How aromatherapy works - Chapter 4 Flashcards
What are the three specific effects of aromatherapy?
Pharmacological, physiological and psychological
What are the three general effects of aromatherapy?
Reduction in stress and tension, feeling of calm balance and wellbeing, and antibacterial
How do essential oils penetrate the body?
Inhalation and absorption
What is the fastest way for essential oils to penetrate the body?
Inhalation - smell
Why should you never swallow essential oils?
They can be toxic, can damage the lining of the stomach, enzymes in the stomach change the structure of the oil and thus changes its therapeutic effects, the put strain on the liver to reomove them, and they become weaker as they pass through the digestive system
How do oils with a tonic action effect the vascular system?
They help to constrict capillaries thus reducing swelling and inflammations
How do oils with a rubefacient action effect the vascular system?
Help to dilate the blood vessels allowing for quicker delivery of oxygen and food and removal of waste which speeds healing
Oils with what sorts of effects are good for the skeletal and muscuar systems?
Rubefacient and depurative
Oils with what sort of effects are good for the lymphatic system?
Lymphatic stimulants, eliminating, diuretics
Oils with what sort of effects are good for the nervous system?
Analgesics, antispasmodics, sedatives, stimulants, nervines
How do oils with a sedative effect help the nervous system?
Slows don activity thus helping relieve insomnia
How do oils with a stimulant effect help the nervous system?
Gets systems going, for use in cases of convalesence and weakness
How can aromatherapy help the endocrine system?
Can help control production of certain hormones, balancing the hormones used in the reproductive system, can help high blood sugar levels, help control appetite
What essential oils can you use in the first three months of pregnancy?
None
What is the only essential oil safe for use after the first three months of pregnancy?
Mandarin
What oil would be good for use with prostate problems?
Jasmine
Oils with what sort of effects are good for the digestive system?
Antispasmodics, stimulants, eliminating
How do oils with an antispasmodic effect help the digestive system?
Help to prevent pain and spasm
Oils with what sort of effects are good for the respiratory system?
Antispasmodics, decongestants, antiseptics, expectorants
Oils with what sort of effects are good for the urinary system?
Antiseptics and diuretics
Oils with what sort of effects are good for the immune system?
Antibacterial, antiviral, febrifuges, sudorifics, immune system stimulants, lymphatic system stimulants
How does aromatherpay massage effect the skin?
Improved circulation, improved elasticity, faster desquamation
How do you perform a patch test for essential oils?
massage a small amount of blended essential oil into the crook of the elbow or behind the ear and leave for 24-48 hours and check for reactions
What is biosynthesis?
The natural process of turning simple elements into complex groups
What do you call the natural process of turning simple elements into complex groups?
Biosynthesis
What is photosynthesis?
Plants using the suns energy to convert carbon dioxide into other organic substances
What do you call a plants ability to use the suns energy to convert carbon dioxide into other organic substances?
Photosynthesis
What is an atom?
The smallest possible unit of a chemical element
What do you call the smallest possible unit of a chemical element?
An atom
What is a molecule?
A structure made of two or more atoms joined together?
What do yo call the structure of two or more atoms joined together?
A molecule
How may different types of terpenes do we deal with and what are they?
3, Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes
What sort of therapeutic effects do monoterpenes have?
bactericidal, antiseptic, antiviral, stimulating, decongestant, expectorant
What is something to beware of with monoterpenes?
They can be slightly irritating to the skin
What sort of therapeutic effects do sesquiterpenes have?
Antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, calming, mildly hypotensive, analgesic, antispasmodic
What sort of therapeutic effects do diterpenes have?
Antiviral, expectorant, antifungal, balancing to the endocrine system
What sort of therapeutic effects do esters have?
Fungicidal, relaxing, sedative, antiinflammatory
What sort of therapeutic effects do aldehydes have?
Antiseptic, sedative, antiinflammatory
What is something to beware of with aldehydes?
Can cause skin sensitivity
What sort of therapeutic effects do ketones have?
Decongestants
Why are many ketones banned?
They are often poisonous
What sort of therapeutic effects do alcohols have?
Antiseptic, antiviral, uplifting
What sort of therapeutic effects do phenols have?
Bactericidal, stimulating
What is something to beware of with phenols?
May irritate the skin
What sort of therapeutic effects do oxides have?
Expectorant, antibacterial
What sort of therapeutic effects do acids have?
Antiinflammatory
What sort of therapeutic effects do esthers have?
Antidepressant, antispasmodic, relaxing
What is something to beware of with esthers?
Can be neurotoxic
What sort of therapeutic effects do lactones have?
Expectorant, mucoylitic, antiinfmmatory
What do you need to beware of with lactones?
Can be neurotxic and can cause skin sensitation and reactions
What sort of therapeutic effects do coumarins and furanocoumarins have?
Calming, uplifting, sedative, hypotensive, antispasmodic
What is something to beware of with furanocoumarins?
Can cause photo-toxicity
