THERAPEUTIC AROMATHERAPY
HISTORY OF ESSENTIAL OILS
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.
Essential oils are synthesized and stored in many parts of the plant
- 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.
YIN/YANG
Essential Oils 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 oils such as lemon, rosemary or ginger which promote circulation of blood, stimulate digestion and counteract rheumatic pain.
THE 5 ELEMENTS
The 5 elements of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood play an important role in the therapeutic uses of essential oils. 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 intentions: to stabilize, anchor and 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.
In my practice, animals especially respond to the healing benefits of essential oils. I energy test the essential oil their body is calling for and combine that with a particular carrier oil. This blend is specific to their healing needs. It truly is incredible to watch their reactions as they inhale the blend unique for them.
