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Aromatherapy
Studies on hospital patients in the UK show that massage with essential oils of neroli or lavender can relieve anxiety. According to researchers at the Cardiff Smell Lab, Cardiff University, smell activates the same part of the brain where epilepsy often starts. Dr Tim Betts, a neuropsychiatrist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, found that epileptic patients who conditioned themselves to associate the smell of certain essential oils (jasmine, ylang ylang, camomile, lavender) with relaxation could prevent the onset of a seizure simply by sniffing the oil. But oils of fennel, rosemary, camphor and hyssop increased the risk of seizure for some patients.
Medical interest in essential oils was rekindled in the early 20th century by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist who was impressed by the healing powers of lavender oil when applied to a burn. Some French doctors now regularly prescribe essential oils for certain conditions, with a similar approach to herbalists.
What is it good for?
Aromatherapists choose essential oils for their therapeutic effects in treating stress-related conditions such as insomnia and headaches, digestive disorders, colds and menstrual problems. It is also used to relieve stress, help relaxation and enhance well-being. These effects may be sedative, calming, stimulating, uplifting, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, analgesic or decongestant. Most oils will possess several properties. Here are some common examples:
- Calming: chamomile, lavender, geranium, jasmine, bergamot, clary sage
- Uplifting: ylang ylang, rosemary, rose, clary sage, neroli, lavender, jasmine, grapefruit
- Stimulating: cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, pine, black pepper, eucalyptus
- Antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal: tea tree, lavender
- Decongestant: eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, pine
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Created: 09/01/2002 Updated: 31/01/2007
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