Essential Oils and Aromatherapy | Health and Fitness

Essential Oils Aromatherapy

Essential oils, or Oils of {Insert Plant Name}, are the most concentrated and pure form of a plant?s ?Essence?. This essence is most often the aroma or flavor of the plant, such as Cinnamon Oil used in cooking, or Lavender Oil used in aromatherapy ? the essential oil captures a distinct form of a plants particular characteristic, and depending on the plant, can be a versatile solution for different applications

Extracting Essential Oils
There are different methods by which Essential Oils are obtained. The most common is known as ?Distillation?. In this technique, the source of the oil (Flower petal, fruit skin, etc.) is steamed at very high temperatures. The high temperatures release the oil, which then vaporizes or mixes with the steam. The steam is collected, condensed and the Essential Oil is separated out. Another common method is call ?Cold Pressing? the plant. This is the same way Olive oil is obtained, and is most often used to extract Citrus Oils.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the application of Essential Oils and other aromatic compounds to alter a person?s mind, mood, cognitive state, or health. The Olfactory system (Sense Of Smell) is a rather powerful influence on the brain. Just as certain scents can make a person nauseous, trigger very vivid memories, or enact a heightened sense of awareness, they also have a powerful influence on your mood and mental state ? most notably, stress. We all know the mental toll stress takes on us, but many people are unaware of just how detrimental stress can be on the body. A study by UCLA scientists made a very strong physical connection between emotions and stress with a person?s health. ?When the body is under stress, it boosts production of cortisol to support a ?fight or flight? response. If the hormone remains elevated in the bloodstream for long periods of time, though, it wears down the immune system.? ? Rita Effros, study author. Those who consistently live a high-stress lifestyle tend to develop a greater number and severity of illnesses, but those who find ways to block out or manage their stress tend to live happier, healthier lives.

Therein lies the potential of aromatherapy ? treating the underlying cause or enhancing factor of an illness, rather than the symptoms. The main mechanism which links emotions to physical health is the Limbic system, a component of the Central Nervous System which controls many of the hormones and neurochemicals released into the body. The Limbic system is also the receiving point for olfactory signals from your nose. This explains the direct link between aromas, mentality, and health. The correct aromatherapy treatment has the ability to reduce stress, increase energy, and improve a person?s well-being.

Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/6389632

Source: http://medicaltips.biz/2012/03/03/essential-oils-and-aromatherapy/

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