WEAL WORLD TRAVEL - Aromatherapy & Travel

AROMATHERAPY & TRAVEL

Aromatherapy is a complementary healing practice that uses therapeutic grade essential oils to enhance health and well-being.

This holistic therapy helps to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms while it simultaneously affects the mind and spirit.

Aromatherapy has been in use worldwide since ancient times.

*Enjoy our writing and images and please respect the intellectual property of the creator.*

All writing and photos by:

Kimberley, Certified Aromatherapist

“The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.”

~Rudyard Kipling~

The Biblical Oils

According to Christian lore, the 3 wise men strode into town on camels bearing the gifts of the Magi-frankincense, gold (thought to be olive oil) and myrrh. These precious materials are still valued in modern day aromatherapy. Also mentioned in the Bible is spikenard.

Frankincense

Boswellia Carterii

Frankincense essential oil is obtained from the resin of the tree of the same name. This tree is native to the Middle East and North Africa and the best Frankincense is said to come from Oman.

Ancient cultures used Frankincense for both religious and ceremonial practices. (The word incense is derived from frankincense.) It is also used in perfumery as well as for fumigation and pharmaceutical purposes.

Frankincense has a variety of aromatherapeutic applications including but not limited to:

mind-emotions

obsessive thinking
depression
meditation
stress

physical

scars
asthma
bronchitis
aging skin

Olive Oil

Olea europaea

Mostly known as a food item, olive oil is also great for dry skin and as a hair conditioner.

Myrrh

Commiphora molmol

Myrrh essential oil is also obtained from a resin. The bush that produces it is found in the Middle East, North Africa and northern India.

Both the Ancient Egyptians and Hebrews made use of myrrh for religious ceremonies.

Some of the aromatherapy uses for myrrh are as follows:

mouth ulcers, oral thrush
gum infections, gingivits
dry, cracked, aging, mature skin
fear, panic, hysteria

Spikenard

Nardostachys jatamansi

Spikenard is obtained from an herb that grows primarily in the Himalayan mountains. This ancient aromatic was used by the early Egyptians, Hebrews and Hindus for ritual and medicinal purposes while the ancient Greeks and Romans used it in perfumery.

The most famous mention of spikenard is in the Gospel According to St. John. Here, Mary used the oil to anoint the feet of Jesus before the Last Supper.¹

As a member of the Valerian family, spikenard is ideal for insomnia. It is also used for its regulating effect on the nervous system and heart.

In Jordan, by the river where Jesus was baptized, is a gift shop that sells a tourist version of the gifts of the Magi.

The Flower Gallery

Featuring flowers in Ethiopia

post in progress...

Posts in progress for:

Ethiopia
how to identify a quality essential oil: the lavender horror story from Turkey
a Turkish hamam experience
olive oil soap
cacao essential oil

chocolate spa experience-review of the chocolate special at the Dreams Riviera Cancun, Mexico.

References

Cooksley, V. (1996). Aromatherapy-A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils. Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall.

¹Mojay, G. (1997). Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. London, UK: Gaia Books Limited.

Wildwood, C. (1996). The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy. Rochester VT: Healing Arts Press.

*Enjoy our writing and images and please respect the intellectual property of the creator.*

All writing and photos by:

Kimberley, Certified Aromatherapist

THE AROMATIC ALCHEMIST

Kimberley, Certified Aromatherapist

Lovely Lavender

Latin name:

lavandula angustifolia or officinalis

Lavender's healing properties helped 'invent' modern day aromatherapy.

René Maurice Gattefossé, a chemist by trade, is considered the 'father of aromatherapy'.

Gattefossé burnt his hand in an accident while working in the lab and then treated it with lavender oil. He felt immediate relief from the pain and found that the skin healed quickly and without scarring.

He took note of these effects and did further research into the healing properties of lavender and other essential oils. He experimented on soldiers during World War I and eventually coined the term aromathérapie or aromatherapy in English.

Although plants have been used since ancient times in health and healing the modern day use of aromatherapy as a complementary healing practice seems to derive from Gattefossé's 'discovery'.

Lavender was used in smelling salts to help revive ladies who fainted. It contains camphor a potent smelling organic chemical with healing properties and one of the main ingredients in Tiger balm.

Lavender comes from the Latin word

lavare meaning 'to wash'.

Properties

antiviral
antiseptic
bactericide
neutralizes toxic substances
sedative
decongestant
promotes growth of new cells
deodorizer

adaptogen (dose dependent i.e. can be sedative or stimulating depending on individual and amount used)

cholagogue i.e. bile production. Bile is needed to break down fat-important for counter acting indulgences in high fat local cuisine.

Methods of application/use

Topical:

Can be used neat on the skin (i.e. without dilution in a carrier oil) or in a lotion, soap or shampoo, perfume, massage oil

Inhalation:

on a cotton pad/kleenex, in a diffuser, steam inhalation, pillow, spray

Travel uses

In a 30 mL bottle, mix a couple drops of lavender with clean water. Spritz on face as a toner, to counteract dry air on the plane or as a mentally/physically calming mist. The spray can also be used on bedding to help deter insects.

Use 1 drop of lavender oil on a fan or piece of paper. When you fan yourself experience a pleasant aroma while the lavender helps your lungs clear toxic substances from your body.

Use in a liquid soap to help thoroughly clean your body.
Use in shampoo to clean your hair or use on dry hair to freshen it when hair washing is not available.
Add a drop to your laundry or add a drop to your luggage to keep it fresh and help combat bacteria.
Use under your pillow to help you sleep better.
And my personal favourite...place 1 drop in the palm of your hands and rub over your clothing to help neutralize the smell of the ubiquitous cigarette smoke found in the Middle East.

Travel conditions

ringworm

athletes' foot

itching from insect bites and stings,

jet lag: insomnia, exhaustion, fatigue

culture shock: depression, stress, apprehension, anxiety

nausea, motion sickness

immunity: colds/flu, cough, headache
skin care: sunstroke, heat rash, burns, eczema
hair care
muscle cramps (from carrying heavy luggage)

Contraindications

Generally lavender is safe to use on most people though some may have allergies or an aversion to it.Avoid use on:

Pregnant women in the first trimester
People with low blood pressure-use may cause you to feel drowsy.
Exercise caution if using with children, the elderly and people with epilepsy.

Availability

A good quality oil as well as organic versions of it are generally available at a reasonable price. The best lavender comes from France and Bulgaria. A 5 mL bottle should last a few years.

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