Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A Practitioner's Perspective On Essential Oils

By Jim Samposzi

Essential oils are the most important ingredient in aromatherapy, a hugely popular branch of alternative medicine which has undergone a dramatic revival in recent times. Aromatherapy relies on 'volatile' oils and certain substances drawn from plants to aid in the promotion of both physical and mental well-being in a person.

Essential oils are drawn from plants, usually using distillation. The oils can be taken from any part of the plant, such as leaves, flowers, roots, wood and peel.

The oils are usually sold in small, glass bottles, but are available in a number of forms. Usually they are released into the air by heating with a candle, burned as incense, or it is even possible to put some on a piece of cloth so it naturally defuses into the air.

Alternatively, essential oils can be put directly on the skin. However, since essential oils are highly concentrated they should be diluted first, so you must be careful. In fact, like any kind of therapy, essential oils must be approached with a certain amount of caution. Use the caution you would give to administering any medicine and ensure you study the subject or talk to an experienced practitioner. There are 100s of essential oils, all with different properties, so it is good to educate yourself.

Also, be certain not to mix up fragrance oils with essential oils. The former do not have any medicinal qualities and contain synthetic substances. Shop around to try to find a reliable supplier that sells good essential oils.

As with many varieties of alternative therapy, a good deal of debate surrounds aromatherapy and essential oils. It is discounted by many practitioners of traditional medicine, though other people have touted it as some type of miracle cure. The reality, however, in all likelihood lies somewhere in between. It is commonly accepted that aromatherapy can improve health and mood in small but noticeable ways. Essential oils can't cure a major disease like cancer, though they will make it easier for the person to cope with the disease if used properly.

As mentioned before, a certain amount of care must be exercised when using essential oils. For example, essential oils should not be used undiluted on the skin, they should never be ingested and they should be kept well away from children. Also, it is important to use them sparingly, a drop or two is usually enough, and they have the potential to cause problems for people with existing medical conditions like asthma.

Essential oils are increasingly being embraced as a real aid to achieving physical and mental health. It is no miracle cure, but with safe and sensible use its benefits can be significant. - 14130

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