Article - Aromatherapy To Calm
Your Nerves...
It is said that aromatherapy can balance and heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Aromatherapy has been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, but the public has just recently become aware of it.
Aromatherapy is the use of “essential oils” derived from plants. The oils are either applied to the body or inhaled. Common ways are by adding oils to bath water, through massage, or by a diffuser, which can fill a room with aroma.
The
human nervous system will react to scents. Some smells produce a sedated
relaxed effect, while others may revive or excite. Some oils have antiseptic,
antibiotic and antiviral properties.
You need only pour a few drops of essential oils into a heated aromatherapy
diffuser to send their therapeutic fragrances through your office or home.
You can also sniff the oils directly from the bottle or place a few drops
on a handkerchief and breathe in the scent. And, of course, you can enjoy
aromatherapy during a massage when the essential oils are mixed into the
massage oil.
The simplest way to use essential oils is in the bath, says Deanna Cross, an educator at the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in San Francisco. "In the water, you relax and your emotions open up," she says. "Plus, you simultaneously inhale and absorb the oils through your skin."
Add oils from citrus plants to warm bath water to lift your spirits, advises Cross. Orange, neroli, bergamot, grapefruit and lemon are all candidates for a mood-brightening soak. Because oils won't readily mix with water, it is recommended to add seven to 10 drops of an essential oil to 1/4 cup of milk or soy milk to act as an emulsifier. This keeps the oil from floating in concentrated pools atop the bath water, where it may irritate your skin. Pour the blend into the water just as you're getting in.
Here are some aromatherapy recipes that can help you keep your cool:
Lavender - The ultimate remedy if you can't
fall asleep the day night before the wedding. Dab a drop or on the sides
of your pillow and you'll fall asleep like a baby and wake up ready to
get married!
Geranium Rose - It is a very good oil to use when you are irritable (at
your mother-in-law, nosy aunties, the hairdresser or even your fiance')
and depressed, especially before your period. Just 4 drops of the oil
in your bath makes a difference. It is a great stress buster.
6 drops Ylang Ylang
5 drops Palmarosa
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Geranium
Wear or add ten drops to the bath. Alternately, you can rub this mixture onto pink candles and light them all over the room.
3 drops Patchouli
3 drops Black Pepper
1 drop Peppermint
1 drop Ginger
1 drop Orange
You can use a couple of drops of this blend on to a piece of cotton and inhale whenever necessary. Or add a couple of drops in to the bath on the morning of the wedding day.
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