It may not always be possible to alleviate all the causes and symptoms of stress. In addition to the family doctor, there are various alternative therapies and medicines available.
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Acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine and reflexology form a holistic medicine. These arts are complementary and work on the principle of promoting mental serenity and bodily health and beauty.Even if the manufacture of antibiotics and synthetic drugs made decrease the preocupation and knowledge in the older methods of healing, in the last few years there has been a great rekindling of interest in the practice of aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine and reflexology. Thus, many people turning to these forms of treatment. They represent door to new things, a wish to experiment in favour of your health. It's time for you to act, not to wait anymore for someone outside to give you health: it is in yourselves, you only have to study and take care of it.
Aromatherapy is a science, but also an art which uses the plants aroma in healthy favour.It uses essential oils which are extracted from plants, fruits and trees.Is considered that every plant and tree has a force inside and aromatherapy uses this organic essence to enhance, cure and protect. Different parts of the same plant may produce their own form of oil.
There are many methods to extract oils, such as hand expression, enfleurage and maceration; the most commonly method is steam distillation.
Essential oils is used in various way: can added to bath water, with the steam releasing their perfume, they can be inhaled directly from a vessel, or they can be incorporated into a massage oil or compresse. So, there are four techniques used in aromatherapy:
We have to consult a professional aromatherapist that decides about the essential oils that are suitable to prove most helpful in the circumstances that prevail. Many conditions may be relieved by aromatherapy: respiratory complaints, digestive disorders, painful muscles and joinys, painful limbs, rheumatic disorders, fluid retention, nervous tension, sleeplessness and irritability, lethargy, sinus problems, skin conditions, headaches, high blood pressure, period pains, insect bites, burns, faulty circulation, etc.
But keep in mind that you have to find and cancel the cause!
Aromatherapy practised responsibly at home is safe for the treatment of minor complaints, but the treatment of serious problems should be left to the experts.
Examples of some essential oils:
Basil - to obtain the essential oil, the whole plant is subjected to a steam distillation process. It is an excellent nerve tonic; has a refreshing, invigorating effect. Used in bath, inhalation and massage can help to remove symptoms of respiratory disorders, digestive problems, of tiredness and depression.
Warning: throughout pregnancy this oil should be avoided
Bergamot - it can be used in massage, inhalation and bath; it has antiseptic, refreshing and soothing properties.Helps to relieve skin conditions (psoriasis-ex.), ulcers, tiredness, depression, different infections.It has also been used in cosmetics and perfumes.
Warning: can increase susceptibility to sunburn
Black pepper - must be used with care, because is an irritant. It has a warming and stimulating effect.
Camomile - it has a strong effect on the body and mind. Helps to relieve insomnia, depression, nervous tension, headaches, period pains. It can be used on skin conditions.
Warning: should be avoided during the first three monts of pregnancy.
Cedarwood oil - it helps to relieve colds and coughs, and protects oily and blemished skin.
Warning: do not use it during pregnancy
Cinnamon leaf - it has antiseptic properties; because it's a stimulating oil is good to alleviate digestive disorders. Must not be used on the skin, because is a powerful irritant.
Citronella - smells fresh and lemony; it is an antiseptic and bactericidal. Used in compresses, can help relieve headaches and migraine. The effect of the oil is uplifting and can help to cheer spirits.
Warning: avoided during pregnancy and can cause skin irritations.
Coriander - it's good to relieve muscle ache and stiffness. It has refreshing and stimulating effects.
Eucalyptus - it is disinfectant and antiseptic; can be used for headaches and neuralgia, respiratory infections, fevers, skin disorders, rheumatic and muscular pains, insect bites; also alleviate the symptoms of colds and flu. Eucalyptus globulus can decrease glycemy level.
Warning: should be avoided during the first three monts of pregnancy.
Geranium - helps to balance the body and spirit; relaxes, refreshes the mind and maintains stability of the emotions.Like bergamot healps to treat psoriasis and eczema.
Grapefruit - refreshes the spirit with his fresh aroma. It will play a useful part in any detoxifying regime.
Hyssop - protect places from infections; refreshes and uplifts the spirit. It is antiviral and bactericidal.
Warning: not be used when pregnant or suffering from high blood pressure and epilepsy.
Jasmine - relaxes, uplifts and helps selftrust. It's used for general anxiety and stress ( has antidepressant properties ).Has powerful aphrodisiac qualities which affect both sexes.
Juniper - it has tonic, stimulant, cleansing and antiseptic properties. Helps to cool emotions and to strengthen the immune system. It's used to relieve rheumatic pains, eczema, dermatitis, teeth pains and gout. It has beneficial effects on the digestive organs, increasing appetite. Helps, also, in the problems of stress and sleeplessness.
Warning: should not be used when pregnant.
Lavender - it's considered to be one of the safest preparations, the precious and useful essential oil. Lavender has not anything aggressive: is gentle and generous. It relaxes, soothes and balances your body and mind. Excellent antiseptic, analgesic is used in the treatment of a wide range of disorders: headaches, depression, stress, indigestion, insect bites, muscular pains, period pains, skin wounds and burns.Also, is beneficial in the treatment of genito-urinary infections such cystitis.
Warning: it is avoided in early pregnancy.
Lemon - has antiseptic properties and is astringent. This oil cleanses, stimulates, refreshes, cools and relaxes. Helps combat respiratory infections, strengthen the immune system, lifting the spirits, toning the skin. It has a stimulating effect on the circulation.
Mandarin - is a calming oil, soothing tension and nervous irritability. It's considered one of the safest oils to use in aromatherapy. Has beneficial effects on the digestive system. Can help in the treatment of fluid retention and on acne.
Marjoram - it is soothing, relaxing, analgesic and warming. Has sedative properties and helps in treatment of insomnia, tension, stress and highly emotional to restore calmness of mind. Is useful on tired muscles and premenstrual tension. Can calme headaches, migraine and pain of sinusitis.
Warning: do not use during pregnancy
Melissa - is soothing and useful to treat headaches, migraine and insomnia. It has beneficial effects on digestive and respiratory systems.
Warning: should be avoided during the first three monts of pregnancy.
Myrrh - has strong antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. It's used in respiratory disorders, to treat gingivitis and mouth ulcers. Can stimulate appetite and treat diarrhoea. Can be useful in depression and stress. Also, it's used to meditation.
Warning: do not use myrrh during pregnancy.
Neroli - is a very safe oil to use. Both antidepressant and sedative, helps on nervous tension, premenstrual tension, insomnia, anxiety, nervous palpitations. Has beneficial effect on digestive system, because its antispasmodic properties.
Orange(sweet) - it is astringent, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal. Has detoxifying and antiflatulent effects. Help on the problems of fluid retention.
Patchouli - it is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Can be used to treat acne, feet of athlete, eczema. Also, the oil has aphrodisiac properties.
Peppermint - can be used to treat problems of the respiratory system; can be used as a digestive aid (ease stomach cramps and colic). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties can treat neuralgia and muscular pain. Is one of the most important essential oils: it refreshes, cools stimulates and restore the mind and body. Has an expectorant action (relieve colds and bronchitis).
Warning: some aromatherapists warn again the use of peppermint when pregnant.
Pine - because its refreshing and stimulating effects is useful in: the treatment of respiratory problems and infections, the treatment of urinary tract infections. It is antiseptic, antimicrobial antiviral and bactericidal.
Warning: should be avoided during the first three monts of pregnancy.
Rosemary - the effects of this essential oil are stimulating, tonic, warming, strengthening on the body and mind. It aids concentration, combats fatigue, clears the mind and improves memory. Has benefits for the circulatory and digestive systems. It can help to tone the muscles and soothe aches and pains. In skin care, rosemary oil is beneficial as antiseptic and astringent.
Warning: do not use rosemary during pregnancy, if have hypertension or epilepsy.
Rosewood - is balancing, calming, uplifting and tonic. Because is antiseptic and antimicrobial, it strengthens the immune system. It can help to relieve tense headaches, aid concentration, soothe stress; in skin care can be used for treating dermatitis, eczema and ageing skins.
Sage - has a stimulating effect on the circulation, has tonic, cooling, expectorant, antiseptic properties. It's used to improve colds and viral infections, rheumatism, headaches, arthritic pains, joint strains.
Warning: do not use sage when pregnant or suffering from epilepsy.
Sandalwood - this oil has calming, cooling, relaxing, soothing effects on the spirits and is often used in meditation. Is an emollient, anti-inflammatory and astringent agent.
Tea tree - has powerful antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, bactericidal and disinfectant properties. Is good in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and problems: respiratory tract infections, mouth infections, genito-urinary infections, insect bites, minor burn, fungal skin infections, poor circulation.
Warning: may cause irritation to sensitive skins.
Ylang-Ylang - has antiseptic, relaxing, tonic properties. Can be used to relieve hypertension, palpitations, feelings of depression, especially if these are stress induced. It is also ideal for both oily and dry skins, and can be used as a hair rinse.
Several oils may share same basic property. Many oils can be used in combination, but the art of blending is one that takes quite a lot of practice
As a general rule, like blends well with like. There are other broad guidelines that can be followed as well. In an aromatherapy blend, each oil will have its own distinctive qualities but, put together with others, will form part of a dynamic fragrance, changing its impressions on the individual all the time.
Basil - blends well with bergamot, citronella, camomile, clary sage, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, lime, marjoram, peppermint, rose
Bergamot - basil, chamon, coriander, cypress, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, melissa, myrtle, neroli, petitgrain, ylang-ylang
Black pepper - cedarwood, juniper, lemon, marjoram, rosemary, sandalwood
Camomile - basil, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, rose
Cedarwood - bergamot, black pepper, ginger, jasmine, juniper, lavender, myrrh, neroli, patchoult, pine, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang-ylang
Cinnamon leaf - eucalyptus, lemon, mandarin, orange
Citronella - bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, lemon, orange, pine
Coriander - bergamot, carrot, citronella, clary sage, ginger, jasmine, pine, sandalwood
Eucalyptus - cedarwood, lavender, lemon, marjoram, peppermint, pine, rosemary
Geranium - basil, bergamot, jasmine, juniper, lemon, mandarin, marjoram, orange, patchouli, sandalwood
Grapefruit - bergamot, citrus oils(lemon, orange, mandarin), geranium, ginger, lavender, neroli, rosemary
Hyssop - clary sage, geranium, lavender, orange, rosemary
Jasmine - bergamot, citrus oils, camomile, coriander, geranium, lavender, patchouli, peppermint, sandalwood, ylang-ylang
Juniper - cedarwood, citrus oils, geranium, ginger, lavender, pine, rosemary, sandalwood
Lavender - basil, bergamot, cedarwood, eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, hyssop, lemon, lime, marjoram, neroli, orange, peppermint, rosemary
Lemon - black pepper, citronella, citrus oils, eucalyptus, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, neroli, peppermint, ylang-ylang
Mandarin - bergamot, citrus oils, coriander, cinnamon, geranium, juniper, lavender
Marjoram - basil, bergamot, cedarwood, camomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, melissa, orange, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree
Melissa - camomile, citrus oils, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, rosemary
Myrrh - cedarwood, geranium, juniper, lavender, lemon, patchouli, peppermint, pine
Neroli - citrus oils, jasmine, lavender, rosemary, rosewood
Orange - black pepper, citrus oils, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, neroli
Patchouli - cedarwood, geranium, jasmine, neroli, rosewood, sandalwood, ylang-ylang
Peppermint - basil, eucalyptus, jasmine, lavender, lemon, marjoram, pine, rosemary
Pine - cedarwood, eucalyptus, juniper, lavender, lemon, marjoram, peppermint, tea tree
Rosemary - basil, black pepper, hyssop, lavender, orange, peppermint, pine, tea tree
Rosewood - all citrus oils, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang
Sage - basil, cedarwood, coriander, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, tea tree, ylang-ylang
Sandalwood - bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, rosewood, ylang-ylang
Tea tree - black pepper, sage, coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, marjoram, pine, rosemary
Ylang-Ylang - bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, jasmine, lemon, patchouli, sandalwood
Massage is generally quite safe, but is inappropriate and can be dangerous in the following conditions:
All may be used to add fragrance with essential oils to a room where occupants benefit from smelling the odours that are given off. One of the easiest and safest ways to scent a room with essential oils is to fill a bowl with boiling water, add essential oils and place it in the room with doors and windows closed for a while.
Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese therapy that uses inserting hair-fine needles into specific points on the body, to stimulate natural healing energy. This energy is known as Qi and needles are inserred to decrease or increase the flow of energy, or to unblock it.
Traditional Chinese medicine sees the body as being comprised of two natural forces known as yin and yang. These forces are complementary to each other, but are, also, opposing. It is believed that cause of ailments and diseases is the imbalance of yin and yang.
There are many affections for which acupuncture can be used: back pain, arthritis, rheumatism, stress, colitis, digestive disorders, insomnia, allergy, tiredness, fluid retention, headaches, high blood pressure, feeling cold, asthma.An improvement can be expected after five or six sessions of therapy. Beneficial effects appearing gradually.
Acupuncture excels in those areas in which conventional medicine offers limited relief. An acupuncturist will be able to evaluate your specific situation and ensure the treatment.
Herbs were used from ancient times. The botanical medicine provides a complete system of healing and disease prevention. It is the oldest and most natural form of medicine, which treating and preventing illness.
Efficacy of herbal medicine is evident in problems related to the nervous system. Depression, stress, tension and anxiety are connected with most illness. Herbs are free from toxicity and habituation and possess an affinity for the human organism. Herbs restore the relaxation and wellbeing necessary for health and beauty.
We have to consult a qualified herbal practitioner that prepare and prescribe herbal remedies in a variety of different forms: capsule, decoction, infusion, compress, pill, suppository, tablet, tincture, inhalants.
Reflexology is a method for activating the natural healing resources of the body. It works on the principle that body is divided into ten zones that run lengthwise from head to toe, where are found the reflex areas for all the organs, glands and body parts. This specific zones of the body can be treated with massage of corresponding areas-reflexes-elsewhere. Energy also runs through these zones. If this constant flow of energy is impeded by a blockage or congestion, illness sets in. A reflexologist, by using examination and massage of the patient's feet can breaks down the blockage or congestion.
There are many benefits to receiving regular reflexology treatment. Like aromatherapy, reflexology is a holistic therapy, so it treats the entire body, not partially.
Reflexology improved blood circulation, reduce tension, is beneficial for general stimulation of immunity system, in the treatment of endocrine disorders; also improved the removal of toxins and revitalised energy.
Reflexology is a method of preventive healthcare.