Treat yourself with essential oils
Being in agreement with oneself both physically and psychologically is quite legitimate at a time when everything is going faster and faster, when the body is subjected to permanent nuisances (noise, pollution, etc.) and where the he mind has to deal with regular tensions. What is aromatherapy? What are essential oils used for? Where to find them? How to use ? Let's do a check in.
- What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a remedy dating from Antiquity: the Egyptians already included in their healing potions plants such as mint or laurel. It was only later, in the 11th century, that the idea of extracting the active ingredients from plants by distillation appeared.
Aromatherapy is a branch of phytotherapy (phyto = plants and therapy = to heal). It consists of collecting the active ingredients of plants by a complex process of steam distillation to recover the liquid and concentrated form that we know and that we call “essential oil”. Strictly speaking, it is not a question of "fatty substances" but of an infinity of active molecules.
Each essential oil has a particular chemical composition called a "chemotype". It is defined according to the environment of the plant, the soil, exposure to the sun, temperature, its resistance to bad weather, etc.
The same plant species can therefore produce different essential oils and thus have several “chemotypes”.
- What are essential oils used for?
The plant world offers an almost inexhaustible source of active ingredients capable of relieving small everyday ailments and more serious pathologies. They also allow us to breathe energy and defend us against external aggressions.
Their properties are varied: antispasmodic, antiviral, relaxing, aphrodisiac, stimulant, antiseptic, digestive, etc...
Where to find them?
Essential oils can be found in pharmacies, drugstores, organic stores, specialty grocery stores and now on the Internet, provided you are vigilant about quality.
By purchasing an essential oil in a pharmacy, the traceability will comply with the standards, guarantees of quality and effectiveness of the product. In addition, the essential oils found in pharmacies are generally from organic farming, which guarantees a 100% natural composition.
- Their fragrance, an exceptional weapon
As surprising as it may seem, the scent of essential oils is not pleasant for everyone: in some cases it is an excellent repellant against unwanted people. This is the case of lemongrass with mosquitoes, for example. Conversely , it attracts pollen foraging insects which cannot resist the scent given off by the flower.
Most of the time, the scent of essential oils exerts a beneficial effect on the mind of an individual by directly influencing their psycho-emotional balance. In this, essential oils can play an important role in the prevention of stress-related illnesses. By improving our balance and our general well-being, they allow us to better resist fatigue, help restore the balance of body and mind, promote the elimination of nervous tension, or release organic blockages. known as "functional".
Unlike the other 5 senses, the messages sent by the olfactory sense do not directly access consciousness. These messages reach the brain via the limbic system (= reptilian brain) hence the fact that certain smells have an immediate effect on the mood before you even notice it.
The scent of the rose will thus have a relaxing effect, the mint a stimulating effect, while a vanilla scent will relax the atmosphere and may constitute a natural aphrodisiac.
How to use essential oils ?
Certified essential oils have a measuring bottle to deliver the exact amount of product.
25 drops = 1 ml
They can be used:
Orally
They are used in cases of digestive and / or infectious disorders (ENT, tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc.). Be careful with the interaction with other drugs, you should always seek the advice of your doctor.
Oils should always be diluted in oil and not in water as they are not soluble. A glass of lukewarm water should be drunk afterwards. They should never be consumed pure, they could cause burns in the mucous membranes of the mouth. They can also be absorbed as a mother tincture.
By the cutaneous route
Essential oils penetrate very well into the skin and act in depth in the body.
This use is particularly recommended in the event of skin diseases or for cosmetic use: to improve the condition of the hair, nails, skin, etc.
By diffusion or by inhalation
Essential oils can be inhaled with the inhaler at a rate of 2 to 3 drops for the equivalent of a bowl of water. They can also be diffused throughout the house with an essential oil diffuser, in particular to clean the air, depollute it, kill microbes, or quite simply, create a pleasant olfactory atmosphere.
Special precautions
Be careful, essential oils, due to their high concentration of active ingredients, must be handled with care. Too often, plants are mixed together = no danger. On the contrary, some plants are poisons and can cause skin irritation, liver damage or undesirable effects on the nervous system in high doses. It is therefore strongly recommended to contact a doctor or a pharmacist specializing in essential oils.
Essential oils are not recommended:
- in pregnant or breastfeeding women
- in children under 7 years old
- in people with epilepsy
- by mouth in people with gastric disorders (ulcer, oesophageal reflux, etc. )
Essential oils require medical advice in:
- children over 7 years old
- the elderly
Some additional precautions:
- wash your hands well after use
- do not diffuse continuously
- do not use pure, always dilute with oil.
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