Aromatherapy for Common Ailments

Aromatherapy works in several ways to combat common
ailments. Essential oils contain molecules that once
applied or dispersed through the air trigger nasal
receptors to send healing messages to the brain. The brain
then experiences changes of chemistry that tell your body
to feel relaxed, cheered or numb to pain.

A common physical complaint today is arthritis. A blend of
a couple of drops each of clove, ginger and peppermint oils
dispersed in eight ounces of a carrier oil such as almond,
olive or jojoba can be worked manually into the areas that
feel sore. These oils have the effect of cooling hot spots
in the body and bringing oxygenated blood to the affected
areas. Tea tree oil can also be used along with geranium
or lavender oil to heal cold sores. Mixed with chamomile
oil it is an effective remedy for eczema.

Essential oils are also very effective when it comes to
soothing the pain of muscle soreness. You can mix a few
drops any one of the following oils in 8 ounces of a
carrier oil and add them to a bath or rub them directly
into the skin: balsam fir, pine, juniper, ginger, cloves,
peppermint or rosemary.

Many aromatherapy oils are extremely effective when it
comes to diminishing the pain of headaches or curing them
all together. Basil, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus,
neroli (orange blossom) or linden blossom oil either
diffused through a room or rubbed on the temples and neck
can greatly relieve headache pain that seems to be caused
by stress or tension. Headaches that are provoked by sinus
problems are effectively relieved by diffusions of basil,
clove, eucalyptus, frankincense, lemon, lavender, juniper,
pine or rosemary oils. If the headache is believed to have
a hormonal cause, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine
or lavender may relieve it.

Tea tree oil can be bought in commercial preparations or
made into an oil by yourself by diluting two or three drops
of the essential oil into eight ounces of a carrier oil
such as witch hazel or aloe vera. This oil can then used to
heal and disinfect small cuts, scrapes, bruises, insect
bites and bee stings. Tea tree oil can also be used along
with geranium or lavender oil to heal cold sores.

Aromatherapy can also be used to treat nausea. This is
effectively done simply by rubbing a blend of peppermint
and ginger oils in a circular motion on your stomach and
pulse points or by anointing a handkerchief with a few
drops so that you can sniff the aroma while on a road trip.

Did you know that aromatherapy oils can also be used to
relieve jet lag and hangovers too? Oils that are very
effective for warding off that feeling like you overdid it
are peppermint, orange, clary sage, geranium, eucalyptus,
ginger and basil. The optimum cure would be a preparation
that you would blend yourself in almond oil called
"hangover helper!"

About the Author

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(c) 2005 Liz Santher - All Rights Reserved

Liz Santher is a aromatherapy enthusiast and freelance
author.

http://www.AromaTherapySecret.com
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