An Introduction To The Curative Effects Of Aromatic Oils

Essential oils are volatile oils that come from herbs, flowers, or trees. They are generally extracted by means of distillation, although other processes are employed such as mechanical expression, or solvent extraction. These volatile oils can be used on their own or as a component of certain products. For instance, they are usually added to perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, and household deodorizing and cleaning products. There are also food-grade essential oils that impart flavor and scent to food items and beverages.

But of all the uses of essential oils, its curative effect is one that is receiving much attention nowadays, especially as more and more people are embracing alternate modalities of care to improve their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. The curative effects of essential oils are theorized to result from the effect of odorant molecules on the brain’s emotional center, the limbic system. Some of these aromatic oils, like those of frankincense and lavender, are known to exert antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects.

In addition, frankincense essential oils have been used for many years as a treatment for diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Some studies also suggest that the aroma of Frankincense essential oils can help treat depression and lessen anxiety. Lavender essential oil is known to aid in relaxation as well, and is in fact, a component of some anxiolytic drugs. When taken in vapor form, lavender essential oils are known to relieve tension headaches and treat cough.

Essential oils are generally not applied to the skin undiluted because they are known to cause severe irritation, and can even trigger an allergic reaction.

Use of lavender essential oil has also been pointed out as a possible contributory factor to gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of breasts among males. Though non-life threatening, it can still cause problems in terms of the person’s self confidence. There are also some people who reported that they experienced abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea after using products containing frankincense essential oils. Remember to talk with your healthcare provider about your aromatherapy practices to ensure safe and coordinated health management.

Essential oils for therapeutic use can be bought from online and offline health stores. Food and industry-grade ones can be bought from manufacturers and affiliated distributors. Various agencies regulate essential oils according to their intended use. For instance in the US, aromatherapy products do not need the approval of the FDA. Instead, buyers check if the product passed ISO or AFNOR manufacturing standards to evaluate its quality. Regulation of the sale and marketing of industrial-grade products containing these aromatic oils is typically governed by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The use of lavender and frankincense essential oils has many health benefits. Vapors from these aromatic oils are known to calm a person’s mind. Learn more about frankincense essential oil here.

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