SELECTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS
The quality of essential oils does the major part of the job in curing or preventing. Poor quality oils have only poor therapeutic value. The first distillate oil is the best in quality. The second, third and fourth distillates are considered as satisfactory, poor and bad quality respectively.
If the oil is in opaque glass bottle or plastic bottle it should not be purchased. Purchase oils bottled in dark glass only. The label on the bottle should have the botanical name. In certain cases, as is necessary, the part of the plant is also detailed on the label. Beware of synthetic oils. The aroma of the synthetic oils is of pungent smell. Always buy from reputed supplier to ensure the quality. Common man cannot in normal course recognize quality product, adulterated product and synthetic product. To overcome all these problems the right solution is of depending only on reputed supplier.
Adulteration Methods
a) Oil with similar aroma obtained from cheaper plant may be mixed with some quantity of original oil. Spearmint to birch and citronella to Melissa are easy adulterants.
b) Synthetic oils, instead of original oils. If nausea, irritation, headaches or allergy is experienced after therapy, then take it granted the oil used is synthetic or synthetic mixed with natural.
c) Adding of some chemical constituents to the natural oil.
d) Removing of some chemical constituents from the original.
Application of Essential Oils
Essential oils are mainly used as a massage input. The massage is a simple process of spreading oil over the body by means of strokes. The strokes will vary as the situation demands. Ayurveda recommends daily massage for a healthy living as it will accrue the following benefits:
a) Relaxes mind and body.
b) Tones up muscles.
c) Improves circulation of blood lymph.
d) Increases metabolism.
e) Tones up skin and prevents wrinkles.
f) Delays aging.
Five types of massage strokes are employed commonly. They are:
Effleurage
This stroke improves circulation of blood and lymph and muscle functions. The method is smooth, gliding and long stroke with little pressure on the body. It is applied between other types of strokes throughout the massage to maintain the continuity.
Petrisssage
This is squeezing and releasing of muscles to strengthen the muscles’ fibers and to ease fatigue. Kneading, wringing etc are the examples.
Kneading
It is usually done on thighs, calves and buttocks in a way similar to the kneading dough action.
Wringing
It is applied on muscles of hands and legs. Both the hands are put in the opposite sides of the limbs and gently glided each other. During this process the heel of one hand is pushed away from the muscles whereas the other hand is glided towards the muscles.
Tapotment
This is tapping or patting the skin with fingers. This method is usually applied on neck, cheeks and forehead.
Figure of eight, fanning, sweeping, butterfly etc are the other methods of strokes which come in use very rarely.
Application of gentle pressure on certain parts of the body helps increase the functions of the organs located away from the pressured area. In other words, it is the use of body’s reflexes for therapeutic gain. This is known as marma sthana (vital points) in ayurveda or say reflexology. Face, ears and feet where the vital points are located. This technique is used mainly for augmenting the benefits of massage (methods).
In relexology massage the centre ginger is used. Centre finger is used because it is stronger than other fingers. Because of this very reason the centre finger sends energy more strongly. Press the points with gradual and gentle increase of pressure in clockwise direction without lifting the finger. In the areas like sole which is tough the thumb is used.
