Immune System

It is no secret that the world is a toxic place. Every day we are exposed to innumerable disease causingagents. The quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is no doubt in decline. Bacteria have become resistant to even the strongest antibiotics.

There are environmental, nutritional, emotional, mental and genetic factors that play a role in our health. Addressing disease as a manifestation of a dysfunction of the whole person, not just of our physical health, is the key to a healthy life. Alternative practices offer a holistic view of health. Among these is aromatherapy, an art and science that seeks to enhance the body´s own ability to heal and attain balance through the use of essential oils.

Aromatherapy offers us a multilayered approach to health that addresses the body, mind and spirit. What is the immune system?  The immune system is a complex network of specialized organs, cells and substances that acts as the body´s primary defence against disease and a wide variety of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, all of which we come in contact with simply by breathing, eating, and the acts of everyday living.

Aromatherapy can work as a psychological and physical healer. It is a discipline that treats the individual as a whole. When it comes to our immunity, aromatherapy can help us by working on both the psychological and physical level. It can improve our emotional health as well as support our bodies against microbes. If a person is stressed client the essential oils which can help both the psychological symptoms like fear, anxiety, withdrawal and depression, as well as the physiological ones like increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, etc.

There are a range of essential oils that are sedative, antispasmodic, uplifting. Research and experience show that essential oils can be effective in achieving and maintaining a healthy immune system in three ways: · They can be used as tools to de-stress and uplift. · The antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties of essential oils are well-documented. Essential oils can attack antigens at the cellular level. · Certain essential oils can strengthenaspects of our immune system, thereby making the body a less friendly place for foreign invaders.

References to Aromatherapy Treatments:

In his book Advanced Aromatherapy, Kurt Schnaubelt states that “The citronellal of Melissa and Eucalyptus Citriodora and the linalol found in Lavender are among the components with the strongest sedative effects. Also, the limonene of Lemon has a significant calming effect.

Oils derived from Melissa, Eucalyptus citriodora, Lemon, Verbena, and other oils with a high aldehyde content also have a sedative effect.” In the same book, Schnaubelt adds that “For their effects on the central nervous system and stress-related symptoms, oils with a high-ester content, such as Clary Sage and Roman Chamomile, are equally effective antispasmodics. They reduce tension in stressful situations or with premenstrual discomfort.”

Peter Holmes, in his paper “Uplifting Oils”, argues that the essential oils of Rose, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, Atlas Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Myrrh and Valerian have a sedative yet euphoric effect.  These oils would work for an individual who is suffering from depression involving nervous hyperactivity and restlessness.

In the same paper, Peter Holmes lists Tea Tree, Niaouli, Cypress, Lemon, Rosemary and Basil as restorative oils. These oils would be useful for cases of depression which are accompanied by low energy, fatigue, and despair. One could go on and on presenting research. The truth is that these are a few examples of the research that has been taking place in the last few decades.

There´s plenty of evidence that leads us to believe that aromatherapy can help immensely in stress management and thus help us to maintain a healthy and balanced immune system. In the antibacterial aspect of oils, one of the most significant advances was made by Paul Belaiche in his 1979 work Traité de Phytothérapie et d´Aromathérapie. By using the aromatogram method, he was able to prove the effectiveness of individual oils on specific bacteria. He not only did this in a lab, he actually treated individuals with infectious illnesses. He concluded that oils could be grouped in three categories. He referred to oregano, savoury, thyme and clove as the oils with the broadest spectrum of efficacy (in later studies Belaiche added tea tree oil to this list). Pine, Cajeput, Eucalyptus Globulus, Lavender, Geranium, Petitgrain, Tarragon, Niaouli and Thymus serpyllium, were grouped as oils effective against a certain types of bacteria. With the final group having a strengthening effect on the immune response but not directly active against bacteria.

Extracts from plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family have shown antiviral properties. Among these are Rosemary, Clary Sage, Lavender and Melissa. The fungicidal activity of essential oils can be seen in oils rich in esters like Lavender and Geranium. However,strong antifungals also include oils lacking in esters such as Tea Tree, Melissa, Myrrh and Patchouli. Although Manuka is a relatively new addition to the European repertoire it has many properties which make a valuable contribution in stimulating the growth of healthy new cells.  Rosalind Blackwell and Michael Smith make an interesting argument in their paper entitled “Aromatograms”. They argue that while conventional antibiotics act by slowing down or stopping bacterial growth or by directly killing bacteria, essential oils have the added benefit of acting on the environment in which bacteria grow.

In other words, essential oils somehow strengthen the immune system so that it can battle antigens better. In a very exciting 1999 study, a team of researchers conducted an experiment in —vitro, the results of which showed that tea tree oil and terpinen-4-ol “can markedly increase the ability of certain white blood cells in the immune system to destroy microbial cells that have been attacked by antibodies” Kurt Schnaubelt states that thyme “stimulates the immune response as well as the regeneration of liver cells.” Schnaubelt offers that studies suggest that immunoglobulin levels in the blood can be raised or lowered by the use of essential oils. He argues that in conditions that show a depressed gamma-globulin level, savory, thyme (linalol type), spike lavender, and Eucalyptus globulus have the ability to restore the antibody to a proper level. In cases of immune suppression, Borneol, abundant in Moroccan Thyme, is very effective in normalizing high levels of immunoglobulin. Orthodox medicine tends to take a “one size fits all” approach, where there is one remedy for a symptom. The remedy prescribed is the same for everyone, regardless of the cause of the symptom. In contrast, aromatherapy treats each of us as unique individuals who are never static. This results in care plans that are customized to our specific needs in a specific time. Aromatherapy empowers us to take charge of our own health. More often than not, orthodox practitioners take a “disease just happens” approach. This is disempowering. It leaves us feeling victimized and at the mercy of invasive treatments that often result in a weakened immune system. Essential oils, when administered properly have no harmful side effects. The truth is that health is a conscious choice. As we just learned, there are many factors that can impact our health. Many of these are factors over which we have control. To attain and maintain health, we must choose to use healing tools that honour all the parts of ourselves. Aromatherapy is one of those tools. Our bodies have the capacity to heal; our immune system and its complex processes are a perfect example of that. Aromatherapy offers us a natural and safe way to support the body´s innate power to heal itself. Read what some scientists have recently discovered http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/health/4116053.stm

Sandalwood Essential Oil- Amyris Balsamifera (10ml)

Sandalwood is one of the best essential oils to use in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. It is a good oil to use for oily skins and acne and is often liked by teenage boys as it has a masculine scent as well as helping to sooth itches and rashes.

£5.60

Basil Essential Oil - Ocimum Basillicum (10ml)

An uplifting oil which is good for muscular aches and pains, respiratory infections and for insect bites.

£4.50

Cajeput Essential Oil - Melaleuca Cajeputi (10ml)

Cajeput is an oil which can help with all types of infections such as skin conditions, respiratory problems and period pain.

£3.45

Cedarwood Essential Oil - Juniperus Virginia (10ml)

Cedarwood has a woody scent and is very good in helping with skin conditions such as acne and dandruff. It can help with catarrh and has a tonic effect on the body so try it for stress related conditions.

£5.00

Chamomile Roman 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile

A wonderful oil which has so many valuable properties Chamomile would be a great one to always keep in and can be used in skin care, musuclar aches and pains and digestive problems.

£5.00

Chamomile Roman Pure Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile (10ml)

Chamomile is a great oil to use for nervous disorders. It is soothing and calming and can help where a person is irritable or nervous. It can also help with insomnia.

£14.50

Clary Sage Essential Oil - Salvia Sclarea (10ml)

Clary Sage is wonderful as it blends so well with other oils and has a wide variety of uses. Try it for high blood pressure, aches & pains, skin care, asthma and emotional tension as well as stress related conditions.

£6.00

Clove Bud Essential Oil - Syzgium Aromaticum (10ml)

Clove is an excellent antiseptic and as many bacteria have become resistant to modern antiseptics it is worth burning at home to help prevent epidemics or viral infections.

£5.20

Cypress Essential Oil - Cupressus Sempervirens (10ml)

Cypress is a great asset for any sort of skin care. It can be used for varicose veins or haemorroids, it is great for sweating and can help with the menstrual cycle.

£5.20

Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus Globulus (10ml)

Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

£4.50

Geranium Essential Oil - Pelargonium Graveolens (10ml)

Geranium is lovely floral oil which can help with a wide variety of skin conditions, poor circulation, cellulite and many menopausal problems as well as fluid retention and hormonal in-balance.

£8.50

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£3.30

Lemon Essential Oil - Citrus Limon (10ml)

This antiseptic and anti-bacterial oil will perform many tasks especially when blended with other oils, including treating verrucas, insect bites and tension headaches. It has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system. It will aid slimming, help shift cellulite and smooth out those wrinkles

£3.30

Melissa Blend Essential Oil - Melissa Blend(10ml)

Melissa - "It makes the heart merry and joyful and strengthens the vital spirits" useful to regulate the menstrual cycle, for allergies, has a calming effect and is great for people suffering from shock or bereavement.

£5.90

Myrrh Essential Oil - Commiphora Myrrha (10ml)

Myrrh is good for many skin conditions including woulds, weeping sores, athletes foot and cracked skin. Useful for chest infections and can help with diarhhoea and stomach pains.

£13.00

Niaouli Essential Oil - Melaleuca Viridiflora (10ml)

Niaouli is non-irritant and antiseptic so is great for treating wounds especially where they are infected. Try it for asthma, coughs and catarrh as well as urinary infections.

£3.00

Patchouli Essential Oil - Pogostemon Cablin (10ml)

The main use for Patchouli is in the area of skincare and the treatment of skin disorders such as acne, cracked skin, exzema and allergies. It can also help with fluid retention and is used for depression and stress related conditions.

£6.00

Petitgrain Essential Oil - Citrus Aurantium (10ml)

Petitgrain is useful oil for treating the "blues" and can aid sleeplessness especially where it is caused by loneliness or unhappiness. Also good for acne and oily skin.

£3.30

Pine Essential Oil - Pinus Sylvestris (10ml)

The most common use for Pine is for bronchitis, catarrh, sore throat and infections of the chest. Good in steam inhalations. Also try it for digestive problems.

£3.50

Rose Damascena 5% Dilute Essential Oil (10ml)

Rose is often referred to as the Queen of all essential oils not least because of its price. It can help with lack of confidence, depression or grief as it has uplifting qualities and is said to produce feelings of well-being and even happiness. It has strong connections with our sexuality and can aid menstual problems.

£8.70

Rose Otto (Centifolia) 5% Dilute Essential Oil (10ml)

Rose Otto is a wonderful oil which can help with skin care especially where the skin is more mature and is soothing for conditions such as asthma and hayfever.

£7.75

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemarinus Officinalis (10ml)

Rosemary is believed to have a refreshing, invigorating affect on the skin and can be used for a variety of skin and hair problems. It is good for stiff and overworked muscles, Steam inhalations with Rosemary can be good for catarrh and sinusitus. Rosemary also has a strong connection with the central nervous system and can help with memory and mental clarity.

£3.50

Tarragon Essential Oil - Artemisia Dracunculus (10ml)

Origin: The leaf is commonly used as a domestic herb.

£6.75

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Melaleuca Alternifolia (10ml)

Tea Tree - the ultimate antiseptic which is a truly wonderful oil to keep in. Use it for veruccaes, thrush and warts, acne, rashes and dandruff. Try it for resipratory problems such as coughs and catarrh and use it to help with viral infections and increase the boxes immune system.

£4.00

Valerian Root Essential Oil - Valeriana Fauriei (10ml)

The main use for Valerian is to treat insomnia, nervous indigestion, migraine, restlessness and tension.

£10.00

Verbena Essential Oil - Lippia Citriodora (10ml)

Verbena is an excellent digestive stimulant useful in all kinds of digestive upsets and for congestion of the liver. Regular massage with Verbena can help to reduce stress levels and anxiety.

£7.50

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil - Cananga Adorata (10ml)

Ylang Ylang has a calming and relaxing effect which can be used to break the circle of sexual inadequacy and is closely assoicated with this area. Useful for oily and dry skins and a tonic for the hair. It is good for over rapid heartbeat or breathing and can help with shock.

£5.60