Lavender Aromatherapy Improves Health

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other natural
aromatic compounds from plants to affect one's mental or
physical health. Essential oils, are known as hydrophobic
i.e. non-water mixing or volatile i.e. air mixing.
Essential oils are sometimes referred to as an "oil of" a
plant e.g. oil of lavender. Essential oils are referred to
as "essential" because they are the perceived "essence" of
a plant..

Essential oils and other elements used in aromatherapy are
used for relieving a variety of discomfort from
indigestion to headaches. Aromatherapy is used to alter
mood, inspire confidence, ease depression, and increase
energy. In many cultures essential oils are used for their
antiseptic value to treat infection. In France, essential
oils viewed and considered in a similar way prescription
drugs are in the United States. Essential oil treatments
can be delivered in many different ways- direct inhalation
of vapors, inhalation of steam from a vaporizer, through
massage, or through therapeutic baths. It is important to
note, however, that essential oils are diluted in carrier
oils (neutral, odorless oils) before being used on skin.
Essential oils can be used singly or in combinations with
other essential oils.

Other products used in Aromatherapy besides essential oils
include absolutes, phytoncides, and infusions. Absolutes
are essentially purer forms of essential oils that have had
their lighter, less dense components extracted with
ethanol. Phytoncides are natural antimicrobial liquids used
by many plants to protect themselves from rotting or being
eaten by insects and animals. Infusions are oils or other
liquids that have been infused with herbs, flowers, or
berries.

One of the more popular and widely used aromas is lavender.
Lavender grows well in rocky environments that have good
sunlight. Lavender has woody branches and green leaf-like
shoots resembling rods. The grayish green leaves are oblong
and in curled spiral patterns. Lavender oil is taken from
the flowers of the plant with steam distillation. Lavender
oil blends well with many other essential oils including
cedarwood, pine, clary sage, geranium, and nutmeg. The
flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature and have been
used for making potpourris. . Lavender's Latin name Lavare,
means "to wash". Lavender essential oil has a calming scent
and helps in treating migraines, headaches, anxiety,
depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. Lavender
aroma eases nervous exhaustion and restlessness and
increases mental activity. Lavender essential oil induces
sleep and is recommended for insomnia. Lavender essential
oil helps ease pains caused by sore muscles, tense muscles,
muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago.
Massage with lavender oil helps relieve pain in the joints.
Lavender oil helps in restoring hormonal balance and
reduces inflammation of the urinary bladder. Lavender oil
is often helpful for respiratory problems including throat
infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion,
bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis.
The oil is either used in the form of vapor or applied on
the skin of neck, chest and back. It is also added in many
vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs.

Lavender oil helps skin because of its antiseptic and
antifungal properties. Lavender oil is used for various
skin disorders e.g. acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, wounds,
cuts, burns, and sunburn.. Lavender oil is added to
chamomile to treat eczema. Lavender essential oil is useful
on lice and lice eggs or nits in hair. Lavender essential
oil is also good for improving blood circulation by
lowering blood pressure and hypertension. Lavender oil for
digestion increases the mobility of the intestines
increases production of gastric juices and bile and so
eases indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence,
vomiting and diarrhea. Lavender oil also helps improve the
immune system. Lavender can be used as an insect repellent
for mosquitoes and helps heal insect bites. As with many
other essential oils, pregnant and breast feeding women,
people with diabetic concerns or people with unusually
sensitive skin should avoid using lavender essential oil.

The health benefits of aromatherapy has been
underestimated. Aromatherapy has often been considered to
be only a way to make "everything smell nice". The health
benefits of aromatherapy are much more powerful and
effective than is commonly perceived or known by most
people. Aromatherapy is a deeply beneficial natural healing
modality for enhancing emotional balance and physical
health. .

----------------------------------------------------
Jennifer has more than twenty years experience with all
natural health care. She provides all natural aromatherapy
products through
http://www.sweetmedicineessentials.com/aromatherapy-c-7.html