Essential Oils For Stress Relief
Aromatherapy is one of the newest old remedies for stress relief and wellness applications, like chiropractic and massage and other forms of bodywork. Every month there are articles in trade magazines mentioning essential oils, stress reduction and spa therapies. Using essential oils as a stress reduction technique has become the new buzzword. Who doesn’t like the smell of fresh flowers in the home, or the scent of flowers, and trees wafting though the open window.
Aromatherapy and massage therapy seem to go hand in hand, to facilitate relaxation and stress reduction. You can see this right on the shelves of your local stores and online, with candles, and other products to freshen the home. Many of those oils found in these household products are synthetic and may be toxic to the body. The oils discussed here are therapeutic grade and are processed using steam distillation and the company grows all the plants that they use to produce essential oils.
Essential oils are freshly cultivated and distilled from plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, roots and bushes and seeds. In some circles they are considered “nature’s living energy”. The compounds found in essential oils defend plants against insects, environmental conditions and disease.
There are many historical references of essential oils, many which are documented up to 200 times in the Bible, used to anoint the sick and give as gifts. Frankincense oil specifically, assisted in opening international trade.
Interesting facts about essential oils:
Indefinite shelf life: when they are stored in a cool dark place
Versatility: one essential oil can be used for a variety of health concerns.
Safety: very safe and have very few contraindications or precautions.
Easy to use: application is easy as they are applied to the skin using carrier oil, can also be simply smelled or ingested.
Many times it is far cheaper to use synthetic essential oils which offer consistency, but as you will see though the only benefit is that the oil is inexpensive. It offers no benefit to the client or the person using the oil. Plants have different levels of compounds in them based on harvest, growth, and region. These synthetic oils offer only one benefit, they are cheap to produce. If oil smells different than the natural aroma of the plant this is not a sign of purity.
When searching for essential oils, it is important to look for this in a manufacturer: 1) the company that is producing the oils has expertise in distillation, and has innovative distillation equipment; 2) has published research on essential oils; 3) are involved in the farming and cultivating process; 4) there is an onsite lab to test for purity; and 5) the company verifies purity with their own labs and with third party organizations. Most importantly the oils smell like natural plants.
How do you use oils?
1. Topically: many of the oils can be applied to the feet as the skin is thickest, and is least able to cause any reactions. Oils can be applied to the skin using carrier oils such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or massage oil. Typically I apply oils to the body on the areas of concern during a massage. I personally apply oils behind the ears, on the neck, on the pulse points of the arms, on the occiput ridge at the back of the head, and at the base of the hairline to relieve headaches. For personal usage I put them on the area of concern. If I am applying oils to the foot I consider a foot reflexology chart and work the oils that way.
2. Inhalation: place a drop of oil in your non-dominate hand, rub hands together and place hands over the nose and breathe in the aroma. Also use a diffuser to set a mood or cleanse the air.
3. Ingest: it is of utmost importance that if you wish to take some of the oils internally to use a veggie capsule. The oils must be therapeutic grade, these are not found in large supermarkets or other mass markets, or ordered over Amazon. It is important to know where the oils come from and purity is very important, none of which can be determined from above sources.
Essential oils are determined to be therapeutic grade using the following criteria:
Part of the plant from which the oil was produced
Soil Condition
Fertilizer (organic or chemical)
Geographical region
Climate
Altitude
Harvest Season
Methods
Distillation process
There are big differences in essential oils. Pure authentic essential oils are not perfume, they are super concentrated, and can be used by everyone; infants, children, adults and, pets. Consider diluting oils for infants and pets. Synthetic essential oils are manipulated for scent and are used in perfume or added to candles and soaps and other household products.
It takes 5000 pounds of rose petals to make one pint of rose oil. Knowing this information helps to understand the super concentration of essential oils. One drop of therapeutic grade oil can do more for you than a cup of tea, or a handful of capsules of dried herbs.
Heather Piper is the owner and primary Muscular Therapist at River Bend Therapeutic Massage in Kennebunk Maine. She has worked at two well-known spas, The White Barn Inn, and the Cliff House Resort & Spa; she had worked with athletes and performers all over New England. She is licensed to practice massage in Maine and Massachusetts. She has a keen knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology. Heather uses her skills to assist the client’s return to physical health. She can be reached via email: heather@ksystems.us, or at her website: riverbendtherapeuticmassage.massagetherapy.com.
ELM™ | Maine
