Tips for Memory Improvement Using Essential Oils of Aromatherapy

The Essential Oils of Aromatherapy can assist in developing and maintaining a good memory. Although it is convenient to use these essential oils at home they can also be used at work; in the office for instance, to assist in cultivating a better memory. At home this will facilitate undertaking tasks such as looking after the children, whilst at work; a good memory is essential to the multitasking that is frequently expected, especially for those who have promotion in mind.

Your memory is a vital function that needs to be cared for as a valuable asset. Your short term memory assists with the myriad of routine tasks that you almost take for granted, whereas your long term memory stores information which may not be used as frequently, but is there when you want it. Without these memory attributes you would not be the efficient operator your boss expects you to be. After all he is the one who pays the wages, and influences promotions!

Using Essential Oils of Aromatherapy at home can assist you to relax after the stresses of the working day. They also help in promoting the healing benefits of a good night's sleep, which will help you to wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy the next working day.

Rosemary and Sage essential oils will help you to relax and facilitate a receptive memory. Furthermore, they will help you sleep soundly which promotes long and short term memory development. Whether your requirements are to have better memory at home, or at work, these essential oils will assist and you will be pleased with the advantages of aromatherapy.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a stimulating essential oil that helps you to focus the mind and maintain persistent attention for better information retrieval. Burning Rosemary at home or work can revitalize tired muscles, and help soothe the stresses of a hard day's work. This stimulates the ability to think clearly. The most popular way that the oils are administered, at least in the USA, is using an Aromatherapy Massage. Use chosen blends or a single oil with the right choice of carrier.

Rosemary and Sage

It has been reported that Psychologists at the University of Northumbria tested essential oils from Rosemary on memory attention and mood and discovered it made volunteers feel more alert and improved their long-term memory by around 15 per cent.

Essential oils made from Rosemary and Sage can stimulate the memory, strengthen clarity and awareness, and offset mental fatigue.Other studies have established that volunteers' ability to remember lists of words improved after they had taken a capsule of sage oil.

Other Essential Oils of Aromatherapy to facilitate memory include:

Basil, Lemon, Sweet Orange, Peppermint, Bergamot and Eucalyptus.

Aromatherapy Massage - The Benefits

Aromatherapy massage tends to be more relaxing than other forms of massage such as Swedish. Longer, slower strokes are used, and the massage is much less vigorous. However this does not mean that Aromatherapy massage is not as beneficial in relaxing the muscles, it is just done in a different way.

When going for an Aromatherapy massage you should discuss with the aromatherapist what you hope to achieve from the therapy, if you have particular health or emotional problems you would like treated make sure your therapist knows this. Once you have told the aromatherapist all of your symptoms they will blend together some essential oils with a carrier oil that they feel will benefit you.

There are many essential oils to choose between, so trust your therapist to pick a blend that will include top, middle and base notes. You should feel able to ask your therapist why they are choosing the particular oils added to the blend, and you should check you like the scent of the blended oils before the massage begins.

Massage therapy has been proven to provide great comfort to those who are suffering emotionally, as touch can create the feeling of warmth and closeness. Add to this an uplifting blend of essential oils and the effects can be quite amazing. This is particularly true for people who suffer from emotional problems, and may find it hard to talk about their feelings.

Aromatherapy massage is also very good for moods, whether it be you are feeling low, angry, emotional, unhappy, stressed or any other emotion, there will be a blend of oils that can be made up to help. The slower pace of the massage also helps out in these circumstances and will be extremely beneficial.

Aromatherapy massage can also be used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and many more. Just ensure your therapist checks the contraindications for the oils used as your skin is likely to be much more sensitive.

A little fact many people aren't aware of is that Aromatherapy massage can assist with weight loss. The massage itself boosts the circulation and encourages lymph drainage, which will help, add to this a special blend of essential oils suited to your individual weight loss needs and it's a winning formula.

There are endless benefits when it comes to aromatherapy massage, way too many to be listed here. If you are interested in booking a massage ensure that the therapist is qualified and look to see if they have any recommendations. Many massage therapists advertise Aromatherapy Massage, but will use pre-blended shop bought oils, these will not offer

Introducing Aromatherapy to Young Children

Aromatherapy is perfectly safe for children, although there are safety recommendations to follow (for both children and adults), and of course the amounts of essential oil used for a child will be less than for an adult. However only some of the oils available are suitable for children; others are not suitable. For example children with epilepsy should not come into contact with stimulating oils. Always research the oil you are considering using thoroughly before using and if still unsure, always ask advice. Aromatherapy can be of great benefit as it is a wonderful way of supporting your child's health, happiness and well-being as essential oils can be very therapeutic and nurturing to both your child and you.

Aromatherapy oils are used externally (on the outside of the body) in a bath or massage (carrier) oil, or through inhalation in a diffuser. The effects of aromatherapy on your child will generally fall into one of three main categories: helping in healing from minor illnesses and accidents; supporting your child's overall sense of well-being; or assisting your child in getting quality rest.

It is imperative that you find a reputable supplier of therapeutic-grade essential oils - cheap oils, synthetic copies of oils or fragrances are not appropriate. Essential oils should be kept in dark amber or blue glass containers, in a dark and cool location, out of the reach of children.

Essential oils should rarely be used undiluted on children's skin, unless indicated to do so for a specific condition. Lavender or Tea Tree can be used for cuts, bruises, bites and stings. If your child has very sensitive skin, it is important to test a small area before using a new single oil or blend. Keep products away from the eyes, and neat oils should not to be swallowed.

Sweet Almond oil is generally regarded as the safest and best overall carrier oil for use with babies and children, although if your child has a nut allergy an alternative carrier oil will have to be used instead.

A simple and safe way of introducing your child to aromatherapy is through traditional play-doughs that have been enriched with the correct amount of essential oils (aroma play doughs). The dough's come in a bucket type tub together with shape cutters, in 5 different varieties; brainy (focus), sleepy (relaxing), happy (uplifting), harmony (mood balancing) and sneezy (helps relieve cold symptoms). These are perfect for children three years of age and over, giving you and your child all the benefits of a creative activity together with the natural enhancements of aromatherapy. However you choose to introduce your child to aromatherapy it will help to teach your child about an important part of nature.

Essential Oils Starter Kit

If you're new to essential oils and aromatherapy, you can start your home or professional practice slowly; that way you can get used to how to use and blend the oils and begin to use them more frequently for health, therapeutic and household purposes. There are a few different oils that are considered "starter oils" due to their versatility and ease of use. The below oils should definitely be in your essential oils starter kit!

Lavender Oil is said to be the most versatile of all essential oils. It works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, natural sedative and a top antiseptic. It is helpful for several skin conditions and is well-known for its relaxing effects. A few drops of lavender oil can be blended with any carrier oil and used on the skin, in a bath or around the house.

Peppermint Oil is known for its strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. It is highly regarded for soothing digestive and improving gastric issues. A drop of peppermint oil can be added to your tea or combined with a carrier oil and used on the skin or added to a bath.

Lemon Oil has antiseptic like properties and contains substances that help improve immune system function. It has been said to improve vision and acts as a skin cleanser. Add a drop to a carrier oil and massage onto the face or hands.

Eucalyptus Oil is helpful for sinus problems, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat and mouth infections. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Add a few drops of Eucalyptus oil to some bath salts and soak a virus way. You can also combine with a carrier oil and massage the bottom of your feet for quick anti-bacterial protection.

Tea Tree Oil has countless healing characteristics, including anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. It is helpful for the skin, digestive system and several other health issues. Ever have a problem with pimples? A drop of neat tea tree oil applied to a pimple will do amazing wonders!

Rosemary Oil can be used for hair care, as a mouth rinse and as a natural pain reliever. Again, a few drops added to a carrier oil, shampoo or tea is a great way to use this essential oil.

As you can see, there are several very versatile essential oils that have amazing health benefits. All of the ones listed here would be great additions to an essential oils starter kit, but there is a long list of others that are also good for beginners. Don't forget to learn the proper amounts to use and how to dilute them with a carrier oil so you don't irritate your skin. If you don't have success with one oil, that's okay, go down the list and try another!

Feng Shui Aromatherapy

Feng shui literally means 'wind water' and is a term first coined by Guo Po (276-324 AD) in his book entitled 'Zangshu'... "Qi rides the wind and scatters, but it is retained when encountering water".

Wind corresponds to Wood in the five element model upon which feng shui is based, the other four elements being Water, Fire, Earth, and Metal. It is through a system of correspondences that feng shui practice aims to balance the five elements, and in so doing it achieves it's purpose of delivering health and harmony.

Feng shui aromatherapy is all about enabling the essential balance that leads to well-being and harmony. Essential balance is a state of being that we all experience from time to time, to a greater or lesser extent. We can tell when we are balanced when we feel healthy and happy.

We also know that we can avoid putting our health and happiness in danger by doing the right thing e.g. eating sensibly, exercising moderately, getting enough sleep, getting the work/rest/play/family balance right and having good intentions... but the twists and turns of life often intervene to knock us off balance. Sometimes we can even be our own worst enemies and then have to suffer the consequences!

Maintaining a balanced five element energy state or correcting, by degrees, elemental energy imbalances... these are the aims of feng shui aromatherapy.

The origins of feng shui aromatherapy go back thousands of years, to the times of the three legendary Emperors of China. The first of these Emperors - Fu Shi (c.3322 BC) - defined the secrets of energetic life with the 8 Trigrams. The second - Shen Nung (c.2788 BC) - classified the properties of plants according to yin/yang balance and five element correspondences. The third Emperor - Huang Di (2697-2574 BC) - described the internal energy model that creates, controls and sustains physical form and function.

The combined knowledge given by these three legendary Emperors allows us to firstly, determine anyone's five element essential balance from birth; secondly, categorise essential oils from plants according to their yin/yang and five element properties; and thirdly, create blends of essential oils that enable the balance that leads to well-being and harmony.

Blends of essential oils are formulated according to our 'personal energy signature' created at birth. The quality and quantity of this personal energy, created at birth, circulates within our body (the meridians used in acupuncture) to determine how we function and how well we function. Feng shui aromatherapy is, therefore, truly holistic aromatherapy!

Ways to Utilize Essential Oils - Aromatherapy for Skin and Body

Many people are looking for a natural alternative way to heal the body from illness or from a health condition. Aromatherapy is ideal because it is non invasive and overtime may work to the source of the problem. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are oils that has been extracted from herbs, flowers or tree barks using steam distillation, resulting in pure oils that is highly concentrated. If used correctly, the application of these essential oils can benefit the skin and body. Each has its certain characteristics that can have an effect on a particular condition.

How can we use essential oils? The term "aromatherapy" refers to the use of the vapor of the oils that we inhale. However, there are many uses of these oils to enhance their benefits. Some good method to get the most out of aromatherapy on the body are:

Bathing

One of the easiest way and the most enjoyable in using essential oils are when you take your baths! Simply add 5-6 drops each of your favorite essential oils to your warm bath water. Good oils to try for relaxation are Lavender, Chamomile, Mandarin, and Bergamot. It is a good idea to add 2-3 different kinds of oils as they will enhance each other's properties.

Massage

One of the most widely used method of aromatherapy, massage can benefit the body in two ways, through increasing blood circulation and by inhaling the scents of the oil. By increasing blood circulation, massage can neutralize toxins and release energy trapped in stiff muscles. Inhaling the aroma of the oils can stimulate the senses resulting in relaxation.

The absorption of essential oils through massage is relatively high; therefore, it has to be mixed with a carrier oil which also makes it more spreadable. Ideal carrier oils for massages are light botanical oils such as Sunflower oil, Olive oil, Grapeseed oil or a mixture. Mix 10 drops of essential oil to 30 ml of carrier oil. Ideal oils for massages are Marjoram, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and Lavender.

Compress

Warm or Cold Compress are used to relieve swelling, pain, or to reduce fever. Adding essential oils in these compress will help accelerate healing.

Warm Compress

Add 2-3 drops of essential oil to a large bowl of warm water. Soak a small towel in the water, then wring it out and place it on the problem area of the body. Let it sit for 1-2 hours, occasionally re-soaking the towel. Preferred oils to reduce pain and inflammation are Lavender, Geranium, Clary Sage and Bergamot.

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5 Essential Oils for Wrinkles

If you're looking for a pure, all-natural product to restore your young looking skin, essential oils for wrinkles might be right for you. Natural essential oils extracted from plants are often used as ingredients in anti-aging and other skin products. Some oils are more effective in treating wrinkles than others, but trial-and-error is the best way to determine what works for you. A primary advantage of all the oils listed below is that they can deliver nutrients to the skin without clogging pores.

1. Sandalwood Oil softens dry skin and can be used a moisturizer to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also promotes the formation of new skin cells, gives skin a smoother look, and can increase compounds in the body that increase skin thickness and elasticity-all of these properties work together to reduce wrinkles.

2. Myrrh Oil is an antibacterial and antifungal oil that can be used topically or as a massage oil to smooth out wrinkles. Using this oil will repair and prevent further skin damage due to its antioxidant content.

3. Clary Sage Oil is best used to remove fine lines and wrinkles, especially when used in combination with skin moisturizers. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, helps to tighten pores and make the skin more firm.

4. Geranium Oil can be used for almost any skin type, whether you have dry, oily or sensitive skin. It works to increase blood circulation, skin elasticity and retaining moisture in the skin. It can be added to skin moisturizers and toners.

5. Grape Seed Oil has antioxidant properties which help to fight free radicals that cause damage to your skin. They help repair damage to the skin caused by free radicals. It is an extract that is rich in vitamin E, which can slow the aging process of your skin. Vitamin E is one of the antioxidants contained in this oil, which protects that body from free radicals that become more common in the body as you age.

All of these essential oils for wrinkles have their unique properties that will help improve your skin, especially wrinkles! Although wrinkles are part of the natural aging process, they are tough to deal with as everyone will miss their young looking skin. Using essential oils, diluted with a carrier oil, will help reduce them or diminish their appearance while also providing your body with other health benefits.

Essential Oils for Anxiety

Anxiety is a common disorder that is often hard to treat. Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life, some more than others. The condition is triggered by different things depending on the person. Medication is not always the best treatment for anxiety because it can produce some undesirable side effects. So, how else can you treat anxiety? With essential oils, of course! There are several oils that can be used to treat and prevent anxiety, including bergamot, cedarwood and lavender. Better yet, some oils can be combined for optimal effects.

The following essential oils for anxiety are noted for their importance in proper meditation and anxiety reduction. It is recommended to use them together for an all-natural solution to combating anxiety.

• Bergamot Oil has a refreshing and uplifting scent. The aroma has the ability to lift you spiritually and rids your mind of negative thoughts. It keeps your emotional health balanced and can even help you feel focused. Bergamot is also known to be an anti-depressant.

• Cedarwood Oil has a soothing aroma, so it helps reduce stress from your body and mind. It has strong relaxing benefits and can help problems with insomnia.

• Lavender Oil is rejuvenating because of its flowery scent. It has the power to decrease anxiety and release tension from your body.

Now that you know which essential oils for anxiety to use, how exactly do you use them? Follow the instructions below.

1) Drop a few drops of your chosen essential oils into a warm bath while you soak for about 15 minutes. Feel the anxiety disappear!

2) Add a few drops to a carrier oil and use as a massage oil. It's best if the oils are used on you-that is how aromatherapy works best.

3) Dribble a few drops onto a cotton ball, close your eyes and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

4) Place a drop of oils into a hot bowl of water. Stick your head close to the bowl and breathe deeply for a few minutes.