What should the good Aromatherapy be ?

" The greatest joy for Aromatherapy lover is developing our own unique blends "
" A good blend of Aromatherapy essential oil is a well-balanced combination of Top, Middle, and Bottom notes "

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of Essential Oils to heal and revitalize the body and mind, a complete psychosomatic system of healing, a holistic approached to health and well-being by means of AROMA.

Who is the pioneer of Aromatherapy?
A French Chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, in 1930. He burned his hand and put in a jar of pure Lavender Essential Oil, and…… the pain was gone almost instantly, his burn healed with no blisters, scars or infections.

What are today’s Aromatherapy concepts ?

Aromatherapy is the science and art of using the pure volatile, non-oily essences of plants in healing, the precious Essential Oils heal and enliven body, mind and spirit by enchanting our senses, medicinal use of Essential Oils brings healing on 3 planes:

1. Physical: Essential Oils to be some of the strongest antimicrobial agents, ridding the body of toxins and fighting infection.
2. Mental: Essential Oils effect mood and have a historical reputation for increasing libido.
3. Spiritual: Essential Oils are used in ritual and ceremony to open and heighten spiritual awareness.

The use of Aromatherapy in business:

In Japan engineers are incorporating aroma systems into new buildings:

• The scent of Lavender & Rosemary is pumped into the customer waiting room to calm down the waiting customers.
• The Lemon & Eucalyptus fragrances are use by the bank teller counter to keep the staff always alert.

How do Aromatherapy Oils work?

• On the Physical body, locally & systematically, via absorbed through the skin into the lymphatic and blood circulation.
• On the Mind & Emotions, via the sense of smell and the Limbic System.
• On the Etheric Energy System of the body, via the energy vibration of the individual oils themselves.

The power of fragrance is used to influence and alter our emotional moods. Their aroma assists in balancing, stimulating, relaxing, invigorating and rejuvenating the body.

Human Brain-Limbic system-Olfactory

Limbic System in human brain consist of:

1. Hypothalamus regulating: hunger, thirst, response to pain, level of pleasure, and sexual satisfaction
2. Hippocampus regulating: short term memory, long term memory.
3. Amygdala regulating: anger, aggressive behavior.

In the Limbic system there is an organ called Olfactory which receives fragrance stimulation / odorant particles, and send the impulse through the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, through the olfactory organ in the nose human beings have the ability to distinguish many thousands of different odors, and the memories of these odors are stored deep in human’s sub-conscious minds. When men / women inhale air molecules which are carrying the odorants particles or odoriferous molecules of an Essential Oil, these molecules adhere to the Olfactory nerve endings in the back of the nose oil, producing stimulation in the nose direct to the brain, this is very rapid and direct pathway to the part of the brain which direct, controls, interprets and responds to sensory input.

Olfactory epithelium area, covered by mucus: 5 cm² in human (5% of the Nasal Cavity), but 25 Cm² in cat / dog, it contains odorant receptor cells 10 million in human, which are regularly replaced in about 4 – 8 weeks, each receptor cell possess a terminal enlargement that projects above the epithelial surface, from which extend about 8 – 20 Olfactory Cilia. We can smell between 4,000 to10,000 different odors.

Brain waves

Smelling Lavender fragrance Oil will increases α-waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation.

Smelling Jasmine fragrance Oil increases β-waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.

Types of Brain Waves

1. Alpha waves – regular and rhythmic, low-amplitude, slow, synchronous waves indicating an “idling” brain, Mid wave frequency: 8 - 13 Hz, subjective feeling states: awake but not actively processing information; relaxed; not agitated; not drowsy; tranquil & calm, associated tasks & behaviors: relaxing, watching television, light reading, eyes closed.
2. Beta waves – rhythmic, more irregular waves occurring during the awake and mentally alert state, High wave frequency: 12 - 35 Hz, the normal dominant rhythm, subjective feeling states: alert, concentrating, attentive, focused, anxious, associated tasks & behaviors: listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, processing information, REM sleep!
3. Delta waves – high-amplitude waves seen in deep sleep and when reticular activating system is damped, Slowest frequency waves: 1 – 3 Hz, subjective feeling states: deep, dreamless sleep, non-REM sleep, unconscious, associated tasks & behaviors: not moving, not attentive, sleeping.
4. Theta waves – more irregular than alpha waves; common in children but abnormal in adults, Slow wave frequency: 4 – 8 Hz, subjective feeling states: dreamlike, drowsy, distracted, unfocused, associated tasks & behaviors, state between wakefulness and sleep; during sleep, meditation, internal focus, and prayer; sub-consciousness.

The Benefits of Aromatherapy:

• Medicinal benefits: bruises, sprains, burns, wounds, scars, nervousness, stress, motion sickness, fatigue, respiratory illnesses, muscular aches, fungus, inflammation, digestive disorders
• Skincare benefits: dermatitis, stretch marks, eczema, acne, psoriasis, mature skin, varicose veins, dry skins, cellulite, wrinkles, fungus, bacteria.
• Emotional benefits: depression, frustration, grief, hysteria, anxiety, insomnia, lack of concentration, irritability, fear, poor memory, hopelessness, moodiness, panic attacks, nervous tension, sadness, worry.

Aromatherapy treatment techniques:

Skin absorption: massage blends: essential oil blended with carrier oil

Bath therapy: essential oil added directly to water (body, foot, and hand)

Inhalation: steam, handkerchief

Diffuser :

Clay candle or electric pottery

Cold / hot compresses.

Others: salves, mouthwashes, creams, gels

Aromatherapy Composition:

• Essential oil: liquid that is distilled from leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, and other plant elements
• Carrier oil : base or vegetable oils (e.g. sweet almond oil) used to dilute essential oils prior to applying to skin

To get the maximum benefit from Essential Oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials, synthetically made Essential Oils do not work !

Essential Oils that could be used in Aromatherapy:

Oil of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Oil of Cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron), Oil of Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), Oil of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), Oil of Geranium (Pelargonium odoratissimum), Oil of Jasmine (Jasminum officinale), Oil of Lavender (Lavadula officinalis), Oil of Lemon (Citrus limonum), Oil of Marjoram (Origanum marjorana), Oil of Orange (Citrus aurantium var sinensis), Oil of Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli), Oil of Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Oil of Rose (Rosa gallica), Oil of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Oil of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Oil of Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

Essential Oils that should not be used at all in Aromatherapy:

Oil of Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Yellow Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), Oil of Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), Oil of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Oil of Pine (Pinus pumilio), Oil of Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Wintergreen Oil (Gaultheria procumbens), Mustard Oil (Brassica nigra).

Contra-indications

• Pregnant women, avoid: Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Coriander, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Oregano, Myrrh, Sage, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme.
• Hypoglycemia, avoid: Geranium
• High Blood Pressure, avoid: Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
• Photosensitivity, avoid: Bergamot, Lime, Mandarin, Lemon, Tangerine, Orange, Caraway, Cassia, Grapefruit, Patchouli, Petitgrain.
• Carcinogenic: Sassafras, Calamus, Yellow Camphor,

Essential Oil Grade:

1. Pure, Natural, Organic Essential Oils, can be used as Aromatherapy Oils
2. Natural Identical Essential Oils, Non-aromatherapy Oils. (due to highly complex components ± 300 chemicals, Essential Oil cannot be replicated in the Laboratory.
3. Synthetic Essential Oils, Non-aromatherapy Oils.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils scents:

Floral, woody, fruity, greeny, herbaceous, earthy, citrusy, sweety, grassy, oriental, spicy, fishy, powdery, minty, musky, fresh

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Notes

• Top note (15 – 25 %), the initial impression of a scent, most volatile, fastest acting oils, stimulating & uplifting (
• Middle note (30 – 40 %), heart or main body of an aromatherapy Essential Oils, balancing & most therapeutic, generally forms the greatest proportion of the blind.
• Bottom note (40 – 55 %), hold & boost the strength of Top & Middle notes, bring depth & solidness, fixative, least volatile, slowest to evaporate, longest acting, relaxing & sedating.

Top – Middle – Bottom notes Aromatherapy Essential Oil

Top note Middle note Bottom note

Grapefruit Chamomile Cedarwood

Lemon Cassia Patchouli

Lime Cinnamon Rose

Orange Clove Sandalwood

Peppermint Fennel (sweet) Vanilla

Spearmint Geranium Spikenard

Tangerine Lavender Jasmine

Mandarin Tea Tree Vetiver

Eucalyptus Rosemary

Marjoram Neroli

Pine Ylang Ylang

Bergamot Nutmeg

Choosing the good Aromatherapy Oils:

Good Aromatherapy Essential Oils

SHOULD BE :

1. Organic, pure Natural Essential Oils
2. Natural identical Essential Oils.
3. No synthetic chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers.
4. No GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
5. Food Grade (Perfumery grade has nothing to do with aromatherapy !).
6. Non oily, non greasy, do not leave a permanent mark on paper.
7. Therapeutic Grade (processed by distillation under low temperature and under low pressure).
8. No rancidity, not contaminated.