Massage And Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the process of using essential oils from a variety of plant sources to affect mood. Frequently used as part of a complementary alternative medicine approach, aromatherapy has many adherents. It is established that certain oils do have antiseptic properties and are potentially less harmful than some synthetics substances that can be used for similar purposes. Try peppermint around doorways to keep ants away. Aromatherapy is also commonly used in conjunction with massage to increase a relaxation effect.
One of the most common oils used in aromatherapy is lavender. Lavender can be used to treat headaches, by placing a drop behind the neck and on the forehead. It is often included in massage oils for its relaxing properties. Fairly easy to come by and relatively inexpensive, lavender is a staple of the aromatherapy industry, but it is only one of hundreds of available oils.
You can find many aromatherapy oils in health food stores. Oils are processed from materials that come from all over the world, and while they are already in use as part of mainstream medicine in part of Europe and the rest of the world, in the States they are not. The rarer the materials from which the oil is removed, the more you will end up paying for it. It is worth while doing your research to see which oils are considered most important and valuable before you spend your money.
Aromatherapy is used in the home by many people all over the world. Many people combine the oils with water, alcohol or other solvents and used them as cleaning products. Recipes for different blends reputed to lift or affect mood are commonly available online, as are direction for making cleaning solutions. Oils like tea tree and sage have antibacterial or antifungal properties and are best for cleaning and disinfecting.
People who love Aromatherapy use it in their houses to create relaxing areas and wonderful effects. A few drops in the rinse cycle can give your clothes a wonderful scent. It is common to have people make their own lotions, cleansing products or perfumes using essential oils. It can lead to a new and unique item. Of course, if you do go about creating your own blends it is important to keep a record of your experiments, otherwise is it very difficult to repeat any given combination.
When used in conjunction with a massage some knowledge of essential oil properties is essential. When your tired feet are screaming it is time to get out the sage and peppermint. Cinnamon and pepper oils provide warmth for sore, aching muscles. A massage may be much more relaxing when you use orange or lavendar in the process. All these oils need to be cut with carrier oil such as almond oil or a good massage lotion since most oils are too strong to be used neat, or on their own. Cinnamon oil can cause burns if not cut with something else, for example.
Aromatherapy lends itself to trying many different mixes to find new positive effects. There are many, many books you can check out of the library to being your research.
