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Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soap and other products, for flavoring food and drink, and for scenting incense and household cleaning products.
Various essential oils have been used medicinally at different periods in history. Medical application proposed by those who sell medicinal oils range from skin treatments to remedies for cancer, and are often based on historical use of these oils for these purposes. Such claims are now subject to regulation in most countries, and have grown more vague to stay within these regulations.
Interest in essential oils has revived in recent decades with the popularity of aromatherapy, a branch of alternative medicine which claims that the specific aromas carried by essential oils have curative effects. Oils are volatilized or diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage, diffused in the air by a nebulizer or by heating over a candle flame, or burned as incense, for example.
Some essential oils can be extracted through pressing, just as grape juice can be pressed from the grape. If you twist a piece of lemon or orange rind, the rind will yield a bit of liquid which is oily and smells strongly of the fruit - this oil is the fruit's essential oil and is easily extractable through a press.
Essential oils vary widely in price, depending largely on the amount of plant material needed to make them. The citrus oils are quite economical to make, since the citrus rind contains a lot of oil, and thus less expensive than the oils derived from flowers, which contain very little oil. It can take over a hundred pounds (45 kilograms) of lavender flowers to make a pound of lavender essential oil. That may sound high, until you consider that it takes over a thousand pounds (450 kilograms) of jasmine to make a pound of jasmine essential oil. Jasmine, rose and neroli (orange blossom) are among the most costly of all the essential oils.
While a very few essential oils, such as lavender and tea tree, are safe to apply directly to the skin, most are so concentrated that they must be diluted with 'carrier oils'. Carrier oils are massage oils typically made from nuts and seeds - apricot kernel, grapeseed and jojoba are all good blending oils.
The aromatherapeuti c effects of essential oils can be administered in different ways, depending on the oil and the effect. Skin absorption is one of the most common methods - a dilute blend of essential oils and carrier oils are massaged into the skin, which absorbs the active ingredient of the essential oil into the bloodstream.
What Are Essential Oils?
Most commonly, the essence is extracted from the plant using an technique called distillation. One type of distillation places the plants or flowers on a screen. Steam is passed through the area and becomes "charged" with the essence. The steam then passes through an area where it cools and condenses. This mixture of water and essential oil is separated and bottled. Since plants contain such a small amount of this precious oil, several hundred pounds may needed to produce a single ounce.
Steam Distillation
Steam distillation is the most common method of extracting essential oils. Many old-time distillers favor this method for most oils, and say that none of the newer methods produces better quality oils. Steam distillation is done in a still. Fresh, or sometimes dried, botanical material is placed in the plant chamber of the still, and pressurized steam is generated in a separate chamber and circulated through the plant material. The heat of the steam forces the tiny intercellular pockets that hold the essential oils to open and release them. The temperature of the steam must be high enough to open the pouches, yet not so high that it destroys the plants or burns the essential oils. As they are released, the tiny droplets of essential oil evaporate and, together with the steam molecules, travel through a tube into the still's condensation chamber. As the steam cools, it condenses into water. The essential oil forms a film on the surface of the water. To separate the essential oil from the water, the film is then decanted or skimmed off the top. The remaining water, a byproduct of distillation, is called floral water, distillate, or hydrosol. It retains many of the therapeutic properties of the plant, making it valuable in skin care for facial mists and toners. In certain situations, floral water may be preferable to pure essential oil, such as when treating a sensitive individual or a child, or when a more diluted treatment is required.
# AromatherapyEss ential Oils. Essential Oils are volatile parts of aromatic plants extracted by steam distillation or expression. Essential Oils uses includes massage, bath, candles, inhales, room and body perfume, hair shampoo, facial and skin care etc. Essential Oils properties cover a wide range of natural healing, relaxing and uplifting attributes.
# Base Oils and Hydrosols. Except Essential Oils, Base Oils and Hydrosols are natural substances which are also used in Aromatherapy. Base or Carrier Oils are vegetable oils that are used in massage, skin care and many recipes. Hydrosols or Floral Waters are byproducts of the productive procedure of essential oils and are used in combination with Essential and Carrier Oils in various Aromatherapy blends and recipes. Read carrier oils attributes and floral water attributes and get informed which one to use in order to enhance your treatment.
# AromatherapyAro matherapy Recipes. Read how you can promote your body, skin and hair health, how to lift up your mood, how to relax, how to relieve pain and much more with Aromatherapy. This section is growing, so come back and check for new recipes from time to time.
# Aromatherapy Benefits. Although some doctors doubt the efficiency of Aromatherapy, medical researches have scientifically proved that Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects. Aromatherapy benefits includes stress and headache relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormones’ regulation, muscles’ relaxation, immune system’s stimulation, blood circulation, skin diseases’ healing etc.
# Buying Guide and Aromatherapy Safety. Entering into an aromatherapy shop can make you feel like walking into an aromatic paradise. However, due to great variety of aromatic products, choosing the best aromatherapy is not as easy as you might think. These buying tips can help you save money and avoid confusion. Although essential oils can be used by everyone, some precautions must be observed carefully. Inexperienced individuals should consult a qualified aromatherapist before trying to make any blend. Keep in mind that pure essential oils are very potent substances and must always be diluted with base oil before being applied to skin.
there are a couple of different formulations you can make for your natural mosquito repellent. In general, what you are doing is diluting an essential oil that the mosquitoes find distasteful or which confuses them so they can't find you to bite you. The oils don't mix with water, so you'll need to add them to other oils or to alcohol. It's important to use an oil or alcohol that is safe for your skin. Also, don't go overboard with the essential oils. The oils are potent and could cause skin irritation or another reaction if you use too much. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not use any mosquito repellent, natural or otherwise, until after you've gotten it cleared by your physician.
Lemon eucalyptus oil
The most effective natural mosquito repellent at the time of writing is Repel Lemon Eucalyptus.
* A 2002 study in the New England Journal of Medicine compared different synthetic chemical and herbal repellents:
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent provided 120.1 minutes of mosquito protection, more than a repellent with a low concentration of the chemical DEET (Off Skintastic for Kids with 4.75% DEET provided 88.4 minutes of protection) and less than Off Deep Woods with 23.8% DEET, which provided 301.5 minutes of protection.
* A study by the US Department of Agriculture compared four synthetic mosquito repellents and eight natural mosquito repellents and found that Repel Lemon Eucalyptus was the most effective repellent, more so than a 7% DEET repellent.
* Lemon eucalyptus oil repellents, in addition to the chemicals DEET and picaridin, have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (which means that the materials have been reviewed and approved for effectiveness and human safety) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile virus.
* A June 2006 Consumer Reports article stated that after conducting their own tests, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus was the best non-DEET mosquito repellent. However, volunteers criticized its odor.
Repel can be found online or is available at REI, Target and Wal-Mart.
Geranium oil and soybean oil
A repellent called Bite Blocker ranks second.
The New England Journal of Medicine study found that Bite Blocker provided 94.6 minutes of protection against mosquitos. This is slightly more effective than Off Skintastic for Kids (containing 4.75% DEET), which provided 88.4 minutes of protection.
The study by the United States Department of Agriculture ranked Bite Blocker number two in effectiveness after Repel. Bite Blocker was rated more effective than a synthetic 7% DEET mosquito repellent.
Bite Blocker contains the oils of geranium, soybean and coconut and is available as a spray or lotion. It can be purchased online at the Bite Blocker website for about per bottle.
Citronella
A well-known natural mosquito repellent. The oils from the plant are used to make lotions, sprays, and candles.
A University of Guelph study assessed the effectiveness of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense in protecting subjects from bites.
They found that subjects who were positioned near the citronella candles had 42.3% less bites and those near the citronella incense had 24.2% fewer bites.
Based on these results, citronella candles shouldn't be used as a stand-alone repellent, all though they may help in combination with topical repellents.
Other natural mosquito repellents
Although the above repellents are the most promising, there are other natural mosquito repellents that are being researched:
* Fennel - A small study by researchers at Seoul National University in Korea found that a spray mosquito repellent containing 5% fennel oil was 84% effective after 90 minutes and a repellent cream with 8% fennel oil was 70% effective after 90 minutes.
* Thyme - In one study, carvacrol and alpha-terpinene, two compounds derived from the essential oil of thyme, were found to have significantly greater repellency than a commercial DEET repellent. The researchers suggest that a spray made with 2% alpha terpinene is a promising natural mosquito repellent. However, don't try to make a thyme oil repellent at home- it is too irritating and strong-smelling to be used at effective concentrations above 25%.
* Clove oil - Two studies have found that undiluted topical clove oil is active against mosquitoes. However, like thyme oil, clove oil should not be applied undiluted to skin as a homemade repellent.
* Celery extract - A Thai study compared 15 mosquito repellents with a topical extract from celery. The researchers found that the extract did not irritate the skin or cause a burning sensation. It was found to be active against a wide range of mosquito species comparable to a 25% DEET formula.
* Neem oil - An extract from the tropical neem tree, neem oil has insecticidal compounds called azadirachtins.
* Vitamin B1 - Vitamin B1 is often taken to help repel mosquitos but one study suggests this remedy may be useless. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin study tested B1 with a larger sample of human subjects and found no effect of vitamin B.
* Garlic - Another popular theory is that ingesting garlic can provide protection against mosquitoes. A University of Connecticut study examined this claim with a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-control led crossover study. The data didn't provide evidence of significant mosquito repellence. However, subjects only consumed garlic once, and the researchers say that more prolonged ingestion may be needed.
* Applications that make skin feel hot or cold. Doctors call these products counterirritant s because they contain ingredients that irritate your skin. Ingredients such as menthol, oil of wintergreen or eucalyptus oil produce a sensation of hot or cold that distracts you from your arthritis pain, giving you temporary arthritis pain relief. Examples include Biofreeze, Flexall and Icy Hot.
* Aspirin-like pain rubs. Some products, called topical analgesics, contain salicylates, the same ingredients that give aspirin its pain-relieving quality. In addition to offering arthritis pain relief, these products may reduce joint inflammation as they're absorbed into the skin. Examples include Bengay, Aspercreme, Mobisyl and Sportscreme. If you are allergic to aspirin or are taking blood thinners, check with your doctor before using topical medications that contain salicylates.
* Creams made from chili pepper seeds. The seeds contain a compound called capsaicin (kap-say-IH-sin), which causes the burning sensation you associate with peppers. Creams made with capsaicin are most effective for arthritis pain in joints close to the skin surface, such as your fingers, knees and elbows. Capsaicin creams work by depleting your nerve cells of a chemical called substance P, which is important for sending pain messages. Capsaicin creams may need to be applied regularly for one or two weeks before arthritis pain relief may occur. Examples include Capzasin and Zostrix.
Some products contain a combination of these three types of arthritis pain relief methods.
Prescription pain gels and patches
A prescription gel containing the nonsteroidal anti-inflammato ry drug (NSAID) diclofenac (Voltaren Gel) may provide some pain relief for people with osteoarthritis in their hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles or knees. Diclofenac gel is massaged into the skin around your affected joint four times a day. Side effects may include rash and redness where you apply the gel. NSAIDs, such as diclofenac gel, carry a risk of stomach bleeding and heart problems, including heart attack.
Diclofenac is also available as a patch. Diclofenac epolamine (Flector) patches are approved for treating pain caused by sprains and strains. Patches are applied to the skin and used twice daily. Patches aren't safe for people with chronic kidney diseases.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe lidocaine patches (Lidoderm) for joint pain. The patches are approved in the U.S. to treat a painful complication of shingles, but they may be used for other types of pain — what doctors call an "off-label use." Patches are placed on your skin over the painful joint for 12 hours at a time. The lidocaine numbs the area.
General Use
Externally: Tea Tree oil may be applied directly to the skin to stimulate regeneration of injuries and fight bacterial and fungal infection. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to dilute it with a little olive oil. A Massage Oil can also be used as a carrier oil since it is formulated especially for skin absorption.
Internally: To fight infections (bacterial or fungal) take a few drops well diluted with water.
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
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Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties. This makes it a great ingredient in homemade cleansing recipes, both for the body and for around the house. There is no need to use full strength tea tree oil for home cleaning recipes. Small amounts are fine, which offsets the cost per bottle. Look for tea tree oil in the natural/herbal section of your local grocery store, if it has one, or at a health foods and supply store.
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Household Cleansers
1. Make an all purpose cleaner for around the house. Mix 15 drops of tea tree oil with a quart of water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle. Be aware that since the cleanser contains no soap, it won't foam up like many commercial all purpose cleaners do. That doesn't mean that the mixture isn't working, though. One teaspoon added to a load of laundry disinfects the load. One teaspoon added to a cup of water removes mold and mildew and disinfects the surface.
Acne Treatment
2. Before bed, apply undiluted tea tree oil to acne blemishes. Don't rub in the oil or wipe it off, even if it is tempting to do so. Allow the tea tree oil to sit on the blemishes overnight to reduce the appearance of the inflammation. Wash off the oil in the morning.
Tea Tree Oil Cleansing and Remedies
3. Tea tree oil is a component in many different homemade remedies for various bodily ailments and cleansing affected areas. Different remedies include applying four to ten drops of undiluted tea tree oil for two weeks to resolve athlete's foot infections, applying a gel made from tea tree oil to the scalp to resolve head lice and using a shampoo with at least a five percent concentration of tea tree oil to resolve dandruff. You don't need to buy a special tea tree oil shampoo for removing the dandruff. Instead, add one drop of tea tree oil per ounce of your regular shampoo. Apply undiluted drops of tea tree oil to insect bites, boils and cold sores to reduce inflammation. Tea tree oil applied daily for a month to ringworm cures the problem. Use tea tree oil on minor cuts and scratches to clean the wounds. Mix eight to ten drops of tea tree oil in a cup of water and gargle to soothe a sore throat. Make sure not to swallow the oil. This will also clean the mouth in a manner similar to a store-bought mouthwash.
Essential oils, the pure essence of a plant, have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely. The Essential Oil Profiles area details over 90 essential oils. Absolutes, CO2s and Hydrosols are also commonly utilized in aromatherapy. Although essential oils, CO2 extracts and absolutes are distilled by different methods, the term essential oil is sometimes used as a blanket term to include all natural, aromatic, volatile, plant oils including CO2s and absolutes.
In addition to essential oils, aromatherapy encourages the use of other complementary natural ingredients including cold pressed vegetable oils, jojoba (a liquid wax), hydrosols, herbs, milk powders, sea salts, sugars (an exfoliant), clays and muds.
Products that include synthetic ingredients are frowned upon in holistic aromatherapy. It is important to note that perfume oils also known as fragrance oils (and usually listed as "fragrance" on an ingredient label) are not the same as essential oils. Fragrance oils and perfume oils contain synthetic chemicals and do not provide the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
Buyer Beware: The United States does not regulate the use of the word aromatherapy" on product packaging, labeling or in product advertising, so any product can be marketed as a product suitable for aromatherapy. There are quite a few products on the market that contain unnatural ingredients including fragrance oils and claim to be aromatherapeuti c. It's important to look at the ingredient label when seeking true aromatherapy products.
Also, use caution with marketing claims that state a product is "Made With Essential Oils" or "Made With Natural Ingredients." Claims like these do not state that the product is only made with the ingredient(s) specified. Such products may contain heavy proportions of synthetic fragrance oils and only contain a minute quantity of essential oil to simply be able to profess the "Made With Essential Oils" claim.
Don't let false marketing hype scare you away from the benefits of holistic aromatherapy. By exploring AromaWeb and other aromatherapy resources, you can learn how to safely use just a few essential oils and start gaining the benefits of aromatherapy. If you realize you hold an even deeper interest, you can learn to make your own products and control the exact ingredients included in your own personal aromatherapy products.
The Benefit of an Aroma ~ Inhaling Essential Oils
Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help ease congestion is a prominent example.
If not done correctly and safely, however, the use of essential oils can have severe consequences.
The Benefit of Physical Application
Essential oils that are applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The constituents of essential oils can aid in health, beauty and hygiene conditions. Since essential oils are so powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. To apply essential oils to the skin, essential oils are typically diluted into a carrier such as a cold pressed vegetable oil, also known as a carrier oil. Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and grapeseed oil. A more detailed definition of Carrier Oils is found on the What are Carrier Oils page. A detailed list of carrier oils and their properties can be found on the Carrier Oils Used in Aromatherapy properties page.
Other Benefits
In addition to therapeutic benefit at the emotional and physical level, essential oils are helpful in other applications. Essential oils can be used in household and laundry cleaners. Some oils act as a natural insect repellent and pesticide. You may recall using citronella candles during the summer to keep mosquitoes away. Citronella essential oil is the ingredient in the candles that is responsible for repelling the mosquitos. Visit the Essential Oil Uses page for additional information on ways that you can use essential oils.
Essential Oil Blends
Essential oils can be blended together to create appealing and complex aromas. Essential oils can also be blended for a specific therapeutic application. Essential oils that are carefully blended with a specific therapeutic purpose in mind may be referred to as an essential oil syngery. A synergistic essential oil blend is considered to be greater in total action than each oil working independently. AromaWeb's Recipes area offers a variety of recipes and synergies.
About Aromatherapy Products
Not all ready-made aromatherapy products labeled with the word "aromatherapy" are pure and natural. Products that contain artificial ingredients do not provide true aromatherapy benefits. At worst, they provide no benefit or be harmful. At best, they provide only a fraction of the benefit that natural products supply. Buyers seeking true aromatherapy products must look at the ingredient label to ensure that the product does not contain fragrance oils or unpure (chemical) components. A general rule-of-thumb is to be wary of products that do not list their ingredients and those that do not boast of having pure essential oils (look for products that contain pure essential oils on their ingredient list and avoid those that have words like fragrance). A note, however, is that some sellers of good-quality aromatherapy blends do not list their ingredients because they are worried that others may copy their creation. By asking the seller more about the blend, and listening to how they respond, you should have a better idea about the quality of the blend being sold. Good suppliers should be happy to provide you with a list of the ingredients. They understand that some individuals must avoid particular oils due to health problems.
An array of items used in aromatherapy.
Introducing essential oils into your lifestyle can be quite easy, fun, and therapeutically beneficial. Below are a few ways in which you can get started. These methods are intended as guidelines only, and you do need to pay special attention to all safety pre cautions applicable for each oil that you choose. It is also important to remember that essential oils are flammable.
* Easy Inhalation - Place 3-4 drops of essential oil on a tissue. Place the tissue near your nose and inhale. When trying an oil for the first time, use only one drop to ensure that you do not have a sensitivity or reaction to the oil.
* Steam Inhalation - Boil 2 cups of water. Pour the water into a bowl and add 3-7 drops of oil to the water. Use fewer drops if you are using an oil that may cause irritation to your mucous membranes (i.e. cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, pine, thyme, cajuput, etc.). Place your nose about 12" away from the bowl and inhale. Don't inhale the steam constantly and if you notice any irritation or discomfort, stop immediately. Steam inhalation can help with colds and influenza. Use of energizing or relaxing oils can also make this method useful any time of day or night.
* Room Freshening - Use the steam inhalation method noted above but don't directly inhale into the bowl. Use up to 10 drops of oil. Use fewer drops if you are using an oil that may cause sensitization. Other methods including use of an aromatherapy diffuser or lamp scent ring available through many aromatherapy companies.
* General Household Freshening - Add a few drops of oil to your trash can, laundry wash, drain, vacuum bag filter, or on a tissue for placement in your drawers.
* Bug Repellent - Many essential oils including citronella, lavender, and peppermint act as a natural repellent against insects. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto tissues or cotton balls and place near your doorways and windows to help repel insects. Be sure to read all safety data on the oils you use as some oils may not be suitable for use around pets. Be careful not to apply the essential oil directly onto fragile surfaces.
* Massage - Add up to 20 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil such as sweet almond oil and massage onto yourself or partner. Keep away from eyes and genital areas. Do not apply essential oils to the skin without first diluting them. Be sure to also read the safety data for the essential oils you choose to use.
* Bath - Add 5-7 drops essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil. Add this blend to your running bath water and mix well before getting into the tub. Be sure to read the safety data for the essential oils you choose to use.
Other Uses
Essential oils can be used in making homemade lotions, facial toners, shampoos, perfumes, soaps, shower gels, and other natural products. Additionally, essential oils are often blended for their therapeutic synergistic abilities. The Recipes area includes many recipes and synergies.
The Book Shelf area provides book descriptions for over 12 popular aromatherapy books. Included are books that offer detailed recipes, other uses for essential oils, aromatherapy safety, and detailed essential oil information.
The term essential oil refers to any concentrated, hydrophobic oil which contains extracts from aromatic herbs or plants. They are ‘essential’ in that the carry the scent of the plant, and are generally extracted by the process of distillation (the raw plant material is exposed to steam, turning the plant to vapor, which is then collected in liquid form). They have been around for a long time, and are used in perfumes, cosmetics, flavoring for food and drink, and a ranged of other products, as well as aromatherapy, for which their popularity has increased in recent years.
Getting The Oils Ready
To make a massage oil for aching muscles, you first have to know a few things about handling essential oils. It is important to know that they are highly concentrated, so you don’t want to apply them directly to your skin. When handling the undiluted, you don’t want to get any in your eyes, nose, or ears, and certainly avoid swallowing any; even a small amount can be toxic. You may even want to wear rubber gloves when working with them.
Buy Quality Ingredients
You should also make sure to buy quality oils; there is a wide variety of quality out there. Pure essential oils are better than synthetic oils (which can cause more headaches, and which may not have the same therapeutic properties), and you want to avoid oils which have been diluted with vegetable oils (to test this, you can place a drop of the essential oil on a piece of paper; if it leaves an oil stain, it has probably been diluted with vegetable oil). It is a good sign if it says it is ‘pure’ or ‘100%’ essential oil. Smelling an oil can help you determine its quality, but you should hold the bottle at least five inches away from your nose when you sniff, and take breaks when comparing many different bottles. Finally, it is best to buy oil in dark glass bottles, as clear bottles let in light which can damage the oil (like red wine), and plastic bottles can dissolve and contaminant the oil.
Recipe For Relaxation
To make the massage oil itself, use the following four essential oils: Roman chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, and Clary sage. You will also need some normal massage oil to dilute the mixture. To make to fill a 4 ounce bottle (remember, dark glass), add 14 drops of the Roman chamomile oil, 14 drops of the Lavender, 8 drops of Peppermint, and 4 Clary sage, then fill the rest of the bottle with the normal massage oil. Mix this, and you have a bottle of sweet smelling, muscle-relaxing massage oil!
As the season is winter, cold and flu are on the menu for this column. The common cold is a self-limiting condition, but flu infections may be quite dangerous, in particular to the elderly, very young or otherwise immune compromised. Certain natural health products can help you either recover from these more quickly or, hopefully avoid them altogether.
Generally, a well functioning immune system will allow you to prevent either of these conditions before you get sick. A diet adequate in protein, vitamins and minerals is the cornerstone of a healthy immune system. A diet lacking in protein affects all aspects of immune function, and there is evidence that deficiency in vitamins can have an even more dramatic adverse effect on immunity than protein deficiency. Sugar intake also depresses immune function. 100 g of sugar may decrease immune function for up to 5 hours.
Supplements used in fighting an infection can also help in prevention, as they work to support the function of the immune system. Astragalus is one example of an herb that can be used to help prevent colds and flu or to speed recovery by increasing production of immune cells and activity of the immune system. Echinacea also increases the production and activity of immune cells, and has the added benefit of also blocking the action of an enzyme that some illness causing organisms use to break through the bodies physical barriers to disease and penetrate deeper into tissue. There is some controversy as to whether echinacea can be used to actually prevent an infection before it occurs, but research does support its effectiveness when used at the first sign of a cold. People with auto-immune illnesses (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis) should not use immune-stimulat ing or modulating herbal medicines because theoretically they can cause a worsening of their illness.
Many supplements can be used to help you get over a cold or flu should your attempts at prevention fail. Studies have shown that zinc, vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can effectively shorten the duration and reduce the severity of cold symptoms. NAC was also shown to reduce the incidence of flu-like episodes in a 1997 study. Care must be taken when using NAC as it may cause nausea and chills among other side-effects and may interfere with cardiac drugs and a variety of laboratory tests.
Although the list of herbal and nutritional supplements that can be used in management of cold and flu is almost endless, the most important thing to remember when comes to wellness is that adequate rest, fluids and healthy food are essential for good health. As a wise person once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Many patients who hear a diagnosis of a herniated disc immediately question whether spinal surgery is in their future. Whether or not surgery is the right option should be discussed with one's doctor. However, most patients can find back pain relief using more conservative treatments.
The most common school of thought on treating herniated discs focuses on treating pain. Anti-inflammato ry drugs, cortisone injections, hot packs, ultrasound, and therapeutic exercises fall in this category.
While pain relief is important, the weakness of this approach is it fails to address the underlying cause of the herniated disc: why did it herniate in the first place? Ignoring the cause leads to repeated doctor visits for pain treatment. As pain worsens over time, surgery becomes a presented option.
A better approach is to understand the reason for the herniation and correct the problem. Not just mask the symptoms with pain killers.
Why a disc herniates
Outside of trauma, herniated discs do not happen overnight. They occur from long term uneven pressure on the disc due to postural dysfunctions caused by muscle imbalances.
Think of a jelly donut. If someone places a lot of pressure on one side and less on the other, the jelly is likely to bulge out the opposite side from the pressure. With enough pressure, the jelly will break through the donut. On the other hand, if the same amount of pressure was placed evenly across the entire donut the jelly might compress but would likely stay intact inside the donut.
Similarly, when muscle imbalances create improper hip and spine posture, the spinal discs between the vertebrae are unnaturally forced to sustain more weight and stress on one side than the other. Eventually, the disc wears down leading to a bulging, herniated or even a ruptured disc.
Non-surgical alternative treatments for herniated discs
There are at least five significant actions one can take right at home to help treat and reduce back pain from a herniated disc. Each is a superior alternative treatment to spinal surgery in most cases.
Reduce inflammation by increasing fluid intake (preferably by drinking clean water), improving eating habits, and reducing excess fibrin with proteolytic enzymes when possible.
Stop pain spasms, improve blood flow and increase range of motion with heat and cold therapy. The most effective and safe form of heat therapy is Far Infrared Heat (FIR).
Decompress the disc using inversion therapy. Excellent inversion tables can be purchased for this purpose for just a few hundred dollars.
Eliminate referred pain caused by trigger points which are a form of tiny muscular contraction knots.
Correct postural dysfunctions through stretching and exercise targeting specific muscle imbalances to eliminate the underlying root cause of your disc herniation.
Creams and lotions you put on your skin are helpful no doubt, but the skin has to be fed from the inside for best results. Health experts say vitamins and minerals in all forms play an integral role in a healthy complexion.
When combined with a good diet, the right dietary supplements can help keep your skin looking not only healthy, but also years younger. These are many skin and hair nutrients that can be included as a supplement particularly when the body has been under stress, and all your nutritional needs have not been met. As a result skin and hair will suffer, and look dull and listless. Some of the essential nutrients that promote radiant and brighter looking skin include:
Vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex can all help improve skin health.
Vitamin A helps repair and regenerate the skin. Zinc helps maintain the structural integrity of the nails, hair and skin
Silica is concentrated in all connective tissue including nails, hair and skin, where it contributes to collagen formation. Collagen serves as the structural framework for skin. Horsetail is a plant source of silica. Vitamin C is important in the production of collagen, it also helps to protect against degradation of collagen, and therefore slowing the aging process. Biotin and essential amino acids support elastin and collagen production. Beta-carotene and Vitamin E to help the skins natural defence against the sun.
Combining a beauty supplement with a good diet is most essential. As the old adage goes, to look young and naturally beautiful, you have to nurture your inside. Most fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants and vitamins vital for good skin. Antioxidants are essential to help ward off free radicals that we encounter in our everyday lives, through smoking sunbathing, fried and junk food, infections, stress, radiation and polluted environments. All these elements make us age and by making sure we eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, we help slow down this process. Fruits such as the superfoods blue berries, black berries, strawberries, black plums, apples, red grapes are all rich in anti oxidants. Veggies are also great source of antioxidants, because almost all contain one or more of the following: vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and beta carotene, all hailed for having high antioxidant properties. Dark orange, red, yellow and green vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers and yellow peppers, are all excellent sources of beta carotene also known as Vitamin A. This helps rejuvenate and protect the complexion, and it promotes efficient skin cell regeneration - important in order to maintain the skin’s suppleness. It also works to block the sun’s UV rays we are exposed to when outside too long
So start now, feeding the skin from the inside to the out! A healthy diet and drinking plenty of water is always top of the list.Nutritional supplements are not to be used as a substitute for a balanced diet but complement a diet to improve general wellbeing.
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Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way.
Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances or contain artificial substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer. See the What are Fragrance Oils? article for more information on fragrance oils and why they are not used in aromatherapy.
The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits. These benefits are usually achieved through methods including inhalation and application of the diluted oil to the skin.
For detailed profiles on over 100 oils, see the Essential Oil Profiles area.
Essential oils are often used by diluting them with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil) and then applying this blend to the skin for absorption. See the Carrier Oil Profile section for more detailed information about carrier oils.
Careful inhalation of the oils can also provide therapeutic benefit as the oil molecules enter the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream.
Essential Oils are usually sold for individual use in very small bottles. See the Storing Your Oils page for information on how to store your oils and to view pictures of essential oil bottles.
Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price. Various factors that can affect the quality and price of the oil include the rarity of the plant, country and conditions that the plant was grown, quality standards of the distiller, and how much oil is produced by the plant.
Essential oils can often be purchased as blends of several essential oils. The advantage if it is a blend of pure essential oils is that you can save from having to buy every essential oil individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably mix the blend with other oils.
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