Essential oils are a major part of aromatherapy. How these strong, pungent and lasting aromas are created is often a mystery to the consumer. What follows are details on three commonly used essential oils, where they are found, how they are extracted and what combinations of oils they can be used with.
Cypress Needles
Cupressus sempervirens, common in France the needles can be cut off and steamed to receive the oils contained within. This evergreen oil is a well known astringent, especially beneficial on skin that is very oily. Respiratory and blood circulatory ailments have been purportedly treated effectively with this oil.
Arthritis pain sees this aroma often work its magic when in combination with other oils, as a blend. Muscle ache or cramps associated with the menstrual cycle have also been beneficially treated with cypress oil. May also work on hemorrhoids.
Adding a hint of cypress to the traditional oils of Jasmine and Rose used to treat grievances, providing a slightly less sweet and fresher note to the concoction is highly recommended. This is the perfect arrangement of scents for a man who has had a spot of grief, been sacked, split up with a spouse or even maybe having suffered a loss.
One last use for this scent could be as a study aid as it is believed to help with concentration.
This oil goes well when mixed with Clary Sage, Fennel, Rose, Juniper, Lavender, Lime, Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Pine and Pink Grapefruit.
Clementine Petitgrain
Citrus Clementine, typically from France, the rind can be steamed so as to collect the scent.
Bitter orange Petitgrain is largely what this oil scent represents, but with a sweeter, softer far more noticeable citrus accent.
This scent is emotionally encouraging, when mixed with Vetiver it is a strong anti-anxiety concoction. Helping with aiding sleeping, it is often used well just before bed, aiding the relaxation of your mind. Has been reported as a great oil for relieving rapid heartbeats or insomnia, and also for creating blends of oils with a deodorant effect.
Clementine Petitgrain can be infused well with Bergamot, Geranium, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Lime, Lavender, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Orange, Neroli and Palma Rosa.
Copaiba Balsam
Copaifera officinalis, common in Brazil, this oil can be easily extracted through steam distillation from resins.
Although with no real powerful tang of Cistus, this resin scent has a soft, sweet and warm atmosphere. Vanilla and honey notes make this oil a brilliant autumn scent, inviting and cozy. Uncommon with the majority of oil scents that have been extracted from resins, this oil is a heart note, not a base note, and doesn’t last particularly long.
Copaifera officianalis has been used for pulmonary infections, inflammation or bronchial infections, it is generally very effective as part of most respiratory blends of oils. Lymphatic circulation is also known the be improved with this scent. Copaiba can be a relatively non-expensive extender to a lymph drainage blend consisting of Cistus essential oils.
Since this chemical is not well known it should not be used on grazed or cut skin. Used at normal diluted levels this essential oil is largely non-toxic/ irritating.
Arthritis pain is a chronic condition, leaving people with pain throughout the day and often the night. There are hundreds of natural treatments that may or may not be helpful to an individual but certainly they are all worth looking into. At the moment, unfortunately there is no known cure for arthritis.
This article is about relieving arthritis pain. Aromatherapy is totally natural and uses pure essential oils to heal imbalances in your body.
Essential oils are harvested from all of the plant kingdom and steam distilled. The variety is as stunning as the flowers and trees nature gives us. Peppermint essential oil, for example, is the essence of the flowers of the peppermint plant, which is steam distilled.
Consulting an aromatherapist means you are in the hands of an expert in essential oils and s/he can choose which oils are best suited for you. Generally, a few essential oils have been associated with relieving arthritis pain: Lavender, Lemon, Chamomile, Juniper, Rosemary, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Black Pepper, Benzoin, Pine Scotch, Angelica Root, Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, Peppermint, Frankincense and Ginger. These can be used individually or a combination of one to four oils.
These oils can also help to reduce anxiety and enhance your general well being. There are various ways to use these oils to help you. An easy way is to add them to your bath water and enjoy your soak. Hot compresses are one of the most effective ways to relieve pain and reduce inflammation of joints as they can be applied to the affected areas directly.
This is how it works:
You need a medium sized bowl of hot water (make sure it’s not too hot as it will be going direct onto your skin!) with 3 to 6 drops of essential oil dropped into the hot water. Then immerse a cotton cloth in the scented water and wring out the cloth. Now use this cloth to put directly onto the affected area. Then wrap a warm towel over the soaked cloth to keep in the warmth. After a while this will cool down so just repeat this process two to three times.
Diluted essential oils can be applied directly onto your skin. You should get some good quality vegetable oil or skin cream and drop two to three drops of essential oils into the mixture. The proportion that is considered to be effective and safe for you is 3% essential oils in 97% vegetable oil or cream. Essential oils are very powerful so it is advisable to treat them with care before applying them to your skin.
Rub this mixture onto affected areas as well as pulse points on your body – for example inside your wrists as you would for applying perfume. Most health food stores carry a wide range of these essential oils and they can advise you as to the best high grade oils they have.
Sandra Fierling is an avid researcher of arthritis related articles, programs and products, including Anatrin and runs a successful website dedicated to debunking various arthritis myths for the benefit of the consumer. For great free arthritis tips, discount offers and more, see Sandra’s website at www.arthritisreviews.com
