Instinctive Aromatherapy

Insight cards and book in one package for selecting emotional uses of essential oils

Insight cards and book to help select emotional uses of essential oils

Aromatic oils have been used for thousands of years not only for their fragrance but for culinary, therapeutic, ritual, and spiritual purposes. More than a fashionable trend, aromatherapy is coming into its own as a body of knowledge and practice with specific applications that have a solid scientific base. Drawing on research and clinical studies, Peter and Kate Damian look at many applications from treating viral infections with garlic or black pepper oil to using rose oil to relax patients undergoing chemotherapy; from aromatic massage to the "environmental fragrancing" of subways and supermarkets. Explores: • How scent interacts with emotion, memory, mental acuity, and sleep • Why specific scents are so effective in therapeutic and ritual settings • Antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of essential oils How men and women differ in their responses to odors • Provides a thorough exposition of the ancient practice of aromatics in China, India, Persia, and Egypt • Details our modern scientific understanding of the physiology and psychology of scent. • Includes annotated profiles for forty-four essential oils and specific instructions for creating essential oil blends.

Offers a plan to ease the physical symptoms and psychological effects of the disease using natural methods such as supplements, a healthy diet of fresh and whole foods, exercise, and complementary therapies.

The pursuit of health and wellness has become a fundamental and familiar part of everyday life in America. We are surrounded by an enticing world of products, practices, and promotions assuring health and happiness—cereal boxes claim that their contents can reduce the risk of heart disease, bars of aromatherapy soap seek to wash away our stresses, newspapers celebrate the wonders of the latest superfoods and herbal remedies. No longer confined to the domain of Western medicine, suggestions for healthy living often turn to alternatives originating in distant times and places, in cultures very different from our own. Diets from ancient or remote groups are presented as cures for everything from colds to cancer; exercise regimens based on Eastern philosophies are heralded as paths to physical health and spiritual wellbeing. In New Age Capitalism, Kimberly Lau examines the ideological work that has created this billion-dollar business and allowed "Eastern" and other non-Western traditions to be coopted by Western capitalism. Extending the orientalist logic to the business of health and wellness, American companies have created a lucrative and competitive market for their products, encouraging consumers to believe that they are making the right choices for personal as well as planetary health. In reality, alternative health practices have been commodified for an American public longing not only for health and wellness but also for authenticity, tradition, and a connection to the cultures of an imagined Edenic past. Although consumers might prefer to buy into "authentic" non-Western therapies, New Age Capitalism argues that the market economy makes this goal unattainable.

Many of the techniques of alternative healing that have become popular today trace their origin to ancient systems of knowledge. Their scientific basis and relevance in modern life are only now being recognised and appreciated by medical research. Aromatherapy is a method of treatment that involves using essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. It is an ancient discipline that has withstood the test of time. This book captures the essence of aromatherapy and explains how certain oils can be effectively used to treat physical ailments. Aromatherapy is a safe and natural method which restores the balance of the body and promotes good health. An exotic way to heal yourself!

Aromatherapy is increasingly incorporated into midwifery practice, particularly in midwife-led units. It is the most commonly used therapy by midwives and birthing practitioners but access to up-to-date safety information is limited. Almost 90% of women may be using complementary therapies during pregnancy and birth and so it is very important that midwives are aware of safe and appropriate use based on contemporary evidence. This book covers safety, effectiveness, evidence, benefits and risks, and legal, ethical and professional issues related to incorporating aromatherapy into maternity care. Useful charts and tables are included for quick reference in clinical practice, making this is the ultimate handbook for using aromatherapy in midwifery practice. The scientific basis behind aromatherapy, including relevant anatomy and physiology, chemistry and pharmacology are covered, as well as a critical appraisal of the contemporary research evidence supporting the use of aromatherapy in maternity care. Essential oil profiles of the oils that can be safely used in pregnancy, birth and postnatally are also included.