Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years as medicines with healing properties. However, now a days we know a lot more about the different types of essential oils and how they can be used to improve physical and emotional health and restore balance to the whole body. Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine that is categorized under herbal medicine. Unlike herbal medicine, aromatherapy herbs are not taken internally; rather essential oils are inhaled or applied to the skin. When using essential oils proper ingredients, dilutions and preparations are vital to the efficacy of aromatherapy. Essential oils can be used in several techniques such as massage, baths, steam inhalations, vaporizers, creams, lotions, shampoos, gels, gargles, mouthwashes and hot or cold compresses. Determining the appropriate essential oil (as well as a carrier oil if being applied directly to the skin) for your symptoms or illness is required. If you are unsure about what you are doing its best to contact a local aroma therapist to help you with your therapy. Each essential oil has its own healing properties and aromas. Everyone appeals to different scents therefore not all essential oils will work for every individual. Here you can find a list of the top 10 essential oils.

Peppermint- Peppermint is best known for its remedy for digestive problems such as slow digestion, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea and flatulence. It is refreshing and stimulating for the liver, intestines and nervous system. As a painkiller it can treat headaches, toothaches and muscle aches.

Eucalyptus- Eucalyptus is a powerful decongestant treatment for respiratory problems such as coughs, colds, asthma, chest infections, and sinusitis. It alleviates inflammation, reduces fever, treats skin infections, and eases pain of burns. It relieves muscle tension, treats rheumatism, and fibrositis. It boosts the immune system, which stimulates new tissue formation, and diuretic capabilities.

Ylang Ylang- Ylang ylang is a sedative, antidepressant, and tonic for the nervous system. It treats depression, anxiety, tension, irritability, and stress related insomnia. It regulates the circulatory system and rebalances body function such as reducing blood pressure and slowing down breathing and heart rate.

Geranium- Geranium is generally regarded as a feminine oil because it balances women’s hormones. It also can treat PMS and menopausal problems Geranium is relaxing, refreshing and uplifting and alleviates the symptoms of apathy, anxiety, stress, hyperactivity and depression. As an anti-inflammatory and astringent it balances the skin and can relieve acne, diaper rash, burns, blisters, eczema, cuts and congested pores.

Lavender- Lavender is a calming, soothing, relaxing antidepressant. It is an antiseptic, antibacterial, and painkiller when treating cuts, wounds, burns, bruises, spots, allergies, insect bites, and throat infections. Lavender has a balancing effect, which lowers blood pressure, eases digestive spasms, nausea and indigestion. Lavender can treat tension, depression, insomnia, headaches, stress and hypertension.

Lemon- Lemon stimulates the body to fight infections, and treats inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, sore throats, and acne. Lemon fights against colds, flu, and bronchitis. Lemon oil is a diuretic, laxative, and astringent. Its aromatic smell uplifts the mood and relaxes the nerves as well as dispels depression, indecision, and anxiety. It can also be used as a deodorizer and for house cleaning.

Clary Sage- Clary Sage acts as an antidepressant, which treats anxiety, depression, and stress related problems. It can relieve muscle aches, tension, and pain. It also regulates the nervous system and benefits the digestive system by relieving indigestion, digestive spasms, and flatulence. Clary sage can be used on the skin as an astringent to remove excess oil. As an antibacterial, clary sage can treat respiratory and throat infections.

Tea Tree- Tea tree oil is full of healing properties because its an antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. Tea tree is used in several skin problems such as spots, acne, warts, verrucae, athlete’s foot, rashes, insect bites, burns and blisters. It can be used to clean cuts and infections, wounds, and helps in process of healing scar tissue. Tea tree boosts the immune system and alleviates inflammation. It fights against colds, flu, respiratory infections, and infectious illnesses. It promotes relaxation to help fall asleep and balances hormones in the body.

Roman Chamomile- Chamomile is calming, relaxing, oil that helps with sleeplessness, anxiety, muscle aches, tension and stress. It is a valuable anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial. Chamomile can treat skin problems such as rashes, boils, allergies, insect bites, wounds, cuts and infections. In addition chamomile can relieve pain, headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, neuralgia, indigestion, nausea, and flatulence.

Rosemary- Rosemary is a refreshing and stimulating oil. It stimulates mental capacity, immune function, blood circulation and the digestive system. It is a tonic to the nervous system and acts like an antidepressant. It can relieve stress related disorders, and mental exhaustion. As an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and diuretic it can cleanse the body and relieve pain. For digestive problems it can relieve digestive spasms, flatulence, indigestion, and constipation.

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For more than a hundred years, European scientists and doctors have been utilizing the power of smell to alter a person’s mood and health. Countless studies have been able to merge that line between scent and our more inner cognitive psyche by a series of controlled experiments. These scientists discovered that scent influences emotions, while in some very rare cases, even emotions influence our sense of smell. We know far too well of how smell has this distinct, often times, overpowering, control over us. The smell of freshly baked pie may bring you back to your childhood and remind you of your mothers delectable cooking. A whiff of your ex-boyfriends perfume may send you into uncontrollable fits of rage. A study from Rice University in Houston discovered that close couples are able to smell each others emotions both being able to smell each others sadness or happiness. Scent has the ability to control us in ways we have never thought possible.

Enter aromatherapy, an alternative medicine that uses plant materials to create aromatherapy essential oils and alter a persons mood or health. Pure aromatherapy is a treatment or the prevention of sickness and disease by the utilization of aromatherapy essential oils. Aroma has a certain influence on the brain, most especially in the limbic and olfactory regions of the brain, that hastens well being and healing. Hundreds of people have utilized the power of aromatherapy essential oils to treat a multitude of aches and diseases. Reflexologists employ the power of pure aromatherapy to conduct the best massages that bring the best results, and its popularity is growing worldwide.

Aromatherapy essential oils have the capacity to provide physical and psychological benefits when used correctly. Pure aromatherapy is a powerful practice that should be understood properly before usage and application. Aromatherapy essential oils such as eucalyptus have the power to heal respiratory system ailments, and are often recommended for muscle aches and pains. Geranium can relieve nervous tension, pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms, repair broken capillaries, cuts, burns, and certain types of eczema.

The wonders of peppermint includes its ability to treat asthma, cramps, colds, fevers, headaches, mental fatigue, and even vertigo. Sandalwood is one of those aromatherapy essential oils that are great aphrodisiacs. It is valued in dermatology for its skin healing properties. Tea tree is well known for its disinfecting, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

There are various aromatherapy essential oils with a multitude of different benefits. To find out which one is the best for you, consult an aromatherapy expert or conduct some research. The variety of oils available may surprise you.

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INTRODUCTION

Homeopathy is an alternative medicinal field like Ayurveda and has been practiced for more than 200 years. The homeopathic treatment is mainly based on three important factors: ‘principle of similitude’, ‘experimentation of substances in healthy individuals’ and ‘dynamized medicines’. Homeopathic treatments are based on the principal that ‘like cures like’, in a tiny dilution, to such an extent that they go beyond Avogadro’s number (1,2). Hence the effect of homeopathic drugs, could be analysed in healthy individuals and could be applied according to the principle of the similarity of symptoms. Ruta Graveolens is such a homeopathic medicinal plant and is available in the trade name Ruta Grav.

INGREDIENT DESCRIPTION

Ruta Graveolens is a strongly scented evergreen shrub which has many homeopathic medicinal uses. It belongs to the family Rutacea and is about 20-60cm tall. It is commonly seen in Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and Australia. The leaves are blue or green in colour and it is bipinnate, or tripinnate with a feathery appearance. The flowers are yellow in colour with 4-6 petals and 1 cm diameter. The fruits are 4-5 lobed capsules with numerous seeds.

CULINARY AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Ruta Graveolens is been widely used in Middle Eastern Cuisine in spite of its bitter taste. The leaves and oil are used in many beverages e.g.: Italian grape spirit. It has also been widely used as an insect repellent because of its strong pungent smell. The oil has been used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics such as soaps, creams & lotions.

MEDICINAL USES

Ruta Graveolens contain a number of active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins and essential oil. Rutin a flavonoid present in it has the ability to decrease blood capillary permeability and fragility which is concerned with its eye action. Alkaloids and Coumarins present in it have antispasmodic action. Ruta Grav is an excellent remedy for pain and soreness in the bones, joints, tendons, and cartilage. International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, Greece explains detail about its clinical power to overcome degenerative problems in the knees. Ruta Grav is used as a 1st Aid treatment for sprains, injuries, strain, bruises bones, pulled ligaments. Sprains or fractures can also be well treated using Ruta Grav. It is also a good remedy for ankle sprains, soreness in the feet, ankles, achilles heel, and lower back pain.

The Book titled ‘Homeopathy for Musculoskeleton’ includes excellent sections on symptoms associated with Ruta Grav and other important remedies

Useful for:

Key Symptoms:

EYESTRAIN

Overuse
Injury
Eyes red, hot, burning
Dim vision
Pressure deep in eyeball or over eyebrow

HEADACHE

Following eyestrain
Pain as if from nail
Heaviness, as if weight in forehead

INJURIES TO BONES

Bruised, lame sensation all over
Periosteum (bone covering) bruised

DENTAL PROBLEMS

Deep aching
“Dry socket”

SPRAINS

Tendons & ligaments sore
Feet & ankles painful
Aching in heel tendon
Painful stiffness in wrists and hands

SCIATICA

Worse at night while lying down
Pain from back down hips and thighs

BACKACHE

Deep pains
Thighs feel broken
Relieved lying on back, by pressure
Weak, bruised feeling in low back

Better from:

Lying on back, Motion, Warmth

Worse from:

Cold, wet weather, Being at rest, Lying down,
Cold, Overexertion, Cold wind, Sitting

It is also a useful remedy after surgeries involving tendons, connective tissue, cartilage, joints, and coverings of the bones. It can easily promote recovery after surgery on knees, wrists, shoulders, elbows, ankles, hips, etc. It eases discomfort if deep stiffness is felt in joints and muscles after surgery. Recent research works showed that Ruta Graveolens has some immobilization effect on human sperm and it paves a new hope for male contraception. Pathak et al investigated that Ruta 6 induces severe telomere erosion in cancer cells but has no effect on normal lymphocytes. Banerji and Banerji reported that Ruta was effective for intracranial cysticercosis. True star Health Encyclopedia, North America (One of the most comprehensive information database available on health) describes Ruta Graveolens as a homeopathic remedy for increasing stamina during athletic performance.

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

Ruta Graveolens is available in the market as Homeopathic Tablets, Pellets, and Granules. Some common products are

(1)  Ruta Grav 30X 250 tablets

(2)  Ruta Grav 30C 2 oz bottle 1360 pellets

(3)  Ruta Grav 30C 75 pellets

(4)  Ruta Grav 200C 75 pellets

Thymeley solutions (Natural remedy online store owned by USA) explain about the usage of these products. About 3-6 pellets can be dissolved under tongue 3-4 times a day, as directed by a licensed practitioner. Children can use half of adult dose. It is completely natural supplement, with no artificial binders. Vegetarians and vegans are also safe to use this product, which is free of all animal by products.

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Hippocrates the Father of medicine knew the power of aromatherapy and essential oils when he declared “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage daily”

Aromatherapy is an amazing holistic therapy that can be used in almost every area of your life, Stress, Anxiety and Depression are just some of the areas that aromatherapy is incredibly effective. Olfaction is unique amongst the senses in its direct connections to the neuro endocrine and limbic structures of the brain.

When we detect the smell of an essential oil, that oil has already entered into our lungs & olfactory system and is stimulating the release of chemical responses throughout our bodies. The response is determined by the aroma that is inhaled, the use of oils such as lemon have been shown to reduce typing errors when vaporised in offices, oils such as fennel can stimulate digestion and a whole plethora of oils can be successfully utilised for easing stress, anxiety, depression as well as boosting the immune system.

The choice of essential oil(s) to use is very much a personal choice, I suggest that you take a little time to smell a few oils and allow the different aromas to guide you to the essential oil(s) that are most suited to you. Below are a few oils that have a wide spectrum of uses.

Bergamot FCF (Citrus bergamia) is an uplifting oil that works very fast and effectively. Bergamot can ease anger and irritation and can defuse aggravation. Apply a drop neat at the first signs of a cold sore and it will stop it in its tracts. Add 8 drops to a tissue which is placed in with your tea bags to make delicious Earl Grey tea

Chamomile German (Chamomillia matricaria) a calming soothing oil that is ideal for times of tension or sleeplessness. Such a gentle oil that it is safe to use on new born babies, this is my number one of for calming and promoting sleep in young children, also great for teething, tantrums and nappy rash.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium var amara flos) ideal for insomnia, irritation and depression a beautiful sweet floral aroma that nurtures and rebalances ragged nerves. Wear as a perfume when feeling down or nervous,

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) a wonderful meditative oil that promotes calmness & deep breathing, use at night especially if you experience disturbed sleep or nightmares. Perfect when feeling uptight, anxious or flustered. Great for children that experience night terrors. My number one choice for asthmatics

Sandalwood Australia (Santalum spicatum ) is a deeply calming nurturing oil that can ease irritation and help us see past petty annoyances allowing one to find other solutions. An effective remedy for both throat & urinary tract infections gargle

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Promotes calmness and tranquillity, ideal for agitation, anxiety, irritation and headaches. Can be applied neat to the skin to heal open wounds, cuts, bites & burns. Apply one drop to each temple at the outset of a headache and feel the tension melt away. This oil is a first aid box in a bottle.

Vetivert (Vetiveria zizanoides ) a deep calming earthy aroma that is ideal for anyone that tends to be “off with the fairies” ” not in their bodies, disconnected”,. Vetivert is grounding, very nourishing ideal for dehydrated skin it is calming to the nervous system has a great cooling effect when applied to the skin. Often people prefer to mix this with lighter oils such as Bergamot FCF or Sweet Orange to lift this aroma a little.

The reason aromatherapy is so effective is that there are so many ways that you can utilise the oils to gain maximum benefit, Personally having a regular aromatic bath at night is my sanity saver, others do not enjoy bathing so use a vaporizer or receiving a massage would be more appropriate, below are a few suggestions

Bathing with Essential oils is an ideal way to promote relaxation and sleep. It is a good idea to mix your essential oil (s) with a little (5ml) of carrier oil (sweet almond/ avocado/ Jojoba etc) I use an egg cup or shots glass to mix the carrier oil with the essential oils before pouring into a drawn bath. Use Approximately 8 – 10 drops in an adult bath.

An electric vaporizer that requires no water is ideal to use in your bedroom to promote calm and tranquillity and to help to assist with quietening the mind so that sleep can be achieved Sandalwood and Frankincense are two of my favourite oils for this, I am not a fan of candle burners as the idea of a naked flame unattended would be enough to keep me awake all night, if you do not have an electric vaporizer I suggest you use a candle burner in your bedroom a few hours before going to bed and the put out when you get into bed. Alternatively you can apply 3 drops of oil to a tissue and tuck this into your pillow slip. Add stimulating oils during the day to help you stay alert and focussed idea to use when working on a computer oils of Basil & Rosemary are great for mental dexterity

Receiving professional aromatherapy massage on a regular basis is a wonderful way to address stress, anxiety and depression, if your budget does not stretch to this then self massage is also recommended, add 5 drops of your chosen oil(s) to 10 mls of carrier oil such as sweet almond/ Jojoba/ Apricot kernel etc, remembering to always work up your legs never down to assist with circulation and prevent varicose veins

Joanne Lang is the Principal of Eclipse Living Essence Aromatherapy Centre which is a specialised one stop aromatherapy business we offer the highest quality training, treatments and products. I started the company in 1993 after a number of years of training & practising on my friends and family, the significant improvement to my health as an asthmatic were astounding, the benefits to my two small children incredible. I feel that the best aspects of aromatherapy are that it is empowering to the user, gentle to the environment and it really works.

4 / 32 Ardross Street
APPLECROSS, W.A 6153
Phone: 08 9316 4650
Mobile: 0411 725 870
Email: Joanne@aromatherapyaustralia.com.au
Website: http://www.aromatherapyaustralia.com.au/

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