Healing With Aromatherapy UK
October 25, 2009 by andrew
Filed under Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a method of healing that uses concentrated essential oils. These oils are often very aromatic and they are extracted from plants. The constituents that make up the oils will have the perfume that is given off by the particular plant. The essential oils help the plant to complete its cycle of growth and reproduction.
For example, some oils may attract insects for the purpose of pollination; others may cause it to be disliked as a source of food. Any part of a plant – the stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots or bark – may produce essential oils or essences but often only in small amounts. Different parts of the same plants may produce their own form of oil. An example of this is the orange, which produces oils with different properties in the flowers, fruits and leaves.
Art and writings from the ancient civilisations of Egypt, China and Persia show that plant essences were used and valued by priests, physicians and healers. Plant essences have been used throughout the ages for healing – in incense for religious rituals, in perfumes and embalming ointments and for culinary purposes. There are many Biblical references that give an insight into the uses of plant oils and the high value that was attached to them. Throughout the course of human history the healing properties of plants and their essential oils has been recognised, and most people probably had some knowledge about their use.
Since any part of a plant may produce essential oils, the method of extraction depends on the makeup of the individual plant. The oils are produced by small cells or glands and are released naturally by the plant in small amounts over a period of time. In order to harvest the oils in sufficient amounts, it is necessary to collect a large quantity of the part of the plant needed and to subject the material to a process that causes the oil glands to burst.
Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile and aromatic. They easily evaporate, change and deteriorate if exposed to light, heat and air. For most purposes in aromatherapy, essential oils are used in a dilute form, being added either to water or to another oil, called the base or carrier. The base is often a vegetable oil such as olive oil, which has nutrient and beneficial properties.
It is only in more recent times, with the great developments in science and conventional medicine, particularly the manufacture of antibiotics and synthetic drugs that knowledge and interest in the older methods of healing declined. However, in the last two decades there has been a great renewal of interest in the practice or aromatherapy with many people turning to this form of natural treatment.
For more information on Aromatherapy please click on the link below.
Aromatherapy Benefits
The Effective Treatment of Warts Naturally
October 23, 2009 by andrew
Filed under Rid Warts etc.
Warts are unsightly skin growths caused by the highly contagious human papillomavirus. You can catch the virus by direct contact with someone who has warts, or by touching an infected surface. However, not everyone who comes into contact with the virus develops warts, as they are related to the status of your immune system.
The conventional treatment of warts involves either cutting them out, applying chemicals or freezing them off with liquid nitrogen. But, even if these methods are successful, the warts are likely to grow back. In addition, many of these treatments come with nasty side effects.
Aldara cream for example, can cause redness, itching and bacterial infections, while using liquid nitrogen – besides being painful – can lead to scarring. Some therapies can even cause systemic side effects such as Raynaud’s phenomenon (painful, cold extremities) and flu –like symptoms.
There are a number of alternative treatments for warts:-
Fig tree latex. This comes from the leaves, stems and fruit of the fig tree and has traditionally been used for warts. It has proved to be nearly as effective as liquid nitrogen treatments but without the side effects. However, avoid this remedy if you are allergic to latex.
Garlic. This is another successful remedy for warts. In a small trial of five year old children, rubbing raw garlic directly onto the warts proved to be 100 percent effective, although it took an average of nine weeks to work. Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub the flat surface over the wart, taking care not to touch healthy skin. Cover with a plaster overnight and wash away in the morning: repeat every day with a fresh clove.
Tea tree oil. This and the fresh, milky juice from the greater celadine are other topical treatments with evidence of success in removing warts.
Hypnosis. Strange as it may seem, hypnosis is a well recognised treatment for warts. In one study, those who underwent regular hypnosis sessions saw greater wart disappearance after six weeks than those using a medication (topical salicylic acid), a placebo or no treatment. The power of suggestion is particularly effective in children. German researchers found that ‘treating’ children with fake x-rays led to complete remission of warts in about half the cases.
Heat Therapy. In one comparative controlled trial, the application of short bursts of heat (50 degrees C) from a heat pad led to complete regression in 25 of 29 treated warts, compared with only 7 of 17 of the control warts. Even better, at a follow up fifteen weeks later, none of the heat regressed warts had returned.
Zinc supplements. In a double blind study of 80 patients with treatment resistant warts, high doses of oral zinc sulphate were able to clear around 90 percent of warts in two months, whereas none of those treated with a placebo showed any signs of improvement.
Duct tape. Covering warts with duct tape, or any strong sticky tape, appears to be an effective way of getting rid of them. In a trial of 51 patients comparing duct tape with liquid nitrogen treatment, the sticky tape came out on top. And, it did so within a month.
How do you stop warts from spreading?
1) Don’t brush, comb or shave areas that have warts.
2) Don’t use the same nail file or nail clipper on your warts as you use on your healthy nails.
3) Don’t bite your nails if you have any warts nearby.
4) Don’t pick at warts – if you can’t resist it, cover them up with a plaster or duct tape.
5) Keep your hands dry, as warts favour a moist environment.
6) Always wash your hands after touching your warts.
For more information on treating warts please click on the link below.
Massage Therapy History
Massage An Introduction – Massage Therapy Information…
We massage ourselves nearly every day. The natural reaction to reach out and touch a painful part of the body forms the basis of massage. As long ago as 3000 BC, massage was used as therapy in the Far East, making it one of the oldest treatments used by humans.
In 5 BC, in ancient Greece, Hippocrates recommended that to maintain health, a massage using oils should be taken daily after a perfumed bath. Greek physicians were well used to treating people who suffered from pain and stiffness in the joints. The relaxation and healing powers of massage have been well documented over the last 5,000 years.
The therapeutic value of applying oils and rubbing parts of the body to lessen pain and prevent illness was recognised amongst the ancient Mediterranean civilisations. In ancient times scented oils were almost always used when giving massages, creating an early form of aromatherapy massage.
Massage increased in popularity when, in the 19th century Per Henrik Ling, created the basis for what is now known as Swedish massage. Swedish massage deals with the soft tissues of the body. This type of massage is a combination of relaxing effects and exercises that work on the joints and muscles, but it is still based on the form that was practised in ancient times.
More recently, a work was published in the 1970’s called ‘The Massage Book’ by George Downing, and this introduced a new concept in the overall technique of massage. This is that the whole person’s state should be assessed by the therapist and not just the physical side. The emotional and mental states should be part of the overall picture. Also combined in his form of massage were the methods used in reflexology and shiatsu, and this was known as therapeutic massage. The aim of this is to use relaxation, stimulation and invigoration to promote good health.
Massage is commonly used to induce general relaxation, so that any tension or strain that is experienced can be eased and eliminated. It is found to be very effective, working on the mind as well as the body. It can be used to treat people with hypertension, sinusitis, headaches, insomnia and hyperactivity.
At the physical level, massage is intended to help the body make use of food and to eliminate the waste materials, as well as stimulating the nervous and muscular systems and the circulation of blood. Neck and back pain are conditions from which many people suffer, particularly if they have not been sitting correctly, such as in a slightly stooped position with their shoulders rounded.
People whose day to day work involves a great deal of physical activity, such as dancers and athletes, can also derive a great deal of benefit from the use of massage. Stiffness can be a problem that they have after training or working, and this is relieved by encouraging the toxins that gather in the muscles to disperse.
Massage promotes a feeling of calmness and serenity, and this is particularly beneficial to people who frequently suffer from bouts of depression or anxiety. Once the worry and depression have been dispelled, people are able to deal with their problems much more effectively and, being able to do so, will boost their self confidence.
Get More information and advice on Massage and Massage Therapy at : Deep Massage Therapy
