Aromatherapy Flashcards
Aromatherapy
the use of concentrated plant oils or essential oils (EOs) to help improve general health and well being
help reduce stress, enhance relaxation, relieve anxiety, and alleviate some emotion-related disorders
A person trained in the use of EOs is an ________________
aromatherapist
3 Ways to Use Aromatherapy
- Inhalation
- EO scents are breathed in
- Diffusers , steaming, drops on hand/pillowcase - Topical Application
- Apply diluted form of EO directly on to skin
- Placed in a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation
- Can be added in bath/mixed in bath salts, mixed in perfumes/lotions - Ingestion
- Pills, capsules, drinking a liquid
- Least common method (used mostly by those certified in aromatherapy)
Carrier Oils
base or vegetable oils used to dilute essential oils before applying them to skin
derived from the fatty portion of plant from seeds, kernels, or nuts
Infused oil
carrier oil mixed with 1+ herbs
Essential oil (EO)
istilled liquid from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant
- Blanket term including absolute (plant extraction by chemical solvents) and carbon dioxide (plant oil extraction by CO2 method)
Historical _______, _________, & ________ medical texts document the use of aromatic oils for spirituality and health
Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Arabic
what was one of the first aromatic practices
fumigation
Fumigation
burning of plant oils to create a great deal of smoke
- Plant oils were burned to engulf sickrooms with smoke
- Thought to combat evil spirits and rid them from a person’s body
- Hippocrates used fumigation to try to rid Athens of the Plague
Egyptians (~6000 years ago)
- EOs prepared by crushing plants with fatty oils
- Used EOs in the mummification process to aid transition into the afterlife
- Used oils in cosmetics and lotions for anti-aging properties and thought it was therapeutic for the skin and body
(protect eyes from sun, anti-aging)
Avicenna (980-1037 CE)
- Developed distillation method for oils still used today
- devised a coiled cooling pipe to condense steam and collect the evaporated essence
-methods were imported to Northern Europe during the Middle Ages and were used to fight diseases like the Black Death
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (Late 1930s)
- French chemist who originated the term aromatherapy and defined the use of EOs as a healing discipline
- burned his hand in a laboratory experiment and plunged it into a pot of lavender oil….
….Healed with no infection or scarring
Marguerite Maury (1950s)
○ Introduced the concept of prescribing oils for people by using them in massage
○ Used aromatherapy as a holistic health system
T or F: few practicing aromatherapists in the United States are first trained as massage therapists, naturopaths, psychotherapists, chiropractors, sports medicine therapists, energy healers, Ayurvedic doctors/clinicians, and traditional Chinese medicine doctors, who then incorporate the use of EOs into their practices
F : most
T or F: EOs are powerful - could be toxic to body if taken in wrong dose
T
Safety precautions when using EOs
- Don’t apply directly to skin or mucous membranes
- Consult with a physician if you are:
○ Pregnant
○ Epileptic
○ asthma
○ high BP - Check for an expiration date
- Remember that less is more
- Do not use EOs internally based on your own judgement
Storing Essential Oils
Cool, dark place away from sunlight (UV rays decrease shelf life)
Store in a dark amber, cobalt blue or violet bottle
Keep in a cool, dry place
Store EOs in small bottles so they are exposed to less oxygen
*Citrus oils = shortest shelf life
use of aromatherapy with babies
Benefits:
- speed the development of the nervous system and brain
- help balance the baby’s developing systems
- encourage growth
**Lavender, rose, chamomile
T or F: EOs are flammable
T: Keep EOs away from fire hazards
main purpose of Aromatherapy Essential Oils
maintain health by boosting the body’s immune system via the senses of touch and smell
T or F: EOs have a low concentration when extracted from bark, roots, leaves, flowers, stalks, berries, and saps
F: very concentrated
processes for making EOs
- Steam Distillation
- Marcerating (smoking)
- Expression
- Cold-pressed extraction
- Solvent extraction
- CO2 extraction
- Florasols/phytols extraction
types of carrier oils
coconut ,avocado , olive
T or F: mineral oil or petroleum jelly can be purchased for aromatherapy
F: should not purchase mineral oil or petroleum jelly for aromatherapy use because they clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing naturally
Lemon - Clinical Research
- Enhances mood
- Considered a stimulant
Lavender - Clinical research
- Blood levels of norepinephrine (stress hormone) declined after use
- Decreases stress and anxiety
Eucalyptus - Clinical Research
- Positive effects on respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma and COPD
Tea Tree
- Antimicrobial
- Effective antibacterial treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria
cedarwood oil
source: flower from cedarwood tree
benefits: calming, clears respiratory system, improves oily skin
uses: cosmetics, insect repellent
clove oil
source: leaves/stems/buds from clove tree
benefits: antiseptic, antimicrobial, disinfectant, analgesic
uses: lotions, massage oils, baking, dental products, diffusers
juniper oil
berries needles and wood from juniper evergreen shrub
antiseptic, heals and protects skin, aids in digestion, helps muscle aches
lotions, massage oils, compresses, diffusers, ingestion
jasmine oil
flowers from jasmine plant
antidepressant, reduces anxiety, aphrodisiac, antiseptic
clary sage oil
leaves and buds of clary sage plant
antidepressant, stress relief, sedative, menstruation relief, antiseptic
lotions, massage oils, skincare, inhalation
rose oil
rose flower petals
antidepressant, aphrodisiac, menstrual pain relief, antiseptic
chamomile oil
flowers from chamomile plant
promotes relaxation, anti-inflammatory, aids in digestion, soothing properties, relieves allergies
teas, lotions, massage oils, diffusers
Lavender oil
flowering tops from lavender shrub
disinfectant, pain relief, anxiety and stress relief, supports skin health, wound healing
perfumes, skin care, lotions, massage oils, compresses, diffusers
peppermint oil
leaves from water mint and spearmint plants
pain relief, aids in digestion, helps with nausea
flavouring, soaps, diffusers, lotions, massage oils
lemon oil
lemon peels
antiseptic, immune system booster, aids in weight loss, mood booster
flavouring, soaps, diffusers, cleaners
orange oil
orange peels
anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antidepressant, aids in indigestion
flavouring, soaps, diffusers, lotions
bergamot oil
rind of bergamot fruit
help nervous emotions and frustration, benefits the GI tract, aids in oily skin and acne
perfumes, earl grey tea, skincare, diffuser
eucalyptus oil
eucalyptus plant leaves
decongestant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, breathing enhancer
stream inhalations, diffusers, creams, massage oils, Vicks Vaporub
tea tree oil
twigs and leaves of the tea tree
antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, insecticidal, stimulates wound healing, boosts immunity
Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936)
Believed that disease was a manifestation of negative thoughts, and the cure was to address those thoughts
Aimed to find treatments that were less toxic than the ones available
7 Bach Nosodes & 38 tinctures
discharges of diseases diluted so that only minute quantities remain in the homeopathic solution
wanted to make treatment even less toxic than these
began to use flowers as remedies for emotional disorders
- conceived the idea that he could make liquid tinctures prepared from flowers
38 Bach Original Flower Remedies
Developed 38 flower remedies to support every negative state of mind
believed that if he could help rebalance his patients’ emotions, then no matter what the disease condition, it would improve
When he died, he instructed no more remedies be made
○ Today, the 38 remedies are still used in naturopathy, homeopathy, and aromatherapy
T or F: The 38 Flower Remedies cured negative emotional states, not diseases
T
Used to be classified into 3 groups: (Twelve healers, Seven helpers, Second nineteen)
Now, they are classified into _ groups according to ____
7 groups according to emotion
- fear
- uncertainty
- insufficient interest in present circumstances
- over-care for welfare of others
- oversensitive to influences and ideas
- loneliness
- despondency or despair
Bach’s Rescue Remedy
a unique combination of 5 other original flower remedies to help people cope with everyday situations
- Rock rose – for terror
- Impatiens – for impatience
- Clematis – for dreaminess or lack of interest
- Star of Bethlehem – for aftereffects of shock
- Cherry plum – for fear of mind giving way
Bach’s Rescue Cream
General skin salve
Same combination as Rescue Remedy, but also contains crab apple
How to choose which Bach remedy to use
= Recognize exactly how you feel is very important
- Carefully research all remedies
- Match mood you are in with appropriate remedy
