Janine Pratt

Do you use essential oils?  
Have you ever wondered how they work?  Why they are so effective?  How to use them?
If so, read on!

What is it?   Aromatherapy is an ancient practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Essential oils are found in plants, herbs, flowers and trees. Different extraction methods are used to preserve the therapeutic qualities in these powerful liquids. There are three main ways the essential oils can be used:

Inhalation:
When the aroma from the essential oils is inhaled, it has a direct effect on the part of the brain that processes emotions (the limbic system) and this begins to have an effect on the mind, body and emotions within seconds.

Feeling down, confused, upset... inhale lavender essential oil for 30 seconds.  

Diffusing the essential oil of orange for example, is used to create an uplifting and energizing effect.  Or putting a drop of peppermint essential oil in your hands, rubbing the hands together and then doing 3 deep inhalations aids in focus (some reports state that it increases cognitive function by 10%) - I always keep a bottle of peppermint in the car as it keeps the mind alert and focused when driving!

Topical:
Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin.  Essential oils are used in many massage treatments to promote relaxation, relieve tight muscles and balance the body.

In coaching sessions, I often have people apply the oils to the bottom of their feet, base of the skull and wrist as these three areas are locations the body can quickly assimilate the oils to create an overall effect in the body.  

Sometimes pure essential oil are diluted with a 'carrier oil' - for example:  sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil etc...  when a lesser potency is required (babies, animals etc...), during massages etc...

Digestive:
Pure essential oils derived from organic materials can also be taken internally. Many essential oil companies are producing 'food quality' oils that are approved through the regulatory bodies to ensure safety for taking internally.  Lemon essential oil is a wonderful to add to water to take away any taste of chlorine.  

How it works.  The essential oils are effective because they interact with your internal body chemistry. This interaction creates greater health and wellness - this can be through promoting relaxation, elevating the mood, purifying the body.

Benefits.  There are so many benefits to using essential oils... here are a few:

• balances the mind and emotions
• relieves pain in the body
• encourages the release of unhealthy cells
• promotes skin healing (burns, cuts etc...)
• uplifts and increases vitality
• helps to focus the mind
• etc...

There are two modalities I use with clients that use the essential oils exclusively - raindrop therapy and emotional release.  Over the next couple weeks I'll add Part 2 and 3 of the Aromatherapy section of Natural Therapies that covers these two specific methods of essential oil application. 😊

Have a wonderful day and apply an oil or two to elevate your spirits!!