Aromatherapy Chart

Overview

Aromatherapy is the science (and art) of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health, well-being and beauty. By using essential oils therapeutically, one can treat a wide range of problems including stress, insomnia, acne, menstrual cramps, depression and fatigue. Essential oils (also known as essences) are obtained from the distillation of herbs, plants and flowers. They all have different therapeutic effects on the body. Aromatherapy has a long history of use in ancient Egypt, China and India. You may not even realize that you already use aromatherapy. When you burn that scented candle or walk through a fragrant garden, you were practicing aromatherapy. Almost all of the bath and body care products we use contain some form of essential oil, which is the basis of aromatherapy.

The Power of Scent

Most people often don't realize how strongly they are affected by scents. The smell of home-made bread or the scent of the ocean can bring back memories from years before. This is because the olfactory sense, the sense of smell, is interpreted by the part of the brain that is concerned with our emotions. Scents have a powerful effect on our moods. Adding different essential oils to your massage oil or bath oil can enhance its relaxing or invigorating effects. All essential oils add a feeling of luxury to a massage, so chose any that appeal to you. Below are some of the most common essential oils and the properties ascribed to them. Feel free to blend oils and see what you get. Don't blend more than two or three oils at a time. If you are using a very expensive oil such as rose, don't blend it with anything except for the carrier oil.

Essential Oils

Bergamot: Antiseptic, astringent, antidepressant, uplifting and refreshing. Helpful for depression, sore throat, digestive problems, acne and oily hair. Do not use before sun exposure, as it tends to make the skin sun-sensitive.

Chamomile: Calming, refreshing. Helpful for muscle aches, menstrual cramps, headache and digestive problems and sensitive skin. Used in hair products to lighten blonde hair.

Cardamom: Antiseptic. Helpful for digestive problems such as gas and nausea, as well as headaches.

Eucalyptus: Antiseptic and stimulating. Helpful for treating coughs, colds and muscle aches.

Frankincense: Calming. Helpful for relaxation and fighting wrinkles.

Geranium: Astringent. Helpful for depression and toning the skin. Used as an insect repellent hundreds of years ago.

Ylang ylang: Antiseptic, aphrodisiac. Helpful for dry skin and fuseful or blending with other oils.

Jasmine: Antiseptic, aphrodisiac. Said to speed up labor. Used for years for postpartum depression. (Never use without consulting your physician first if you recently delivered a baby.)

Lavender: Antiseptic, antidepressant, relaxing and calming. Helpful for insomnia, menstrual cramps and anxiety.

Marjoram: Sedative, warming, comforting.

Melissa: Refreshing and uplifting. Helpful for headaches and menstrual cramps.

Neroli: Calming. Helpful for for anxiety and insomnia.

Orange Oil: Good for blending, for a relaxing and calming massage. It is often mixed with lavendar or grapefruit oil.

Rose: Used as an antiseptic and antidepressant. Very expensive; a little goes a long way.

Rosemary: Antiseptic, refreshing and stimulating. Helpful for headaches, migraines, memory, he common cold and muscle aches. The stimulating properties are said to aid in clear thinking.

Sandalwood: Antiseptic, calming, aphrodisiac. Helpful for dry skin and acne.

Tea Tree Oil: Antiseptic, fungicide. Helpful for minor acne and treating minor cuts and scrapes.

Words of Advice

Keep oils away from mucous membranes and eyes and never use them below your waist. And of course, never take essential oils internally. If you have sensitive skin, test some oil on a small patch of skin before using it. Wait 24 hours and if irritation, redness, itching, or burning occurs, you should not use that oil.

When using aromatherapy on children age six to twelve and the elderly, cut all doses in half. If you have any questions at all, ask your health care provider if he thinks aromatherapy is safe for an elder or child. Most practitioners do not advise using essential oils on infants. Do not use essential oils if you have high blood pressure or are on medication for high blood pressure. When in doubt, ask your health care provider.