Aromatherapy and You!

Aromatherapy is a popular natural health option in today's busy world. While many may think aromatherapy to be simply the use of floral waters to freshen the air, it is in fact a real science.

Over the next few weeks I will introduce you to the science and use of aromatherapy.

But first of all the basics. Please refer back to these often, particularly the safety notes.


Defining Aromatherapy

There are technical and academic definitions of aromatherapy however I would like to define aromatherapy as the use of the aromatic pure essential oils from plants, absorbed via inhalation or through application to the skin, for physical and emotional therapeutic benefit.

Storage

Essential oils should be packaged in dark amber glass bottles. Always remember to put the lid back on the bottle - otherwise the oil will oxidise and be of no use.

Store the essential oil out of the light - in a cupboard or box (out of reach of children) is best.

As an aside - Be wary of purchasing essential oils that are placed out on display in shops. Many shops display products on shelves under lighting. The lighting helps everything look great, but the heat and light destroy the essential oils therapeutic value. They will still smell nice - but they are not of any use for aromatherapy.

Are Essential Oils Safe?

Just because an essential oil is a natural substance doesn't mean that all essential oils are safe or that the use of the oils indiscriminately won't have negative consequences.

Essential oils are concentrated. Often times an effect is achieved by using less rather than using more.

If it says to use 2 drops, do not use 20 drops! Some of the restrictions placed on essential oils is because a few people have done things like taking a teaspoon of an essential oil as medicine - this may kill you - if not quickly, then certainly slowly from liver damage. Just because a product is natural does not mean that it should not be treated with respect or sensibly.

Here are the main warnings:

Essential oils that are toxic - do not use:

Almond (bitter), boldo leaf, buchu, camphor, sassafras, calamus, horseradish, mugwort, mustard, pennyroyal, rue, savin, savory, southernwood, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, wormseed, wormwood.

Essential oils which should not be used by people with high blood pressure -

Rosemary, hyssop, sage, thyme.

Essential oils which should not be used by people prone to epilepsy -

Fennel (sweet), hyssop, sage.

Essential oils which should not be used during pregnancy -

Aniseed, basil, birch, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, fennel, jasmine, juniper, sweet marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme.

Pregnancy

It is best to seek the advice and treatment (oh, heavenly) of a specialist qualified in pre-natal aroma-therapeutics. However if that is not possible, use your common sense with the use of essential oils. Remember that the essential oil is being absorbed into your body, regardless of whether you apply the oil to your skin or inhale it.

If unsure, it is advisable that you get hold of a good book about aromatherapy that outlines the risks and accepted safe usage of essential oils during pregnancy.

That said, and now that you are appropriately in awe of the power of these natural beauties, essential oils can be of therapeutic assistance during pregnancy.

Babies and Children

General guidelines -

Babies (0 - 12 months) - use 1 drop of lavender, rose, chamomile or mandarin diluted in 1 teaspoon base oil for massage or bathing.

Infants (1 - 5 years) - use 2-3 drops of 'safe' essential oils (non-toxic and non irritant to the skin), diluted in 1 teaspoon base oil for massage and bathing.

Children (6-12 years) - use half the stated adult dose. Use milder versions of the oil if possible - for example, mandarin is much milder than orange essential oil. Tangerine is milder than mandarin essential oil. By the way, these are great essential oils to have around with children in the home.

Teenagers (over 12 years) - use as for adults.

Always use your common sense.

If you use essential oils in a diffuser where there are young children around, use much less the amount suggested for adults. Remember a child's body is so much smaller than ours - and they absorb the essential oils too.

If you would like to use essential oils in the baby nursery, it may be best to have the diffuser outside the door of the nursery, that way the baby will not be taking in too much of the oil. You don't even have to notice the smell of the essential oil for it to work!

A Few More Hints for Safety

If there is an accident and you use too much essential oil, dilute it with a base oil. Rinsing with water will not work anywhere near as well.

Do not get essential oils anywhere near your eyes! If some accidentally does get any in the eye or eye area, wash thoroughly with cold clean water for 5 minutes. If the stinging has not subsided after 15 minutes seek medical attention.

Essential oils (with the exception of lavender and tea tree) cannot be applied directly to the skin. Base oils are used to dilute the essential oil so as to apply it to the skin.

Recommended Base Oils

- Sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil - inexpensive, good for everyday or massage use

- Jojoba - beautiful moisturizing liquid wax (not oil) that is expensive but lasts a long time, use it for everything if you can afford it, use it as an eye cream. Jojoba is often used for 3% dilutions of the more expensive essential oils (e.g. Rose, Jasmine, Neroli)

- Wheat germ oil - expensive but contains Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, good for damaged skin, can be used in small quantities as an antioxidant in preparations. Rancid wheat germ oil will smell terrible.

- Macadamia oil - a pleasure to use and healthy for the skin, also expensive, use in small quantities in a blend of base oils

- Evening Primrose Oil - another beautiful oil that is expensive but very good for the skin, use in small quantities in a blend of base oils

- Can use oils such as olive oil, canola, soyabean, safflower, sunflower, but I prefer to keep these in the kitchen (just a personal thing)

- Make sure the oil is cold-pressed.

Suggested Books

* "The Directory of Essential Oils" by Wanda Sellar (1992). I continue to refer to this book when I want a quick reference for a specific essential oil.

* "Complete Aromatherapy Handbook" by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi (1990). A beautiful book - you will fall in love with aromatherapy if you read this one!

* "The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy" by Salvatore Battaglia (1995). This to me is textbook material on aromatherapy.

* Books by respected aroma-therapists Valerie Ann Worwood, Shirley Price, and Robert Tisserand.

There are many others - go to your bookstore - virtual or offline - and browse. Or go to your local library and find one or two books that appeal. Enjoy.

- Annette Ramsey

Copyright © 2002 Annette Ramsey

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