Specific Conditions For Using Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Opening the Olfactory System with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

What human can ever forget the smell of a fragrant rose?  What memories and emotions are elicited from this delicate yet powerful flower?  Perhaps it is a reminder of how Grandmother's house smelled with rose sachets secreted in drawers or under pillows evoking the essence of unconditional love that only Grandma can give.

Imagine how quickly one recalls freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast at Uncle Ed's Farm when the top is released from a vile of Sweet Orange Essential Oil. Is there a feeling of contentment for a home-cooked meal with ripe-fresh fruit juice from the garden?

Or the playful holidays of our youth licking candy canes when the air is scented with the smell of Peppermint Oil so sweet the tongue salivates for the actual treat?

These memories and emotions are produced through a complex mechanism for detecting odors known as the olfactory system.  Aromatherapy essential oil molecules inhaled through the nasal passages flow across the olfactory epithelium (in the back of the nose) stimulating miniscule fibers called cilia that extend from olfactory "bulbettes" to create the ends of nerve cells.  The neuronal preprogrammed fibers (cilia) detect the signature of an odor and translate this through millions of nerves in the cribiform plate to the olfactory bulb.

Here the bulb produces a photo of the scent that is carried along tiny nerves to the limbic system (the storehouse for our emotions), the hypothalamus  (regulator of hormones, metabolism and the autonomic nervous system), the amygdala  (emotions) and the hippocampus (short term memory input).

Essential Oil blends with their multiplicity of complex molecules not only help regulate many different systems in the body by opening the Olfactory
System to a garden full of possibilities but also soothe emotions produced from painful experiences. (Katie Novak)

Wound Infections

Some great oils for wounds are Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), and Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia l. grosso), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Oregano (Origanum vulgare), and Yarrow (Achillea millifolium). Make a blend of 3-4 of above oils in Aloe Vera gel and apply directly on wound.

Some great herbs for wounds are Aloe Vera (Aloe vera), Burdock (Arctium lappa), and Comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Use Aloe Vera gel and dampened Comfrey leaf directly on wound. Use burdock in tincture form internally or directly on wound.

Respiratory infections

Create a steam with one drop of Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Variations could be with Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia viridiflora), Myrtle (Myrtus communis), and Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana).

Do a blend 3 times a day until infection is gone. Drink lots of water and decrease food intake.

Aromatherapy herbs for the respiratory system are Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Take 4 drops of tincture twice a day and drink tea.

Use 3-4 of the above oils in a blend in vegetable oils like jojoba to rub on the chest in the morning and evening. Reapply for at least a week until congestion breaks up and cough is gone.

Immune deficiency

Blend Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Lemon (Citrus x limon), Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Niaouli (MQV), and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), and Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) in a 3 % dilution in vegetable oils. Use twice a day for 3 weeks on neck and chest. Take a break for 10 days and begin again for another 3 weeks.

Also use blend in bath. Eat greens and drink lots of water. Experience improvement in immune system.

Herbs for Immune system are Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), Golden Seal (Hydrastis Canadensis), and Astragalus (Radix astragali membranaceus). Take 4 drops of each tincture each day.

Skin Problems

Acne

Blend Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana), and Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) in equal parts in 2 and ½ % solution of Aloe Vera and apply 3 times a day.

Eczema and Psoriasis

Take the oils of German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Carrot Seed (Daucus carota), Bergamot (Citrus x bergamia), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Angelica (Angelica archangelica). Make a 2-½ % dilution blend in Evening Primrose oil and or Borage oil and rub on the irritated skin. Apply twice daily.

Emotional Depression

This is a complex problem and difficult to solve without interviewing the client to look at them holistically. Today there is an epidemic of depression in America. There are as many mind/body causes as there are people. Many persons in desperation turn to Serotonin reuptake drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and others. Side effects from these drugs are often severe.

There is a natural alternative: Essential Oils. The aromatherapy oils work to balance emotions and hormones such as reducing the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex that stimulates the ACTH loop. This loop keeps emotional depression, high blood pressure, poor immune response, and sleep problems moving in a continuous cycle. Oils such as Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) and Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) create balance in the regulating glands of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary. This breaks the mind/ body loop and brings upliftment and physical health. Other oils can extend and enhance these positive effects such as Bergamot (Citrus x bergamia), Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).

Pain relief

Pain is an excruciating problem, whether it is a migraine headache, sciatica nerves shooting down the leg, or arthritis in the joints. It is often attributed to the prostaglandins in the membranes of cells that are part of an inflammatory response. They create pain to alert us to a problem that needs to be addressed. Certain essential oils help to numb the pain, bring more blood circulation to that area and reduce inflammation.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) does all three of the above. I always take it on a hike when painful feet threaten to cut my hike short. It works every time by rubbing a few drops on the feet and toes.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) dull the sharpness of a headache by rubbing it on the temples (not in the eyes) and back of neck. Juniper (Juniperus communis) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogan citratus) can be blended with Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) in Almond oil to rub on arthritic joints.

Female Hormonal Imbalances

Many women suffer on a regular monthly basis with menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, and emotional PMS malaise due to imbalances in estrogen and progesterone production. By daily taking essential oil baths, using essential oil compresses on the stomach area, and rubbing blended oils directly on the abdomen, you can relieve the symptoms of PMS and even menopause. The latter is another topic.

Blend the following oils in a 3 % dilution in apricot oil:

• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
• Rose (Rosa damascena)
• Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Use in above suggested ways. Use twice daily if possible (at least once) one week before expected period and one week after period.

Experience relief in symptoms and a more balanced hormone flow!