamus essential oil is part of the Olimetin complex preparation used for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis and cholelithiasis.

lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil is obtained from lavender flowers by steam distillation.

Lavender is the most ancient culture of the Mediterranean countries. AT Ancient Rome used as a means to combat infectious diseases, the patricians were rubbed with lavender essential oil, believing that it protects them from pestilence, epidemics.

Later, this plant began to be cultivated in Italy, France, Bulgaria, and then in Russia - in the Crimea, the Kuban and Moldova.

Lavender inflorescences contain up to 1.2% essential oil, which has a specific pungent, pleasant smell.

All over the world, lavender essential oil is the official raw material for drugs that treat festering wounds and gangrene. Lavender essential oil is an exceptional treatment for burns. If you are burned with boiling water or a hot object, anoint the burned area with this oil and the burn will quickly pass.

Even during the First World War, French doctors used lavender essential oil to treat wounds with severe injuries.

It is a good pain reliever for dislocations, headaches and flatulence, neuralgia. For these purposes, therapeutic lavender baths are used, rubbed painful places lavender alcohol.

Lavender oil is widely used for inhalation for bronchitis and hoarseness, as it has strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, it kills many bacteria, especially streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, many viruses. This explains the significant reduction in the incidence of influenza epidemics among indoor workers, where lavender oil was used to flavor the air.

The smell of lavender oil is a favorite among the French. It is used to scent laundry, outerwear. With this aroma, deodorants, shampoos, lotions, toilet waters, colognes are produced in large quantities. In many countries, lavender oil is used as a bile-thinning agent, it limits the process of putrefaction in the intestines, and has an analgesic and carminative effect for pain in the stomach and intestines.

The irritating effect of lavender oil is manifested in the excretion pathways: in the kidneys - an increase in diuresis, so it is used to treat kidneys, Bladder and renal pelvis; in the respiratory tract by an increase and liquefaction of sputum. Due to its ability to eliminate spasms of the muscles of the respiratory tract, it has a therapeutic effect in bronchial asthma.

Lavender oil is one of the best remedies for treating various skin diseases(acne, eczema), for douching in inflammatory processes in gynecology (lavender water is used).

Lavender essential oil has been found to have mildly sedative and antispasmodic properties. This allows you to use it for migraines, neurasthenia, nervous palpitations.

AT therapeutic doses lavender oil reduces the excitability of the central nervous system, contributes to the normalization of the function of the autonomic nervous system, acts as a phytovegetative regulator.

In this case (to combat insomnia, stress and neurosis), lavender oil is used for:

general weakness with a tendency to lower blood pressure;
increased fatigue;
irritability;
nervous disorders of speech, nervous cough;
bad mood caused by flatulence, decreased performance after eating;
skin diseases, including nervous origin;

The therapeutic effect is achieved with the help of aromatherapy (aromatization of indoor air with lavender oil vapors), with the help of warm lavender therapeutic baths (5 - 8 drops of oil per bath).

You can take lavender alcohol - 1% alcohol solution of lavender essential oil - 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.

The Japanese have found that using lavender essential oil as an air fragrance in stores increases the sale of goods, since the unique aroma of lavender affects the mental state of a person, he wants to stay in this room longer, his mood rises and he strives to do something good - he makes a purchase goods. With the help of lavender essential oil as an air flavoring in industrial premises, some companies have achieved an increase in labor productivity and the quality of operations performed, a significant reduction in viral diseases.

If a pleasant aroma of lavender is felt in your apartment or office space, you have nothing to fear from the flu, you breathe easily, the air becomes as if transparent and light. Closing your eyes and listening to pleasant music, you will be transported to the country of mountains, gentle, warm sea. This air and these sensations are familiar to you - this is the Crimea or the Mediterranean Sea.

Mint

Obtained from dried peppermint plants by distillation with steam.

Mint is one of the oldest medicinal products. It was used in the ancient Greek period, for the first time it is mentioned by the ancient Hellenes, then it appears among the ancient Romans and other European peoples.

Hippocrates, Paracelsus and Avicenna wrote about the medicinal properties of the plant. Peppermint was introduced into culture in the 18th century by the British, brought to Ukraine in 1895. At present, as an industrial crop, it is cultivated in Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and the Krasnodar Territory.

Dried peppermint plants contain up to 0.5% essential oil, dry leaves - up to 3%. The main active ingredient of mint oil is menthol, the content of which, depending on the variety of mint, is up to 70%.

When peppermint oil is applied to mucous membranes or rubbed into the skin, it irritates nerve endings causing sensations of coldness and tingling. When the cold receptors are excited, the superficial vessels narrow and the internal ones reflexively expand. This explains the decrease in pain under the influence of menthol in angina pectoris.

Peppermint oil has vasoactive properties: it regulates arteriovenous tone, prevents an increase in the tone of intracranial veins when taking nitroglycerin, and promotes blood outflow through the external veins. When taking mint oil inside, the receptors of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines are irritated, menthol enhances peristalsis, and has an antiseptic effect.

At the same time, the processes of decay and fermentation are limited, and the secretion of the digestive glands is enhanced. Peppermint oil vapors have antimicrobial properties, especially for Staphylococcus aureus and a number of spore-forming bacteria.

Peppermint oil has an anti-inflammatory and capillary-strengthening effect.

When conducting experiments on white rats mint oil contributed to the prevention of the development of the ulcerative process in 50% of cases.

Peppermint oil has a choleretic property, which is associated with the presence of polyphenols in its composition. Enhanced by peppermint oil exocrine function liver, the composition of bile changes, the excretion of cholates, cholesterol, bilirubin with bile increases, while the antitoxic function of the liver increases, metabolism normalizes. Peppermint oil acts as an antispasmodic.

Made from peppermint, mint essential oil and menthol big number complex therapeutic agents and phytopreparations.

Peppermint tincture consists of an alcoholic tincture of peppermint leaves and an equal amount of peppermint essential oil. Applied inside 10 - 15 drops per reception as an antiemetic, carminative and analgesic for neuralgia, spasms of the stomach and intestines, indigestion, belching, diarrhea.

Can be added to dental elixirs.

Peppermint oil is used in mixtures of 1-3 drops for flatulence, diseases of the liver and gall bladders. It can be included in composite mixtures used for aromatization of indoor air.

Peppermint water is used to rinse the mouth, add to mixtures that are used to treat diseases of the skin and mucous membranes: hemorrhage, gingivitis, stomatitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis.

It has been found that antimicrobial activity against microbes intestinal group are essential oils of peppermint, caraway seeds, medicinal sage, which affect the pathogens of epidermophytosis, rubrophytosis, trichophytosis and microsporia. So, for the treatment of yeast erosions of the hands and rubrophytosis of the nails, it is necessary to use mint and caraway essential oils.

Yeast erosions, when treated with an ointment containing these essential oils, quickly disappeared; nails affected by rubrophytosis begin to grow from the nail bed without lesions.

Peppermint essential oil is part of carvalol, carvaldin.

Menthol, released from mint oil, is part of Zelenin drops, pectusin, eucatol, menovazin preparations, aerosol mixtures of camphomen and ingacamf, is used in the form of nasal drops, is part of menthol, migraine pencils. Balm " Golden Star"Contains essential oils: mint, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon. Used for common diseases: runny nose, colds, flu, for inhalation. For headaches and dizziness, rub the balm into the temporal, occipital and frontal regions.

Peppermint essential oil is part of the inhalation mixtures of the Mahold inhaler.

It is used in the food industry in the manufacture of liqueurs, vodkas, confectionery, in perfumery in the manufacture of toothpastes, powders, elixirs, toilet waters.

Peppermint essential oil and mint leaves, with their peculiar cooling spicy taste and strong delicate aroma, are also used in cooking to flavor sauces and drinks.

Peppermint, peppermint essential oil should not be used uncontrollably. Large doses of essential oil in inhalation mixtures can provoke bronchospasm, respiratory disorders. They can also cause pain in the region of the heart.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a beautiful evergreen plant with blue flowers that grows in the Crimea, the Caucasus and Transcarpathia. FROM therapeutic purpose use one-year stems with leaves. To obtain essential oil - the upper green part of the bush. The content of essential oil in raw materials is 1.4 - 2%.

Rosemary has antispasmodic, choleretic and tonic properties. These properties are mainly manifested due to the significant content of camphor, terpenes, esters, alcohols in the essential oil, and alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and acids in the plant.

Rosemary preparations relieve spasms of smooth muscles, biliary and urinary tract, blood vessels and digestive organs. The tonic effect of plant preparations after serious illnesses, especially in elderly people with impaired cerebral circulation, has been established.

Mixed with lavender, it is recommended for high blood pressure and after a stroke. In inflammatory processes of the female genital organs, it is recommended to steam a mixture of rosemary leaves 25 g, sage leaves 50 g, peppermint leaves 30 g, in 2 cups of boiling water, rosemary distillate (solution of rosemary oil in distillate) can be used for the same purposes.

An excellent cosmetic product is a mixture of rosemary and lavender natural water under trade name"Rosemary lotion", the production of which is mastered by the Alushta ethereal state farm and the Aromat enterprise. Thanks to the content of lavender and rosemary oils, natural biologically active substances, flavonoids, rosemarycin, steroid and triterpene glycosides, chlorophyll, carotene, long-term use of this lotion regulates the lipid metabolism of the skin of the face, neck, makes it elastic, prevents the formation of wrinkles, even smoothes them.

In order for the face to be always young and beautiful, it is enough to wipe the skin of the face with a cotton swab moistened with Rosemary lotion 2-3 times a day. It does not require the use of any nourishing creams and powders.

Lotion "Rosemary" also has a tonic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action.

Rose

Obviously, no plant has such an ancient, rich and fabulous history as the rose. She began to travel from China, where she grew in the humid and mountainous subtropics, then Kashmir and Luzistan, India, the Bramaputra and Ganges basins, East Africa, the Middle East and Asia Minor. From Iran and Asia Minor, roses penetrated into Ancient Greece, and from there to Egypt and Rome.

In the 13th century, Count Thibault IV of Champoni brought a double rose to his castle near Paris.

In the Middle Ages, the rose quickly began to spread to other European countries. Every nation paid tribute to the beauty and charm of the rose. Virgil wrote that the rose is a beautiful and fragrant flower used by aristocrats to create intimacy and splendor in various family and social celebrations.

The rose was built into a cult, and holidays were organized annually in her honor, known as "Rosalia". In ancient legends of India, it is said that the goddess of beauty and love, Lakshmi, was born from rosebuds, and other myths claim that the beautiful young man Adonis turned into a rose bush.

In Rome, she is a symbol of courage. Buildings, arches, columns of palaces were decorated with pink garlands, showered with petals holiday tables, artificial rain was made from the petals, fragrant refreshing water was served in the fountains rose water. Roman beauties lay for hours in a bath of rose petals and rose water, which gave their body a special elasticity, tenderness, freshness, and a unique aroma.

For the first time, the use of roses to obtain rose water and essential oil is told to us by the story of Ibn Kholdun in his "Chronicle", written in Cordoba in 916. He reports that in the 8th and 9th centuries, rose water obtained by distillation was an important trade commodity in space between China and Byzantium. The largest number rose water at that time was produced by Persia. Caliph Mamun, the great-grandson of the founder of Baghdad, received annually from the Persian province of Farzistan 30,000 vessels of rose water, so the valley in the vicinity of the city of Shiraz was called Gulistan (Pink Valley).

Until the 17th century, Indian rose oil dominated, and from the beginning of the 18th century. - Persian, Egyptian, Tunisian and Bulgarian. The production of rose oil in Russia was first organized in the Crimea. Currently, Crimea is the main producer of rose essential oil in Ukraine. It is also obtained in significant quantities in Moldova.

The use of roses and products of its processing is very wide, especially in folk and scientific medicine. The oldest preparations from roses were rose water and ointments with healing properties.

Even in the Salerno Health Code, written in the XIV century by the philosopher and physician Arnold, the healing properties of the rose are indicated: "it is useful for an abundance of healing qualities; if it is applied, then the" sacred fire "(erysipelas) subsided." The Code of Health recommends it for the treatment of ailments of the stomach, mouth, teeth, head and colds.

Rose oil was used orally for diseases of the stomach, liver, and constipation. It was part of many ointments and cosmetics. A mixture of rose oil and vinegar was used to treat infected wounds.

Currently, fresh and dried rose, rose essential oil, rose water are widely used in folk and scientific medicine.

Rose tea and rose water are used for scarlet fever, inflammation of the kidneys, intestines, liver, nephrolithiasis, diseases of the bladder, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tuberculosis, bronchitis, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, jaundice, influenza, tonsillitis.

Rose water is an extremely effective treatment for eye diseases. French doctors use rose petals and rose water as antihelminthic, with indigestion, hemorrhoids.

At present, rose essential oil and other rose products are successfully used in dentistry in Bulgaria. Rose oil infused into the cavity carious teeth relieves pain for 3-4 hours.

Rose water is used to treat periodontal disease. The effect of the treatment comes very quickly: gum bleeding and pain stop after 4-5 sessions, inflammatory phenomena disappear, loosened teeth are strengthened, normal turgor and gum color are restored, disappears bad smell from mouth.

Rose water, concrete and oil are used to prepare a paste in the treatment of pulpitis, to fill the channels of teeth affected by caries. Such a paste has a high bactericidal activity, and the microorganisms that get into it die within 5 minutes, thus the cavities of carious teeth are freed from bacterial infection. Rose preparations have a number of advantages, they are active against bacterial strains, are well tolerated by organ tissues, and do not cause allergic reactions.

Rose water is widely used as a cosmetic product: if you wipe your face with rose water in the morning and evening, the skin becomes elastic, elastic, wrinkles disappear.

Dry rose petals are used to flavor wine and tea. If you want to get a wonderful aroma of tea - when brewing low-growing varieties of tea, you must add a few dry rose petals to the teapot.

Rose essential oil is widely used in the highest perfumery for the manufacture of perfumes, colognes, face creams. You can take any cream in jars, heat it in a water bath, add one drop of rose oil and mix thoroughly. Using this cream, you will see for yourself healing effect and aroma of rose oil.

Dill essential oil

To obtain dill essential oil, ripe dried dill fruits are used, these same fruits are also medicinal raw material, which is included in numerous fees. The fruits contain 4 - 5% essential oil. AT last years essential oil is obtained from whole plants, the fruits of which have a milky-wax ripeness.

An infusion of the fruit is used as an expectorant. From the fruits of dill, a sum of substances is obtained, which, under the name anegina, is used as an antispasmodic for spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestines and coronary vessels.

The efficacy of dill leaf preparations in hypertension, violations of cardiac activity against the background of atherosclerosis due to the action of essential oil, the ability of its flavonoids to reduce the permeability vascular wall, as well as the antiarrhythmic properties of potassium and improvement metabolic processes in the body under the influence of ascorbic acid.

Dill fruits are useful as a tonic, expectorant, stimulant. They are used for pulmonary tuberculosis and rickets, for urinary disorders in nephrolithiasis, as well as for a lack of milk in parturient women.

As an external remedy, dill preparations are used in acute and chronic blepharoconjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, purulent and scrofulous processes.

An infusion of seeds, dill leaves or dill water (2-3 drops of dill oil per glass of water) is used as cosmetic way with pustular diseases of the skin of the face. Dill seeds are boiled in wine, infused for 12 days, and this infusion is used as a sleeping pill.

In general, dill is a versatile plant: it is a wonderful herb for salads, sauces, meat dishes, for pickling vegetables and raw materials for the alcoholic beverage industry, confectionery, baking, perfumery, confectionery, and soap production.

In winter, when not fresh dill, use an alcohol solution of dill essential oil for the preparation of borscht and soups.

Anise

Anise has been known for a long time. It was first mentioned by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. At present, it is widely cultivated in almost all European countries, as well as in Asia, Africa and in a number of American countries.

Since ancient times, anise has been valued as a spice. Fatty oil is used in soap making, in perfumery, and its dense part serves as a substitute for cocoa butter.

The plant has an expectorant and stimulant effect. An anise aqueous solution enhances intestinal activity, stimulates the functions of the digestive glands, improves digestion, and has antiseptic properties.

When coughing, an aqueous solution of seeds, anise syrup and essential oil are prescribed as an expectorant. Anise essential oil is included in the formulation of almost all inhalation mixtures used for bronchial diseases, asthma, loss. vote. It has been established that anise oil reduces pain and restores peristalsis during convulsive spasms intestines. It is famous among sailors as good remedy from scurvy.

Anise seeds are officially included in medical practice. They are integral part chest, laxative, gastric and diaphoretic fees. Anise essential oil is added to different kind drops (Danish king drops) for coughs, often to improve the taste of medicines.

Anise essential oil, which is found in large quantities in fruits, is absorbed into digestive tract, stimulates gastric activity.

It has a bactericidal effect on the microflora of the respiratory tract. Due to the release of anethole through the bronchi (the main component of anise oil), the essential oil has a slight expectorant effect and promotes reflex excitation of respiration, increased secretion of the mucous membranes of the trachea, larynx, and bronchi.

Therefore, anise oil is used as an expectorant for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and bronchospasm (1-5 drops per dose).

In recent years, anise oil has been used by amateur fishermen to make bait.

Pine

Pine is one of the oldest medicinal plants, 5000 years ago in the Sumerian state 15 various recipes, which also mentioned pine resin. Dried needles of pine and fir were used by the Sumerians for compresses and poultices. The Slavs covered wounds with powder from dried pine sap, pine resin and tar reduced eczema and lichen. Russians, Greeks and Romans treated colds and backaches with turpentine. The antiscorbutic properties of pine have been known to the peoples of the North, travelers and sailors for centuries.

In medical practice, products derived from pine are widely used: turpentine, pine oil, pine tar, rosin, coniferous paste. Turpentine and pine essential oil, due to their easy solubility in lipids, penetrates deep into the skin, irritates it and reflexively causes some changes in the body.

When inhaled, pine essential oil vapors increase bronchial secretion, which contributes to liquefaction and sputum production. Therefore, the essential oil is used in catarrh of the throat and bronchitis, in the treatment of rheumatism.

An alcoholic solution of essential oil, known as "Forest Water", is sprayed on residential, medical and school premises. This kills almost all bacteria and viruses, disease-causing. The needles emit volatile phytoncides, which have a strong bactericidal effect. Therefore, sanatoriums for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are located in a pine forest.

Pine essential oil can be used in saunas to flavor the air.

It is part of the drug "Rovatikenks", "Pinabin", etc., drugs for the treatment of urolithiasis, as well as various inhalation mixtures that are used to treat smallpox, bronchitis, laryngitis. An aqueous solution of pine oil (2 - 3 drops per glass of water) is used to treat periodontal disease. Fir products are widely used in medicine.

Fir balm

Fir balm, obtained by tapping trees, heals wounds, abscesses, cuts. Today, pharmacists, by adding antibiotics derived from lichens to fir resin, have greatly expanded the environment for its use.

However, the main merit of fir is that essential oil is obtained from its woody greens, which is used to produce camphor.

Like pine, fir oil has a strong bactericidal property, it is successfully used in inhalation mixtures for the treatment of bronchitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

In winter and late autumn, it is necessary to use a collection of diuretic herbs, consisting of oregano, medicinal sage, lemon balm, knotweed, St. John's wort. You can also include rose hips. 30 g of a mixture of these herbs must be poured into 500 ml of boiling water, insisted until dark in color and taken warm in 100-150 ml before meals with one tablespoon of honey.

After a week of such preliminary preparation of the body, they switch to the following composition: fir oil is added to the above infusion at the rate of 5 drops per 150 ml of infusion. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and drunk 30 minutes before meals for 5 days - 3 times a day. After 3-4 days, the results of cleaning begin to appear in the form of slightly cloudy urine. Small stones may appear later.

With an interval of two weeks, this can be repeated until the desired result.

sage essential oil

Sage essential oil is obtained from the inflorescences of clary sage. The plant and essential oil have been known since antiquity. "Against the power of death, sage grows in the gardens ..." Such verses were composed by the ancient Greeks, believing in miraculous power this plant.

Plants are used as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, emollient, disinfectant, sedative, antispasmodic, hemostatic, expectorant, diuretic, astringent, wound healing agent.

Infusion and decoction of sage are used for colds, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, cough, pulmonary tuberculosis.

Sage infusion is used as a diuretic for edema, diseases of the bladder, kidneys, as well as gastritis with low acidity, peptic ulcer, spasms of the intestines, colitis, flatulence, diarrhea, diseases of the liver, gallbladder.

The infusion of the plant strengthens the nervous system, improves metabolism, and normalizes sexual function.

Especially valuable is the essential oil of sage. An aqueous solution of essential oil (2 - 3 drops per glass of water) is used for rinsing with inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, oral mucosa, loss of voice, stomatitis, papillomatosis of the larynx.

Sage oil is a good remedy for bronchial asthma, colds, coughs, sore throats. It is widely used in the form of inhalations, for aromatization of office and residential premises. In everyday life, it is used to treat inflammatory processes in the middle ear. For this purpose, it is necessary to insert a turunda into the ear and apply 2-3 drops of sage oil on the outside of the gauze.

Clary sage is also used to make decoctions. To take one bath, you need to pour 100 g of dry crushed sage into one liter tap water and boil for 60 - 80 minutes, then stand the mixture in the same bowl for 24 hours, then filter through two layers of gauze. Liquid with a specific odor clary sage contains essential oil, formic and acetic acid, resinous substances, solvent salts, trace elements. These substances are easily soluble in fats, when applied externally, they penetrate the epidermis and cause irritation of the peripheral receptors of the nervous system. In combination with the temperature of the bath and other balneofactors, they give a positive therapeutic effect.

At essential oil plants, the extract is obtained from the condensate formed during the processing of clary sage.

To prepare a bath for 100 liters of tap water or sea water add 200 g of extract. The contents of the bath are stirred for one minute. The duration of the procedure is 7 - 15 minutes, the water temperature is 36 - 38°C, the course of treatment is 12 - 16 baths.

Sage extract is used for compresses. Usually, a pad of 8-10 layers of hygroscopic tissue is sewn together, it is impregnated with an extract or decoction heated to 40-45 ° C and applied to the affected areas and the joint. The compress is changed every 15 minutes. The duration of the procedure is 30 - 40 minutes, the course of treatment is 15 - 20 sessions.

Sage extract or decoction treat diseases of the nervous system, residual effects poliomyelitis, radiculitis, spondylosis, osteomyelitis, polyarthritis, arthritis, arthrosis, closed fractures, long non-healing wounds, vascular diseases, diseases of the female genital area ( chronic inflammation), infertility, hypo- and oligometria, skin diseases (neurodermatitis, psoriasis in remission, purulent eczema). To enhance the effect of the extract or decoction, add 4-5 drops of clary sage essential oil to the bath.

Essential oils from lemon wormwood and Tauride wormwood

In the Crimea, essential oils are obtained from lemon wormwood and Tauride wormwood.

These oils differ in composition and effects on the human body, and therefore, wormwood oil should be treated with caution.

If the essential oil from lemon wormwood can be used in small doses (1-2 drops per glass of water or 5 g per 100 ml of alcohol) for inhalation and rinsing, then the essential oil from Tauride wormwood is recommended to be used only for flavoring the air, making colognes, lotions, toilet waters and wines like "Vermouth".

This culture goes back to ancient times. The name of the wormwood comes from the ancient Roman "Artemis" - "Health" or from the ancient Greek "Artemisia" - Artemis, the goddess of childbirth and hunting.

The aroma of Tauride wormwood oil combines the bitter freshness and heady aroma of the Crimean steppes, and lemon wormwood - a delicate smell of lemon.

Queen Cleopatra singled it out among other oils, using it in combination with other essential oils to obtain eau de toilette.

Drinks from lemon wormwood increase appetite, improve stomach function. In order to get vodka with the smell of lemon, it is necessary to immerse a steel wire 0.5 mm 1-2 cm into a test tube with lemon wormwood essential oil, and then immerse the wire moistened with essential oil into a bottle of vodka. This essential oil is enough to produce lemon flavored vodka.

Wormwood oil vapors disinfect indoor air due to the presence of aldehydes and carbonyl compounds in it.

In Russia, huts were fumigated with wormwood during an epidemic of plague and cholera, many laid wormwood grass on the floor to repel insects and aromatize, disinfect indoor air.

Wormwood oil is used for germinthiasis, for the normalization of the menstrual cycle (essential oil distillate), as an anti-febrile and antihelminthic agent.

There is information about the treatment of wormwood Tauride alcoholism.

Cigarettes made from Tauride wormwood are used in China for acupuncture, which dramatically increases the effectiveness of treatment.

laurel

The noble laurel reminds us of the romantic and harsh times of the Roman Empire, when the winner was given magnificent celebrations and crowned with a laurel wreath.

Since ancient times, the plant has also been known as food and medicinal.

The homeland of the noble laurel is the Mediterranean, this plant is also common in Georgia, the southwestern part of the Krasnodar Territory and in small quantities on the southern coast of Crimea.

Laurel leaves contain an essential oil of 0.5 - 0.6%, the healing properties of which are due to the content of eugenol, cineole and a number of terpene compounds.

This explains its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which allows the use laurel oil in aromatherapy.

In folk medicine Bay leaf used as an external remedy for scabies, rheumatic pains, spasms, tumors and as a means of strengthening the nervous system.

The resulting ointment is very effective remedy for rubbing, as an anesthetic, soothing for rheumatic and awakening pains.

Dry leaves are widely used in cooking and the canning industry.

Inhalations

Currently, several designs of inhalers are used for inhalation, the principle of operation of which is to use water vapor and therapeutic medicinal mixtures, including mainly infusions. medicinal herbs, essential oils, glycerin, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Individual use inhalers of the Mahold type are also used, where solutions of essential oils in ethyl alcohol are used.

Aerosol therapy is one of the effective methods of treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases. When the mixture boils medicinal infusions, essential oils, water vapor is formed, saturated with healing natural components.

This blend is one of the best natural remedies to improve the health of the upper respiratory tract and bronchopulmonary system. The Russian Institute of Preventive Medicine widely uses aerophytons for inhalation. This is a family of preparations containing essential oils of various plants. Aerophytons have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral effects.

Aerophyton - 12 - has a pronounced bronchospasmolytic, hypotensive, sedative quality, affects pathogenic fungi.

For individual Mahold-type inhalers, the following mixtures of essential oils and ethyl alcohol are used.

Pine oil - 38 g, mint oil - 2 g, ethyl alcohol 90% - 60 g.
Rosemary oil - 12 g, mint oil - 8 g, ethyl alcohol 70% - 80 g.
Rosemary oil - 2 g, pine oil - 30 g, anise oil - 2 g, mint oil - 6 g, ethyl alcohol 90% - 60 g.
Eucalyptus - 12 g, mint - 8 g, ethyl alcohol 70% - 80 g.
Eucalyptus - 12 g, anise - 8 g, ethyl alcohol 70% - 80 g.

For individual inhalations, heat-moist and ultrasonic inhalers are used.

Warm-moist inhalations cause hyperemia of the mucous membrane due to vasodilation and improved blood circulation, thin the viscous mucus and improve the function of the ciliated epithelium, accelerate evacuation near, soothe cough, and lead to free sputum separation.

Ultrasonic inhalations make it possible to introduce aerosols of solutions of medicinal substances into the body into the deeper parts of the bronchial tree.

For individual heat-moist inhalations, the following mixtures can be used:

Boiled water (warmed up to 100°C) - 500 ml.
Salt - 1 teaspoon (tsp)
Baking soda - 1 tsp for 500 ml boiled water.
Eucalyptus oil 5-10 drops per 500 ml of boiled water.
Fir oil 5 - 10 drops per 500 ml of boiled water - 100 °.
Peppermint oil in 5 - 10 drops per 500 ml of boiled water - 100 °.
Anise oil 5 - 10 drops per 500 ml of boiled water - 100 °.

Apply 10 - 20 drops per 500 ml of boiled water at 100°C.

Peppermint oil - 0.71 g,
eucalyptus tincture - 35.7 g,
glycerin - 35.7 g,
ethyl alcohol 96 ° - up to 100 ml.

Vietnamese balm "Asterisk":

Take an amount of balm equal to the volume of a match head, stir in 500 ml of boiling water and inhale for 15 minutes.

Mixtures of medicinal plants can be used for warm-moist inhalations, from which the essential oils contained in them are extracted with water vapor.

The mass of individual plants of the following fees is indicated in grams: 2 tbsp. spoons of the collection must be poured with 500 ml of boiling water at 100 ° and infused for 20 - 30 minutes.

Blend 1

Licorice root naked - 20.0.
Salvia officinalis leaf - 20.0.
Eucalyptus rod-shaped leaf - 20.0.
Calendula flowers - 20.0.
Grass of succession - 10.0.
Chamomile flowers - 10.0.

Blend 2

Peppermint leaf - 15.0.

When everything started with good feelings, then the day goes more positively. Growing flowers is quite a favorite activity that will give pleasant emotions not only to your family but also to many others. Passing by a well-groomed flower garden, it is impossible not to catch your eye on some exotic bush. And every thought flies by, or maybe you need to buy flowers from yourself? Flowers are a wonderful addition to the interior.

Aroma treatments

Today, in books on aromatherapy, entire chapters are devoted to how to use smells to treat diseases or relieve negative emotional background. It has been noted that pleasant smells increase efficiency, cheer up, and unpleasant smells can cause headache, increase the pressure. Let's imagine that: a person turned to a doctor, and he prescribed aroma treatment instead of analgin: violet aroma for 15 minutes before meals 3 times a day, and before going to bed - rose aroma for half an hour daily. And the disease receded. True, it's nice! Nature itself strives for harmony. How much a lilac would lose if it smelled differently, or, say, a modest chamomile would smell like a southern magnolia. Each of us perceives the same fragrance differently: "Oh, your perfume gave me a headache!" - "And it seems to me that happiness smells like that!"

Aroma treatments have been known to us for a long time - herbal inhalations, baths, massage with aromatic oils, the use of spices in food. Essential oils are used for hot and cold inhalations, baths, compresses, rubbing, massages. You can fill your home with the aroma of essential oils using aroma vessels. Massage using essential oils not only relaxes the muscles, but also has a beneficial effect on the skin. During the massage, the aroma of essential oils helps to relax the nervous system and restore it. Essential oils "work" in harmony with the body, helping it restore and balance its natural functions.

Long since for restful sleep people used fragrant herbs. For example, mattresses and pillows were stuffed with thyme, or aromatic incense beds were treated before going to bed, special sticks of pressed herbs with a soothing smell (patchouli, lavender) were set on fire.

At present, so-called soothing herbal pads have become widespread in the treatment of aromas. They include many aromatic plants: fern leaves, pine needles, cones, hops, lavender, mint, lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, rose and others. There are fragrances that affect the state of any person in approximately the same way. For example, chamomile, geranium, juniper, lavender and their invigorating aroma will relieve depression, headaches and mood swings. Strongly scented flowers such as geranium or lavender help relieve anxiety and worry. A proven way against insomnia is to inhale the aroma of decorative indoor plants: fragrant geranium (pelargonium), fragrant mignonette.

Those who know firsthand about insomnia should make sure that the bedroom smells of the aromas of these plants: chamomile, lavender, lemon balm or sage. The aromas of these plants have a soporific effect and cause pleasant dreams. Lavender helps with headaches, migraines, strengthens the nervous system in stressful situations. Overexcitation and insomnia will also be removed by lavender. Psychologists call this smell "the aroma of peace."

Some smells, on the contrary, can cheer up. Mental and physical activity stimulating citrus aromas. Grapefruit and lemon will cope with a slight attack of bad mood. In ancient times, it was believed that citrus fruits encourage us to philosophize and increase interest in life. medical research confirmed that these smells stimulate the nervous system and really cause a surge of strength and pure thoughts.

Melissa improves immunity, restores strength of mind and body strength. The gentle aroma of lemon balm acts invigoratingly and eliminates fatigue. Jasmine even in a small amount evokes a feeling of exhilaration. This fragrance soothes the nervous system and dispels a depressed mood. Eucalyptus relieves symptoms colds, quickly relieves headaches, purifies the air in the room. Geranium oil, ylang-ylang, cinnamon or nutmeg. It is enough to inhale one aroma or "cocktail" in equal proportions for 10-15 minutes.

Strong smells - jasmine, rose, rosewood, fragrant orchid have a stronger floral scent. Beautiful spring flowers will cheer you up, but they can also cause symptoms. hay fever. AT alternative medicine aroma treatment, it is believed that it is enough to inhale the aroma of sandalwood or rose oil several times to stop the runny nose. And the development of infections caused by various streptococci, staphylococci and even Koch's sticks prevent the smells of roses and poplars.

Some safety rules should be observed when using essential oils in aromatherapy.

Treatment with aromas and methods of healing with plants goes back to the distant past ... - see "From the history of aromatherapy" Source: http://www.florets.ru

aromatherapy

Aromatherapy secrets for the office

The office is a place where a high degree of concentration and efficiency is needed. The aromas of lemon, rosemary, cloves, sage, juniper, lemon wormwood will help you with this.
You can calm down, but at the same time not fall asleep, but continue working, thanks to the subtle smells of basil, bergamot, grapefruit, sandalwood.
Many of us work at the computer all day long. Are you wondering what smells help reduce fatigue, reduce the number of mistakes, create an atmosphere of creativity, have a beneficial effect on tired eyesight? These are aromas of lemongrass, ginger, rosemary, jasmine. See also: Prevention of office diseases.

Interest in this field of knowledge, barely awakened after the magnificent research of Gatefosse, practically died out with the onset of rapid development organic chemistry and organic synthesis. Chemists have created aromatic substances that have become favorites in the world of perfumery for a long time. Only 40 years later, research on natural aromatic substances as medicines was continued. One of the "fathers" of the revival of aromatherapy is the French physician and scientist Jean Valnet. Thanks to his efforts, France has become a recognized leader in the development of this field of knowledge. Aromatherapy is now an integral and recognized part of medical science in France.

Aromatherapy entered the English-speaking world much later. The first book on aromatherapy in English, The Art of Aromatherapy, was only published by Robert Tisserend in 1977. In the United States these days, aromatherapy is more of an alternative medicine field. Doctors, cosmetologists and masseurs can practice in the field of aromatherapy. The same situation is observed in most countries, in particular, in Russia, where this field of knowledge is not recognized. official medicine and is mainly used at the household level.

Timeline of the development of aromatherapy[edit]

Often, the history of aromatherapy is confused with the history of flora and its place in human life. Aromatherapy is a product of our times. The ancients used exclusively infusions, tinctures, herbal extracts as medicines. The scientific study of aromatherapy tools and their use in medicine began at the end of the 19th century, after Robert Koch proved that terpenes, the main chemical components of essential oils, can destroy bacteria. anthrax and cure tuberculosis.

The term "aromatherapy" was first coined by the French chemist René Gattefosse in 1935, using it in an article he published in Modern Perfumery. In 1937, he published Aromatherapy: Essential Oils and Plant Hormones.

During the Second World War, the French doctor Valnet began to use essential oils to treat the wounded. He drew attention to the fact that essential oils actively suppressed various infections.

In the 1950s, a method was developed to study essential oils as medicines called "aromatogram". This method laid the foundation for the further study of aromatherapy and its use in medicine.

In the mid-1950s, results were published scientific research on the effect of 175 essential oils on eight infectious microorganisms that are transmitted from person to person through the air, as well as on various kinds fungi.

In 1964, Dr. Valnet's book The Practice of Aromatherapy was published. In this book, the doctor conducted a study on the effect of aromatherapy on the treatment of patients suffering from mental disorders.

In 1961, the Austrian cosmetologist Margaret Maury, in her book The Secret of Life and Youth, suggested using essential oils for massage.

In 1978, Dr. Paul Blanche published his three-volume book The Application of Phytotherapy and Aromatherapy, where he published in detail for the first time research on clinical application aromatherapy treatment plan various infections. In his book, the doctor proves that essential oils such as oregano, clove, thyme, cinnamon and tea tree have powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Mainstreams of aromatherapy[edit]

Several related branches of aromatherapy should be distinguished: domestic aromatherapy. osmotherapy. aromacology (Aromachology), as well as scientific, or evidence-based aromatherapy. Scientific aromatherapy, despite its ancient roots, began to develop only in recent times. Due to the fact that aromatherapy in most countries is not included in the system of conventional medicine. the content of the term is different in different countries - we recommend that you read articles in other languages (see links on the left panel of Wikipedia).

Materials [edit]

Unfortunately, many are misled by the literal translation of the term "aromatherapy". Aromatherapy is just one of the methods and forms of using aromatherapy. Her tools, natural fragrant volatile substances called "essential oils", are used internally, externally, in the form of inhalations, and also in the form of incense.

The main tools of aromatherapy are essential oils. natural aromatic substances that are obtained exclusively physical methods: distillation, steam and water distillation, extraction carbon dioxide, pressing, dry distillation, etc. However, essential oils cannot be used in their pure form. Therefore, as auxiliary tools use base oils vegetable origin. Hydrosols or hydrolates are also one of the tools of aromatherapy. They represent by-product, which is formed in the process of obtaining essential oils. Absolutes or absolutes are not used in aromatherapy because they are obtained using various chemical solvents.

Essential oils (EOs) are the most widely used aromatherapy. In addition to them, native plant phytoncides are used, as well as auxiliary materials - primarily fatty oils and aqueous solutions / suspensions of EOs (so-called hydrosols). Less commonly used are synthetic volatile aromatic substances (VAS), plant extracts (alcohol, water-alcohol, carbon dioxide, etc.)

Theory [edit]

The action of aromatic substances on the body is extremely versatile and cannot be reduced to one mechanism. As components of the complex action of aromatherapy, the effect on skin exoreceptors and olfactory receptors can be considered. chemotherapeutic effect on systems and organs, toxic effect on microorganisms. as well as a variety of psychotherapeutic effects. That is why, despite the undoubted [ Source?] the effectiveness of aromatherapy techniques and means, some doctors still classify it in the category of “ alternative medicine» - just like herbal medicine.

Currently, the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy (see below) are explained in the study of the interaction of volatile aromatic substances with receptors (olfactory, trigeminal, thermal). The impact of odor. aromas on the limbic system of the brain is closely related to emotions, which is effectively used in psychotherapy.

Antimicrobial effects of essential oils (EM), phytoncides. et al. LAVs also have several mechanisms. It is important that, unlike a number of antibiotics (penicillin, etc.), when using LAV, the effect of increasing the resistance of microorganisms (selection of resistant pathogenic strains) was not noted.

Aromatherapy methods[edit]

Aromatherapy products and compositions are used in vapor form (inhalations, aroma incense burners, aroma medallions); as part of external means (massage baths, compresses); for rinsing and irrigation; inside (most often in the composition complex preparations- e.g. syrups, capsules, dietary supplements, or in the form of an aqueous solution - e.g. dill water), in candles, as well as in pharmacographs.

Traditional oriental incense is also used - aroma sticks etc.

Therapeutic effects of essential oils[edit]

Mental (psychotherapeutic impact)
Antiseptic (antiviral, antimicrobial, mycostatic and other effects)
Vegetative (vasodilating, hypotensive, etc.) [ Source? ]
Metabolic (including antioxidant or pro-oxidant, narcotic, immunostimulating effect, etc.) [ Source? ]

Contraindications and side effects[edit]

Essential oils when used in household aromatherapy (at the level of smell) have practically no contraindications - with the exception of individual psychological immunity.

External use in the composition of massage oils mainly requires limiting the concentration of EOs to 1–3% (rarely up to 10%) in a solvent oil (olive, almond, etc.). When applied to the skin, irritation reactions are possible, individually - even with low concentrations EM. Some oils are phototoxic (e.g. bergamot EO), their content in perfumery and cosmetic preparations strictly regulated. The internal use of EOs - as a pharmaceutical, or in evidence-based aromatherapy - must meet the standards of pharmacology.

The use of essential oils and aromatherapy during pregnancy is recommended to limit the "smell level", especially in the first trimester.

Criticism [edit]

Objective studies show that aromatherapy, contrary to the claims of the proponents of the method, does not have any effect on the speed of wound healing, immunity and pain sensitivity. On the other hand, subjects' math ability has been shown to improve when the researcher tells them that they smell a faint scent (when there is actually no scent). Thus, the influence of aromas on human body should be considered as a placebo effect. that is, a psychological rather than a somatic effect.

Professor William Malarkey states: "The human body is very complex mechanism, and if someone feels better using aromatherapy, we are not going to change their minds. However, so far we have not been able to identify any physiological effects of the use of aromatic oils..

External links[edit]

Critical articles (in English).

Smells have always attracted people. In ancient times, they were used by priests who burned fragrant plants during sacred rites, giving them a touch of mystery. Gradually, smells began to be used for other purposes - healing and cosmetic. They were used in ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, in ancient Rome.

The experience of using healing odors has been replenished from generation to generation, and now aromatherapy is already used as one of the methods of treatment.

What are the health benefits of scents?

The main active principle of healing odors are essential oils. Essential oils are fragrant volatile substances found in some plants. Currently, there are more than 2000 plants containing essential oils.

Some essential oils have the properties of aphrodisiacs - substances that can cause a surge of strength and vitality, including sexual activity. The name "aphrodisiac" is rooted in Greek mythology. It was there that the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, with the help of a magic belt, in which love, desire and words of seduction were enclosed, was able to achieve the location of Zeus. Many essential oils have some form of aphrodisiac properties. Their smell affects the brain, stimulating the release of the "hormone of happiness" - endorphin. Endorphin sharpens sexual desire, as well as all the senses during intercourse. Such oils as pickle oil, citrus, jasmine, geranium and others have pronounced aphrodisiac properties.

Aromatherapy

Treatment with smells or aromatherapy dates back many centuries. The healing properties of essential oils have been known long before our era. When inhaling aromatic substances, the regulation of the body's activity occurs most natural way, causing fewer complications than when taking drugs orally or by injection.

Today, aromatherapy treats many ailments: relieves stress, pain, including headaches, fatigue, normalizes various functional (without visible changes) disorders in the body. Aromas cause cheerfulness, improve memory, make sleep sound, and can treat colds. Treatment with scents complex therapy helps to cope with serious diseases. Aromatherapy began to be combined with treatments such as massages and baths, they are used in spas and resorts.

Aromatic oils affect the human body in different ways, connecting with hormones in the body and affecting the nerve endings. They are able to kill pathogenic microbes (for example, pine oil), improve human performance (citrus), regulate arterial pressure(geranium oil), calm the nervous system, including children's (valerian), many essential oils have a general positive impact on the body, regulating physiological processes.

Types of aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be natural (in nature) and carried out indoors using medicinal smells. Natural aromatherapy is carried out in the forest, in the meadow. Aromas of hawthorn, lilac, poplar, eucalyptus have a stimulating effect on the circulatory system, and oregano, pine, and spruce have a depressing effect. respiratory system stimulate aromas of birch, linden, eucalyptus, oregano, oppress - poplar, lilac, cudweed, valerian. The smell of common spruce, European larch, juniper, linden, onion and garlic have an anti-influenza effect. Aromas of mixed and deciduous forests are recommended to normalize sleep, reduce irritability.

Aromatherapy indoors is carried out in the form of inhalation sessions of aromatic medicines, massages, baths, compresses, saunas using essential oils, etc.

Rules to follow when doing aromatherapy

In aromatherapy, essential oils are applied externally. It must be remembered that undiluted oil should not be applied to the skin. If this oil is used for the first time, then an allergy test is first performed: a few drops of essential oil are applied to a napkin or handkerchief, which must be inhaled several times a day for 1-2 days. Negative test- no runny nose and irritation of the conjunctiva of the eyes. If fragrances are used in an incense burner, the first two sessions should last no more than 20 minutes. Do not use strong odors for epilepsy, they can provoke a seizure. It is also not recommended to carry out aromatherapy for pregnant women. Store essential oils in a dark place in a tightly closed container at a temperature of 0 to 30°C, out of the reach of children.

From ancient times came to us aromas and aromatherapy treatment which are still widely used today.

AT ancient egypt incense was used for religious and medicinal purposes. Egyptian priests had a whole range of essential oil mixtures to treat both physical and mental ailments. The treatment was carried out by inhaling scented incense or massage with oils obtained by infusion and mixing of essential oils.

At the same time, some types of aromatherapy used in ancient China. The book of plants by Shen Nung (circa 2700 BC) contains information about 300 types of herbs and their uses. The Chinese, like the people of Egypt, used aromatic components during religious rites, burning wood and incense to pay respect to the deities, a tradition that has survived to this day. The use of aromatic oils is also associated with another ancient method of treatment - massage.

aromatherapy has been used in India for several centuries. The classic Indian healing technique (Ayurveda) uses both dry and fresh plants, but the same aromatic massage as an important component of therapy. You can learn more about this by going to any Ayurveda website.

The Greeks adopted a significant part of medical knowledge from the Egyptians, developing them further. They noticed, for example, that the smell of some flowers was stimulating, while others were relaxing. They used olive oil as the main ingredient for extracting fragrance from herbs or flowers, then using the scented oil for cosmetic and medical applications.

essential oil for aromatherapy

Aromatherapy in the form of steam scented baths and massage techniques with vegetable oils were often used in Roman baths. Prevalence essential oils led to the establishment of trade routes that allowed the Romans to import "unique" oils and spices from as far away as India and Arabia. With the end of the domination of the Roman Empire, the use of aromatic substances ceased, knowledge of them was almost lost in Europe of troubled times.

Some essential vegetable oils are known for their useful properties. For example, lavender helps with frostbite, juniper improves blood circulation, eucalyptus treats a runny nose, etc. Also, the beneficial properties of plants are used in homeopathic remedies taken orally, inhaled (inhalation) or applied externally (bath and massage).

Today, aromatherapy is experiencing a real boom. you bought recently scented candle and light it every evening at home? Do you like to walk in the blooming garden in spring and summer? That's what it is aromatherapy application! In principle, almost every bath or body product that we use today contains some kind of essential oil - and this is the basis of aromatherapy.

This is why aromatherapy is so popular – the ingredients are easy to get, you can make your own recipes for soothing or stimulating baths. You can choose the scents that suit you and enjoy a massage that is easy to do at home…