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AROMATHERAPY: HOW IT WORKS

by KG Stiles, LMT, RBT, CBP, CAT

The Neuro Science behind Aromatherapy: For thousands of years aromatherapy has been used to heal the body, mind, spirit and emotions. In recent years there has been a great deal of scientific research conducted on neuropeptides and neuro receptor sites. Neuro relates to nerves and indicates intelligence or the ability to cognize or think.

It is your nervous system, your body's electrical pathways, that coordinates the Consciousness and function of all your Systems including, your organs, endocrine glands, lymphatic (immune function), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, integumentary (hair & skin), urinary, reproductive and respiratory systems. In a very real sense your nervous system is the physical counterpart of your Mind.

Your nervous system has two networks of intelligence. Your Central or Conscious Intelligence System and your Autonomic or Unconscious Intelligence System. This branch of your nervous system is instinctive and operates below your "normal" perception of conscious control.

Research scientists have discovered nerve cells, located within every organ and system of the human body, coordinating communications between each of your cells. In fact it's been discovered that cells from each of your body systems are to be found eavesdropping within every other system of your body.

It is through this cellular matrix and network of communications, operating like a mini-nervous system, that neuropeptides, or chemical messengers, transmit their information to all your body's organs and systems. This interconnected field of information operates with such incredible speed and efficiency that it boggles the mind.

We now understand from this research that aromatic oils are chemical messengers that attach to human nerve receptors to induce a chemical response. For instance it is known that the chemical component Azulene that is in Blue Tansy and German Chamomile give them an anti-inflammatory effect. While an estrogen-like effect is induced by the Sclareol content of Clary Sage and the plant esters of Lavender oil stimulate a calming effect.

It has also been documented that the whole natural plant molecule has a myriad of properties that interact with the human body in ways that science cannot reproduce synthetically. Hence it is always recommended to use pure aromatic oils for best therapeutic results.

Recommended Methods: 1) Direct Inhalation: Dispense 1-3 drops of an aromatic oil onto a tissue, cotton ball or organic Celtic smelling salts and inhale for 30-60 seconds. 2) Bath - Blend 6-12 drops of oil in a teaspoonful of honey or unscented jojoba oil, after drawing your bath stir the mixture into your bath water and soak!

Either of these methods will effectively allow aromatic oils to enter the neuro-chemical delivery pathways of your nervous and hormonal systems. The Vapors from the oils enter through your nose and immediately go into your Lungs, as well as stimulate your Olfactory nerves.

Your Olfactory nerve then signals your Limbic system, the control mechanism in your brain for emotions and memory. From your lungs the oils immediatley enter your bloodstream and are delivered to your Heart, as well as all of your Body tissues and Organs, the Liver and Pancreas, your Reproductive organs, Skin, Kidney and Bladder.

The oils then circulate back to your Lungs where they are excreted. Research shows that through inhalation aromatic oils will remain for a longer period in your cell tissues ( 4-6 hours) than through any other means of application.

Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative healing therapy for improving your physical, mental, and emotional health.