therapeutic aromatherapy

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Aromatic plants have been used by humankind since the dawn of history. There is evidence that over some 4,000 years ago, scents such as cypress, frankincense and myrrh were used.  Essential Oils have been used to promote physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.

Each plant essence is extracted from a single botanical source through a number of possible methods, the most common being steam distillation.  In this process, pressurized steam is passed through the plant matter, the steam evaporates and the oil is separated from the water which becomes the hydrosol.

Essential oils can be used topically, orally or by inhalation.

• Eucalyptus and tea tree are extracted from the leaf
• Peppermint and clary sage are found in the glands on the leaf surface
• Oil of rose is extracted from the petals of the flower
• Clove oil comes from the dried flower buds
• With marjoram oil, the flowering tops are used, including petals, sepals, upper stalks and leaves
• And with yarrow the entire herb is used.
• Berries and twigs are used to make juniper oil
• Orange essential oil is made from the flowers, leaves and rind of the fruit
• Plants such as fennel, caraway and coriander bear their oil in the seeds
• And in the resin of a bush, frankincense and myrrh are produced 
• With trees comes cedarwood and sandlewood from the chopped wood 
• While pine and spruce are distilled mainly from the needles
• And finally vetiver essential oil is extracted from the root.

Essential Oil’s have yin and yang properties as well: 

• Yang (male, right side) physical - denotes the more substantial, the anatomical structure: The cells, tissues and organs 
• Yin (female, left side) emotional - pertains to the more rarefied: The body’s energy, its vital force and dynamic functioning

For example, if an individual’s yang energy is deficient, they are likely to feel chilly, tired and unmotivated and will benefit from warming, invigorating essential oil’s such as lemon, rosemary or ginger which promote circulation of blood, stimulate digestion and counteract rheumatic pain.

The 5 elements of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood play an important role in the therapeutic uses of essential oil’s.  They can be understood as the 5 phases or movements of yin and yang energy

Fire – root emotion, joy

          Season; summer

          Organs; heart, small intestine., pericardium/triple warmer

          Therapeutic intention; to stabilize, anchor and strengthen

          Oils; neroli, ginger and rose

Earth – root emotion, reflection

            Season; late summer

            Organs; stomach, spleen/pancreas

            Therapeutic intention; to clarify and nourish

            Oils; fennel, benzoin and vetiver

Metal – root emotion, grief

             Season; autumn

             Organs; lung/large intestine

             Therapeutic intention; to open and invigorate

             Oils; cypress, peppermint and eucalyptus

Water – root emotion, fear

             Season; winter

             Organs; kidney/bladder

             Therapeutic intention; to stabilize, anchor strengthen

             Oils; angelica root, cedarwood, juniper berry and ginger

Wood – root emotion anger

             Season; spring

             Organs; liver/gallbladder

             Therapeutic intention; to release, move and relax

             Oils; roman chamomile, yarrow and bergamot

Therapeutic aromatherapy is a beautiful and gentle way of shifting our mental and emotional state with just a few inhalations of a specific essential or essential oil blend created just for you or your pet. Essential oils can also be applied directly to a specific part of the body that is in need of healing.