AROMATHERAPY
Natural Healing for Mind, Body and Soul!
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote health in the body, mind and spirit. It is a natural, non-invasive method designed to affect the whole person not just the symptom or disease. It assist the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, support and maintain itself with the focused use of essential oils.
It was the French perfumer and chemist, Rene- Maurice Gattefosse, who coined the term “aromatherapie” in 1937 with his publication of a book by that name. His book “Gattefosse’s Aromatherapy” contains early clinical findings for utilizing essential oils for a range of physiological ailments. It seems vital to understand what Gattefosse’s intention for coining the word was, as he clearly meant to distinguish the medicinal application of essential oils from their perfumery applications.
So we can interpret his coining of the word “Aromatherapie” to mean the therapeutic application or the medicinal use of aromatic substances (essential oils) for holistic healing. As the practice of aromatherapy has progressed, over the years, it has adopted a more holistic approach encompassing the whole body, mind and spirit.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
What is an essential oil?
Essential Oils are made from plants for physical and emotional benefits. They are distilled from leaves, flowers, tree bark, seeds, or rind of fruit in concentrated amounts. Typically one drop of a dōTERRA® essential oil has a powerful effect making them affordable at just pennies per use!
How do I use essential oils?
You will learn that there are hundreds of ways to use dōTERRA® essential oils, including relaxation, personal care, household cleaning, cooking, and supporting a healthy body. Every oil can be used at least one of three application methods:
Aromatic, Topical, or Internal.
For Aromatic Use ~ Breathe in or use a diffuser to open up airways, improve mood, or freshen and cleanse the air.
For Topical Use ~ Use a carrier oil when applying to bottoms of feet or affected areas to target specific needs.
For Internal Use ~ Drop in water, under tongue, or in veggie capsule to support mouth, throat, digestive system, or overall health. (Only certain oils can be used Internally!)
What are some basic safety tips?
1) Photosensitivity - No sunbathing after applying citrus essential oils. Avoid direct sunlight to the exposed area for at least 12 hours, for sun exposure may cause a skin irritation or burn. Oils applied underneath clothing should be fine.
2) Hot Oils - If it starts to burn, skip the water. Use a carrier oil or whole fat milk. Because essential oils don't mix with water, applying water to the area can actually drive the burn in deeper. Ouch! Oils like Oregano, Clove and Cinnamon are hot oils that can cause a warming effect. It is always best to dilute these with a carrier oil before using on the skin!
3) Avoid These Areas - Never put essential oils in your eyes, inside ear canal, or up nose. However, you may apply oils around the eye bone in a C shape, on ear cartilage and behind ear bone, or diffuse essential oils.
4) Dilution - Use a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil when applying essential oils topically to avoid skin sensitization.
5) Safe Storage - The majority of all adverse reactions to essential oils are by children, and have been as a direct result of accidental overdose and ingestion in large amounts. Keep out of reach of children. Use child proof safety caps.