Gian - Aromatherapy Essential oils and the power of scent for healing, relaxation, and vitality

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy

ESSENTIAL OILS AND THE POWER OF SCENT FOR HEALING, RELAXATION, AND VITALITY

Marc J. Gian

L. Ac, LMT

For my family

This edition published in 2021 by CICO Books

An imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

www.rylandpeters.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First published in 2017 as Holistic Aromatherapy

Text Marc J. Gian 2017

Design and illustration CICO Books 2017, 2021

For photography credits, see .

The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress and the British Library.

ISBN: 978-1-80065-033-6

eISBN: 978-1-80065-075-6

Editor: Clare Churly

Illustrators: Rosie Scott, Stephen Dew, and Cathy Brear

Commissioning editor: Kristine Pidkameny

Senior editor: Carmel Edmonds

Senior designer: Emily Breen

Art director: Sally Powell

Head of production: Patricia Harrington

Publishing manager: Penny Craig

Publisher: Cindy Richards

Safety note: Please note that while the descriptions of essential oils and blends refer to healing benefits, they are not intended to replace diagnosis of illness or ailments, or healing or medicine. Always consult your doctor or other health professional in the case of illness. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any claim arising out of the general information and blends provided in this book.

Contents

Introduction

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for healing and balancing the mind and body. It is through inhaling scents that healing occurs. It has become a popular form of treatment in recent years as people look for more natural ways to take control of their health. Essential oils are easily accessible and have proven to be very useful for personal health care. Some of the benefits of essential oils include relief from common colds and decreasing muscular pain.

Chinese medicine is a 3,000-year-old method of treating and preventing disease and calming the mind and emotions. It can provide the novice user of essential oils with an ancient but verified way to comprehend aromatherapy and enhance its healing benefits. Combining the foundations of Chinese medicine with aromatherapy creates a powerful synergy to bring balance to the mind and body. Both therapies have the ability to simultaneously treat the mind and the body and begin to connect us to the deepest, truest nature of our being.

Essential oils come from plants from all over the world: peppermint from Washington State, USA; Roman and German chamomile from the United Kingdom; lavender from France; bergamot from Italy; ravensara and ylang-ylang from Madagascar, tea tree and eucalyptus from Australia; to name but a few. Each oil has its own unique personality, or, in terms of Chinese medicine, its own spirit. The beauty of using essential oils based on Chinese medicine is that each oil correlates to specific acupressure points (see ), and applying oils to these points magnifies the healing.

Over the past ten years or so there has been a steady increase and fascination with the use of essential oils and aroma to increase the clinical effectiveness of Chinese medicine and induce physical and emotional changes. Chinese medicines practical applicationsacupuncture, massage (tui na and acupressure), Chinese herbs, dietary therapy, qigong, and tai chitake years to master. However, a novice can use the basics of massage with aromatherapy safely and effectively.

Chinese medicine aims to look at the whole personnot just the symptom or the body partincluding the entire physical body, emotional tendencies, habits, and external environment. Likewise, exploring the source, physical features, habitat, and, of course, scent of a plant used to make an essential oil can lead to an understanding of the oils unique functions and practical applications.

Chinese medicine views the body as a microcosm of the macrocosmin other words, a part that contains a whole. Our body is a vessel that encompasses our history and present influence. This holds true in nature as well and can be seen in the plants and trees from which essential oils are derived. Plants often will take on the energy, or Qi (see ) and heaviness in the mind and body. Lavender is another good example of this principle. Lavender grows at high altitudes, and its oil is effective for treating the upper aspect of our bodies. Lavender is especially good for circulating Qi in the chest and relaxing the heart.

Do you want the tools to ignite a better physical, mental, and spiritual state of being? If your answer is yes, then prepare for a journey into the healing world of essential oils and aromatherapy.

PART 1

THE HEALING CONNECTION OF AROMATHERAPY AND CHINESE MEDICINE