Audra Avizienis - Essential Oils

Myrrh resin and oil. Myrrh is one of the resins that appears in kyphi recipes.

Native American traditions also go back hundreds of years. Certain tribes cooled fevers with willow and birch, which contain the herbal aspirin salicylic acid. Some used echinacea for insect bites and the astringent witch hazel for inflammatory conditions. This long tradition of herbal remedies paved the way for modern-day aromatherapy.

Although the essential oils of plants and trees have long been used therapeutically, an understanding of how the oils work is relatively new. When you smell a favorite food, the scent triggers an instantaneous reaction in your body, stimulating your salivary glands even before your brain comprehends what you smell. That is because scent messages travel directly from your olfactory bulb (at the roof of your nasal cavity) up to the adjacent limbic system. This primitive part of the brain stem is the switchboard of the brain, and it relays incoming information to the higher brain for processing.

Once the limbic system receives a scent message, it triggers a response in the autonomic nervous system, which controls basic functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, perspiration, and sexual desire. It also triggers the endocrine system, which regulates mood and metabolism, and keeps the body balanced in homeostasis. Interestingly, scent messages to the brain go directly to our brains memory center, the hippocampus, which is why the familiar smell of a certain place can trigger old memories even before we recognize the location. Scent also triggers the amygdalathe seat of emotions and feara throwback to the vital fight-or-flight mechanism for survival.

Essential oils trigger powerful effects on the human body. Probably the most popular use of essential oils is to unwind and relax the mind. Calming oils, such as the classic lavender, chamomile, and rose, can alleviate stress and promote deep relaxationor even put you to sleep, in the case of valerian oil. Other essential oils are decidedly bright and joyful, such as the fresh aroma of lemon and grapefruit oils. Citrusy oils can instantly brighten a room and lift a downcast mood. Richer fragrances, on the other hand, may add a sense of grounding or centeredness, such as the root oil vetiver and sandalwood. Penetrating oils, including frankincense and palo santo, are often considered spiritual oils because they lend themselves well to meditation and deep contemplation. Essential oils can also instill confidence and courage, in particular clove and ginger oil. Still other oils trigger sensual thoughts and desires: jasmines sultry fragrance is a classic aphrodisiac.

Aromatherapy goes beyond emotional support and offers a vast array of therapeutic benefits. On the simplest level, essential oils support the nervous system, helping to rebalance emotions. That, in turn, impacts the adrenal glands and hormones throughout the body. Essential oils such as eucalyptus and oregano promote respiratory health by acting as decongestants and expectorants that loosen phlegm and open up bronchial airways for easier breathing.

Sonic vapor essential oil diffuser

Inflammationone of the root causes of so many modern-day illnessescan lead to conditions that affect skin, joints, and bronchial passages. Anti-inflammatory essential oils can help minimize symptoms of diseases such as asthma, arthritis, gout, and rheumatism. Heart-healthy essential oils include anti-inflammatory oils, such as ginger, lemongrass, and helichrysum oil. Regular inhalation of these oils can supplement a healthy diet and lifestyle to improve overall heart health. Inflammatory skin conditions can find quick relief with a variety of essential oils. Antibacterial essential oils, such as oregano and thyme, can benefit acne and rashes, and the powerful tea tree oil can treat fungal infections such as athletes foot and thrush.