Faced with the hustle and bustle of a busy city life, people are often seeking ways to relax.
Why not try aromatherapy?Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils extracted from plants to alleviate health symptoms. Inhaling the aroma from these essential oils is believed to stimulate brain function and affect one’s emotional response.
Types of Oils
- Essential oils
- Natural oils extracted by a specific method, without any processing, from a particular part of the plant
- 100% pure essential oils, are not directly applicable to (except tea and lavender) skin
- Carrier oils
- Used to dilute essential oils before direct application to skin
- Sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil, jojoba oil
- Fruity categories
- Full of positive energy and used as a mood booster!
- Recommended: Orange, grapefruit, lime.
- Floral categories
- The taste of happiness – the more confident you are, the more beautiful you feel!
- Recommended: Rose, jasmine, German chamomile.
- Woody
- Urban forest, lets you slow down and breathe
- Recommended: Sandalwood, cypress, frankincense
- Herbs
- Has a calming effect, stabilises and replenishes vitality
- Recommended: Sweet marjoram, clary sage, coriander seeds
- Leaves categories
- Inject freshness and let you feel refreshed
- Recommended: Eucalyptus, Niaouli.
- Rhizome
- For deep relaxation
- Recommended: Vetiver, ginger.
Popular essential oils
Ginger
- Spice, sharp, warm and cheerful
- Promotes blood circulation, stability and digestive system, relieves joint pain
- It should not be used in baths
Cypress
- Woody, spicy scent to eliminate fatigue and relieve emotions
- Maintains balance of body fluid, inhibits sweating and calms emotions
- Pregnant women and those with hypertension should avoid using this oil
German Chamomile
- Fruity, apple-like aroma
- Eases muscle pain, anti-allergic
- Pregnant women should avoid using this oil
- Not be directly massaged onto a wound
Grapefruit
- Sweet, fresh
- Balances the central nervous system, appetising, diuretic, regulates the digestive system
- Helps treat cellulitis, promotes lymphatic detoxification diuretic
- Pregnant women, people with pre-hypertension or epilepsy should consult a doctor before using this
Clary Sage
- Herb flavour, fragrant with nuts
- Anti-convulsion, circulation, relieve nervous tension
- Has a strong calming effect, should not be used before driving
- Pregnant women, cancer patients and those with low blood pressure should avoid using this
Eucalyptus
- Distinct smell
- Alleviates respiratory tract inflammation, cools temperature, improves cystitis and inflammation, helps concentration
- Pregnant women and those with hypertension or epilepsy should avoid using this
How to enjoy essential oils at home
Add a few drops of essential oils to your clothes to soak in the aroma- For a good night’s sleep, place a cotton pad soaked with a few drops of essential oils between your pillow and pillow case. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to your bath and soak in it two hours before bedtime.
Precautions
- When you are using a new oil for the first time, it is recommended to perform a skin sensitivity test to avoid any allergic reactions.
- Pregnant women: Avoid using rosemary, cypress, chamomile, rose, geranium and other oils
- People with severe high blood pressure: Avoid using rosemary oil
- People with severe hypotension: Avoid using lavender essential oil
- People with asthma: Avoid using the method of steam inhalation method
Join us for a complimentary session of Aroma Yoga at Celebrate PRIME! .
Celebrate PRIME! will be held on 24 – 26 March 2017 at Suntec City Convention Centre Hall 401 and 402
Disclaimer : The articles published on www.prime.sg are intended to provide tips for health and lifestyle for individuals aged 40 years and above. The articles are based on secondary research and do not represent the opinion of the author, Spring Publishing Pte Ltd or any mentioned third party. Spring Publishing Pte Ltd recommends professional consultation in medical treatments and will hold no responsibility for medical causes or consequences of the information contained in articles.
