Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an alternative healing modality which uses essential oils of plants and flowers to facilitate the body's physical, emotional and spiritual self-healing processes. It is an age-old spiritual art, whose history dates back more than 5,000 years. It has been used throughout the world as a catalyst to healing by the: Aborigines, Africans, Arabs, Aztecs, Chinese, Egyptians, English, French, Greeks, Incas, Italians, Japanese, Mayas, and Native American Indians.

It has been well documented that the sense of smell is over 10,000 times more sensitive than any of our other senses! Our bodies use our perception of smell and interpretation of fragrance to unlock the subconscious, to get in touch with the Higher Self in order to heal.

Hippocrates exclaimed in 500BC "the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day!"

These aromatic essential oils are still available to us today. And through their use, we can reawaken the sacredness that lies within each of us, to honor the self and take back personal power.

Did you know that most essential oils are:
• anti-bacterial > anti-fungal
• anti-viral > anti-inflammatory
• anti-septic > wound healing

Pregnancy and Childcare

According to a research study published in Nursing Times – March 2, 1994, Vol. 90, No. 9, “Using Aromatherapy in Childbirth”, in a study of 500 women in the delivery room, 74% used no form of pain relief. They did, however, use essential oils such as lavender, clary sage, peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, frankincense, jasmine, rose, lemon and mandarin. The results: Overall satisfaction with the “aroma” which rid the hospital smells and decreased anxiety. In this study, lavender was seen to reduce maternal anxiety, pain relief, lighten the mood and even calm contractions in early labor. Peppermint reduced nausea and vomiting and clary sage helped to increase contractions.

Indeed, aromatherapy can be used throughout the entire pregnancy process. And essential oils work regardless of the type of body work used, but they are especially valuable in massage treatments. Massage is one of the most effective ways for essential oils to enter the bloodstream. Additionally, oils that have specific qualities (that act as a catalyst to healing) can be applied directly to the part of the body that they are best equipped to assist. Massage helps to spread the oils for better absorption, while providing a plethora of other benefits to the individual as well.

Pre-Conception

For many people, making the decision to become pregnant can be one of the most critical periods in their lifetime. The decision brings with it all types of questions: Are we ready, emotionally and financially? Are we healthy enough, stable enough, fertile enough, old enough, young enough? What’s the best way to conceive? Do I need to change my diet or nutritional intake? Is my current level of exercise ok? And the list goes on.

What I’ve found for my clients so far is that stress can play a crucial role in a couple’s ability to conceive. The good news is that aromatherapy can help.

I usually recommend a blend of these oils to be used in a calming bath blend to help both mom and dad to relax, unwind and prepare for their passage into parenthood.

Another consideration in getting pregnant is simply getting in the mood! With today’s hectic lifestyles, you might be too wiped out physically and emotionally by the time they end you day to make love. There are some wonderful sensuous and aphrodisiac oils that can help get you in the mood:

Essential Oil Key Characteristic(s)

Jasmine Considered to be the “Queen of the Night” and the world’s most famous aphrodisiac. It is sensuous and heart-centering.

Sandalwood Glorious aphrodisiac. Heart-healing. Sensuous, sensual, spiritual, rare. Good for stress and nervousness

Ylang Ylang Extends the smell of jasmine. Impotence, frigidity. Counteracts depression. Opening, loving, self-confidence

Nutmeg Aphrodisiac, energy. Impotence, frigidity

Clove Anti-septic, analgesic. Excellent for prevention of disease and infection. Impotence, frigidity

Tonka Bean Aphrodisiac. Helps with relationship issues

Cinnamon Aphrodisiac, warming, stimulating, strength. Helps with emotional coldness to bring in love. Impotence, frigidity

For these oils I love blends for couples’ massage. I make a great one called Jumpin’ Jasmine Bedroom Blend. They are also wonderful oils which can be used in natural perfumes to feel sensuous and beautiful AND smell good all day long.

First Trimester

The journey into motherhood is an incredible process, both physically and emotionally. And while each mother to-be is unique, most women experience some discomfort during their pregnancies brought on by the dramatic change in hormones.

Some common side-effects that you might expect during the first trimester can include:

> Breast tenderness

> Constipation

> Edema (swollen legs and feet)

> Fatigue

> Headaches or dizziness

> Heartburn

> Muscle cramps

> Nausea

Again, aromatherapy can be a wonderful tool to assist the process. Essential oils can combat and relieve some of these symptoms.

Second Trimester

The second trimester, like the first brings with it the beauty of a burgeoning belly. The baby might have its photo taken through ultrasound to determine if it’s a boy or a girl. Your baby’s brain is beginning to develop. Towards month six, your baby is beginning to grow rapidly. Its learning to breath, listen and kick. This is the stage that you really start “showing”.

Usually these essential oils work best when properly diluted and blended into an appropriate vegetable-based massage carrier oil and applied through massage.

Third Trimester

Being in the third trimester really means being in the home stretch. Incredibly, your baby will double in size during the last three months of your pregnancy. Your baby’s brain will grow by leaps and bounds. These months are heavy hitters when it comes to cognitive, or mental, development. By the end of the seventh month, your baby's brain will have the capacity of a newborn's. She will be able to see, hear, smell and learn. As strange as it may seem, during the last months of your pregnancy your child will share many of your daily experiences. Your alarm buzzing in the morning. Or the sound of the phone ringing and cars honking on the street. Your baby begins to prepare for life outside the womb. And your body and your baby begin to work together to get ready for labor and delivery.

Besides continuing to experience some of the other bodily symptoms you’ve had during pregnancy up until this point, you may also begin having problems with your skin.

Labor and Birth

After nine months of wonder and anticipation, your first face-to-face meeting with your baby is an unforgettable experience. Amazingly, even with her blurry newborn vision, your baby recognized your face within hours of her birth. She came into the world with a keen sense of smell, a natural appetite and basic taste preferences. In these early weeks, most babies demonstrate instinctive reflexes such as sucking, grasping and startling in response to a noise or sudden movement. Nurturing your newborn is a full-time job. But don't forget to take a moment between photo shoots, feedings and diaper changes to record your thoughts and feelings about your baby's precious firsts.

Post-Birth

You’ve carried your baby inside you for nine-months, felt her movements, read to her, sang to her, rubbed her tummy as you felt her move and now she’s no longer inside you. For many women, this can translate to feelings of missing the internal baby or post-partum depression. Aromatherapy is especially effective in combating post-partum depression symptoms.

I recommend to use a personal perfume that you wear daily. Not only will you smell great, but you’ll be positively contributing to uplifting your emotions at the same time.

Another common symptom that can take place after the baby is born is sore nipples from nursing. There are a variety of fabulous products on the market. But if you decide you want to go the natural route, aromatherapy can help here as well.

A blend in a good carrier such as hazelnut or grapeseed gently massaged on the nipples daily provides superb relief from dry, cracked nipples.

Newborns and Children

I personally do not recommend the use of essential oils on newborns or children under the age of two. There are some excellent vegetable-based plain massage carrier oils that you can use on your baby with great results. You can however, lightly diffuse a drop or two of Chamomile Roman in your baby’s room at night to help relieve colick or insomnia.

Oils to Avoid Entirely During All Phases of Pregnancy

Basil Sweet, Benzoin, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Cistus, Elemi, Fir, Melissa, Myrrh, Palmarosa, Peru Balsam.

Note: High-risk patients may wish to completely avoid essential oils during pregnancy.

Potential Toxic Essential Oils to be Avoided Entirely

Ajowan, Bitter Almond, Basil Exotic, Birch Sweet, Boldo Leaf, Buchu, Calamus, Camphor, Cassia, Chervil, Deertongue, Hyssop, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Rue, Santolina, Sassafras, Savine, Tansy, Thuja, Wormseed, Wormwood