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- The Magic of Fragrances: How Aromatherapy Can Help ...
- Aromatherapy: Fragrances sneak past our minds
- Essential oils are the fragrance essences of plants
- D fte: A touch of happiness and well-being!
- Good to know for aromatherapy:
The Magic of Fragrances: How Aromatherapy Can Help ...
Beautiful smells stimulate our senses - as well as our physical well-being. They arouse emotions and influence our health. How we can use aromatherapy for us.
The smell of fresh coffee or of still warm apple pie - mmh! A touch of the perfume of our first great love - we feel like 16 years back then. Odors accompany us for a lifetime, awaken from now on long forgotten memories or put us back emotionally for decades.
Aromatherapy: Fragrances sneak past our minds
Why do aromas affect us so much? In contrast to visual impressions, odors are not processed in the cerebrum, but in the limbic system, the emotional center in our head. If a fragrance pours into our nostrils, 30 million olfactory olfactory cells are stimulated with each breath, which decode tiny scent molecules with their sensory hairs. If a smell is detected, they send nerve impulses to the limbic system. This part of our brain now interprets the message and responds accordingly, such as with the release of happiness hormones. The beautiful episode: We feel completely comfortable. It all happens in fractions of a second and completely detached from the mind - an effect that aromatherapy makes use of.
No wonder that it is often difficult for us to describe fragrances in words. There are also many odors: more than ten million fragrances exist on earth, and we can perceive about 10, 000 of them. People with a practiced nose, such as perfumers, can even distinguish up to 30, 000 fragrances.
Essential oils are the fragrance essences of plants
They are obtained from flowers, leaves and roots, smell intensely and have scientifically proven healing effects on the mind and body: essential oils help with tension, stress or sleep problems. Join us in the magical world of fragrances - and enjoy good mood and well-being!
Fragrances: A touch of happiness and well-being!
A few drops of fragrant essences are enough to transform stress into relaxation or tiredness into new energy. But essential oils can do even more: they tighten the skin or loosen up muscles. Here are some aromatic tips:
The scent of valerian makes for beautiful dreams
The harsh aroma of the essential valerian oil has a balancing effect on the nervous system, thus ensuring that the body switches to relaxation. It is therefore, according to the findings of aromatherapy, the ideal slumber aid, if the hustle and bustle of the day does not let you go. About 10 minutes before bedtime put 1 drop on a cotton cloth and put it under the pillowcase. Good alternative for nervousness: lavender oil.
Rosemary helps the memory
If creativity, increased concentration and memory are required, the essential oil of rosemary will continue to help. Its herbaceous scent stimulates the gray cells and clears the head. Add 3 drops of the oil to a scent stone and place it directly on the desk.
Cassia cinnamon heats cold toes
Much better than lying in bed with ice feet: a warming massage with the sweet-spicy fragrant cassia oil. Its biofoods stimulate the circulation of the skin, its scent provides security. Simply mix 4-6 tablespoons of jojoba oil with 1-2 drops of cassia oil, then vigorously rub in and massage the toes, heels and soles.
Vanilla strengthens the self-confidence
A hint of vanilla scent is enough to keep us safe and self-confident. Because we already know the sweet nuance with the mother's milk. So with our first breath we create the reference "vanilla = security" and anchor it firmly in our brain, explain biologists. After all, the sense of smell is the only one of our senses that has been fully developed since birth.
You need an extra dose of self-confidence today? Then in the morning, drizzle 2-3 drops of vanilla essential oil into an aroma lamp and place it in the bathroom, for example, as you prepare for the day.
Frankincense maintains the complexion
Olibanum's earthy-scented essential oil, better known as frankincense, not only relieves cough and soothes the psyche, it's also ideal for ripening mature skin. Its ingredients stimulate blood circulation and cell metabolism. As a result, the skin is optimally supplied with nutrients. For a facial oil, add 3 drops of frankincense and 2 drops of linalo wood to 100 ml of almond oil in a bottle. Put some of it on the face every evening and gently massage in.
Mandarin is optimistic
The sweet, fruity-fine scented oil of the tangerine makes you satisfied and confident. No wonder that it is often used in the waiting rooms of doctors' offices. Studies show that thanks to the aroma, dental patients are much less afraid. Orange has the same effect, as a study by the University of Vienna has shown. For a room spray, mix 10 drops of Mandarin essential oil with about 1 tsp of 90% alcohol or lemon juice and fill with 100 ml of distilled water into a spray bottle. Shake well - done.
Nutmeg relaxes the muscles
The active ingredients of the spicy-warm fragrant mace oil have a circulation-promoting effect. So they make hardened muscles supple and relieve joint pain. For one package, mix 1 tbsp of honey with 1-3 drops of nutmeg oil and pour into 125 ml of warm water. Soak a cotton cloth in it, squeeze it lightly and place it on the tight body for about 15-20 minutes.
Coriander makes you brave
The lavender-like, warm and slightly astringent scent of coriander seed oil reduces fears and inner restlessness, helps with shock states and can relax pleasantly in case of stress and irritability. Tip: for emergencies, put a vial in your handbag - and smell it if necessary.
Lemongrass detoxifies the body
A full bath with the lemon-like fragrant oil revives and detoxifies the tissue: metabolic waste products are simply washed out of the body along with excess water. This tightens the figure, also ensures pure skin. In addition, the aroma gives new impetus. For a bath, mix 3 tablespoons of honey with 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil and pour into the water. Bath for 10 minutes. Tip: As a foot bath, the mix makes heavy legs fit again.
Grapefruit smoothes cellulite
For a firm aroma massage, drip 3-5 drops of essential grapefruit oil in 100 ml jojoba oil. Distribute and massage some of it on the body or in individual parts every morning and evening. Make first circular movements with the palms, then work the skin with the fingertips and fast plucking movements. Great side effect: When we smell of grapefruit, men appreciate us by up to six years younger, researchers found out.
Cistrose balances the soul
The slightly woody, balsamic scented Cistus oil has a calming and stimulating effect at the same time. It gives comfort when we are sad, gives us inner balance when we are restless, or gives us panic when we feel chipped off. All good reasons to use this feel-good guarantor everywhere. For the next home or house cleaning make a purifying perfume water: Mix 5 drops of essential oil of cistus with 3 drops of neroli oil and 50 ml odorless liquid soap, all in 2 liters of water. Everything from the floor to the vase can be cleaned - and a good mood breathed.
Good to know for aromatherapy:
What should be on the label? How do you use and store essential oils properly? Here are the answers:
When buying it is worth reading the fine print. The label should say "100% essential oil". Only then are the highly concentrated aroma extracts from plants in the bottle. Nature-identical or perfume oils, however, are produced artificially and have no effect. There are essential oils from about 2 euros to buy in drugstores, health food stores and pharmacies. With the price usually also the quality rises.
For the application the rule "less is more" applies. Essential oils are highly concentrated. Therefore, only a few drops are enough. Never swallow the oils and never apply to mucous membranes, as they may then have an irritating effect. Also on the skin, they are never applied pure, but always diluted. For the mixing ratio applies in applications on the body, a one percent concentration. This corresponds to about 20 drops of essential oil per 100 ml of carrier oil. Carrier oils are z. B. fatty vegetable oils such as jojoba, olive or almond oil. Without them, the etheric substances would quickly disappear.
In terms of shelf life, it should be noted that most essential oils can be used for 5-10 years, some even longer. Exceptions are citrus oils. They only last a good year, lime oil at least about two years. All essential oils like it dark and not too warm.
Learn More: Real Mood Makers: How Fragrances Affect Us
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