Understanding the Art of Aromatherapy
It is important to apply essential oils to the most beneficial areas of the body. If you have a headache for instance, a good place to apply the oil would be a corresponding…
The term Aromatherapy originated in the 1930’s from the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse but the use of essential oils in healing therapy is much older. The ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Persians, Indian, and Arabic societies used many different essential oils for medicinal purposes meaning Aromatherapy oils and their benefits have been around for centuries. The art of Aromatherapy was handed down through the ages and the western world is being reintroduced to the healing powers of essential oils.
God gave us herbs to be used as healing medicines. Genesis 1:29-31 says, “I have given you every herb bearing seed which is on the face of the earth……and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat.” And in Ezekiel 47:12 God told us, “and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”
The most common means of extracting essential oil from the plant is by distillation. The steam must be hot enough to leach the oil from the plant without being hot enough to burn and waste the plant. Because each plant contains such small amounts of oil, it is easy to see why it takes many hundreds of pounds of each plant to yield one ounce of oil.
Using oils directly to the skin
If you are planning to use essential oils directly to the skin, it is a good idea to test a small patch of skin first to be sure there is no reaction.
Diluting oils
Because essential oils penetrate your skin rapidly, you should look for a carrier oil that is also easily absorbed such as almond or grape seed oil.
Where to apply
It is important to apply essential oils to the most beneficial areas of the body. If you have a headache for instance, a good place to apply the oil would be a corresponding pressure point or reflexology point to the head, but for those who are not familiar with either acupressure or reflexology, there is an easier way. Apply the oil directly to your feet. Many people believe the oil should be applied to the soles of the feet only but, others recommend applying essential oil to the whole foot to include the reflexes on the top of the foot as well.
All organs and structures of the body are found on the feet and as you can see from the diagram there are many reflex points on the sole, sides, and top of the foot. Stimulating the reflex to a corresponding area in the body releases the energy needed to regain balance and well being to that particular part of the body. The energy is carried through the body on one of ten meridian lines that begin in our feet. Each line travels up through the body passing through organs, tissue, and all structures ending at the top of our head. Applying essential oil to our feet allows the healing properties to be carried up to where healing can begin.
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lanne | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
Great information. I really enjoyed this one.
louie jerome | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
Excellent information.
Anne Lyken-Garner | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
I am a fan of essential oils myself, so this was right up my street.
Ruby Hawk | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
I like oils anyway, and the healthy side is a real plus. My sister swears by tea tree oil.
Darlene McFarlane | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
Thank you everyone for your comments. I find essential oils beneficial and easy to use. I have had many compliments about my perfume when an oil is all I am wearing.
Dee Huff | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
I use lavender and tea tree regularly. Sometimes I like to use some of the essential oils with scents I enjoy in a diffuser. A very informative article.
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
Very good information on a fascinating topic. Just don’t put eucalyptus oil on your dog like I did. lol It kills fleas, but it makes the cat very sick, when she grooms the dog.
Thank you, Darlene. I particularly liked how you added the drawings to illustrate the use of the oils.
IcyCucky | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
This is such a great information. Thank you for providing an extensive list of uses, too.
valli | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
Great article. Thank you very much for the information.
Lucy Lockett | Nov 25, 2007 | Reply
That was great information and I learned much.
a.king | Nov 26, 2007 | Reply
This was a great article. I used tea tree oil when I was quitting smoking a few years ago. It may have just been psychological but it did wonders to help with the cravings. It never occurred to me to rub it on my feet. I’ll have to try it. Keep writing, Darlene, I so enjoy your articles.
Darlene McFarlane | Nov 26, 2007 | Reply
I appreciate everyone who has left a comment and for taking time to read my article. Judy, I hope your cat is OK after your little mishap…live and learn, aye? Tea tree oil to the soles of the feet is a great idea, a.king. Another trick is for when you or your kids have a stubborn cough, especially if it keeps you awake at night. Rub a mentholated rub such as Vicks Vaporub to the soles of your feet. I received this tip from an email sent to me from a family friend AND from Judy Sheldon-Walker…thank you, Judy. Combined, we at triond are a great wealth of valuable information.
Shannon (Jan) | Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
This is an awesome article. I truely believe everything you have said. I just wish more people would at least try some of these before saying it doesn’t work. They do work. Just as alot of our grandparents home remedies. Which brings me to the fact that before modern medicine as we know it today what did they use? Plants and extracts etc etc Thank you for a very well written article
beauley, Lucien | Nov 28, 2007 | Reply
Very informative article. I really appreciated the information you presented…along with other readers. thanks.
francie | Nov 29, 2007 | Reply
Great article,
I have been moving away from products I used to purchase because of my close reading of the disturbing ingredients in so many. I have been using natural, essential oils and loving it. Thanks for all this information.
C A Johnson | Nov 29, 2007 | Reply
This is a great article. It was very informative.
Liane Schmidt | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
I’ve always wanted to learn more about this subject Darlene. You rock! I’m printing this article out! We can always count on you to produce interesting, valuable, and substantial work.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Jennifer B. Graham | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
I like it. I saved it.
Alexa Gates | Dec 23, 2007 | Reply
I love using essential oils for many things
Thanks this is really helpful 
SunGoddess | Mar 15, 2008 | Reply
The illustrations are great and very helpful. Thanks!