How to heal with aromatherapy?

Published on 05/03/2024 07:32

To cure various ailments, such as stress, lack of sleep but also the small sores of winter, more and more French people are turning to aromatherapy as an alternative or supplement to drugs. But are essential oils really effective?

"Aromatherapy is not a basic treatment" reminds us Dr. Goeb "but rather a help that will act on the short term", whether inhaled to fight against a cold or sinusitis for example, or massage for joint problems or diffuser to chase pollution.

Prescription Aromatherapy: What Ill Treat?

Influenza

In aromatherapy, it is Ravintsara that heals the flu. When we did not know it, we also used melaleuca quinquenervia and also Niaouli, which is an excellent antiviral. After, to fight against a big cold or a sinusitis for example, one can use essential oils in inhalation, by putting a few drops on a handkerchief or in a bowl of hot water to decongest the best oils are the Eucalyptus radiata and the Eucalyptus Globulus, Neroli, Rosemary officinalis ... That is to say all the essential oils that contain cineol, which will act to decongest and thin the mucous membrane.

Joints

Anti-inflammatory essential oils such as sweet-scented wintergreen, which also act as analgesic, Eucalyptus Citriodora.

Sleep or stress

We opt for fine Lavender, Ravintsara essential oil and the petit grain Bigaradier. This last essential oil can be massaged, diffused or taken orally. Used in massage, two drops on each wrist, it allows to relax the person for nearly an hour and a half.

The painful rules

You can take small grain Bigaradier capsule, drops or massage on the lower abdomen and lower back.

Lice

All essential oils are anti-lice. Not in the sense that they kill them, but because they act as a repellent because of their scent. After an anti-lice shampoo, simply put one or two drops of lavender or Geranium on the child's clothes, in the neck or on his temples - always diluting with a dry oil - to repel the lice.

To clean the air

This is the diffuser that allows you to change the atmosphere and remove all fumes from household products, paint, concrete, carpet ... But to ensure the effectiveness of essential oils, think of airing: l The atmosphere quickly becomes saturated and suffocating. Even if it is cold in winter, you have to renew the air morning and evening, and after only you can put a perfume of atmosphere or essential oils.

Essential oils: proven benefits but under high surveillance

Since it is impossible to know everything about aromatherapy, with nearly 3,000 identified essential oils (including new properties published every day), its use requires extreme vigilance.

It is imperative to seek advice from an aromatherapy pharmacist or allergist before using them.

"It is the great way to highlight essential oils in magazines, but often, without the advice of a pro, people tend to make their own little kitchen with risks of drift, especially toxicity" reminds us of Dr. Goeb. And to add that "aromatherapy is known and used for less than 100 years."

The Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) also advises their use in pregnant women or nursing, children, the elderly and / or suffering from chronic diseases and animals.

Similarly, it is strictly forbidden to use them on the mucous membranes, eyes, mouth and nose.