Sarah: Today we are here in the Banner Therapy showroom in Asheville, North Carolina to discuss the healing powers of aromatherapy. Banner Therapy is one of the largest online providers of massage supplies, physical therapy products, exercise equipment, chiropractic tools and more. Elizabeth: Aromatherapy plays a significant role in all kinds of healing modalities and healthcare practices. It is used by chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists and naturopaths to help achieve physical healing, but it has also been proven that aromatherapy helps with a wide variety of mental and emotional issues.
Sarah: I'm Sarah
Elizabeth: And I'm Elizabeth, and this is All About Aromatherapy: Healing Body and Mind
Elizabeth: Okay, so, smell is one of the most powerful senses. The brain responds immediately to it and it stimulates everything from feelings, to changes in behavior, to memories. Why do you think this happens?
Sarah: Well science has proven that smells and odors travel through the nose into the cilia, those are the little hairs in your nose, and then into the limbic system. This is the part of the brain that controls moods, emotions, memory and learning. Did you know all of us have the ability to identify as many as 10,000 different smells.
Elizabeth: Wow, that is a lot of smells!
Sarah: Studies on aromatherapy have shown results in many different ways for instance smelling lavender has been shown to increase alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation and jasmine oil has been shown to increase beta waves in the front of the head, which creates a more alert and focused state. Elizabeth: I understand......aromatherapy works because smell can actually affect our brain waves.
Sarah: You've got it, according to WebMD doctors are studying aromatherapy and the healing properties of essential oils in regards to all sorts of health problems and conditions: everything including menopause, migraines, colds, insomnia, arthritis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS....the list goes on and on.
Elizabeth: That is amazing.....
Sarah: It really is......so in order to gain the benefits of aromatherapy you can create your own system at home. There are so many ways to use essential oils. I like to wear them and spritz them in water around my house. When you wear essential oils just be sure they are mixed with a base oil that is appropriate for the skin like jojoba, essential oils on their own can be too concentrated to wear alone.
Elizabeth: You can also diffuse them with a number of different devices. I personally own a small ceramic diffuser, called the Simplicity Aroma Diffuser that requires only a small amount of essential oil and a tea light candle. It’s so easy my mother can even use it. It smells so great and the one diffuser can fill a pretty large room with the scent.
Sarah: I used to have one of those, then I fell in love with a diffuser called the Aroma Mist. The Aroma Mist uses ultrasound vibration to create a scented mist that comes out of this really cool fountain. You can place it on a table or shelf and as the aromatherapy mist comes out the fountain literally changes colors and just looks really pretty. It adds a whole other dimension to the decor of a room.
Elizabeth: I’ve never heard of that. I’ll have to try the Aroma Mist. You know, I’m also a big fan of the aromatherapy lamp rings. There are also a variety of aromatherapy sprays, which are great if you prefer not to burn things like sage or incense. There is an Energy Clearing Spray that you can use in your car or house or even the office...it's really good if you need to get rid of negative energy in your space.
Sarah: Energy Clearing Spray is awesome. I love spraying it in the morning to start the day. With essential oils and aromatherapy there are so many options to consider, it is easy to find something that fits your personal lifestyle. I have a couple of friends, one is an acupuncturist and one is a massage therapist. Janice, the acupuncturist, has two aromatherapy devices. First she has an electrical Atomizing Diffuser at home. This has a tiny air pump that disperses a fine mist of essential oils. It’s better than any air freshener you can buy. Then when she’s at work at the spa she has a Spa Center Air Diffuser that works in larger spaces.
Elizabeth: Oh those are great....it's like creating a spa atmosphere at home. Sarah: Right, right...you can adjust the air circulation and you just fill this oil drawer with 10-20 drops. It has a pad in the drawer that collects the essential oil drops. It’s great at the spa since the scent can cover multiple rooms. My other friend, Connie, the massage therapist has a Pearlessence PUR AIR Fragrant Ionizer. It sounds high tech but this thing plugs in, uses batteries and even has an adapter for the car so it is completely portable. Not only does it eliminate odors it absorbs dust and other particles in the atmosphere. Elizabeth: I think everyone needs one of those.
Sarah: No kidding, wouldn’t it be a great idea to bring that to the office and fill it with different scents? You could help everyone be more relaxed or more motivated. In the car you could burn oils to keep from getting stressed at rush hour. Elizabeth: I love that aromatherapy has so many practical daily applications. Sarah: I completely agree. So tell me, what are your favorite essential oils to use? There are so many good ones!
Elizabeth: Well, I love eucalyptus and lavender both. The are definitely two of my favorites.
Sarah: Oh, I really like both of those, especially lavender.
Elizabeth: Yes, a lot of people like the affect lavender has over them. It really has some incredible properties. It can help with headaches, skin problems like acne and stress. It has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties and even works as an anti-depressant so it is able to help with many mind and body issues.
Sarah: I love it because of its relaxing affect. It is great for doing yoga and meditating.
Elizabeth: Yeah, lavender is in a lot of essential oil blends created to deal with stress. It also helps with depression, grief or just your typical feelings of being overwhelmed. Lavender oil can make you feel peaceful and calm and safe.
Sarah: Okay, so you said eucalyptus essential oil is also one of your favorites right?
Elizabeth: Yes, I did.
Sarah: We obviously have some similar tastes in essential oils. I love Eucalyptus because it is great when you have a cold, sinus infection or the flu. It has almost a menthol or vapor rub affect sometimes.
Elizabeth: Exactly. It works as a decongestant and also has some anti viral qualities. I diffuse it every day in the winter to stay well. If you’re sick you really want to speak with your doctor. For the most part essential oils are safe, but like anything else you want to use them in moderation.
Sarah: What other kinds of essential oils do you use?
Elizabeth: Well I also use peppermint, frankincense, rosemary and lemon grass. the best thing to do is buy a reliable book as a resource for choosing the essential oils that will work for you.
Sarah: I agree, one book that I would recommend if you don’t already have it is the Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. It is well written and works like an encyclopedia. Worwood has been a practicing aromatherapist for over 20 years and she describes how to use over 600 essential oil blends.
Elizabeth: Well, that seems to be all of the time we have for today!
Sarah: Thank you for joining us for All About Aromatherapy
Elizabeth: Don't forget to visit the Banner Therapy Showroom in Asheville, North Carolina for all of your aromatherapy needs.
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