We’ve now reached a point where
it’s time to start talking about some of the essential oils
used in aromatherapy and how various formulas work.
Since there are so many
possibilities this will be partial coverage. We encourage you to study further
by accessing some of the links we’ll provide as well as those you may find for
yourself. There are also some wonderful books on the subject. We will list some
of those at the end of the book.
Please remember that some oils are not true
essential oils but are perfumes or for fragrance only. That’s one reason why
it’s so important to have a good idea about what you’re doing should you start
experimenting.
Most essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin
in an undiluted form. Besides the fact that they can damage your skin, they are
probably too concentrated for your vital organs to absorb safely. Any oil you
use in aromatherapy should be labeled as to its purity and intended use.
Make
sure too that it is in a dark colored glass container only. If it’s in
something plastic, the plastic can degrade and actually corrupt the oil. Also
clear glass will allow the sun and other bright lights to damage the oils.
Please use caution. We will tell you more about blending oils and carrier oils
a bit later.
As you’ve probably gathered by
now, various oils affect different parts of our being. In this book when we
refer to the body, we take the holistic approach of including our physical
mental, emotional, and spiritual selves as a united person. So let’s look at
the ways in which various essential oils act on our components.
Many of us are more aware of our
physical bodies than our other parts. This is what we see and we know when it
hurts, is stiff, overweight, or any number of other conditions. It’s harder to
ignore problems in this area. On the next page is a table showing some of the more common
physical ailments we suffer and recommended essential oils to be used in
treatment. It’s important to note that in most cases the oils are used with
carrier oils. We’ll be talking about them in Chapter Five. When the directions
for use refer to a cold compress, it means to add a few drops to it. For use in
warm baths, it’s suggested that you use 10 to 15 drops and generally soak for
about 15 minutes. In massage the oils may be combined with carrier oils or
sometime unscented skin cream or lotion. The notes in the caution column mean
if you see these symptoms or if any condition goes on for very long, be sure to
contact your physician.
