Health Articles

Stress is an inevitable part of life, especially today when the world is demanding and challenging, people always compete with themselves and others. A lot of things can be stressful, responsibilities at home, school works, tasks and deadlines to be met at work and problems concerning family and relationships. People have different ways of coping with stress. There are those who find relief from simple things such as taking naps or breaks while others result to serious and unsafe methods of coping such as drug and alcohol abuse. People who are most likely stresses are those who cannot keep up with the pressures of life.

Stress has been known to be a common risk factor for many diseases and disorders such as anxiety, depression, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension or an increased blood pressure, stroke and obesity. The good thing about stress is that it is can be prevented and relieved with proper coping methods. There is one alternative method that can be helpful in fighting stress and reducing its effects on a person. Aromatherapy has been effective in relieving stress.

Aromatherapy has been used in ancient Egypt as a cure for health conditions. Nowadays, it has been popular in improving the mood of a person and in relieving stress. Aromatherapy uses oils which are derived from plant extracts which makes it natural and considered safe for use. There are available aromatherapy oils in the markets which makes it accessible and convenient to use.

It can be inhaled, mixed with bath water or used as massage oil. Upon inhalation of the scent, the olfactory nerve which is responsible for the sense of smell sends signal to the brain. The brain then processes the scent that is said to have an effect with the systems in the body, especially on the neurologic system which is in charge of the emotions, moods and thoughts of a person. Another explanation is that some scents have been registered in the brain, together with a memory that the scent is attached with. If the scent influences a person positively, most likely it becomes an effective reliever of stress. The most popular stress relievers are those with citrus scents. There are also scents which promote relaxation such as lavender and chamomile. Typically, the effect on people varies because people have different reactions to different scents. Some may find citrus appealing, while others may opt for lavender or other scents.

There are certain considerations, however, that you must be aware of before using aromatherapy. Choose scents that are not too strong since they can irritate your nose. If you have an allergic reaction, immediately wash the oil off and seek the attention of a medical professional. Oils may vary in concentration and strength especially if the manufacturers are different. Be careful not to let it come in contact with your eyes and never ingest it. Aromatherapy oils are only for external use and may be dangerous if ingested. When used properly, aromatherapy oils can relieve stress effectively.

The practice of going to spa may have started during the ancient times when an ailing family member is travelled to hot springs or ancient towns famous for mineral waters believed to cure some illnesses. Today, modern day spa is believed to have rooted from the practices of people dating back from the early nineteenth century.

The magnitude as to the benefits of spa to mankind is insurmountable. As the ancient Chinese have their form of Chinese medicine, the modern day medicine also believes in the therapeutic value of spa. As the arrival of the20th century was welcomed with great approval, the amounting stress was faced with great disdain.

A working mother with an 8 to 5 job does not end working after office hours as her job being a full-time mother starts the moment she goes home. Despite having aching leg muscles, she tirelessly goes around to manage and prepare her household for her family. With all the unending sacrifices she does, it is only fair enough to pamper her once in a while with the luxury of going to a spa.

Time has proven that going to spa improves emotional well-being. Aromatherapy recipes which are combinations of many different fruits, herbs, flowers and essential oils such as chamomile, jojoba, lavender, grapefruit, lemon and others are used and incorporated in various relaxation techniques and procedures to alleviate stress physically and mentally. Lavender oil, which has long been used in perfumery, has a calming effect that aids in stress reduction and alleviation of anxiety. Chamomile, Russia’s national flower, when made into a tea, served with lemon or honey, is believed to induce sleep and is commonly served after a massage session.

Aromatherapy alleviates a number of physical symptoms such as arthritis, menstrual cramps, minor bruises, stuffy nose and among others. Chamomile, for example, known for its anti-inflammatory, sedative, antimicrobial and healing effects alleviate arthritic pains while eucalyptus is used to relieve nasal congestion and primarily used in making cough medicines because of its antitussive effects and cooling effects.

Aside from improving emotional and physical well-being, enhancing beauty and promoting hygiene and skin care, aromatherapy recipes are also uses in various household chores. Combined with the right ingredients, herbs and essential oils can be made into different fragrances as air fresheners, deodorizers, potpourris and others. Vinegars, for example are used as deodorizers and fabric softeners while lavender, ylang ylang and chamomile are best as sprays for beddings and carpets.

Aromatherapy, thus, does not only serve to make you beautiful in and out but also contribute to an orderly and peaceful leaving. As the condition of your mind is reflected through your physical appearance and the way you deal with the people around you, it is best that you pamper yourself to promote your inner beauty because beauty comes from within.

The practice of pure aromatherapy started centuries ago and was believed to be first used by the Chinese. They burn incense to diffuse the aroma in order to relax the mind and body. Over the years, many cultures have adapted this practice like the Egyptians and Indians. Apart from incense, they began using oil extracts from flowers and plants because of their medicinal effects on the body.

As popular form of alternative medicine, this has been widely practiced in different parts of the world nowadays. It works to stimulate and recharge the mind and body after dealing with a lot of stress. The use of various aromatherapy essential oils allows the treatment of different medical conditions and in the detoxification process of the body as well.

The oils are obtained from herbs and plants through the process of water and steam distillation. The oils are sold in tiny bottles and can be used in many ways. It can be applied on the body when mixed with carrier oils and be used for massages, used as inhalers, mixed in the bath soaps and perfumes, or infused in candles. The essential oils can also be burned in a vessel to diffuse the scent all throughout the room just like incense.

There are many types of aromatherapy essential oils.

• Absolutes, for instance, are essential oils that are extracted through the process of distillation of the plants and herbs but with the use of a chemical solvent which is later removed in the process.
• CO2 essential oils are obtained through the use of pressurized carbon dioxide.
• Hydrosols, on the other hand, are the aromatic water residues that were left from the distillation process.

There is a long list of therapeutic oils that are widely used today. Lavender, for instance, is used because of its fragrance and as an effective treatment for insomnia. When inhaled, it has the ability to relax and ease the mind. The eucalyptus can be used in addressing nasal congestion. The chamomile on the other hand is used because of its anti-inflammatory ability. The lemon oil which was extracted from the peel can be used as a natural antiseptic.

Though many remain sceptical about the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy essential oils, many still have been inclined to use it because of the evident benefits that it provides. They are enjoyable to use especially when you wish to relax and pamper yourself.

Patients seeking treatment for the alleviation and management of pain through acupuncture must be able to learn how this ancient treatment works and for which specific conditions it is most effective. This ancient treatment was developed by the Chinese several thousand of year ago utilizing a water course system. In addition to the ocean, this system also included tiny streams, irrigation canals, huge rivers and even man-made water systems.

The working principle of acupuncture treatment is anchored on the release of endorphins, which is considered to be the body’s natural pain reliever. Endorphins act as some sort of an opiate and serve as the main weapons of our body in alleviating pain. Under normal conditions, our body knows when and how these healing chemicals should be released and transmitted under a normal bio-chemical process. However, because of stress and other external stressors, the meridians are restricted or blocked and the capacity of our body to respond and recover from this painful condition is compromised. For instance, if we are suffering from a painful or injured knee, the inflammation and pain will not only persist but may also worsen if we continue to use and apply pressure on them. According to the Chinese, this is a condition where the chi’s healing process is impeded.

Relieving Pain through Acupuncture An acupuncturist or doctor normally makes several critical decisions before any treatment is performed on the patient. He or she has to make the right judgment in order to facilitate the healing process and recovery of the patient. Acupuncturists normally adopt various needling techniques to promote the chi flow in a particular meridian. There are also other techniques used, this time to reduce the chi flow in a particular meridian when it is in excess. These different techniques used in acupuncture involve draining, transference and tonifying and these same methods are primarily used in order to facilitate the movement of the chi from one meridian to the next meridian. Main Meridians of our Body There are 14 main meridians in the entire body. These meridians are directly responsible in the transmission or transfer of endorphins as well as peptides that are needed for the healing of our body and relief from the pain associated to the condition. If these chemicals flow naturally and unimpeded from one meridian to the next, then our body can quickly recover from the condition and remove the pain. This normal and unimpeded flow of these chemicals is achieved through acupuncture. Through these acupuncture points, the body is able to heal itself and recover from the condition and the painful condition is resolved.