Can anyone help me with aromatherapy?

[Life2k]

Can anyone help me with aromatherapy? I am still having some problems with left over effects of last year's stroke. Does anyone know any information about the effectiveness of aromatherapy on impulse control, anger, inner peace? What can you tell me and who do I go to for help? All suggestions welcome. Medication and councilling hasn't completely gotten rid of this feeling of still not being the same old me. I still find myself having snappy sessions with you and my other loved ones. I thought I would try this if there were any hope of it reaching those areas of my brain that have glitches from the stroke. Got to try something. I don't like wondering if I am going to wake up a happy camper or the witch of the west. Yuck.

Thanks for your patience.

[janie]

I find lavender and lemon to be very relaxing. :)

[DLS]

Check out some of THE BACH FLOWER REMEDIES too!


Or here is a blend of essential oils to use for irritability.
10 drops Nutmeg
8 drops Sandalwood
12 drops Pettigraine
Blend well. Then you can add a few drops to a massage oil, or add a few drops to your bath water or add drops to a spritzer with water and shake and spray around your house.

[Life2k]

Thanks, I have had NO experience with essential oils, but your nose takes up 1/3 of your face. It has to be there for a valid reason other than to breathe.

[hoodedclawjen]

i've had some aromatherapy massages, and they were very relaxing (almost stupifyingly relaxing, lol). the effects lasted a good few days for me. i also find baths with a few drops of essential oils to be very relxing and soothing.

i think aromatherapy works for a number of reasons. i'm not scientifically minded, but on a basic level, i feel that if nothing else, the deep slow breathing that you automatically do, to smell the lovely smells affects your heartbeat and racing mind, and helps centre a persons thoughts and emotions, and that the nice aroma induces a restful state.

also taking time to pamper yourself has to be good. i also think that scent memory could have a bit to do with it- the smell of orange blossom, for example, takes me back to a peaceful memory of an afternoon in childhood spent in my mothers garden. if you begin to associate the smell of say... lavander... with the blissful feeling you get post massage, when you smell that smell again, your subconsious will find it easier to revisit that feeling, than it would without the smell as a trigger/link.

anyway... i'd recommend getting a lush massage with aromatherapy oils. even just a back neck and shoulder one if you're not into the full nudity thing (thats what i went for). you can have them cheaply done by supervised students, if money is a factor. if you find a blend of oils that works for you, you can buy yourself a few bottles of essental oils in the hfs and blend them yourself. you can use them to make your own body lotions with an unscented base, blend them with a carrier oil to make your own massage oils, to put a dab of on warm points (like your wrists) - where you'd put purfumes, to mix with water and use as a room spray, as well as blends to use in the bath, etc. just be careful to use them in the recommended amounts, and in a carrier, never neat- essential oils are strong, and can be dangerous if improperly used.

[Life2k]

Where could I order them online, and what do I ask for?

[ginkgo]

There are those sayings; you are what you eat or you are what you assimilate. Do not worry about being the old you. You can be the new you and be better than before. Your brain will create new pathways. Just make sure to use your bad side as much as you can. Make sure to eat blueberries. They can help after a struck according to a research scientist.

Here is information about superior nutrition to help your body. Superior Nutrition for Optimal Health (http://www.phifoundation.org/nutrition.html)

Also see this short article to help you deal with the emotional aspects like anger. You can be happier now than before your stroke. What is Enlightenment (http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/What-is-Enlightenment/183618)

[Life2k]

Thanks, I will eat my blueberries. And I guess it's not so much anger as frustraition and lack of impulse control. It isn't as bad as it was, but I still have a tongue sharp enough to clip a hedge. I just used to be in control of the impulse to speak my mind. I tend to be a Crusader Rabbit type when it is none of my business. Not cool.

[*AJ*]

Hey Life2K ... I'm taking amino acids for a variety of issues - mostly depression, anxiety, irritability ... The Mood Cure is a book that's been invaluable to me and might be helpful for you. Also, I agree with the Bach Flower Essences Rescue Remedy ... this is great stuff ... and many have recommended it. Feel free to email or private message me if you want to chat more about the aminos.

[Life2k]

You people are the best. I sent in an order to Amazon.com today, and I have done some serious thinking about the Crusader Rabbit side of me. I have decided it is not a bad thing to be if done at the right time and using the right methods. So I am in retraining reactions and actions. I am starting aromatherapy. I'll try one thing at a time, but I'll get to each of you. Thanks to all of you.

[LadyFaile]

i've had some aromatherapy massages, and they were very relaxing (almost stupifyingly relaxing, lol). the effects lasted a good few days for me. i also find baths with a few drops of essential oils to be very relxing and soothing.

i think aromatherapy works for a number of reasons. i'm not scientifically minded, but on a basic level, i feel that if nothing else, the deep slow breathing that you automatically do, to smell the lovely smells affects your heartbeat and racing mind, and helps centre a persons thoughts and emotions, and that the nice aroma induces a restful state.

also taking time to pamper yourself has to be good. i also think that scent memory could have a bit to do with it- the smell of orange blossom, for example, takes me back to a peaceful memory of an afternoon in childhood spent in my mothers garden. if you begin to associate the smell of say... lavander... with the blissful feeling you get post massage, when you smell that smell again, your subconsious will find it easier to revisit that feeling, than it would without the smell as a trigger/link.

anyway... i'd recommend getting a lush massage with aromatherapy oils. even just a back neck and shoulder one if you're not into the full nudity thing (thats what i went for). you can have them cheaply done by supervised students, if money is a factor. if you find a blend of oils that works for you, you can buy yourself a few bottles of essental oils in the hfs and blend them yourself. you can use them to make your own body lotions with an unscented base, blend them with a carrier oil to make your own massage oils, to put a dab of on warm points (like your wrists) - where you'd put purfumes, to mix with water and use as a room spray, as well as blends to use in the bath, etc. just be careful to use them in the recommended amounts, and in a carrier, never neat- essential oils are strong, and can be dangerous if improperly used.


i have this bodywash that smells like a certain flower that grows all over the area we stayed in on Maui for the wedding in feb. the whole city smells of these flowers all the time, it was really strong around the condo. every time i take a shower with this bodywash i just sort of zone out and get uber-relaxed. i find it hard to get out of the shower lol.
so yeah ditto that you may have reactions to smells that trigger memories or feelings as well as what aromatherapists can recommend.

i also second the suggestion for Bach's rescue remedy. you can buy it at any health food store. i think even the health food section of my grocery store carries it.

if you have a decent HFS around look at their selection of teas also. i was in today looking for a tea to help with energy and mental function and i noticed a couple that were for stress, anxiety, mood swings, etc, some that were just for a general calming... just look around, they're usually pretty well labeled for what they're meant to do. and i find with a tea you get a double impact of the herbs and just the relaxed feeling that comes with drinking a cup of hot tea. some can even be made into iced teas, you could make up a pitcher in the morning and sip it throughout the day.

[missbelgium]

I have had spectacular results with Bach Flower remedies in several areas. You should research the remedies in-depth. Rescue Remedy is wonderful, but I have a feeling you need something more specifically suited for you !

This gives a good overview of the existing remedies :

http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm

It's a harmless therapy so if you read of a flower remedy that seems to describe your problem/personality glitch, it's absolutely worth a try ! Most health food stores will either carry all remedies or be able to order them !

Good luck !

[missbelgium]

I liked this website as well

http://www.bachflower.com/

They sell the stuff, but to start with, the descriptions are pretty accurate.

[Life2k]

I am just updating you. The aromatherapy is working. I went with the essential oil mixtures for stress, inner peace, mental clarity, relaxation, and energy boost. I have been amazed at the feelings of the improvement. I am rapidly beginning to feel like the old me again. This isn't my favorite smell, but I have been sleeping like a baby and I have had no temper surges. What a relief. I could almost cry from relief. Thanks so much, support team. Bless you.

[missbelgium]

I am very happy to hear this. I totally believe in the power of plants ! I keep suggesting infusions and herbal teas to my friends. So good to know you are feeling better !

[LadyFaile]

:)

[Life2k]

Update on my aromatherapy/essential oils journey:

I have now got a great book on mixing the oils, diluting the to massage strength, making medicinal mixtures. I have a great oil for bronchitis, another for swelling and soreness, for tummy aches. What I really like is not having to put the stuff in my whole blood stream to treat one spot. I may never go back to conventional medicine on simple things like small injuries and the common cold. I am seriously thinking of becoming a certified aromatherapist and essentil oil specialist. It makes so much more sense to treat the small stuff this way than to put some chemical in the whole system. It is also totally vegan. Thank you ever so much for putting me on this path.

[LadyFaile]

that's awesome :)
i'd really like to learn about it too, there was a table set up at a wellness fair a few weeks ago, the lady was telling us all sorts of things and it seemed like she was really passionate about it.
the deepest i've gone into it is i burn or inhale peppermint when i have a headache, other scents i have are just because they smell nice lol i don't really know what they're good for or how to use them. i'd like to learn how to apply it to pet care also :)

[mayer45]

Hi,
Aromatherapy is a great way to unwind and relax after a very hectic and tiring day.Aromatherapy (http://www.aromatherapyanswers.com) makes use of essential oils from various aromatic plants like the rose,lavender,camphor and peppermint.These plants have therapeutic, psychological and physiological properties and when massaged to the skin releases stress and tension and gives a sense of relaxation and calmness to the body.There are more than 150 essential oils available.