Scents Obsession » Aromatherapy http://www.scentsobsession.net Aromatherapy with Natural Health and Beauty Care Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:05:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Have you ever heard of Ayurveda? http://www.scentsobsession.net/2010/04/07/have-you-ever-heard-of-ayurveda/ http://www.scentsobsession.net/2010/04/07/have-you-ever-heard-of-ayurveda/#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:21:40 +0000 admin The term ayurveda is not simply an herbal medicine that can be used in the treatment of diseases and illness but instead it is a complete system of medicine which has its roots in the ancient Indian philosophy. Often referred to as the science of life, ayurveda plays a major role in alternative medicine since it is clear that there are many ailments that cannot be cured by modern medicine. The practice of Ayurveda is more than 5,000 years old and it is a healing tradition that began in India. It not only heals ailments but it also instructs us as to how our lives can be benefitted by being in harmony with nature.

One of the precepts of Ayurveda medicine is that the human body is a smaller version of the universe and the universe is represented in the human body. Similar to the Chinese view of the human body, the practice of Ayurveda holds the belief that all living matter which includes the human body is made up of five elements. These elements serve as key components of our existence and that living matter is made up of three forces which include these five elements. The five elements are also believed to control all psychological as well as physiological processes.

The three forces which were mentioned are called the doshas which reflect the notion that if the different elements in the body are out of balance, the doshas cause disease. Doshas refer to the primary energetic forces that regulate the psycho-physiological processes of the body and mind. When there is balance in these three forces there is equilibrium in the physical, mental and emotional state of the body and that is believed to result in good health. If there is an imbalance in these states for an extended period of time, it is manifested as disease.

The three doshas of Ayurveda are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is made up primarily of air and it is responsible for all of the body’s functions and feelings as well as the process of breathing air via the lungs, pumping blood throughout the body via the circulatory system and thoughts within the mind. Vata regulates the equilibrium of the mind and intellectual capacity of the body. Pitta is comprised of fire and it is accountable for each of the metabolic functions of the body along with the production of heat within the body.  The primary element of Kapha is water which gives vigor and steadiness to the body and governs our emotions which include forgiveness and loyalty.

The use of vegetable drugs is employed in Ayurvedic medicine. Vegetable drugs such as cardamom and cinnamon as well as animal products such as milk. Sulphur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate and gold are also consumed. Another of the main practices of ayurveda is yoga which encompasses various breathing exercises, physical practices and meditation. The purpose of yoga is to bring the entire being into harmony and in so doing improve the overall health of the body. The treatment methods of ayurvedic medicine are meant to treat the patient as a whole and not focus on the disease. As such, there are fewer side effects of ayurvedic medicine.

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]]> http://www.scentsobsession.net/2010/04/07/have-you-ever-heard-of-ayurveda/feed/ 6 Aromatherapy for Allergies and Difficult Pregnancies http://www.scentsobsession.net/2010/04/06/aromatherapy-for-allergies-and-difficult-pregnancies/ http://www.scentsobsession.net/2010/04/06/aromatherapy-for-allergies-and-difficult-pregnancies/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 06:42:59 +0000 admin The term allergy refers to hypersensitivity to a substance which is called an allergen.  For those among us who suffer from allergies, it is no secret that they can be a pain in the neck. Allergies, despite how many you have and what you are allergic to, are extremely uncomfortable. Some persons have seasonal allergies that prevent them from enjoying the outdoors at certain times of the year while others have day to day allergies that plagued them constantly.  The three main categories of allergies are food allergies, chemical allergies and inhaled allergies. Some may even have food allergies that restrict their diet. Whatever your allergy, the result is discomfort. Many times, when dealing with allergies, the main means of reducing your allergies is through medication. However, there are more natural ways to deal with some of the allergies that you may have. One of these methods is through aromatherapy which employs the use of essential oils to alleviate some of the problems caused by allergies.

One type of allergy that affects persons who have sensitive skin is eczema. Contact eczema is easy to detect and it can be aggravated easily as well. Wearing clothing made from certain materials as well as using chemicals which are found in soaps and make-up may result in your eczema acting up. Another form of eczema is atopic eczema which tends to affect those who have a history of asthma, hives or hay fever. Atopic eczema is also triggered by eating certain foods. However, for relief from allergies such as eczema, it would be helpful to use chamomile oil or lavender oil in your bathwater. Approximately three drops should be enough to offer some form of relief.

Asthma is another allergy that can be triggered by dust, mold spores, feathers, pollen, cold drafts as well as certain foods. However, if a humidifier is placed in the room with someone who has asthma, the symptoms can be reduced. You can use essential oils such as rose oil, sage oil, chamomile or frankincense into the humidifier and this would offer increased relief from the symptoms of asthma.

One of the more complicated allergies to deal with is hay fever. It is a respiratory allergy and its sufferers tend to have other allergies and react to allergens such as dust, mold, pollen, feathers and cleaners. Some of the symptoms of hay fever include irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nasal passages which results in runny nose, swelling of nasal mucosa, nasal congestion, sneezing, and headaches and so on.  Typically, the treatment of hay fever would include the use of antihistamines and other drugs which provide temporary relief from the symptoms. However, there are grave side effects to these treatments such as skin problems, drowsiness, vomiting, and diarrhea.

When using aromatherapy in the treatment of hay fever, essential oils that have expectorant, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating, and restorative properties should be used. Essential oil such as German and Roman chamomile, Blue Tansy, Peppermint and rosemary should be placed in a cup of boiling water and inhaled.

Aromatherapy can relieve pregnant women of many of the physical as well as emotional discomforts that are associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Aromatherapy can be used by women who are having difficult pregnancies.  Jasmine is said to have properties that allows it to induce and speed up labor. For women who are also suffering from post partum depression, inhaling jasmine oil has proven to be effective as a method of treatment.

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