Take Aromatherapy on Vacation, Travels and Holidays!

As we approach mid-May, thoughts for many people turn to vacations and holidays or exotic travel trips!  But it doesn't really matter how far you travel from home - it may be just a weekend break camping locally or a 5,000 mile trip to the other side of the world - aromatherapy can be a useful tool to have along for the ride!

Many essential oils used in aromatherapy can form the basis of an essential oil "first aid" kit for travel which can help with some of the familiar - and some unfamilar - problems which arise on vacations and holidays.  Here's a few common travel problems which aromatherapy can help with and a couple of suggested essential oils to take with you:

• travel sickness -peppermint and ginger essential oils
• jet lag - grapefruit, lemon and geranium essential oils
• mosquito bites and repellent - tea tree and geranium essential oils.

Its probably a good idea to take lavender essential oil too, as lavender oil is good for nausea, sun burn and upset stomachs.

As always, blend all essential oils in a lotion or carrier oil base before using, and reduce quantities for use with young children.

I also find that when I am traveling that it is useful to take along familiar lotions and potions such as my shampoo, soap and scent sprays which I make with essential oils.  Hotels often have "standard" soaps and lotions which may be irritating to the skin.  If you have room, it is also nice to take along some aromatherapy candles which set a pleasant ambience in a hotel room - or are useful insect repellents when camping (if you choose the right essential oil based candle!).

Based on my experience of traveling, I put together some basic aromatherapy lotions for the Sedona Aromatherapie store, with some aromatherapy travel kits - and travel sized aromatherapy candles.  Visit the travel section in the Sedona Aromatherapie web store to learn more.

In the meantime, happy traveling!  And watch for more aromatherapy travel tips throughout the summer, as I come across them!

Aromatherapy Connections on the World Wide Web

I recently did a post, Using the Internet as an Aromatherapy Resource, as a way of accessing aromatherapy information, research and studies online.  However, I also thought it was worth mentioning the value of the internet and the world wide web as a networking tool for aromatherapists.  Where it was once only possible to connect locally with like-minded aromatherapists, it is now possible to connect with aromatherapists from all around the world and to share information - all without living your home in many instances!  It doesn't matter if you are in Australia, up a mountain in Europe, or on the beach, if you can get an internet connection, you can connect with aromatherapists from all around the world!

Social networking sites such as Face Book and My Space, and the micro networking site, Twitter, have contriibuted greatly to the ease in which aromatherapists can share information.  Learn about the different ways aromatherapy is used, and the different rules and regulations of different countries, by simply joining up with one of these networking tools.  I currently have aromatherapy connections in Australia, across the U.S. and Canada, the U.K. and other parts of Europe simply through social networking on these social media web sites.

Although not as common or as popular as social networking, there are a few online aromatherapy forums, usually aimed at the beginner or hobbyist, through which you can connect with others in aromatherapy too.  It is advisable to check the validity of information exchanged on these forums, but I have also picked up some useful tips and information, in addition to contributing my own experiences on these forums.

Most reputable aromatherapy organizations usually have a web site and/or a social networking page too, so you can often find links to aromatherapy articles and studies by signing up for these web sites or checking them regularly.

Of course, nothing replaces the face-to-face contact and interaction with other aromatherapists, but the world wide web has presented me with opportunities I would not have had in the past - and makes me feel less alone in the world with some much needed support from other aromatherapists!

If you would like to connect with me on the internet:

Twitter - follow me @girlychat
Face Book - Sharon Falsetto (personal page) - please send me a friend request and add a comment or too about aromatherapy, as I don't automatically accept all friend requests, if I don't "know" you!
Face Book Business Pages - Sedona Aromatherapie, Chocolate Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy Wedding.

Aromatherapy and Cancer

Does aromatherapy help with cancer?  Although, science is still out on this one, I have used aromatherapy to help clients who were recovering from cancer.  That's not to say aromatherapy CURES cancer - it is not a claim a reputable aromatherapist would ever make, but it can help with some of the side effects of cancer, such as pain, nausea and stress.

There are many essential oils which can help in pain management in diseases such as cancer; essential oils such as lavender, roman chamomile and frankincense are known for their analgesic properties.  In addition, essential oils such as lemon, ginger and peppermint can help with nausea and stress relieving essential oils include lavender, rose and geranium.

Aromatherapy is cited as a "support" therapy for cancer, that is it is used to help deal with the side effects associated with cancer.  The use of aromatherapy with cancer should be used with the knowledge of a doctor to make sure it doesnot interact or contradict any other forms of treatments of medication which the patient may be undertaking.  Some clinical studies, according to the National Institute of Cancer, show that aromatherapy helps improve the quality of life for cancer patients, at whatever stage of the disease they may be at.

Always check with a qualified professional before using aromatherapy with a cancer patient, as each person is different and there may be additional contraindications to take into account, in addition to the usual warnings associated with some essential oils and with certain conditions.

However, used correctly and wisely, I believe that aromatherapy is a useful tool to help the quality of life in cancer patients.

For further information consult:

•  The National Institute of Cancer
• Cancer Research U.K.

Aromatherapy, Massage or Aromatology?

Aromatherapy is a term which is often misused and misunderstood; aromatherapy is a collective term, in some instances, used to describe anything from a massage to perfume.  So its no surprise that people are sometimes confused when confronted with aromatherapy.  Aromatherapy can, in fact, be used cosmetically, clininally and medicinally, in addition to massage.

Although aromatherapy is basically the use of essential oils, it is the different ways in which those essential oils are used - and the distinction from fragrance oils - which needs further clarification and definition.  If you though aromatherapy was "just a pretty smell" or "just a massage" read on to learn more about the:

Types of Aromatherapy Treatments and Practices...

Aromatherapy Glossary - An Introduction to Common Aromatherapy Words

When I first started studying aromatherapy, some of the words used to describe essential oils, not to mention some of the more "exotic" essential oils which I had never heard of, often confused me.  What exactly was "adulterated", "cardomon", "cicatrisant", "phototoxic", "synthetic" and "volatile"?

Just a few years ago the world wide web as we know it today was not as evolved - facebook, believe it or not, didn't exist until just a few years ago!  Although I did some research on the internet for my aromatherapy studies, I relied more on actual books for reference.  However, sometimes it would have been nice to find a source where I could go to look something up.  A bit like using the dictionary when you are unsure of a word....

...and so evolved Aromatherapy Glossary, my latest aromatherapy web site!  However, this is purely an information web site, unlike my other aromatherapy web stores and you can simply visit the web site, look up "citratrisant" for example, and go away with the information.  If you want more information about me or my work, there are links to all of my other web sites and some of the aromatherapy words in the aromatherapy glossary link through to a more in-depth article.  I would also encourage you to reference other sources for information, as an aromatherapy student.  However, I do believe Aromatherapy Glossary is a good starting point for many - and will truly help you make "scents of aromatherapy words"! :)

Visit Aromatherapy Glossary to learn more...

Scientific Research Confirms Essential Oils Are an Alternative to Antibiotics

Aromatherapy students have always known the power of essential oils, yet those unfamiliar with the use of essential oils, often dismiss the "real" power of what essential oils can do.  Science is constantly testing essential oils and verifiable research goes a long way to helping essential oils become recognized as more than "just a pretty smell."

Science Daily reports that Professor Yiannis Samaras and Dr Effima Eriotou of the Greek Technological Educational Institute of Ionian Islands recently presented research at the Society for General Microbiology's spring conference in Edinburgh, Scotland which proved the efffectiveness of some antibacterial essential oils in fighting certain "superbugs".

Thyme and cinnamon essential oils were found to be effective against several strains of bacteria in tests carried out.  Professor Samaras said:

" Not only are essential oils a cheap and effective treatment option for antibiotic-resistant strains, but decreased use of antibiotics will help minimise the risk of new strains of antibiotic resistant micro-organisms emerging."

Anti-bacterial essential oils include tea tree, thyme, cinnamon, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint and black pepper.  Research such as this can only help strengthen the campaign to get essential oils accepted for use into medical settings.  Many scientific studies have been conducted over the years on essential oils - and perhaps slowly the medical profession is truly starting to realize the potential of essential oils...

Cardamom Essential Oil

Cardamom essential oil, sometimes known as cardamon essential oil, is one of the lesser known essential oils in aromatherapy.  However, cardamom is related to ginger essential oil and possesses some similiar properties.  Both the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Greeks used cardamom medicinally.  In addition, traditional Indian and Chinese Medicine have recognized the benefits of cardamom.

To learn more about cardamom essential oil and how to use it in aromatherapy read the full article:

Cardamom Essential Oil for Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy and Spas

Essential oils have a wide number of therapeutic properties which can be used to help heal a number of health problems.  Many spas through out the world are now beginning to realize the potential and benefits of using essential oils in aromatherapy spa treatments.  However, I sometimes get frustrated by the description of some of these "aromatherapy" spa treatments - particularly by the larger hotel chains.  I'm not always convinced that they know exactly the true potential of essential oils or are giving the "right" information to clients.

When I first moved to Sedona, Arizona I was excited by the possibilities of using aromatherapy in Sedona as it is well known for its world class spas and any number of "healing" therapies on offer.  However, therein lies the "problem".  So many people, and particularly a lot of the large hotel chains with their own spas, have jumped on the "healing therapies" band wagon that I feel aromatherapy is, in some ways, becoming "discredited" in Sedona because its just another one of those healing therapies designed to attract tourists to the area.  That's not to say that aromatherapy is "bad" in Sedona - but its a bit of an uphill battle to:

• get  people to understand it is more than "just a pretty smell"
• its not "just a massage"
• its not the same as fragrance oils (which have no therapeutic value, although they may smell nice).

The reason I felt compelled to make a post about this, is that I just read an article in local magazine about aromatherapy on offer at one of the local hotel chains.  I normally don't write posts along these lines, preferring to focus more on the positive things I have discovered/know about aromatherapy, but sometimes there is a need to point out a few misleading "beliefs" about aromatherapy. Extracts from the article which concerned/frustrated me read:

• "(aromatherapy)....sounding like another New Age come-on..."
• "almost every ancient culture has used aromatherapy" - a little misleading - ancient cultures may have used aromatic oils and plants, but not in the sense of aromatherapy as we know it today
• "apply oils on pulse points in the same way as you would perfume" - essential oils should never be used neat, unless under the specific guidance of an aromatherapist, or if you have aromatherapy knowledge of a particular oil, and even then some oils should NEVER be used in this way!
• "Pregnant women should stay away from peppermint and cinnamon oils." - and a number of other essential oils too, and the contraindications should be mentioned to go with that
• although, antibacterial effects of oils was mentioned briefly in the article, there was no specific guidelines as to how to use/mix essential oils with massage oils and the possible contraindications of some essential oils.

Although, I believe the article was written to both promote the hotel spa and, in some ways, to try to highlight the benefits of aromatherapy, I felt it lacked "professionalism."  I am all for promoting aromatherapy but sometimes mis-information can be as damaging as lack of information.  My hope for the future is that aromatherapy and the use of essential oils is understood more in the U.S. and is used in the way it is used in Europe - for true healing purposes!

As a footnote, I would like to add that I am aware that essential oils are used in some therapeutic settings in the U.S.  In addition, although I would like to practice aromatherapy more this way, I do sell aromatherapy gifts and blends through Sedona Aromatherapie, Chocolate Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy Wedding as a way to try and reach people who are not familiar with aromatherapy and to inspire them to learn the true potential of essential oils!  I have just learned to adapt my ways of doing this, for the moment, given my specific location in Sedona!  Perhaps, in the future, essential oils and aromatherapy will become more common in Sedona for their medicinal and therapeutic value - outside of major hotel spas.....

To end on a positive note, Sedona is a wonderful place to experience aromatherapy - just choose your aromatherapist wisely and you will have a true aromatic experience :)

Please leave me a comment below, if you have any specific experiences/thoughts on the use of "Aromatherapy and Spas".

Using the Internet as an Aromatherapy Resource

Everyone is doing it nowdays - surfing the web, that is.  It used to be if you wanted to research a subject, you had to buy a book or go to your local library.  Although these option are still available - and I personally still enjoy both of these activities - the internet can open the door to a world of resources, without even leaving your house!

However, like everything, you can't always believe what you read.  The world wide web is full of lots of information which is written, or sourced, by people who really don't know what they are talking about.  Some of these people are well intentioned, just misinformed or misguided, but others are out to "get you".  So how do you separate the "good" from the "bad"?

Since I started writing aromatherapy articles (and other articles) I've learned a few tips when researching credit worthy sources; here's a few things which I think you should bear in mind when looking for and reading aromatherapy information on line:

• check the credentials of the author - does he/she have training/qualifications/experience in aromatherapy?
• does the author list any references at the end of the aromatherapy article to state where he/she researched their information from?
•  one single person does not know everything - check several sources to confirm facts
• aromatherapy journals and publications are often "credible" sources, including studies on aromatherapy/essential oils
• aromatherapy blogs are an "informal" way of conversing with your audience - consequently, aromatherapy blogs are not the most reliable source of aromatherapy information!  However, I try to back up my blog posts with articles and links, where appropriate, for "fact checking" - and direct readers to other references for further research.  I also have a disclaimer at the foot of my blog as to the intentions of my aromatherapy blog.
• no matter how well researched an aromatherapy article is, it will not always contain all the information you are looking for.  The author has written it from their point of view, so its wise to read 2 or 3 articles on the same subject to get the "full picture". (I encourage you to do this with my articles too!)
• aromatherapy is more "advanced" in Europe than it is in the U.S. - and there are different view points on aromatherapy in different countries.  So, depending on where you live, you may or may not be familiar with the author's view point - but it is beneficial to have an open mind!
• some aromatherapy companies publish aromatherapy information in an attempt to get you to buy their products; reputable aromatherapy suppliers will publish unbiased information and not simply promote their particular product in an article.

In addition to researching aromatherapy articles on line, I would also highly recommend purchasing some aromatherapy books and taking an introduction course to aromatherapy.  If you are a student of aromatherapy, you will eventually become familiar with aromatherapy author names, aromatherapy publications and the names of those in the aromatherapy business, making it easier to be informed about "reliable" or "unreliable" aromatherapy resources.  You can never have too much information!

If you have any points to add on Using the Internet as an Aromatherapy Resource please leave me a comment below!

Happy reading!

Grape Seed Carrier Oil

Grape seed oil is used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy and massage.  Although I haven't personally used it - I have my favorites, but I really should branch out more! - it is recommended for aromatherapy because of its lack of aroma, making it suitable to combine with other carrier oils, such as sweet almond and apricot kernel, or essential oils.  It is also light and non-greasy with beneficial qualities for skin care.

To learn more, read the full article:

Grape Seed Oil for Aromatherapy

How to Choose an Aromatherapy Book...

This may sound like an "odd" thing to write about - how to choose an aromatherapy book!  But I have found that there are many aromatherapy books out there and, depending on what you want to get out of it, what may be a good choice of an aromatherapy book for one, may not be so for another.  There is a multitude of aromatherapy information available on the internet today - some good, some bad - but I believe that there is nothing better than sometimes sitting down with a book to learn more!

These are a few of things I would establish before choosing an aromatherapy book:

• what is your experience of aromatherapy?
• what do you want learn - how to make aromatherapy lotions, the science behind aromatherapy, essential oil profiles, history of aromatherapy etc
• what are the credentials of the author - some aromatherapy authors are more experienced, and well known, than others.  However, even if it is an author you are not familiar with, reading the author's biography (usually on the book cover/inside pages somewhere) will help you decide if the author is "credible"
• has the aromatherapy book been recommended to you - I usually find that recommended books are recommended for a reason!
• is the aromatherapy book part of a course and is required reading - or is it purely for "pleasure"? Required reading books are also recommended for a reason - however, choosing a book for "pleasure" may be a bit more difficult
• how complex is the aromatherapy book?  A mini-introduction to aromatherapy is easier to read than an aromatherapy book which consists of several hundred pages - but depending on your needs, both options may be "good" choices in different circumstances.

To try and explain a little more about what I mean in how to choose an aromatherapy book, here's a few options:

• Aromatherapy for Health Professionals - Shirley and Len Price.  This aromatherapy book is precisely what it says - a book about aromatherapy for health professionals.  Therefore, a little prior knowledge is probably required before reading it - and the book is aimed at helping health professionals use aromatherapy in a health setting (although this is a more common practice in places such as the U.K. than the U.S.)
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils - Julia Lawless.  This aromatherapy book was, and still is, my aromatherapy "bible" on essential oils when I was first learning about essential oils.  If you want to know about essential oil profiles, I would highly reccommend this book - simple and easy to use, you can probably use it "beginner's" level aromatherapy
• Aromatherapy Workbook - Shirley Price.  A good book to introduce you to the "basics" of aromatherapy, including a history of plant and aromatherapy use
• The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy - Valerie Ann Worwood.  This aromatherapy book contains over 600 recipes for health, beauty and home use.  Although it contains aromatherapy recipes, I would reccommend reading it in conjunction with a more basic book on aromatherapy too as it doesn't really explain the variations in aromatherapy recipes for different "user" groups - such as in pregnancy, elderly, children etc.  Otherwise, a pretty useful aromatherapy book, if you have some experience
• Aromatherapy An A - Z - Patricia Davis.  Basically, an aromatherapy dictionary on the terms used in aromatherapy, as well as a brief description on the uses of some essential oils - including the author's own personal recommendations.  Again, a "good" book, in my opinion, if you have some aromatherapy experience.

Of course, there are many more aromatherapy books and everyone's opinion is different.  But, in addition to reading an aromatherapy book, whatever your intentions, I would recommend at least a basic aromatherapy course to fully appreciate and understand the power of aromatherapy!  Happy reading!

N.B.  All of the above books can be found in Sharon Falsetto's Book Store for purchase.

Essential Oils for Children: Introducing Aromatherapy to Children

On March 15th 2010, I wrote about mohdoh, a form of "mouldable aromatherapy" and an ideal way to introduce aromatherapy to children.  Following on from that, I wrote an article on the different ways to introduce aromatherapy to children.  Some people are wary about using essential oils with children, because of the belief that they are "harmful." Like many other things in life, essential oils usually become "harmful" to children through misuse and lack of understanding and knowledge before using them. However, there are some essential oils which are not recommended for children, because of the chemical make-up of them, and some essential oils which are naturally more suited for use with children.

To learn more read the full article - Aromatherapy for Children...

Mohdoh: A Combination of Playdoh and Aromatherapy for Children

What exactly is mohdoh?  I recently became aware of mohdoh when I was reading a Penny Price Aromatherapy (U.K.) group newsletter, so I thought it was worth a mention, as I am sure that many people haven't heard of it.  In fact, outside of the U.K., it probably isn't that well known.

Mohdoh combines aromatherapy with play and color therapy to promote the natural healing of many health problems such as colds and flu, anxiety, travel sickness and insomnia, according to the mohdoh (U.K) web site.  It is described as "mouldable aromatherapy".  Although it was apparently 'discovered' when an insightful mother added lavender oil to her child's playdoh (modeling clay) to calm him down, mohdoh is marketed as being suitable for both children and adults (playdoh figures are shown in the photo above, although please note this isn't mohdoh, it is simply to demonstrate what playdoh looks like).

Color therapy, for those who study other therapies, is also known to heal the body on various levels.  Some colors make us feel calmer, some uplifting and some energizing.  For example, red is a very energizing color, blue and green are 'calming' colors and yellow is uplifting.  Combined with the power of essential oils, in a mouldable dough, mohdoh is said to be capable of helping to relax, focus or relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds, depending on the essential oils used.

Since training in aromatherapy, I have learned to try and market aromatherapy in different ways to reach different people, especially in the U.S. where aromatherapy is not as well practiced in its true healing sense, as it is in the U.K. and Europe.  So, discovering mohdoh was a further revelation for me!

I think it is a very practical and useful way of introducing children to aromatherapy - and I wouldn't mind giving it a go myself, so may just have to pick some up on my next visit to the U.K.!

As far as I know, and please post me a comment if you know different, mohdoh doesn't seem to be widely available in the U.S.

For further information, visit the mohdoh (U.K.) web site.

Combining Aromatherapy With Reflexology

Aromatherapy is a powerful therapy; used on its own, its capable of helping many different health problems.  Aromatherapy is also used, by many, as a form of relaxation.  However, aromatherapy can also be combined with other complementary therapies such as reflexology.

I initially trained in reflexology and became a qualified reflexology practitioner before studing for my aromatherapy diploma.  I chose to study aromatherapy for a number of reasons - one of which was the versatility of being able to combine aromatherapy with a number of other complimentary therapies.

Using aromatherapy can enhance a reflexology treatment; when I had my aromatherapy studio, I offered reflexology with aromatherapy by first cleansing a client's feet in a warm bowl of rose petals, which was then followed by a reflexology treatment of a personal blend of essential oils, chosen specifically for the client's problems.

Reflexology is all about working on the reflex points and bringing the body 'back into balance'; by adding the use of essential oils, not only is the client more relaxed but the essential oils have chance to work their magic too!  However, it is essential to know both about reflexology points and essential oils before attempting to do this.

Esssential oils can be combined in an aromatherapy blend of oil or lotion.  Some reflexologists may not agree with this (I know some reflexologists prefer to work exclusively with talc) but, speaking from personal experience, I found this to be a popular choice amongst clients.

Refelxology points are also located on the hands, so if people have a preference not to have their feet touched, its still possible to use an aromatherapy treatment on the reflex points on the hands.

I have noticed that some aromatherapy schools are now offering courses to combine reflexology with aromatherapy, so I can only assume that the demand for combined aromatherapy and reflexology treatments is on the increase!

If you have any thoughts on combining aromatherapy with reflexology please leave me a comment below!