Best Ways To Use Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurveda is a gift to mankind and it follows the implausible elements of nature. This safe science trusts and believes that human being is a part of nature and his illness should also be treated in a natural way using the gifts of ‘Mother Nature’. Here comes the importance of Ayurvedic essential oils which are derived from the natural plant extracts. These oils have therapeutic properties for which it has been used since ages in traditional medicine and folk medicine.

In the recent times, you might have heard about the essence and effective use of essential oils in Aromatherapy but won’t you get surprised if I say that Aromatherapy itself is one of the ways of healing holistically in Ayurveda? This ancient therapy of curing human beings have suggested numerous ways of using Ayurvedic essential oils and the best ways are here for your guidance.

  1. Aromatic bath: A popular adage goes like this ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’, as Ayurveda insists highly on keeping yourselves and your environment clean, it prescribes taking bath twice daily either with the use of herbs or Ayurvedic essential oils in your bath tub.  Adding few drops of essential oils to your bath tub will give you a refreshing bath, which would be energizing and help you stay calm physically and emotionally.
  2. Essential oils massage: You work all day long all through the week; won’t you feel that your mind and body needs some ‘Quality Time To Rest’? Don’t need to go in search of quality time to rest, instead your life partner can help you discover it apparently with a caring massage with the sweet-smelling Ayurvedic essential oils. You can also try exploring the real sense of relief and peace after a systematic massage by an Ayurvedic expert in a nearby Ayurvedic center if you really feel like having a space for yourself. Ayurvedic massage with healing essential oils are often said to alleviate stress, trigger your olfactory sense, make your skin supple and give a never before newness to your life.
  3. As a vitalizing household cleaner: Home is the best place to give a great start to everything and everyone of your family. Why can’t you try complimenting your home by adding few drops of refreshing essential oils to your floor cleaner, washing machine and at the time of washing your dishes and cleaning your toilets? Lemon essential oil is often recommended for laundry, cleaning dishes and other general cleaning as it has the potential to remove tough, oily and greasy stains. You can also try using essential oils with clean, fresh, flowery and woody aroma to bring the real effects of nature even when your doors are closed.
  4. For skin care: Nothing other than certain selective Ayurvedic essential oils can caress your skin and take better care of them. You can use a wide range of skin-friendly essential oils like lavender essential oil, lemon essential oil, rose essential oil, sandalwood oil, ylang ylang essential oil, palmarosa essential oil, tangerine essential oil, mandarin essential oil, chamomile essential oil, geranium essential oil and few other. You can add few drops of any of the above essential oils in your favorite lotions, creams, carrier oil, carrier lotion, cocoa butter etc, to get set with your ultimate skin care pack.
  5. Diffuser/Air-Freshener: Using essential oils in your diffuser or in your Air-freshener will help you kill germs, bacteria and other harmful viruses in the air while giving you an everlasting aroma especially in the rainy season.
  6. Cold/Warm Compress: Circulation problems, sprains, muscular tension and other pains can be easily treated either with a warm or cold compress. It will be a brilliant idea if you add few drops of essential oils with absolute healing properties like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil etc to your compress the next time when you feel like getting instant remedy from excruciating pains like menstrual cramps.
  7. Vapor inhalation/ Facial steam: Adding few drops of Ayurvedic essential oils like Eucalyptus oil or Peppermint oil to steaming water and inhaling the steam will help you keep away from the persisting problems like sinus, bronchitis, cold, flu etc. You can also add few drops of refreshing oils like lavender oil or other cleansing oil like chamomile oil to warm water and use it as a facial steam for deep cleansing.

Note: The way of using Ayurvedic essential oils plays a dominant role on its healing potential. Do not use essential oils directly to the skin as more pure the oil, more concentrated it is.

Reference Links:

  1. Essential Oils by Wikipedia
  2. Methods of Application by Nature’s Gift
  3. How to Use Essential Oils Effectively by David Crow, L.Ac. Published in Yogi Times
  4. What is Aromatherapy by National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy

Valerian Root Essential Oil

‘ALL HEAL’ is how the medicinal world calls Valerian herb and more than 250 species of this plant variety. This name was derived from the Latin word ‘Valere’ meaning ‘to feel good‘ or ‘to be well’.

Valerian root--bannerYes! You might have now known why this therapeutic herb is celebrated all through these years in treating a wide range of illnesses since the 2nd century A.D. In this context we are going to travel around the enormous health benefits of the species Valeriana Wallichii also known as Indian Valerian and is indigenous to India and is cultivated all around the world.

The most popular one among this family Valerianaceae is Valeriana Officinalis, which is native to Europe and North America but Valeriana Wallichii is used as an effective alternative to V. Officinalis with more or less the same healing values.

This herb is commonly known as Tagara in the Ayurvedic world of medicines. Ayurvedic texts suggest the use of Valerian root and the essential oil extracted from this root to treat an extensive range of illnesses including insomnia, skin problems and certain other nervous disorders. Valerian is listed as ‘Generally Recognized As Safe” by the United States Food and Drug Administration and has been approved as an effectual mild sedative by German’s Commission E.

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Historical uses of Valerian root:

Aelius Galenus, the popular Roman physician, philosopher and surgeon prescribed Valerian root for treating insomnia. Valerian tea was prescribed to treat a sick woman by Pilgram Marpeck, the Anabaptist reformer in the sixteenth century.

Dioscorides, the renowned Greek physician recommended this herb for the treatment of digestive disorders, urinary tract infections, heart palpitations, epilepsy and few other skin problems. Hippocrates, the father of western medicine also suggested Valerian root as an effective anti-depressant and as a remedy for treating insomnia.

During the medieval times in Sweden, this herb was said to be placed in the wedding clothes of the bridegroom to keep away from the envy of the elves. Such a historical mark of this herb spread its use extensively as an efficacious sedative for nervous disorders, menstrual cramps, anxiety, behavioral problems in childhood, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, learning difficulties and few other health conditions. Valerian was also used in baths to alleviate pain and promote sleep for fibromyalgia patients.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Valerian root essential oil:

Valerian Wallichii is the popular species used in the Indian Ayurvedic system of healing mankind and is known as the major species of Valeriana genus. Valeriana Wallichii is used as a significant substitute for the European species Valeriana Officinalis and has been an important part of the traditional healing system for treating skin disorders, obesity, snake poisoning, sleep disorders and nervous problems.

Charaka, the Ayurvedic philosopher has named Tagara as Sitaprasamana meaning to relieve cold feeling of the skin. This herb is also known as Sirsa dosaghna, meaning treats the illnesses of the head; Chaksusya meaning effective for the eyes; Bhutapasmara nasan meaning a promising remedy for hysteria, epilepsy and certain other evil powers; Visaghna meaning a natural anti- toxin.

According to Ayurveda, human body is made up of three predominant doshas or individual body types namely vata, pitta and kapha where vata governs metabolism and is in charge of destructions and eliminations of the body, pitta controls reasoning capacity, digestion and body temperature and kapha is responsible for the shape and structure of your body and is accountable for the power to repair the imbalances of the body. According to Ayurveda, valeriana wallichii is an effective herb in treating vata, pitta and kapha imbalances.

Valerian root essential oil is known for its deep, rich, musky and woody aroma. The essential oil of Valerian root is said to have sedative, stimulant, anti-epileptic, stomachic, antispasmodic, analgesic, carminative, analeptic and nervine properties.

The major constituents of Valerian root essential oil are limonene, borneol, pienene, sesquiterpenes, nerolidol, p-cymene, valerone, malliol, valerenic acid and 1, 8-cineole.

The chief health benefits of Valerian root essential oil are:

Valerian-root-broucher1. Sleeplessness and Valerian root essential oil:

The sedative property of this oil makes it a promising remedy for treating insomnia. Valerian is a well-known alternative to prescription drugs for sleeping disorders mainly because of its safe and gentle effects on the human body. Numerous studies have proved that Valerian aids people to fall asleep quicker and is also found that they have a quality sleep without any disturbances mentally.

Researchers also ensure that not like many over-the-counter sleeping pills, valerian have lesser side effects. Valerian root essential oil can be used by burning it in an aroma lamp before going to bed or used as soothing massage oil with tranquilizing carrier oils like coconut oil or by adding few drops to your bathing water in the evening.

2. Valerian oil for depression and other psycho-spiritual problems:

Renowned scientists trust that Valerian augments the amount of GABA in the brain where GABA is a chemical by name gamma aminobutyric acid. This chemical aids in promoting a calming effect on anxiety and control the nerve cells. The distinct aroma of this oil is trusted to combat seizures, anxiety, neuralgia, emotional stress, mental strain, depression, restlessness, tension and trauma.

Recent studies have proved the effectiveness of Valerian Wallichii essential oil as an effective anti-depressant and this ability to dispirit the central nervous system aids you in attaining deep hypnotic states. Tagara assists in discharging toxins from the nerves, joints, blood, colon and tissues and acts directly on the nerve channels.

3. Attention-enhancing and neurologic benefits of Valerian root:

It is a well-known fact that numerous herbalists and physicians use preparations containing Valerian essential oil in the treatment of many psychosomatic problems, peripheral, central and autonomic nervous system conditions. The attention-enhancing property of this herb has made some German physicians to use Valerian root to treat ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

4. Valerian essential oil in the treatment of pain:

According to the PMDD information blog that talks about preventing and treating severe premenstrual syndrome, valerian root is an effective natural remedy for treating PMDD problems and dysmennorhea. It is also said that the anxiety and sleeping difficulties due to premenstrual concerns can be easily treated by using this herb.

Valerian root essential oil also aids in treating migraine pains, gout pains, rheumatism and headaches due to cold. With its antispasmodic properties, this oil is also used widely in the healing of muscular spasms. Charaka Samhita says that the best way to keep away from pain and get a peaceful sleep is to take a warm, relaxing bath before bed. Adding 2 to 3 drops of Valerian oil to your bath tub can help you fight against most of your painful conditions effectively.

5. Skin disorders and Valerian root oil:

Few drops of Valerian essential oil added to your skin cream can help in treating dry scaly skin. The antibacterial properties of this oil is helpful in the remedy of burns, cuts, wounds, open sores, eczema, bruises, psoriasis, itchiness, boils, acne, scars, insect bites, stings etc. You can apply this oil externally on the affected area after blending it with your favorite carrier oils or to your skin care cream. The soothing effect of this oil will calm and cool your skin instantly.

6. Other health benefits of Valerian root essential oil:

Valerian root essential oil is a valuable remedy for treating vata disorders like facial palsy, flatulence, and paralysis. This oil is also effective in lessening kapha imbalances and is used as a natural remedy for treating asthma, whooping cough and certain other respiratory infections. The carminative and bitter properties of this oil assist in stimulating the appetite and treat indigestion and few other digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea and digestive ulcers.

Except for its pungent odor, nothing else can stop you from using Valerian root essential oil to enjoy its greater natural health benefits.

Disclaimer: Do not ingest Valerian root essential oil unless suggested by your Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner.

Thought for the day:

There is new life in the soil for every man. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer.                                                      – Calvin Coolidge

Suggested Reading:

  1. Valerian: The Genus Valeriana (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Industrial Profiles) From CRC Press
  2. Valerian: The Relaxing Herb (The Herbs and Health Series) By Christopher Hobbs
  3. Kava Kava, Valerian, Nervine Herbs (Woodland Health) By Rita Elkins

Reference Links:

  1. Valerian by Kathi J. Kemper, MD, MPH – The Longwood Herbal Task Force and The Center For Holistic Pediatric Education and Research
  2. Valerian (herb) by Wikipedia
  3. Valerian by University of Maryland Medical Center

Yara Yara Essential Oil

Yara Yara essential oil, prevalently known as Yarrow essential oil has a bundle of therapeutic properties that has made its presence inevitable in the world of Complementary and Alternative Medicine including the oldest natural healing system known as Ayurveda, meaning the knowledge of life.

Yara-yara-bannerUse of Yarrow as a natural medicine dates back to more than 60 thousand years and this was proved by its presence on the body of a Neanderthal. Such a distinguished herb is used in different forms like essential oil, decoction, powder and much more in treating a series of illnesses.

Historical uses of Yara Yara essential oil:

Yara Yara, a celebrated sacred herb was known to be used by Achilles, the Greek hero of Trojan War for healing the wounds and to curtail bleeding of his soldiers. The botanical name of this plant Achillea Millefolium is followed by his name Achilles. Historical references prove that the ancient Chinese medicinal system used Yarrow essential oil to treat problems related with menstruation whereas the primordial Scandinavians used this efficacious oil to treat rheumatism.

Yarrow essential oil was used in Scotland to protect from evil and was trusted to have an all-healing potential to treat numerous disorders all through the ages. Yara Yara oil was added to certain Swedish beers and the historical uses of this herb goes on and on as a never-ending list. This herb is also known as Milfoil for its feathery look.

Where does Ayurveda come into picture?

Ayurveda, the knowledge of life is a holistic approach and the oldest systems of medicine in treating humanity. According to Ayurveda, any disease is an indication that your body is out of balance. Every individual is considered unique with a specific set of physical, mental and spiritual values. Ayurveda trusts that human beings are imperative part of nature and every human body is made up of the five vital elements of nature, namely air, water, ether, fire and earth.

An individual’s constitution is made up of three predominant bodily humors known as doshas (Vata, pitta and kapha), which are a combination of any of these five elements of nature and it determines the personality and attributes of a person. With this belief as the fundamental principle, Ayurvedic texts indicate that the disharmony of your system with nature is the root-cause of all illnesses.

The beauty of Ayurvedic healing lies in transforming the entire lifestyle of an individual into a healthy one based upon his unique constitution. Ayurveda believes that nothing better than natural remedies can cure mankind that is a part of nature containing the vital elements of nature. For this Ayurveda prescribes the use of herbs, essential oils extracted from plants, yoga, meditation and spiritual values that binds humanity with one’s Creator.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Yara Yara Essential Oil:

Yara Yara is known as Biranjasipha in Ayurveda. With cooling properties, Yarrow and its essential oil is said to treat pitta imbalances like indigestion, fever during cold, heartburn and inflammation.  In their famous book Ayurveda and Aromatherapy’, Dr. Light Miller and Bryan Miller bring out the effectiveness of essential oils for the chakras, known as the transfer points of feelings and the bodily functioning of certain endocrine glands.

Light Miller says “the essential oils increase the finest and farthest vibrations and assist all of the subtle bodies. Essential oils can stigmata and assist in the process of awakening, healing, opening the chakras, and strengthening the aura.” According to her, Yara Yara essential oil is one best essential oil in stimulating the heart chakra.

Yara-yara-broucher1. Yara Yara oil for the skin:

With its antiseptic, emollient, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, vulnerary and antispasmodic properties, yara yara essential oil is among those best natural oils in treating numerous skin problems like cuts, burns, acne, rashes, marks, open sores, stretch marks, dermatitis, psoriasis, inflamed wounds, epileptic seizures, dryness, eczema, unshorn skin due to aging and many other.

This oil stops bleeding, aids in retaining the moisture of the skin and helps significantly in the quicker formation of new skin. By stimulating the leucocytes and blood platelets in the affected region, this oil effectively checks and curbs the presence of bacteria, fungus and other microbes that worsen the wounds.

Staphylococcus aureus is a harmful bacterium that causes the infection of wounds and Yara Yara essential oil with its antimicrobial effects has been proved effective against the effects of Staphylococcus species. This study proved that the presence of chamazulene component in Yara Yara oil augments the antibacterial activity, making it the best natural remedy for wound treatment since ages.

2. Yara Yara essential oil for the respiratory system:

Just like the other essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary and hyssop essential oils with expectorant, analgesic and decongestant properties, yara yara essential oil is also effective in treating respiratory problems like congestion, cough, bronchitis, asthma attacks, cold and controls the secretion of phlegm. Adding few drops of this oil to your chest rub can grant you great relief from all sorts of respiratory problems.

A research on the ‘Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae)’ by the Cumhuriyet University revealed that “Eucalyptol, camphor, alpha-terpineol, beta-pinene, and borneol were the principal components comprising 60.7% of the oil”. This makes Yara Yara essential oil as a promising natural remedy in treating cold, fever, cough and other respiratory disorders.

3. Yara Yara oil for the digestive system:

Yara Yara essential oil is highly beneficial for the digestive system and supports in treating various digestive disorders like constipation, colic, indigestion, stomach cramps, bloating, loss of appetite, heaviness along with pain in the chest, flatulence, gall-bladder and intestinal pain, gastric catarrh and few other dyspeptic conditions.

With its stomachic, carminative, digestive and anti-spasmodic properties, yara yara oil is said to remove and prevent gas formation in the stomach and intestines. This oil enhances the secretion of bile and other digestive juices, helping in trouble-free digestion.

A recent research proved that Yarrow has been traditionally used in the treatment of spasmodic gastro-intestinal disorders, inflammation and hepato-biliary complaints. A gentle Ayurvedic massage with 2 to 3 drops of Yara Yara essential oil blended with carrier oils like Jojoba oil, almond oil or sesame oil can grant immense relief from all sorts of digestive disorders.

4. Yara Yara essential oil for the nervous system:

This essential oil has hypotensive and tranquilizing properties that calms the heart and soothes the nerves. Hypertension, insomnia, high blood pressure, excess stress and brain hemorrhage can be assisted perfectly with the healing powers of Yara Yara oil. It tones up and relaxes the nervous system and boosts the immune power, making you resistant against harmful diseases.

5. Yara Yara essential oil for the circulatory system:

Yarrow essential oil enhances blood circulation and assists in treating hemorrhoids, varicose veins, arthritis, rheumatism, menopausal disorders, cystitis, irregular menstruation, dysmennorhea, formation of uric acid crystals in the body and few other health problems associated with the circulatory system. The anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, emmenagogue and astringent properties of this oil makes it the ideal choice for treating problems related to improper circulation.

6. Yara Yara essential oil for the entire system:

Numerous other health benefits of using Yara Yara oil are removal of toxins from the body, control of dandruff and hair fall, promotion of hair growth, aid in treating gum problems, stimulation of the metabolic functions and hostility against infections in the excretory system and reproductive system.

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi talks about numerous gynecological uses of Yara Yara essential oil and she says that this oil can be used in douches, diffusers and sitz baths.

The most impressive information about Yarrow herb is its use by Hildegard of Bingen to treat breast cancer with the salve prepared with petals of yarrow flowers. She advised her patients to rub this salve on the ulcerated parts and expel the toxic things followed by the use of the ointment prepared with Yara Yara flowers to promote proper healing with its antioxidant properties.

When nature can gift us with a handful of promising remedies like these, why should you turn back to the contemporary medical system for artificial healing? Think again!!

Disclaimer:

Direct application of essential oils is not recommended as it may cause allergies or harms the skin; blend it with carrier oils before using it as massage oil or for any other topical application. Do not ingest essential oils or use it on babies and pregnant women without the advice of your health care expert.

Thought for the day:

Yarrow has been under experimental research as an antidote for radiation exposure, as an anticancer as well as antitumor agent, as an aid to detoxification from drugs and alcohol. It is useful in severe skin rashes and for wounds that will not hear.                        –Jeanne Rose

Suggested Reading:

  1. Aromatherapy for the Soul: Healing the Spirit with Fragrance and Essential Oils by Valerie Ann Worwood
  2. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaubelt
  3. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism by Julia Lawless
  4. Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Light Miller, Dr. Bryan Miller

Reference Links:

  1. Yarrow – Achillea Millefolium by Ingrid Naiman
  2. Antimicrobial effects of yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) essential oils against Staphylococcus species by Medical Sciences Faculties of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
  3. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan (Asteraceae) by faculties of Cumhuriyet University, Turkey