| |
| |
|
Alternative Information |
|
|
|
Aromatherapy - Part II: Mind and Emotions
The Sense of Smell forms the greater part of our Sense of Taste (note how your sense of taste and smell is affected when you have a head cold or blocked up nose. The sense of smell is also affected by pollution, smoking, trauma to the nose itself and a mucous forming diet). The sense of smell of our ancient ancestors was far superior to ours. They identified one another by smell as well as sight, and could even detect the usefulness of a plant by its smell. They also tracked animals by smell. The sense of smell helps us to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' odours, which tell us if food is fit to be eaten or if there is disease or hygiene present. ODOURS & DISEASE A couple of hundred years ago, physicians would use the sense of smell as a diagnostic aid. Arthritis and rheumatism have an acid smell, a good midwife could tell a post-partum haemorrhage by the smell of blood passed, diabetes gives an acetone smell to the breathe and the urine, perspiration can give us clues as to the health of the kidneys and lymphatic system, the smell of faeces also can tell us the type of disease in the digestive tract. Natural medicine still uses this method of diagnosis. The human nose has the ability to distinguish many thousands of different odours, and the memory of these odours is stored deep in our sub-conscious minds. (See R. Tisserand 'The Art of Aromatherapy" pages 60-73). When we inhale air molecules which, are carrying the 'odoriferous' molecules of an essential oil, these molecules adhere to our Olfactory nerve endings in the back of the nose, producing stimulation of these nerve endings. Sensory stimulation of the Olfactory centre is by a relay of nerve impulses from the sensory nerve endings in the nose to the brain. This is a very rapid and direct pathway to the part of the Brain which directs, controls, interprets and responds to sensory input. This pathway is very different to sensory stimulation of the sensory nerves in the skin which is more complex, being transmitted from a sensory nerve ending to the spinal cord, to the brain, back down the spinal cord, down a motor nerve ending and then to the appropriate organ. For example when we touch a hot object, the heat affects the sensory nerve ending in say the finger. This nerve relays a message along the sensory nerve fibre to its root in the spinal cord. The impulse is carried to the brain. The brain says "ouch !!! that's hot, take the finger off now". This message is relayed down the spinal cord to the motor nerve root, and then to the appropriate muscle(s) organ(s) etc. to remove the finger from the hot object. As you will know from your own experience of touching something hot, there is often a time lag between touching the hot object and recognition of pain. With the Olfactory Nerve there is no relay station - stimuli goes straight to the part of Central Nervous System called the LIMBIC SYSTEM, and the response is instant. Furthermore, the message cannot be blocked by the conscious mind. The interesting and exciting aspect of this use of Essential Oil Therapy is that different essential oils produce different responses. Some affect the higher thought processes in the Cerebral Cortex by altering the electrical activity of different Cortical areas, and some affect the Hormone Producing cells in the Limbic System. These 'Brain Hormones' will then either effect the mental and emotional responses of the Brain itself, or will be released into the blood stream from where they may be carried to distant organs to produce the desired effect on the body chemistry. AROMATHERAPY & THE MIND ANXIETY: DEPRESSION: ANGER: APATHY: CONFUSION: DWELLING ON THE PAST: FEAR: GRIEF: HYPERSENSITIVE: IMPATIENCE/IRRITABILITY: JEALOUSY: PANIC: SHOCK: SUSPICION: EUPHORICS: APHRODISIACS: REGULATORS: MEMORY/MENTAL STIMULANTS: SEDATIVES: INVIGORATORS: About The Author Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you. Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter - it's fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.
MORE RESOURCES:
Alternative - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Natural Remedy for Gingivitis, Toothaches, and Mouth Sores Everyone has a variety of bacteria in their mouth. Some have more than others. Classical Music Therapy Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, the Vedic culture has used sound and music for body and mind balancing, health enhancement, healing promotion and encouragement of heightened awareness. Guide To Some Common Herbs That Heal Herbs have long been an acceptable way to fight common ailments and while they should not take the place of medical advice, can be a great supplement to your current medical care. There are many common herbs that have healing properties which you may not even know about. Starbucks Green Tea Frappachinos, Can They Prevent Cancer? Starbucks now offers the Green Tea Frappachinos, yes I had one and they are very tasty indeed. We all know green tea helps prevent many types of cancer, not to mention a host of other things. Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil Eucalyptus pure essential oil is obtained from the leaves and branches of the eucalyptus tree, also known as Eucalyptus Globulus. This tree originated in Australia, where the aborigines likely discovered its medicinal properties and started experimenting with the oil. Aromatherapy - Essential Oils for Physical and Psychological Well-being What is Aromatherapy?It is the practice of using volatile plant oils (and essential oils) for physical and psychological well-being.Before I get started take note that fragrance oils (fragrances) are not essential oils. Shamanic Healing & Soul Retrieval Shamanic healing is one of the vast numbers of healing modalities available for us to experience today. Like acupuncture its roots are in the mists of time and like acupuncture it works with unseen energy. Cure for Shingles Shingles is a patch of painful blisters that appear on one side of the body. These blisters are filled with fluid. Gestalt Therapy And Hypnosis The Gestalt approach to therapy can be termed "phenomenological-existential" as it is concerned with an awareness of the here-and-now, working away from concepts and towards pure awareness (Clarkson, 1989). By the client becoming aware of their thoughts, feelings, etc the goal is for the individual to achieve insight into the situation under examination. Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness Motion sickness is a normal response to real, perceived, or anticipated movement. People tend to experience motion sickness on a moving boat, train, airplane, automobile, or amusement park rides. Benefits of Alternative Medicine With the growing number of people being affected by newly discovered chronic degenerative diseases such as AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome, Are you worried or wondering.. Your Body is a Map of Your Consciousness Everything begins with your consciousness. Everything that happens in your life, and everything that happens in your body, begins with something happening in your consciousness. Myofascial Release What is MYOFACSCIAL RELEASE? Myofascial release is a tender mixture of stretches and massage techniques. A bodywork therapy whereby a therapist directs hands-on touch and maneuvers to the entire body, myofascial release promotes healing and relieves pain. Precious Gems of Wisdom The New Age should also be called The Stone Age, because along with aromatherapy, healing with the vibrations and frequencies emitted by gemstones is at the crux of the movement.Below I have listed seven popular gemstones that also correspond with the divine energies of the Seven Archangels. Toxins Make You Fat and Shorten Your Life When your body is toxic, toxins hide and embed themselves in your body fat. This causes your cells and organs to become sluggish and lose efficiency. Prevent Disease By Thinking Differently Than Experts Did you know that all physicians and medical researchers have been indoctrinated with a flawed model of thinking dating to the 17th century?These "experts" cling to a Cartesian model of thinking.Cartesian refers to the philosopher Descartes who declared, "I do not recognize any difference between the machines made by craftsmen and various bodies nature alone composes. How to Stop Bleeding Gums Bleeding gums can be one sign of periodontal disease, gingivitis, or other serious problems. Other symptoms like bad breath, toothache, and receding gums indicate poor dental health. Why DO the Japanese Have the Longest Lifespan? Part 2: Live the Lifestyle Why do the Japanese have the longest lifespan? Last month you learned to eat the things Japanese people eat, and now you will learn how to live like they live. Fast, long, and lively best describes a usual day in Japan. The Benefit of Royal Jelly Royal Jelly is a milky substance produced by the worker bees in a beehive. Their glands give off a rich jelly, called royal jelly, which is manufactured solely in order to nourish the young larvae and sustain the queen. Mosquitoes? No Itch, No Bite! When you are in the season of the mosquito, it is looked upon with horror for those who suffer allergic reactions. But even if you do not get these reactions it is still looked upon by most as an unpleasant, unavoidable summertime irritant.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
