Aromatherapy is a modern term for an ancient healing practice that is more than 5000 years-old; there are descriptions of the burning of fragrant herbs, flowers, barks and resins, to enhance healing and meditation, in the Vedic texts. The earliest holistic healers made incense, oils, salves and poultices from a variety of aromatic botanicals.
Aromatherapy makes use of highly concentrated oil extracts of flowers, fruits, herbs, grasses and trees. These essential oils are the vital life force of plants. When you rub a peppermint leaf between your fingers, the scent that is released is the plant’s aromatic vital essence.
When you smell essential oils, they are carried directly to the area of your brain that influences your emotions, memories, desires and creativity. Aroma also provokes the production of hormones that control physical and psychological functions. The benefits of aromatic oils can be introduced into your body through your sense of smell or by contact with your skin.
When you apply essential oils to your skin, in addition to the cosmetic benefit, the oil’s tiny molecules enter your pores and make their way into your bloodstream to travel through the body’s entire circulatory system including your lymph. The vital life’s energy contained in the oils positively effects all systems of your body.
Ayurveda, the ancient holistic health care system of India, explains that there are three dynamic forces in nature, called Doshas, which are constantly changing and therefore affecting your personal balance. Aromatherapy helps to bring balance to your body, mind and spirit naturally through the aromatic properties of plants, and this is why Ayurveda embraces the use of aromatherapy as a valuable way to balance the three Doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
According to Ayurveda, the Doshas control your body’s physical, mental and emotional systems. Ayurveda also recognizes balance in the relationships of the Doshas in nature, we experience the fluctuations of the Doshas on a daily basis; a cooler, dryer morning is Vata; a hot, humid mid-day is Pitta; a wet, rainy late afternoon is Kapha.
Ayurveda recommends aromatherapy in your daily routines by: applying aromatic oils to your skin (abhyanga), inhaling diffused essential oils, burning natural candles and incense, keeping arrangements of fresh fragrant flowers in your home or work place and growing aromatic plants and trees in your garden. When you receive a massage, Ayurveda insists that the natural oil your therapist uses be specific to your Dosha, and be infused with essential oils that will benefit your Doshic balance.
Here is a list of Dosha specific essential oils and carrier oils:
Vata Dosha – elemental force of Air and Ether
The cold, dry, quick and irregular nature of Vata is balanced by using sweet, warming and grounding scents.
Essential oils: amber, angelica, anise, basil, bergamot, camphor, cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, coriander, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, ginger, jasmine, jatamansi, lavender, lemongrass, myrrh, neroli, patchouli, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, sweet orange, tangerine, thyme, vanilla, vetiver, ylang ylang.
Carrier oils: sesame, avocado and castor.
Pitta Dosha – elemental force of Fire and Water
The hot, sharp and intense nature of Pitta is balanced by using cooling, soothing and calming botanicals.
Essential Oils: birch, brahmi, chamomile, champa, clary sage, coriander, fennel, geranium, jasmine, jatamansi, lavender, lemon balm, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, myrtle, neroli, peppermint, petitgrain, rose, sandalwood, spearmint, tangerine, tea tree, vanilla, wintergreen, yarrow, ylang ylang.
Carrier oils: sunflower, coconut and olive.
Kapha Dosha – elemental force of Water and Earth
The cool, heavy and slow nature of Kapha is balanced by using stimulating, warming and cleansing aromatics.
Essential oils: angelica, anise, basil, bay, bergamot, birch, camphor, cardamom, cedarwood, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, cypress, eucalyptus, fir, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, marjoram, neroli, myrrh, myrtle, petitgrain, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sage, sweet orange, tea tree, wintergreen, yarrow.
Carrier oils: mustard seed, almond and grape seed.
Note: 100% pure essential oils are powerful substances; use sparingly and with caution. Always dilute oils before applying them to your skin. If you are pregnant, please consult your physician before using any essential oils.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the tradition of Ayurveda and written for educational purposes only.
Denise O’Dunn, certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga Instructor, is the president and founder of Balance & Bliss, Inc., an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Center located in St. Petersburg. For more information call (727) 823-8743.
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