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Understanding Aromatherapy and Its Benefits

Juile Poh | October 29, 2011

Some people think of aromatherapy as being odd and mysterious, although once they learn more about it they come to understand that it is quite simple and practical. While it is similar to an air freshener, which can be found in most homes, it does take it to a more elaborate level. Studies have proven that scents can have a strong effect on the human brain and mood, which why aromatherapy has so many advantages, some of which we will be looking at in this article.

It is quite likely that one of the biggest benefits of aromatherapy is its efficiency at reducing stress. Stress is at the core of many a health problem, including such psychological issues as anxiety and depression. Such issues can’t be immediately cured by aromatherapy but it can certainly help. Many essential oils such as sandalwood, eucalyptus, lavender and clary sage, to name just a few, are very effective at promoting relaxation. The even bigger advantage is that you won’t have to do anything else, because you will start relaxing as soon as you permeate the air with these scents.

Aromatherapy with eucalyptus is popular for fighting congestion as well as helping you breathe more freely. Try a peppermint and ginger compress on your chest for relieving congestion using essential oils. To gain the best benefit from these oils use them regularly. One way to manipulate aromatherapy essential oils is to lessen muscular soreness. Putting a hot or cold compress to use, the therapeutic oil, like eucalyptus, rosemary or clary sage, the distressed area can experience reprieve. This can furthermore be effective at healing the indicators of arthritic or other bone ailments. While the oils can have a curing effect when they infiltrate the skin, the whiff also plays a part, while aches are regulated by individual centers of the brain, which in turn can be swayed by aromas. Divergent than several commercial items which have a repugnant fragrance, aromatherapy oils have a pleasant aroma which aids you in loosening up, additionally making aches lessen up.

Aromatherapy can also be used as a natural sleeping aid. Since essential oils are great for relaxation and one of the biggest causes of insomnia is stress, they are very effective at regulating your sleep patterns. Sandalwood and citrusy oils, such as lemon and orange, are great to start off with to treat your insomnia but there are many other oils and blends that can do the trick. Some people like to use aromatherapy to promote lucid dreaming, while others simply use it to be able to sleep better. You can place a couple of drops of essential oil on your wrists and forehead, or on your pillow and you can achieve either of these.

In summary, aromatherapy is both simple and complicated, depending on how you look at it. Its simplicity lies in the fact that it is simply based on our desire to smell pleasant fragrances. The large number of plants that can be used in aromatherapy is what makes it complex. If you consider the fact that all these different smells can be combined to create new ones, then you come to realize that the possibilities are practically unlimited. Yet, in order to benefit from aromatherapy, you really only need to find a few scents that are pleasing to you.

Our Natural Factory is a Singapore based company that specializes in providing excellent and popular skin care products in Singapore. If you happen to asking yourself where to buy essential oil in Singapore, look no further. Visit www.OurNaturalFactory.com

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Aromatherapy 101: Using Lemon Essential Oil

Dolores Dunn | November 1, 2010

These days we can buy supercritical carbon dioxide extract of tropical Hibiscus seeds grown in Ecuador, or certified organic combined fractions of Ylang Ylang essential oil — so Lemon essential oil is just not that interesting anymore! But the practitioner interested in therapeutic activity should never forget how amazing Lemon really is. It has a very diverse set of effects, which comes down to it being a great “pick me up” any way you look at it. Here’s a review of these effects, and how you can very easily make use of them every day.

The most common use of Lemon oil, and how many people get introduced to it (and to aromatherapy in general) is adding it to drinking water. Folks have been adding the oil to tap water just to add some flavor for a long time, before the idea of purifying your water was a big deal. With a little more understanding of what the oil does, however, now we know we’re NOT just making it taste better, but we’re purifying the water AND ourselves.

Research has shown the essential oil can kill pathogenic bacteria in water at a concentration of 1/5th of one percent. That’s 1/500th of the total amount of fluid. This amounts to 1 milliliter per 500 milliliters of water, or 20 drops per half liter. Got it? Now that’s really only for purification of water that has detectable amounts of certain bacteria — not a concentration we need to use all the time. Something a little more reasonable is 5 drops in a good size glass. This will have the effect of purifying your water, and follows a protocol for actually cleansing your liver as well. This is a perfect thing to do first thing in the morning, or anytime your stomach is empty. And even if you’re not going through a cleanse at the moment, adding a few drops to your water now and then is an excellent idea to maintain your body’s toxin elimination systems.

Lemon has excellent antiseptic properties, which means it kills bacteria on our skin’s surface. For this reason, it can be used for acne-prone skin — because of its photo-toxicity however, this should not be done if the skin is to be exposed to direct sunlight in the following 48 hours. Yet you CAN still use the oil to remove warts — putting one drop on location 1 to 3 times per day can dissolve warts effectively. Want to use this antiseptic quality, but don’t want to use it on your skin? Do the same thing on your kitchen counter tops! For a super eco-friendly cleaner, mix 2 cups water with 2 cups white vinegar, then add 20 to 30 drops of your essential oil. You can use this to clean nearly everything, with a really appealing fresh scent when you’re done.

Diffusing cold pressed Lemon essential oil is one of the simplest pick-me-up aromatherapy practices on the planet. The oil, being considered the “highest note in aromatherapy” has an accompanying “high vibration” to go along with it. The aroma is a first choice to clear the mind during those mid-afternoon work doldrums. It’s thought to aid in decision making without being over-stimulating. For all these uses, use Lemon alone in either an ultrasonic, fan, or nebulizing diffuser (avoid a “warming” type), and if you want to get a little fancy, mix it with any of the other citrus oils: Bergamot and Sweet Orange will make for a really enjoyable blend.

Lemon essential oil is one of the few oils that has also been researched for actually improving our ability to think clearly. It has been tested to reverse the decline of our mental faculties. Further, it’s also been tested to help us do our work more precisely, with diffusion of the oil in a workplace environment making a significant reduction in the amount of errors made. Lemon essential oil does this by keeping certain key neurotransmitters in circulation longer than normal — neurotransmitters that are directly related with information processing. Time for studying? Inhale a little lemon! Getting on the computer to work on spreadsheets? Try a pick-me-up with the bright, tart scent.

As you can see, there’s a lot more to lemon essential oil than we usually give it credit for. We can ingest it for detoxification, purify our water with it, clean with it, and inhale it for mental and emotional stimulation. Who would have thought!

The author is a frequent user of helichcrysum from Ananda Aromatherarapy and other natural botanicals for healing.

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Research Notes Essential Oils Can Reduce Inflammation

Melissa Ericson | January 25, 2010

For much of mankind’s history, people have used herbal treatments to reduce pain and inflammation in joints and muscles. The bark of the Willow tree has given us ‘the wonder drug’ for pain reduction, which actually occurs due to a reduction of inflammation. Now, many professional therapists lay-practitioners are turning to essential oils for inflammation reduction and pain relief. Essential oils provide a very simple means of reaping the anti-inflammatory, analgesic potential of natural medicine, as all one need do is put a few drops of essential oil into a base oil and massage in for quick, sometimes long-lasting relief.

A look at the most recent research gives a long list of abstracts where scientists have validated the inflammation reducing potential of essential oils. Several plants have a long history and strong reputation for their anti-inflammatory activity. Ginger, for example, has an interesting dual-action of being both warming to an area, and have potent anti-inflammatory activity at the same time. Ginger oleoresin (an oil and resin compound) has been successfully studied for its anti-inflammatory activity. Supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of Ginger root, also with strong anti-inflammatory activity, are easily obtained by licensed practitioners and home users to include in their joint and muscle ache recipes.

Further validating the inflammation reducing power of essential oils, Japanese researchers have released a study in the January 10th Journal of Lipid Research confirming this effect in MANY essential oils. This confirms the therapeutic selections of several — not just any single — essential oil for reducing inflammation. The range of oils found to have anti-inflammatory activity was very broad, from thyme and clove, to rose, eucalyptus and even bergamot; many of these oils the traditional therapist would not expect to display a significant effect. Also of interest was the notable absence in the research of what are considered some of the strongest anti-inflammation essential oils, namely Lavender, Helichrysum, German Chamomile and Ginger. This of course does not deny in any way the inflammation-reducing action of these oils; instead in bolsters their potential use by noting that even oils NOT considered the foremost inflammation reducers can have dramatic effects.

The strongest inflammation-reducing activity was produced by the essential oil of Thyme, a pungent herb long used as a savory flavoring. Thyme essential oil is highly regarded for its immune system boosting and anti-viral / anti-bacterial actions. Interestingly, the study noted that all essential oils tested reduced inflammation in a manner similar to resveratrol, the long-life-enhancing component of red wine. Inflammation itself is oftentimes a symptom of a strained or challenged immune system, as well as a marker of aging. One’s ability to naturally keep inflammation under control is likely to result in fewer illnesses and a slower aging process. Along these lines, it was the single natural component Carvacrol, also found in high concentrations in Oregano essential oil, that had the strongest anti-inflammatory activity of any of the single isolated compounds from any essential oil used in the study. While carvacrol by itself is actually a dangerous chemical in that it can burn our tissues, it seems to have a multitude of beneficial actions including reducing inflammation, being a strong anti-microbial agent, and boosting immune system function.

Using the anti-inflammatory action of essential oils for one’s self is very simple to do. A personal massage formula can easily be created by choosing one to three of these essential oils in this category. Massage strength — or a formula that one would use regularly on sore joints and muscles is usually found with a concentration of 2-5% essential oils in a carrier oil (like Jojoba or Almond oil). Higher concentrations are NOT better, and some oils have actually been found to be pro-inflammatory at higher strengths. An example recipe would be 1% Ginger, 1% Thyme and 3% Lavender in a base of Sweet Almond oil. A one-percent concentration is 8 drops of essential oil per fluid ounce of carrier. As there are so many inflammation-reducing oils, do a little research to find which ones might be right for you. Some are warming (ginger), some cooling (German chamomile) and enhance your active lifestyle.

Essential oils are naturally made of many individual molecular components, each of which combines for an overall synergistic effect of each particular essential oil. Learm more about essential oil chemistry here, along with the ways aromatherapy can support your health.

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Relaxation and Health Advantages of Aromatherapy

Shauwn Kincaid | January 19, 2010

Only one drop of an essential oil can treat several aberrations. There are one or two techniques to get these smells into the air. Drops of fancy oils used on the light bulbs of lamps will release the smell into the room. Incense of different smells is utilized by many solely to keep certain smells in the air. Vacations supply the perfect time to get some comfort smells into the air. Clearly, these are scents that may lift your mood and keep your home contented for anyone that enters it.

The scent from this methodology is intensely different to the scents that are utilized in the standard candle making process. If you use low-quality ingredients and materials, you can only get a candle with a sickly smell and limited benefits.

Studying the different necessary oils will help you know just what to use for each situation. All of you’ll also find that these oils are healing and electrifying while restoring that much wanted harmony and balance into your lives.

Usually, these fancy oils are mixed together and might have actual smells best for a specific purpose. Aromatherapy could be employed by smelling it or by watering down it and applying it during massage.

In using these necessary oils, it’s critical to be aware of that some plants in which these concentrated oils were gathered from could cause allergic displays when in touch with skin, especially if you are prone to allergies, so, it is important to follow instructions very well before making an attempt to use it at home. Here are a couple of the varied uses of aromatherapy that you might need to understand more about. Aromatherapy is used generally for relaxation or relaxing the body. The aromatherapy oil Lavender for instance is good for relaxation and is even helpful in people with sleeplessness. It is also employed in massages and in baths and used as well in bites and burns. Eucalyptus as an example can help a lot in working with colds and sinus congestion.

Anyone that is interested in becoming an expert in aromatherapy needs to make an effort to find out everything about the different oils. When you understand the right way to work with them, it is easy to integrate aromatherapy into not just your life, but the lives of your family and friends. Studying the different oils will help you know just what to use for every situation. All of you may also find that these oils are healing and inspiring while restoring that much needed harmony and balance into your lives.

Aromatherapy can be a fantastic way to improve your health. If you want to find out more about healthy life choices then check out oolong tea facts by visiting Shauwn Kincaid’s site on oolong tea side effects.

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Considering Essential Oils For Alternative Medicine And Treatment

Danny Ricks | January 16, 2010

In these days, it is important to understand the uses of essential oils. These are organic substances that are extracted from plants and offer good benefits to the human body. These substances are very good ingredients for cosmetics, food and for therapy. Oils of this kind are also mixed with perfumes and other skin care products and these are non-harmful and non-toxic by-products of nature.

In essence, essential oils are the liquid substances that are found in aromatic plants. Each type of oil extracted from each type of aromatic plant is unique and has wonderful uses for total health and wellness. These types of liquid substances are the most concentrated natural remedies that can be applied for alternative medicine or healing.

The natural liquid which are the principal constituents that are derived from plants are eugenol, methyl eugenol, phellandrene, cineol and caryophyllene for therapeutic uses. Through proper extraction, the concentrated essential oils from aromatic and spice-based plants are derived. The process is simple distillation but to extract the oil entails a long time.

Treatments using essential oils can be topical or oral as in therapeutic medicines for the cure of sickness. In fact, therapeutic treatment using pure aromatherapy has emerged which is now known as “florapathics”. The use of these concentrated liquid treatment are known to have the highest therapeutic properties. These concentrated liquid substances are usually diluted and mixed with pure water and certain organic elements for treatment.

The most common essential oils are extracted from different types of berries. Oils from berries are used to relieve indigestion, flatulence and to treat neuralgic pains like those caused by rheumatism or arthritis. The scent offered by these elements is truly great making the user smell good and sweet. The person using the scent spells an aroma with an exotic nature.

Most essential oils extracted from berries and flowers have powerful sweet, fresh, balsamic and warm body effects. These substances are usually extracted through steam distillation and blended with other oils from ginger, lavender, geranium, ylang-ylang, orange blossom and other oriental spicy ingredients. The feeling one one’s body when applied is truly relieving and very relaxing.

This type of natural treatment provides immediate and safe relief without any adverse reactions for all ages. The essential oils are generally used as natural relaxant, anesthetic, analgesic, carminative, stimulant and tonic. These are found to be very good for muscular cramp and all forms of cramps, stiffness of the muscle, gastric spasm and other body pain.

You may visit some websites on the internet for more information on the uses and sources of these natural liquid constituents of the aromatic and spicy plants, The use of these natural elements which are non-toxic for therapeutic remedies is very healthy for the systems of the human body. The application of natural and organic elements as therapy can also enhance the functions of the human immune system which is vital for the prevention of diseases. All these therapeutic elements are derived from nature’s aromatic plants in the form of essential oils.

You may want to apply home remedies like essential oils that are medicinal in nature and helps you keep on the go. In this fast-paced world, you need something to relieve you from feelings of stress and fatigue. Or you may want to try aromatherapy products colorado.

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Geranium Is a Scent Worth Remembering

Maria Jackson | January 14, 2010

Background

Geranium flowers grow in many gardens throughout the United States and around the world. This fragrant perennial plant, taxonomically identified in the genus Pelargonium, is known for its distinctly powerful leafy-rose scent. There are over 250 natural species of Pelargionium with hundred of hybrids and thousands of cultivars (variety produced by selective breeding). Although commonly known as geranium, there is genus with the same name. The genus Geranium and the genus Pelargonium share the same family (Geraniaceae) but they are different from one another in their cultivation as well as their botanical features. Species of plant in Geranium are known to be hardy and can grow almost anywhere. Pelargonium species on the other hand are specifically cultivated and are of great commercial value. They can also be distinguished by their differing flower patterns.

Although geranium has been used for thousands of years going back to the Greeks and Romans, it was not until the late 17th century that this plant, indigenous to South Africa, was introduced to Europe. Soon after European introduction hybrid cultivars were created and distributed around the world. During the Victorian era, potted rose geranium was often kept in parlors in order to revive the senses. Another Victorian practice was to place geranium leaves in finger bowls at formal dining tables. Today, as in Victorian times, the most widely used Pelargonium species is Pelargonium grave lens, or rose geranium. The essential oil of rose geranium is prized by aroma therapists and cosmologists alike. P. graveolens is used in aromatherapy for its medicinal applications such as an antiseptic, as a haemostatic (stops bleeding), a tonic to regulate the nervous system, a diuretic (to treat edema) and a hormone balancer. In the perfume industry, rose geranium oil is often mixed in or even replaces the more expensive rose petal essential oil. Cosmologists also use this aromatic oil in lotion, soaps, shampoos and creams. One might presume that geranium essential oil comes from the flower alone, yet it is the leaves and branches where the oil glands are found and through a process of steam distillation the oil is extracted. In order to increase the yield of oil during this procedure, processors will often partially dry the plant.

The first geranium plants grown for the French perfume industry were planted in Algeria in 1847 and then in the 1880s extensive plantations were established in Reunion – an island in the Indian Ocean governed by France. Geranium oil is also cultivated in other parts of the world for its commercial value such as China, Egypt, Russia and Central America. The oil from China is thought to be similar to that of Reunion (known as Bourbon), while the Egyptian geranium is quite different. This is due to various soil and climatic conditions. The Bourbon variety, with its rich aroma, is considered to be the most important of the geranium oils.

Geranium as a Strong Antimicrobial

In recent years, the main media have reported on the rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This week in the news is no exception. In the January 2010 issue of Microbiology, researchers from the National University of Ireland in Galway published their findings on how disinfectants might lead to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, especially in hospitals. It is standard hospital procedure to use surface disinfectants to prevent the spread of bacteria; if disinfectants are non-effective than antibiotics are used. The study looked at the response of the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (known to be the cause of many hospital infections) to increasing amounts of disinfectant. What they found were bacteria not only able to develop immunity from the disinfectant but also become resistant to ciprofloxacin (a commonly-prescribed antibiotic) without direct exposure to the drug. Researchers conclude that bacteria resistance to both controls could be a serious threat to hospital patients and thus urge medical practitioners to rethink how infections are handled.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are widespread in nature, inhabiting soil, water, plants, and animals. Yet these pathogens usually do not infect healthy human individuals, only those with compromised immune systems. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), P. aeruginosa accounts for 10.1 percent of all hospital-acquired infections and can be a cause of such diseases as pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bone and joint infections, gastrointestinal infections and bacteremia. These infections are considered complicated and possibly life threatening.

There are an increasing number of studies being published in peer-reviewed journals on the potent antimicrobial properties of essential oils, including geranium. A 2004 study (Burns 2004 Dec; 30(8): 772-7) found that geranium in combination with Citracidal (grapefruit seed extract) had great effectiveness against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and in combination with tea tree was highly effective against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. These researchers concluded that essential oils serve as highly useful antimicrobial agents and in treatment of MSRA infection. A more recent study (BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2006 Nov 30; 6:39) found that essential oils, including geranium were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, including the ubiquitous bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Things to Consider

Geranium essential oil has been praised for centuries for its medicinal qualities and beginning in the late 1800s for its aromatic fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics. Species of Pelargonium are found in flower gardens throughout the world. In recent times, with the rise of drug resistant pathogens, essential oils such as geranium have evoked interest as an alternative remedy in treating and preventing many infectious diseases. It is clear that the spread of drug resistant pathogens, such as P. aeruginosa, is one of the most serious threats to hospital patients. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a majority of the world’s population depends on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. There may come at time in the near future where the entire world will once again turn to the medicinal qualities of plants and their constituents as a main source of illness recovery and wellness.

The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as lavender, frankincense, rose and other therapeutic grade essential oils.

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The Scent of Lavender

Nancy Smith | January 9, 2010

Overview

What do modern medical researchers, bees, the Bible and the Queen of England have in common? Well, as you can probably guess from the topic, it is the recognition that lavender possesses exceptional properties for health and wellness. Medical researchers are now investigating the components of lavender oil that have been used for centuries as a stress and anxiety reducer, an insect deterrent and as an antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory. Honey bees have quite an affinity for the pollen of lavender plants; commercial production of lavender honey is well prized. Lavender was one of the herbs used in the biblical Temple to prepare the holy essence and mentioned in the Song of Solomon as an admirable herb. Queen Elizabeth I was known to use lavender as a tea to treat her frequent migraines. It is now recognized by the medical industry that alternatives to conventional treatments are needed and that lavender is a good candidate for safe and effective applications.

Although generally known as lavender, there are actually thirty-nine species of the genus Lavendula, but only a handful are used commercially. This fragrant plant is native to the Mediterranean region south to tropical Africa and to the southeast region of India. Today lavender is successfully cultivated in southern Europe, Australia and the United States. Aromatherapists distinguish lavender species according to their therapeutic uses and medicinal properties. True lavender (L. officinalis, L. angustifolia) when distilled at high elevations is known for its large percentage of ester content and regarded as the best in quality. Uses for true lavender include cases involving anxiety, stress, small burns, cuts and insect bites. Spike lavender (L. spica, L. latifolia) is known for its camphor content and thus used for respiratory infections, for muscular aches and pains and as a possible stimulant. Lavendin (L.fragrans, L. burnatti) is a hybrid of true lavender (L. angustifolia) and spike lavender (L. latifolia) and commonly used for large-scale commercial purposes. Stoechas lavender (L. stoechas) is used as an expectorant and known for its antimicrobial properties.

Sedative Effects of Lavender

Lavender is well recognized as an agent able to support a reduction in anxiety, mainly due to its high linalool levels. The physiological process of reducing anxiety through the use of essential oils is quite phenomenal. Once the diffused molecules of essential oil enter the nasal cavity, they bind to receptor sites of the olfactory neurons which then trigger a cascade of events. In short, the olfactory neurons send messages to the olfactory nerve and then onto the olfactory bulb (located just three inches from the brain) where messages are initially processed. Within the olfactory bulb are input and output stations, the glomeruli and M/T (mitral and tufted) cells respectively. The olfactory output from the bulb to the brain has several targets, mainly the primary olfactory cortex and the higher olfactory associated areas where olfactory discrimination, perception and memories take place. The other is the limbic system, sometimes referred to the ‘nose’ brain comprising a complex system of 122 regions and associated areas which together is heavily responsible for the expression of emotion. Main structures of the limbic system (LS) are the amygdala, septum, hippocampus, anterior thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Diffused essential oil of lavender has been shown to alter reactions in the limbic system which includes the amygdala and hippocampus, both of with are vital to our behavior, mood and memory. Recent studies have found lavender to reduce levels of cortisol (a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands). High and prolonged levels of cortisol have been shown to have a deleterious effect on the body, such as higher blood pressure, lowered immunity and decrease in bone density. A 2008 study published by the International Journal of Cardiology (Sep 26; 129(2): 193-7) found that lavender aromatherapy reduced serum cortisol and improved coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR ) in healthy men after stress was induced and concludes that lavender aromatherapy has relaxation capabilities and may be beneficial for cases concerning coronary circulation. Another study from the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan (Archives of Oral Biology 2008 Oct; 53(10): 964-8) found that salivary cortisol levels decreased in stressed subjects (via a series of mathematical tasks) after being exposed to air-borne lavender essential oil; cortisol levels did not decrease in the control group. Lavender essential oil has also been found to help babies as well. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida (Early Human Development 2008 Jun; 84(6): 399-41) found that babies bathed with essential oil of lavender cried less and spent more time in deep sleep than babies who were not bathed with the oil.

Other Noteworthy Uses

A rather haphazard discovery of lavender in the use of tissue regeneration was made by the late Dr. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (a French cosmetic chemist) who after he severely burned his hands in a laboratory accident, submerged them in a container of lavender essential oil and noted the remarkable speed at which they healed. More recent research has newly discovered the possible antimutagenic (inhibits mutations) effect of lavender. In this study (Food and Chemical Toxicology 2005 Sept; 4319: 1381-7) scientists noted antimutagenic effects of lavender oil (L. angustifolia) on a strain of Salmonella bacteria, concluding that such uses of lavender may be promising for applications in modern human healthcare. Other uses, such as antimicrobial and antiviral have been recognized and supported on the University of Maryland Medical Center website (www.umm.edu).

To Remember

The physiological pathway for molecules of lavender essential oil to reach the brain is remarkable. By following the molecular trail into the nasal cavity and its subsequent neurological reactions, one can better appreciate the recognized stress-reducing qualities found in lavender. Traditional uses of lavender are now being investigated and their diverse applications more fully understood. With science now uncovering the specialization of olfactory receptor sites for certain scent molecules, aromatherapy becomes an even more valuable remedy for maintaining wellness. We would all do well to familiarize ourselves and perhaps re-remember what our ancient brain (the limbic area) has stored for thousands, even millions of years- molecules of scent, and in this case lavender, are powerful and effective.

Learn more about using aromatic botanicals to ease menopause symptoms. To read more by this author enjoy her blog. ‘Organic Medicinal Herbs.

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Sandalwood Continues to be Highly Prized

Charity Smith | January 6, 2010

Historical and Current Uses

Sandalwood, or Santalum, is identified as belonging to the Santalaceae family. This small tree reaching to about 10 meters is indigenous to Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, Australia and India. Much of the commercial production of sandalwood comes from Santalum album (India) and Santalum spicatum (Australia). Although both of these species are considered true sandalwoods, there are other species commonly called sandalwood that are not included in the Santalum genus and are therefore have differing compositions. These unrelated plants are sometimes used as fillers to reduce the price of the increasingly expensive Santalum oil yet are considered of inferior quality. Research has identified a wide spectrum of applications for both the simple essential oil and its active components. Traditional and ceremonial uses of sandalwood continue to be an important part of cultures around the world.

Sandalwood from the Mysore region (known as “sandalwood city”) of southern India is generally considered to be of the highest quality sandalwood available, providing great commerce for this region of India. Of the traditional areas in Southeast Asia where sandalwood is found, India has been the front runner in creating plantations in which to continually harvest Sandalwood (The Australian Government has also set up reserves as well). Trade and harvest of Indian sandalwood is under strict regulation and the trees themselves are under government protection; only the government of India is permitted to own the trees. To produce commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils, harvested Santalum trees are recommended to be at least 40 years of age, but 80 or above are preferred. However, trees at 30 years of age are still harvested but considered of inferior quality.

Much of the valuable wood is found in the roots of sandalwood and thus harvested by uprooting the entire tree versus cutting it at the trunk. In the last few years alone, the price of sandalwood has skyrocketed, mainly due to rising demand and limited supply. Increased demand has mainly come from the perfume and aromatherapy industry. Sandalwood essential oil and paste is used in Indian and Chinese medicine and of course aromatherapy botanical medicine. The perfume industry covets this oil for its ability to blend well with other perfume oils; hence, it is used extensively in hundreds of cosmetic products.

Over the centuries, the use of sandalwood and its products have been an integral part of several religious cultures. It scent, either as an essential oil or ground as incense, is thought to bring one closer to the Divine. Hindus burn incense made from sandalwood oil in burial pyres and at funerals. It’s also used in temples to remind people of the heavenly realms. Yogis in India use the oil to anoint each other during ceremonies and before meditation as well deity statues often made of sandalwood itself.

Sandalwood May Help with Antibiotic Resistance

In late December of 2009 a length article by the Associated Press entitled “Pressure Rises to Stop Antibiotics in Agriculture” reported on rapidly emerging bacteria that are resistant to current antibiotics from supposed misuse of antibiotics in the agriculture industry. It was all over the internet in a matter of days. The article provides quotes from professors, researchers as well as government agencies all expressing deep concern and even alarm at the rate of microbial resistance to standard treatment. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) web page includes recent studies regarding antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) (both of which cause great harm to humans and animals alike) linked to heavy uses in food agriculture. This scientifically sound web site also provided a press conference statement (way back in 2001) by Margaret Mellon, Ph.D., director of UCS Food and Environment Program stating that 70% of total antibiotic production is devoted to non-therapeutic uses in the cattle, swine and poultry industry. It seems plausible that over the last nine years since this press release, microbes have developed an armor of resistance to antibiotic treatments.

Hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to be major health concerns worldwide. In a recent study conducted by the University of Keil, Germany in their Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery 2009 Oct.; 37(7): 392-7) researchers found that sandalwood oil in vitro demonstrated an effective treatment for antibiotic-resistant strains as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (a cause of severe soft tissue, bone or implant infections in hospitals) and antimycotic (antifungal)-resistant Candida species. Another microbe that plagues humans is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This Gram-negative bacterium is thought to be harbored by over 50% of the world’s population and is strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers as well as stomach cancer. A 2006 study by the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokushima, Japan (Journal of Natural Products 2005 Jun; 68(6): 819-24) found that the crude extract as well as isolated compounds of sandalwood essential oil showed antibacterial activity against H. pylori.

Uses Beyond Bacterial

The Australian and Indian Santalum species, found to be similar in chemical composition, are known by aromatherapists to have such therapeutic properties as anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic (reduces fever), antiseptic (as mentioned above), antispasmodic (relieves muscle spasms), astringent, carminative (relieves flatulence), demulcent (reduces irritation), diuretic (soft and soothing to skin), emollient, expectorant, as a sedative and general tonic. Their principle chemical constituents are alpha-santalol and beta-santalol. According to a study conducted by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and South Dakota University (Anticancer Research 2007 Jul-Aug; 27(4B): 2185-8) application of the chemical compound alpha-santalol prevents UVB-induced skin tumor development in mice. Sandalwood is also thought to help alleviate the symptoms of depression as reported by the University of Maryland Medical Center (www.umm.edu).

Concluding Remarks

The value of sandalwood in some cultures goes back centuries – from burning the fragrant incense in temples to using the oil in sacred ceremonies. In the commerce of today, sandalwood is highly prized by the perfume industry as well as those in aromatherapy. Recent science studies indicate that sandalwood and its principle component alpha-santalol have antiseptic as well antitumor capabilities. With the growing concern of antibiotic-resistant bacteria of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida in both hospital and public environments, serious investigation into the possible uses to of alternative therapies is well underway. Consideration of essential oils, and in this case Santalum album and Santalum spicatum are prime candidates for meeting modern medical needs.

The author enjoys aromatherapy for lifting spirits in the winter months. Try essential oils like a floral mood lifter and an other fantastic natural aromatics from The Ananda Apothecary.

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Nancy Bluestone | December 29, 2009

Known for Centuries, Unknown to Me

I consider myself fairly well- educated and read intelligent magazines and newspapers, but for some reason, I have had little acquaintance with aromatherapy, or aroma-botanicals as my friend prefers to call them. I have spent many university classroom hours reading about the interactions between plants and insects, plants and other plants and of course plants and humans. Yet, what was not offered in all the lectures I attended and books I read were the wide-variety of medicinal properties of aromatherapy. Below is brief synopsis of my discovery of aromatherapy and the science that confirms what has been right under our noses for centuries.

So Much More Than Just Aroma

I have been using natural and alternative wellness treatments for my health for years, yet I had only associated aromatherapy with getting a massage or putting lavender on my pillow for a better night’s sleep. Unbeknownst to me, aromatherapy has been used for centuries and currently used in medical facilities in France. Now, with a rising interest and even demand for alternative and complementary medicine (CAM), research is being conducted on the benefits of aromatherapy for infections, psyche, nerves, hormones and to some extent inflammation, allergies and metabolic conditions.

Uses of Aromatherapy

Contrary to my own vague association, aromatherapy is more than smelling certain scents. Jane Buckle, RN, Ph.D. concludes that there are four main types of aromatherapy: clinical, stress management, beauty therapy and environmental fragrancing. I think many of us have an association of aromatherapy when it comes to beauty therapy and good smelling fragrances from the aroma of essential oils, yet the clinical and stress management aspects of aromatherapy have been hidden from view.

To wrap my investigative mind around what truly is aromatherapy, I needed to get more of a simplistic definition. The general idea of the meaning of aromatherapy is that it is therapeutic uses of essential oils from aromatic (fragrant) plants. These oils are usually extracted from plants using water or steam distillation and typically used in diffusers as well as topically. Once the aromatic essential oils are extracted, the oils are rather unstable in nature – when the oils are exposed to air, they change from a potent liquid into an aromatic vapor within seconds.

In ‘ Advanced Aromatherapy’, the author explains that the main chemical component of essential oils are terpenes and it higher homologues as well as phenylpropane derivatives. Yet it must be pointed out that the synergy of each oil has it own unique qualities as well as specific chemical components.

Reacquainting with Nature

Each of us is aware of the far reaching affects of the high-tech civilization that we live. Yet, one that is often overlooked or forgotten is the loss of nature – both in our surrounding environment and in personal knowledge. In this modern age, it seems that humans have separated mind from body and body from soul. If we were to look at the essence of what aromatherapy is, it is simply nature in a bottle.

Pulling my biology textbook of the shelf, I re- read about plant defenses and thought of it in a whole new way. Plants produce chemical compounds, mostly terpenoid compounds, in order to defend themselves against predators such as insects and animal as well as against fungi and other microbes. These chemical compounds also are used in plant to plant competition, where established plants inhibit germination of other plant species. Also, plants use these terpenoids to attract beneficial insect and bat pollinators. Thus, it is evident that the creation of essential oils in plants is vital to their continual survival.

Observing Animals

I wonder in my own mind why the usage and medicinal properties of plants is so unfamiliar in our culture. I have known for years that horses select various plants to facilitate detoxing of metabolic toxic buildup, as well as for antiviral and anti-parasitic properties. I remember in college learning about Chimpanzees eating certain plants to cleanse their accumulation of internal parasites.

And, I know from my graduate work in entomology that insects have fairly well developed chemoreception and some are attracted to plants by their scents. It tugs at my reasoning why plants and their essential oils are not more widely used in everyday life, but as I have pointed out above that is now changing. In part two of this paper, I will dive into the physiological aspects of how aromatherapy is absorbed into the human body and the current research on clinical and stress management uses.

The team at Ananda has designed an essential oils ‘use chart’ for your convenience. Enjoy high vibe learning.

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The Profound Healing of Frankincense: Historical and Science-Proven Applications

Brenda Renyolds | December 25, 2009

Remarkable History

For centuries, cultures around the world have regarded frankincense with great reverence and value. It is best known in western Christian cultures as being included in the gifts of the Magi traveling from the east to worship the baby Jesus. Such a gift would have been of great Jewish significance – serving as a symbol of deity and burned in the temple to acknowledge God. Ancient Egyptians also believed in the sacredness of frankincense – thought to be the sweat of the gods that fell to earth. Egyptian queen Hatshepsut (1508 BC – 1458 BC, fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt) tried to bring the trees of frankincense to plant in her mortuary temples at Thebes; it was used for ceremonial purification and embalming by her people. Greek and Roman pharmacopeias mentioned the medicinal uses for treating a wide variety of diseases; it was also recorded in Chinese and Indian medical texts.

The origin of frankincense is traced back to the Arabian Peninsula. According to Herodotus (5th century BC Greek historian), “Arabia is the only country which produces frankincense, myrrh, cassia and cinnamon…” At one time, there was an active over-land frankincense trade route that started in the Dhofar region of Oman, went through Yemen and followed the Red Sea coast to reach Jerusalem and Egypt. The production and trade of frankincense may have lasted for up to 6,000 years, spurring the creation of villages and towns along the route. Caravans of camels transporting frankincense were often targets of raids, since frankincense commanded prices equal to that of gold. It is likely that frankincense grew in areas across the Red Sea, such as Ethiopia and Somalia, but the initiation of the frankincense trade route began with gum resin from Omani trees. Due to raiding, desertification and other religious zealotry, the trade route dried up after about 300AD.

Origin and Harvest

Frankincense is a derived from the plant genus Boswellia, family Burseraceae indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen and Sultanate of Oman), India and the Red Sea region of North-East Africa (Somalia and Eritrea). Incisions, about two inches long, are made in the trunk of the tree which then exudes a milky gum-like substance or resin. This resin, when exposed to air, hardens into droplets or “tears”. These tears are allowed to dry for about two weeks before collection and then stored for approximately twelve weeks to harden. The exception is made for production of some essential oil. In this situation, the resin is not allowed to dry but collected as a semi-solid material, yet in most cases the oil is extracted from dried resin.

The method of harvesting, or tapping, of Boswellia varies according to species and the customs of the region. For example, in Somalia tapping usually occurs in two separate periods, each lasting 3-4 months with successive 15-day intervals. The period between harvests depends upon the onset and extent of rains. In India, the collection is done once a year, commencing at the end of October. In Oman, there are ancient rituals pertaining to resin harvest as well as a sense of guardianship for the trees passed down to each generation.

Active Components

There are numerous species and varieties of Boswellia trees; major species being Boswellia serrata found in India, Boswellia carteri in East Africa and China, Boswellia frereana in Somalia, and Boswellia sacra in Arabia. Quality of frankincense resin is based upon colour, purity, aroma and age. In general, it is thought that the more opaque the resin the higher the quality with Omani frankincense regarded as the best in the world. The majority of ultra-superior Omani B. sacra is said to be purchased by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said the ruler of Oman.

The chemical analysis of frankincense is well researched. The oleo-gum-resin substance of frankincense contains 3-8% volatile oil, an ether (common laboratory solvent) soluble resin fraction of 60-70% and an ether-insoluble fraction of 23-30 per cent. The ether soluble resin contains sesquiterpenes, alcohols, esters and boswellic acids and the ether-insoluble contains polysaccharides and diterpenoids. The composition of the volatile oil differs according to climate, harvest conditions and geographical location, but in general, all oil contains numerous monoterpenes (C10 compounds in the form of hydrocarbons, alcohols and keytones) and sesquiterpenes (C15 compounds) as well as diterpenes.

Medicinal and Therapeutic Uses

Compounds of frankincense have been found to exhibit in vitro (outside a living organism, usually in a test tube or Petri dish) antibacterial, antifungal, immunomodualtory (ability to regulate functions of the immune system) and in recent years immunostimulant activity. Studies have also found anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of Boswellia. It is thus apparent that frankincense has a wide range of uses. Selected below are just three traditional applications for treating illness and are currently of interest in medical research.

Injury: Powder of the dried resin of Boswellia is a common ingredient of herbal plasters and pastes to treat wounds. A recent study from Hebrew University, Israel (J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2008 Jul;28(7):1341-52) indicated that Incensole acetate (IA), an isolated from frankincense resin, was shown to reduce neurological damage from head injuries.

Cancer: Throughout the centuries many illnesses, including cancer, have been treated using frankincense resin. Rising attention has been given to the possible anti-cancer uses of frankincense. A study published in March of this year investigated the induction of tumor cell cytotoxicity using Boswellia carteri. This study found that frankincense oil appears to distinguish between cancerous and normal bladder cells as well as suppress cancer cell viability. Such a finding might indicate use of frankincense as an alternative agent to treat bladder cancer.

Immune Stimulant: In many world cultures frankincense, whether as an essential oil, powder or burning of resin, is seen as an excellent plant product for treating most illnesses. A 2003 study conducted by Mansoura University, Egypt, supported such usage. Mansoura medical researchers found that Boswellia carterii essential oil demonstrated immunostimulant activity. Such a discovery adds yet another positive medicinal result of frankincense and further encourages its use for several immune disorders.

In Conclusion

It is remarkable to see that modern science is now investigating the wealth of knowledge found in ancient medical texts on frankincense. Recent medical studies have indicated that the oleo-gum-resin of frankincense has remarkable medicinal applications. Experimental data confirms many of the traditional uses of frankincense, most notably in regards to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and bronchial asthma. The body of science literature investigating frankincense continues to expand, revealing the amazing medicinal properties that frankincense has to offer. This age-old plant product has been honored and celebrated by civilizations for centuries. Viewed as a gift fitting for royalty, we in this modern era are just beginning to understand the incredible value in this tree yielded resin. It is no doubt a gift that will keep on giving.

The author highly recommends aromatherapy as a wellness practice. Read more about aromatherapy and ‘emotional well-being‘.

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