Use Of Herbs And Essential Oils example essay topic

Aromatherapy is the ancient art and science of using volatile plant oils including essential oils for a persons psychological and physical well-being (zuzuspetals. net). It is a form of herbal medicine that uses the essential oils to heal, relax, and increase energy levels through skin penetration or inhalation (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). Aromatherapy is known as being a very gentle alternative form of therapy for a variety of common ailments or symptoms, such as assisting with cuts, wounds, bruises, inflammation, indigestion, acne, skincare, hair care, hygiene, and PMS. It also provides mental and emotional assistance with such issues as stress, fatigue, anxiety, and fear (aromaweb. com). Essential oils work on five levels. The first level is physical, because essential oils have antiseptic and immune-stimulating effects.

The second level is emotional because the oils can stimulate memories and can aid the treatment of depression, stress, and grief. The third is the energy level because the oils can be used on various energy points on one's body or on acupuncture meridians. The fourth level is cellular. Essential oils help heal wounds and regenerate skin tissue. They can also maintain a moisture level in the skin and protect against infection. The last level is the spiritual level.

Various cultures have used essential oils for prayer, meditation, rituals and purification processes (ivillagehealth. com). Essential oils are the vital components of the plant; plants use their essential oils as part of their immune and defense systems (LesHerbes. com). The concentrated volatile oils are extracted from the flowers, seeds, buds, leaves, roots, bark and resins of plants, herbs and flowers (Simpson and Ogorzaly, 2001). These oils must be extracted from the plant through procedures that do not alter the natural smells.

Traditional methods of distillation include scarification, steam distillation, oleoresin, and enfleurage. Scarification is done by pressing the outer rinds of citrus fruits to extract their oils (ivillagehealth. com). Steam distillation is the most common method of extraction and involves exposing plant parts to superheated steam. Because volatile oils are insoluble in water, they float on the surface of the water produced by the cooled steam. Then the layer of oil is skimmed from the top of the water (Simpson and Ogorzaly, 2001).

Oleoresin comes from resinous trees such as frankincense and myrrh (ivillagehealth. com). Enfleurage involves soaking flowers in animal fat and extracting the essential oils with alcohol. This method, though, is very time-consuming and expensive because of the labor involved (Simpson and Ogorzaly, 2001). It has been proven that fragrances can stimulate our immune system, circulatory system, and neurological functions in many useful ways (ivillagehealth. com). When you breathe in the oils, they send a message to your brain through your olfactory nerves, where they can affect the endocrine and hormonal systems via the hypothalamus part of our brain (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). It is also believed that the essential oil aroma activates the "pharmacy" within our brains-the neurochemicals.

These neurochemicals, such as serotonin and endorphins, is what our brain releases to our nerves and other systems (ivillagehealth. com). Therefore, you can feel the therapeutic effect simply by breathing the aromatic vapors of an essential oil. The oils can also affect us through our skin if they are used in a massage, compress or bath. The skin allows the tiny molecules of the oils to pass through it, and through the extra-cellular liquids beneath the skin, they reach blood and lymph nodes, and are carried where they are needed (ivillagehealth. com).

The essential oils last in the body from 12 to 24 hours, depending on the concentration, application method and skin type, as well as other factors. Eventually the essential oils will be excreted through sweat, urine and exhaled breath (ivillagehealth. com). Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years. Over the centuries, humans have studied plants and collected these volatile oils for medicinal and cosmetic uses. The first documented uses of aromatic plants and essential oils are actually in the Bible. When baby Jesus received his first gifts, they consisted of frankincense and myrrh (web).

As early as ancient Egypt, priests were creating balms, powders, and perfumes for use in rituals and as medicine. Cleopatra was also known to have used plant extracts to enhance her beauty and sensuality. Historically, China and India have advocated the use of herbs and essential oils in producing their own incense and herbal remedies. It wasn't until the early 1900's that a scientist, named Rene Maurice Gattefose, came up with the term 'aromatherapy' after he immersed his burnt arm in a container of lavender oil (aromaweb. com). Plants have many different healing properties as stated before. For example, Rosemary and Geranium can be used to treat acne, and Chamomile and Lavender can help other skin problems such as eczema.

Tea Tree can help with oily skin, insect bites, athletes' feet and other fungal infections. Eucalyptus and Peppermint can aid respiratory ailments such as sinusitis and bronchitis. Clove oil can be used to relieve toothaches while Peppermint and Rosemary can be used to relieve headaches and migraines. Massages with Anise or Black Pepper can calm and soothe backaches. Rosemary can improve your memory while Lavender and Ylang Ylang can reduce agitation. Grapefruit is good for uplifting one's spirit and preventing against fatigue, whereas Chamomile and Lavender provide stress relief and calmness.

Also, pine oils and lemon oils can be used in your home as a deodorant and disinfectant (web). The list of potential benefits from aromatherapy goes on and on. Everyone can participate in the use of essential oils from babies to adults, to even the household pet. Keep in mind, though, that essential oils are very concentrated, powerful liquids that should not be consumed internally or be applied undiluted on the skin because they can be extremely irritating to sensitive skin (aromaweb. com). Five essential oils that I will focus on more closely are chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and jasmine. Chamomile or Anthem is nobilis is from the Composite or Sunflower Family (Sanecki, 1974).

It is native to Southern and Eastern Europe. The chamomile plant is grown as an annual and reaches twenty inches high. The actual essential oils are extracted by steam distillation from the golden yellow flowers and leaves of the plant. Chamomile oil is used for pain and cramp relieving, anti inflammatory, fever reducing, wound healing, digestive stimulant, calming, and tension relieving. It mixes very well with rose, lavender, cedar, balm, and geranium (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). Lavender or lavandula officinalis is derived from the Mint Family or Labiatae (Sanecki, 1974).

It is native to Persia, the Canary Islands and southern France. The lavender plant grows about twenty inches high as a modified bush. The essential oil is distilled from the brilliant blue flowers. Lavender oil is used for a wide variety of different ailments including burns, wounds, headaches, motion sickness, high blood pressure, nervousness, anger, and dry skin. Lavender is known best for its healing, stimulating, calming and refreshing, and detoxifying properties (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). It is commonly found in perfumes, hair care, and body products (oxygen. com).

Eucalyptus or eucalyptus globules is derived from the Myrtle Family otherwise known as Myrtaceae. It is native to Australia but cultivated today in Egypt, Spain, Portugal, and India. This plant grows to be 330 feet high! The oil glands are visible when held up to light and the oil is extracted from the leaves.

Eucalyptus is used for antiseptic purposes, blood cleansing, blood sugar lowering, fever reducing, air disinfecting, stimulating, increasing concentration, and as a deodorant (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). Eucalyptus blends well with lemon, lavender, pine, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, and bergamot (web). Peppermint or men tha pipe rita comes from the Mint Family or Labiatae (Sanecki, 1974). It is native to Europe and Asia but cultivated all over the world now (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). Peppermint can grow up to three feet tall if left uncut. The leaves are about two inches in length when fully grown and provide the essential oils (Sanecki, 1974).

Mint is known for relieving cramps, stimulating lymph drainage, refreshing, increasing concentration and memory, reducing swelling, strengthening skin's natural defenses, and deodorizing (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). It can be found commonly in dental hygiene products, soaps, shampoo, and balms (oxygen. com). Jasmine or jasmin um officinale comes from the Olive Family or Oleaceae. It is native to East India (Sanecki, 1974). Jasmine is a fragile, climbing bush that grows to 33 feet high. The plant has white or yellowish flowers and a fragrance that is, by far, my favorite.

Jasmine is known for relieving cramps, stimulating the production of milk, balancing, and influencing hormones. It can also be used as an antiseptic, antidepressant, and aphrodisiac. Jasmine mixes well with rose, sandalwood, orange and cypress (Fischer-Rizzi, 1990). Aromatherapy has been gaining much more exposure recently, than it has in the past, even though it has been practiced for thousands of years. One reason is because society today is more health conscious and more responsive to natural alternative health remedies. Another reason is that the internet has made it easier for people to access and share aromatherapy information.

The last reason is that lifestyles of people today are much more hectic and stressful. Since aromatherapy does wonders in releasing stress and anxiety, people are taking notice (aromaweb. com). Henry David Thoreau said it best: "If the day and night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet scented herbs- that is your success. All nature is your congratulations.".