Todays Aromatherapy Using Essential Oils as Effective Medicines
Therapeutic use of
essential oils is beginning to be recognized in the United States as a
valid modality for treating illness. There is still significant
resistance to the science of Aromatherapy, but such is the resistance
from the institutional-medicine/pharmaceutical-industrial complex to
most 'natural' health treatments. 'Big Pharma' is THE industry with the
highest average profit margins on earth -- and is dedicated to
producing, patenting, marketing selling new, unnatural (and therefore
'patent-able') chemical compounds that are supposed to answer every
need of health and
wellness. While some formulations
do much good for the world (modern medicine has nearly eradicated
several life-threatening illnesses from the planet), other medicines
simply mask symptoms for a time, and others are downright dangerous.
Essential oils offer inexpensive, effective treatments for many
ailments, free from side-effects of over-the-counter or prescription
drugs. Whether the very limited and overtly skeptical presentation of
Aromatherapy in the mainstream media is driven by the big money
involved with institutional medicine remains to be clarified. In the
meantime, YOU have the ways and means to include essential oils in your
own natural medicine program. There are a great many resources
available to the lay-practitioner to determine which oils and how they
can best be applied for the improvement of your own health and
wellness. Let's have a look at what the science of Aromatherapy is
really about...
There is an amazing disregard for natural healing in the mainstream
media - despite the fact that so many of today's 'modern medicines' are
derived directly from plant compounds. There are HUNDREDS of plants
that are known to contain anti-cancer compounds, for example. Many of
these without the side-effects of chemotherapy (it takes a skilled,
knowledgeable Naturopathic doctor to develop an effective personal
protocol for this type of work, but success is certainly possible).
This brings us to the amazing derision placed upon the science of
Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is purely the science of therapeutic use,
for physiological as well as psychological imbalances and disorders, of
naturally-produced volatile aromatic plant chemicals. It may be that
the term 'Aromatherapy' lends itself to being pigeon-holed into
mystical 'new age' hocus-pocus, but in reality, it is simply the
practice of using a particular class of natural compounds to improve
one's health, wellness and well-being.
A backlash may be coming; more people are getting fed up with the high
cost of healthcare and the soaring cost of prescription drugs. They are
willing to investigate natural, inexpensive alternatives, particularly
when 'proven' effective in the same arena as are modern
pharmaceuticals. An important example is the use of Peppermint
essential oil in treating irritable bowel syndrome. A study of 50
children comparing the effects of a common chemical preparation and
peppermint oil capsules on alleviating their symptoms showed the
peppermint oil to be drastically more effective, with fewer side
effects, than the pharmaceutical drug. The nature of the essential oil
is that it will eliminate bacteria causing disease symptoms, while
leaving much-needed natural intestinal flora unharmed. This is the
beauty of aromatherapy, and properly utilized natural medicines in
general.
Another well documented treatment using essential oils is the use of
Melissa essential oil on Herpes Simplex viral legions. The legions are
outbreaks of the virus during times of undue stress; the virus is
typically under control of the immune system and remains dormant in
nerve endings of the skin - the disease is considered 'incurable' by
conventional medicine. A great many university studies have evaluated
Melissa (and other essential oils containing similar molecular
components) and it's efficacy in treating Herpes - and the results have
been astounding. A majority of study participants have less pain, along
with shorter and less-frequent outbreaks. One professor claims that the
disease has gone into complete remission in some study participants
with regular use of Melissa oil; no more outbreaks at all! Further,
Melissa is very well tolerated, has no known toxic effects, and is
readily available. This is true aroma-'therapy' taking it's place in
the world of natural health, wellness and fitness.
Then, of course, there is the 'aroma' therapeutic aspect of essential
oil use. The hard facts show the olfactory sense of the brain is wired
directly to vital control centers of the gray matter - particularly
those governing emotions, stress levels and, well we're not sure how
this relates to your health, but sexual arousal as well. And with
acceptance of the importance of one's mental health relating to their
physical well being continuing to grow, Aromatherapy may eventually
find it's place in hospitals and doctor's offices alongside
stethoscopes, syringes and cotton swabs. Many, many studies have shown
the self-evaluated improvements in mood and stress levels when inhaling
particular essential oils - and because stress is considered by many
health professionals as THE number one cause of disease, it's a short
leap to believe the inhalation of spirit-lifting aromas can result in
improved states of health.
Aromatherapy certainly deserves it's place in the realm of medical
treatments available today - some consider essential oils the absolute
best route of treatment for certain infectious illnesses (essential
oils have a wide range of antimicrobial and anti-viral effects). Oils
are not a cure all, nor are they wonder drugs. They are effective plant
medicines which should be used in appropriate situations with the
respect they deserve. There are many well-written, interesting guides
to medicinal use of essential oils; noted authors are Kurt Schnaubelt,
Robert Tisserand, and Jane Buckley, among others. Find one or more of
these texts and educate yourself! You'll find a whole new world opening
up in your natural health and wellness choices.
Authors Bio:
The author has made
available much practical information about aromatherapy -- including
reports on specific anti-microbial oils such as oregano, lemon and cinnamon.
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