From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
Aromatherapy - a new way to think about smells.
I NEED TO ADJUST JASON!
At last, this ancient theraputic use of plants and scented use of oils is being 'proved' by hard. clinical scientific evidence as useful and beneficial as a treatment form for various conditions.
It seems to me that traditional medicine - and I'm not putting it down - may perhaps be a little slow to accept the benefits of any therapy that is other than clinically, scientifically, double blind trialled, super statistically , incredibly , categorically proved OK. Until the following year when we find out that it really was clinically , scientifically, double blind trialled, super statistically , incredibly, categorically proved not OK. Due to a mistake in the intepretation. Or because new information became available.
Now, i know that this profession has a heavy duty responsibility to us cos we put our health in their hands. But i am one of them and I think we need to become a little more flexible. Some doctors and physiotherapists are moving in that direction. Willing to support a person's attempts to help themselves with alternative - non harmful and possibly beneficial - therapys.
uNow, Iur health in their hands. But I(a health professional)
therapies, have you ever tried aromatherapy? It's great for affecting our moods - and supposedly our wellness. the Japanese, always on the alert for productivity increasing streategies, pump essential oils through the air conditioning in their buildings. Different scents have different mental impact. It's true! The bit about the Japanese and the effects!
It's also becoming more acceptable for people (other than the Japanese) to burn these oils at work. And for you cynics out there, i am not talking about sensitive, new age groupies. Conservative old business people are at last making the quantum leaap the medical profession is now tackling. And reaping similar benefits.
Aromatherapy started way back with the egyptians who used aromatic plants for medical purposes like antiinflammatory agents. The Greeks used them - and they lived on. During the plague, 'resinous incense' from pine, cypress and cedar was burned in streets, sickrooms and hospitals. Perfumers who dispensed the incense were apparently untouched by the virulent disease that annihilated a large percentage of the population. (from 'Aromatherapy by Judith Jackson , published by Viking o'Neill.) Then Europe caught on and French researchers in the 10th century fopund that a 5% solution of the essence of thyme could kill thyphus and other bacterias in less than 10 minutes. ' So there. Smells could affect us!
After that incredible scientific dissertation, you are no dount absolutely convinced of the impaortance of burning essential oils in your home and dat work. I think they are called essential oils because they are pure distillations of the plant or whatever the ingredient.
So , you'll probably want to try out this theory and see how well it dworkd for you. I have three little burer 'things' in my home. These burner things you can buy from pottery places, new agey type stores and some chemists.mood affector and d trialled, super statistically and livesnd possibly beneficial - therapie that have not been 100% scientifically proven as effective I am also very happy that there is a high level of professionalism amongsts our medical professionals so they are not encouraging all manner of 'fringe' treatments. safe , . T of the oils They change the oils fed through the air conditioning morning and afternoon to refresh and revitalise and maintain alertness in the employees.nics out there, Ie at last making the quantum le More and more people are burning these essential oils to combat the effects of prolonged air conditioned environemnts and mentally, not physically challenging jobs.ks used them - and they thrived!appearedearchers in the 10th century fo affect our wellnessssential oils in your home and Make sure when you buy , that you find the pure, essential oils.nan increasing number of pharmacies
These are ceramic stands with little cups that sit on top. Into the cup goes water and a few drops of the oil of your choice and into the stand goes a little candle that burns for about 6 hours under the dish. the water and oil evaporate and fill the area with the aroma you decided you needed to lift your mood/ relax you/ stimulate your brain/ fix your cold etc etc.
Or you may choose to sprinkle a few drops of oil in a bath and then luxuriate in the warmth and scent. Adn while you lie there , your brain is responding to the smells and in theory, releasing chemicals that produce physiological responses. (those were long words meaning , soon, you'll feel better!)
Or place the little dish with water and oil on the top of a light bulb. The heat will evapoate the combination again filling the house/work place with an aromatic fragrance.therapeuticoils is being 'provenaffectertrailedn'ttrailedinterpretationhad o since that timeOr for some other reason.Most,and other health professionals are moving in that direction. They are w, (as yet) amongststrategiesenvironmentsEgyptians, for exampleanti inflammatorytyphus(from Aromatherapydoubt Make surestworks'' Theyhe dish. T with the heat from the candleAnd, because your body will have different chemicals trucking around itevaporate
The olfactory system ( long words meaning our system of smelling) has a dramatic and quick impact on our brains. think for a minute how quickly you remember Granny's apple pie from childhood when you smell a whiff of apple pie cooking in the oven. Or how quickly you recall a past lover when someone walks by and you smell the perfume they used to wear.
And how when you walked into old fashioned doctor's surgeries and smelt ether, you would immediately feel worse!
I reckon that as we live under increasingly stressful conditions, we need to take advantage of any stretegies and methods for reducing stress and boosting our immune systems. So why not try burning some oils (avoid the lube oil from the car!) in your home first - set a subtle atmosphere for dinner parties or just use them to unwind yourself when you come home from work. And if they make you feel better there , try them at work. The Japanese might kinow something we don't! Oh - I nearly forgot - having an aromatherapy massage is one of God's great gifts to humans! It's sort of like a double whammy - touch and the healing of essential oils. And it feels wonderful! Now, THATS a wellness approach to life. It feels good, smells good and IS good for you!
