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s3uf0c99 · Posted: Thu 7:19, 23 Dec 2010 Post subject: in many cases

Getting sick is just no fun, but with our fast-paced lifestyles, sometimes it's difficult to keep our stress levels low and our immune system strong. Enter Aromatherapy - Essential oils so commonly used as natural perfumes and mood-lifters can have a have a powerfully-supportive effect on the immune system. In fact, the medical aromatherapy literature makes the point that the most promising use of essential oils in terms of natural health care is in cases of infectious illness. Not only will they help combat illness once it sets in, but therapeutic grade oils can also fortify the immune system to make you more resistant to illness in the first place.For the uninitiated, essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds distilled from plants. They are the chemicals that give plants their smell; the luscious aroma of a rose or the sharp scent of peppermint. Plants use these chemicals for, among other things, defense from invaders such as bacteria, fungus and viruses. Each plant's oils have a unique makeup as a result of the plant's own physiology, natural environment, and its potential microbial invaders. Because of their chemical structure,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], essential oils are easily absorbed into the human body,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], passing through cell membranes,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], then further on into the bloodstream due to their 'lipophillic' nature (a structure in alignment with the lipid components of our cell walls). Essential oils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us naturally microbe-free,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], to readying our immune system for defense, to actually destroying the microbes once they've entered our bodies.For starters, lets look at keeping the air and our environment pure and healthy. A cold-air nebulizing diffuser works best for this,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], as it creates a fine mist of essential oils which disperse throughout your living or work space. Diffusing essential oils into your environment provides three primary benefits: First, the oils are directly eliminating microbes in the air, thus reducing the concentration of live pathogens you may be inhaling or touching at any time and reducing the load on your immune system. Second, most essential oils, and particularly the strong anti-microbial ones, have an uplifting effect on the psyche and a sharpening effect on the mind. Your space will smell nicer, and generally will be more pleasant to be in. This can be very pronounced in certain workspaces where the air can be heavy. Lastly, in many cases,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], essential oils will actually fortify your own immune system to prevent you from catching an illness in the first place - some studies have shown mammalian cells having increased resistance to microbial invaders after exposure to essential oils. Many single oils can be used for this - Eucalyptus Radiata or Eucalyptus Globulus are excellent all-around choices, as is Ravensara,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and the oil of Rosemary of the Cineol chemotype. A popular oil blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Diffuse these oils to your heart's content - it's a wonderful combination!The next step is strengthening your body's own immune defense. Aromatherapy oils have been noted to prevent viruses from actually penetrating our cell walls, keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Two very important immune boosting oils are Niaouli and Bay Laurel leaf. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops over the body immediately after a shower for best absorption. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Laurel is of particular support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at the neck for relief of swollen glands in many cases. Using a few drops on the solar plexus in the same manner as Niaouli described above once or twice a week will also provide general immune system support. These methods in combination may provide significant protection when you're feeling susceptible to illness, or those around you are getting ill and you'd be more than happy to avoid it!Treating the common cold or flu with essential oils once the illness has set in will help ease the symptoms, though prevention is still the best medicine. If you've managed to catch an illness however, at the very first signs, application of ten to twenty drops to the skin of both Eucalyptus Radiata and Bay Laurel essential oils to the skin in the steam of a shower is called for. Eucalyptus can be applied to the chest and back, whereas Bay Laurel should be applied directly to the lymph nodes to support the immune response. Orally injesting one drop of Bay Laurel once or twice a day at the first sign of sore throat is also indicated, and has been noted to have a pronounced effect on reducing further symptoms. Green Myrtle can be used in cases of bronchial infection where Eucalyptus may be found to strong an aroma. Ravensara used in the same manner is called for in cases of colds and flu - it can be a stronger antiviral than the above mentioned oils, and has a pleasing aroma. If the skin is sensitive to these oils, they can be diluted down to 5% in a carrier oil such as Hazelnut, or inhaled directly from a diffuser. As with any aromatherapy application, be careful not to overdo it! Your body will tell you when you've had enough - essential oils do tend to work quite well in suprizingly low concentrations.For general cold and flu care, Eucalyptus Radiata (Narrow Leaf) or Globulus (Blue Gum), Green Myrtle and Ravensara Aromatica can be applied topcally or used with a diffuser or inhaler to loosen mucus and support the body's cleansing process. In addition, Rosemary of the Verbenone chemotype is indicated for sinus infections and bronchitis; medical aromatherapy texts indicate this may be inhaled, applied topically in small amounts to the chest area, or even dripped into the nose,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], one drop at a time (caution is noted here for sensitivity). Also, Thyme essential oil is called for in many cases of bacterial infection - inhalation from a nebulizing diffuser can be an effective route of administration.When choosing your own self-healing methods as part of your overall natural health and wellness program, it is important to choose the proper modality for each situation. Conventional medicine has it's place, and should absolutely be employed when it will provide the best results. When it comes to common colds, the results have not been so dramatic. Alternative therapies have offered a reasonable solution, and can be effective if used wisely and with discretion. There are many helpful texts available for the use of essential oils as medicines - Advanced Aromatherapy and Medical Aromatherapy, both by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, are excellent sources for the intermediate to advanced practitioner. Be aware of your own body's sensitivity to any essential oil and adjust usage accordingly, and seek professional advice whenever necessary.
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