Long before the term alternative medicine was being used, aromatherapy was being practiced by the Egyptians for over 5,000 years. When being used by the Egyptians oil was being extracted from the many aromatic plants around them through infusion and then used for their not only cosmetic and medicinal purposes but also for embalming as well. They then passed the knowledge they had gained on to the Greeks and it served as the beginning of their research into how to use the oils and fragrance of some flowers for their relaxing and stimulating effects. In fact when looking back further in history we find that ancient man depended very much on his environment for their basic needs and to survive which led them to discover the more natural ways of preserving food and how certain conditions could be treated using herbs and aromatics.

First of all we will look at Eastern Roots. The use of aromatics are shown in a Chinese Herbal Book by Shen Nung dated 2,700 BC and which provides specific details on over 300 plants and how they can be used. Also the ancient Chinese would burn incense and wood as part of their religious beliefs and practices and even in today’s modern society many Chinese still observe these practices today. You will also discover that the Chinese used aromatics in relation to the acupressure, massage and other therapies that they used.

Whilst now in modern society many people place a very high premium on their health and well being but due to the high cost of traditional and conventional medicines available (surgery and Medicare) more and more people are turning to aromatherapy and essential oil therapy as well as other forms of alternative medicine.

The basics of using essential oils in an aromatherapy bath are as follows:-

1. It facilitates equilibrium of both the physical, mental and spiritual health of a person through natural means.

2. In some cases it has been found that alternative treatments are considered as strong and effective as complementary treatments to regular medical practices.

3. The main component of aromatherapy is the essential oils and are highly concentrated essences which are known for their healing effects.

Essentials oils are aroma producing oils which come from flowers such as the rose, from leaves such as basil, twig, bark, fruit rind and many other parts of plants. Although experts say that extracting the oils can be quite time consuming and complex and requires a large amount of patience on behalf of the person carrying out the work the benefits at the end are great. Certainly you need to recognize and accept that if you want to get about 5 tsp of oil from rose petals it will take about 220lbs of petals to do it and this is why pure essential oils are so expensive. Although the effectiveness of the oils is not comprised as it only takes a few drops to generate the effect required. However there is a cheaper alternative namely synthetic oil, however they do not offer the person the same healing properties as their natural counterparts.

Essential oils work by stimulating a person’s olfactory system and later on the brain or limbic system. The fragrance along with other properties and effects relating to the oils will determine how a person’s body system and its parts are stimulated. Whilst having a massage using these oils they are not only absorbed by the body but are inhaled at the same time and eventually when being absorbed through the skin they will reach the organs and body system of the person being treated. The time it takes for the oils to absorb through the skin can be from as little as 20 minutes and take as long as 2 hours or more and there it is wise to avoid taking a shower or bath straight after any massage so that the maximum effect is received from the massage therapy.

The time that the effect lasts on a person can vary from 3-24 hours to 2-3 days or even as long as week. Oils that have a short live time span in regard to their scent are Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Thyme and Bergamot whilst Hyssop, Lavender, Balm and various other oils can last between 2 to 3 days. The oils that take as long as a week to completely evaporate are Jasmine, Sandalwood, Ginger and Cedar Wood.

Many people when using aromatherapy are looking to achieve a sense of calm in their lives and these people will look to using a combination of three types of oils to help with this and they will base them on how long they last. They can be used by mixing them into a warm bath and will help the person to become relaxed and calm, they will help to eliminate the stress and depression that they are feeling as well as both energizing and soothing the body of any aches that they are feeling. Certainly by using essential oils during a massage will help increase the healing and calming effect that the person is feeling. However any massage carried out using essential oils must also include a carrier oil to help prevent irritation and skin reactions on the person being treated. Such carrier oils that are used to help dilute the essential oils are avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, almond oil, soya oil and hazelnut oil.

The Rise, Fall and Rise of the School of Naturopathy

Naturopathy, which is also referred to as natural medicine or naturopathic medicine, is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on using the body’s natural abilities to heal itself in order to fend off illness and maintain its health. By following a holistic approach to body care, naturopathy involves taking certain natural steps to increase the body’s natural defenses while also supporting the use of conventional medicine methods to fend off illness.The History of NaturopathyThe history of Naturopathy is long and interesting. Although many people have never heard of this form of alternative medicine, it has actually been in use since the 1880s. It was during this time that Dr. Thomas Allinson began advocating the medical practice in Scotland. Allinson promoted following a natural diet and performing regular exercise in order to improve the body’s health and to help cure illness and disease. The concept of naturopathy didn’t reach the United States until the late 1890s. At this time, the term was used by Benedict Lust, who was also schooled in other forms of natural medicine such as hydrotherapy. Lust went on to found the American School of Naturopathy in 1905, which was opened in New York. The American School of Naturopathy was the first college of its kind to be opened in the United States, but the practice of naturopathy began losing followers in the 1930s when synthetic drugs and penicillin started to be used more regularly. The rise of other forms of alternative medicine, including herbalism and homeopathy, also contributed to the downfall of naturopathy. Despite its setbacks, naturopathy continued to be practice by some alternative medicine practitioners. By 1956, a new school of naturopathy was opened in Portland, Oregon. The National College of Naturopathic Medicine, which integrated scientific methodologies along with naturopathic practices, was the first modern medical school to offer studies in naturopathy.The Principles of NaturopathyIn order to encourage the body to heal naturally, naturopathy follows seven basic principles. These include:• Do no harm to the body by providing the most effective health care possible while putting the patient at the least amount of risk• Respect and promote the body’s self-healing power• Remove all causes of illness rather than simply suppressing the symptoms• Inspire hope and encourage the patient to take responsibility for his or her health• Consider individual health influences and factors when treating a patient• Promote well being in individuals and throughout the worldAlthough modern medical practices are put to use with naturopathy, following these steps follows the least invasive method possible.A look at the history of naturopathy, including the rise and fall of the School of Naturopathy and the subsequent revival of this natural method for healing the body.

Exploring Magnetic Therapy

Magnetic therapy is considered an alternative approach to treating illnesses, diseases and other debilitating conditions. It’s the practice of using the magnetic fields that surround our bodies for healing purposes. The practice is often employed when conventional treatment has been ineffective. However, like most forms of alternative medicine, magnetic therapy has attracted both devoted fans and critical sceptics. While some claim that the use of magnetic fields has relieved conditions ranging from fibromyalgia, chronic back pain and arthritis, others contend that the practice is nonsense.

Though some think it’s a relatively new form of alternative medicine, magnetic therapy has been practised for thousands of years. The Greeks used it as did the Persians for what they considered an unparalleled healing power. It’s even believed that Aristotle spoke well of its effectiveness. Many magnetic therapy enthusiasts claim that the magnetic fields help their blood circulation and encourage detoxification throughout their bodies. Some critics continue to scoff.

Today, an entire industry has blossomed to provide healing through magnets. Products such as car seats, shoe insoles and even jewellery are available that claim to leverage the healing powers of magnetic fields. Some medical experts dismiss such products (and the theory behind them) as unscientific. They claim those who report having their various conditions “healed” are actually a victim of the well-documented placebo effect.

In the end, it’s the choice of the patient whether or not to take advantage of magnetic therapy. The seemingly positive results that some people report continue to baffle many critics. Given its long history and devoted fans, it’s unlikely that the practice will disappear any time soon.