Essential Oil Uses: Common Natural Remedies for Common Health Complaints
Among our five senses, our sense of smell stands out as most powerfully affective, provocative, and evocative, yet we shamelessly neglect it. We depend so heavily on our eyes and ears we forget the perceptual and therapeutic powers immanent in our noses. We grossly underestimate the power of fragrance and pheromone in our attractions and sensations; and we flagrantly abuse our olfactory capacities, filling our noses with smoke, polluted air, and toxic or noxious fumes and vapors. Consequently, we overlook easy, inexpensive, effective essential oil uses and aromatherapy remedies for many of our most common complaints. Skilled therapeutic use of essential oils is not just another one of those New Age back-to-nature fads or fandangos; instead, if we took even a little time to study and perfect essential oil uses, we could alleviate stress, mitigate effects of anxiety and depression, protect ourselves against common colds and flu, rejuvenate our skin, and promote our sense of well-being. Essential oil uses range all the way from selection of your signature fragrance to relief of infections and viruses.
Therapeutic uses for aromatherapy essential oils
Physicians and healthcare practitioners of all descriptions seldom contest the clinical data that supports a pharmaceutical company’s cold and flu product. Physicians and healthcare practitioners do not, however, as often, concede, just as much clinical data supports the efficacy of essential oils in reducing nasal and chest congestion, body aches, and chills associated with colds and flu. Conduct your own independent investigation: As you walk down the pharmacy aisle dedicated to over-the-counter cold remedies, count how many labels shout out Eucalyptus and Menthol as if they were brand new medical breakthroughs. Because the eclectic approach always works best, wise physicians of all descriptions recommend both synthetic and natural remedies to foster quick recovery from flu’s ravages.
Although eucalyptus leaves are both psycho-tropic and toxic, essential eucalyptus oil derived from the potent green leaves complies with the most fundamental homeopathic wisdom: a little of the toxin acts as an antidote and restorative. Most commonly used for treatment of respiratory symptoms, pure eucalyptus oil, or it’s more processed and purified affine, eucalyptol, not only acts as a decongestant and anti-inflammatory, but also as a fever reducer and anti-bacterial agent. Antifungal, antiviral, and antimicrobial, in clinical trials, eucalyptus has proven comparable with over-the-counter anti-histamines and histamine blockers in treatment of common allergies to airborne irritants. And eucalyptus gargles have proven as effective as prescription-strength remedies for relief of severe sore throat symptoms. Menthol duplicates most eucalyp0tus oil benefits, offering more anti-inflammatory and dilating effects and more powerful pain relief.
Use Essential Oils To Manage Stress And Promote Well-Being
Before bio-medical researchers and experimental psychologists even begin breaking down the bio-chemistry and physiology of anxiety and depression, conventional wisdom and common sense suggest the utility and efficacy of essential oils in treatment of stress and anxiety.
The best therapies combine the benefits of proven remedies from naturopathy; they also include nutritional advising and regular exercise. Because fragrances from essential oils quickly pass the blood-brain barrier, affecting both endocrine and limbic systems, they quickly relieve many of the most difficult emotional symptoms of the disorders. Naturopaths most commonly recommend soothing plant derivative aromatherapy — geranium, jasmine, lavender, and rose, along with peppermint and other mild stimulants. Most naturopaths experienced in essential oil uses often recommend the strong fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil, because its sweet floral and fruity notes act almost instantly as mood elevators. They also recommend St. John’s Wort and Ginko Biloba as dietary supplements.
