By Komala Lyra
The
art and science of aromatherapy has been particularly cultivated in
India as an ancient healing art. Its secrets have been passed on from
one generation to the next with great care. Special attention is
given to the entire process – from the methods of cultivation of
plants from which essential oils are extracted, to the specific ways
they are distilled, and later used in traditional formulations.
Within
the context of Ayurveda, the use of aromatherapy is fundamental to
doshic balance, especially when combined with Ayurveda body care
treatments, nutrition, and herbology. Their skillful use can enhance
vitality at a physical, emotional, and mental level, as well as
revert unbalances, bringing a renewed sense of wholeness and
reconnection with our own nature.
Sensual Awareness &
Body Chemistry
Our
senses convey information from the outside and constantly affect the
balance of the five elements. Every input we receive from our senses
is translated in inner impulses that affect our health and wellbeing,
as well as our consciousness.
Every
sense has a direct connection with the brain, thus affecting our
whole energetic system. The sense of smell has a special influence in
our emotional and mental bodies.
When
inhaled, odor-bearing molecules activate receptors in the nose, which
are then translated into nerve impulses. These electromagnetic
messages are sent immediately to the limbic area of the brain, where
emotions are processed. The limbic system is the most primitive part
of our brain, and relates to our basic impulses, survival instinct,
and emotional responses. The olfactory nerve is the only nerve in the
body that has a direct contact with the external environment and goes
all the way to the brain.
This
direct connection explains why aromas have a profound and immediate
effect on our inner balance, and can affect our emotions in a strong
way, stimulate appetite, desires, and memories.
The
limbic system is made up of the hippocampus (involved in memory and
learning), the amygdala, the septal area and several regions of the
cerebral cortex. It links the voluntary and involuntary nervous
systems, the left and right brain, and also is in direct
communication with the pituitary and pineal glands. These are the
master glands of the endocrine system and they direct many of our
bodily processes.
There are 800
million nerve endings in this pathway. Interestingly, these cells are
replaced every 28 days. Considering our evolution, this constant
regeneration may be related to the use of smell to our survival in
time when we were challenged daily and more directly by outside
forces and utilized the information received from the sense of smell
for protection.
Another
interesting fact is that the nasal mucous cells contain P450 enzymes,
which are also predominant in the brain's sense cells, the liver and
skin. Their job is to prevent toxins from damaging the body, so
they work in the areas where toxic chemicals make contact with the
body most frequently, to alter the effect of toxins, either
incorporate them for use in the body or have them expelled.
When
used in contact with the skin, essential oils penetrate the
epithelial tissues, which include the surface skin, nasal passage,
bronchioles, lungs, and further move into the gastro-intestinal
tract.
Once
absorbed into this first layer, they quickly penetrate the lymphatic
and circulatory system, reaching the brain, and entering the general
circulation. As the oils reach different organs, each organ system
selects the elements they may need and absorb their nutrients in any
proportion. Due to their volatile and light nature, essential oils
pass through the body in less than 48 hours, and are then excreted by
either sweat, urine, or feces. Different essential oils travel
through different pathways, and affect various organ’s systems and
tissue layers.
For
example, the amygdala plays a major role in storing memories of fear
and trauma and that scent stimulation of the amygdala is a key to
unlocking this stored trauma in the body (according to research done
by Dr. Joseph Ledoux, of the New York Medical Center, 1989)
The connection
between plants and humans
In
nature plants take in the elements of sun, earth, air and water and
convert them into molecules of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
during the process of photosynthesis. Chemically essential oils are
made up of alcohol, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, terpenes,
sesquiterpenes, ethers and esters which work together to affect the
body in various ways and have pharmocologic and therapeutic
properties.
The
cellular structure and chemical composition of DNA in plants, animals
and people is composed of primarily hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. Both
plants and humans depend on chelating chemicals in the blood to
transport nutrients through the action of iron in the hemoglobin of
the red blood cells (in human beings) and magnesium (in plants).
Considering the similarity of this process in both plants and humans,
we may understand how plant’s chemistry may act as keys to many of
our physical and mental processes.
Through
their chemistry plants communicate with each other, defend against
predators, and attack other species to protect their resources. This
same information can be utilized by our energetic system.
Aroma
molecules also give off an infrared radiation that can be picked up
by other insects and probably animals and humans. Humans have their
own infrared emanations that seem to relate to the subtle molecular
odors that surround a person. Infrared radiation can also be
absorbed. John Tyndale discovered that the essential oils of
Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cloves, Lavender, Rose, Lemon, Thyme, Rosemary
and Aniseed can absorb infrared rays. These were the oils he
experimented with and it is believed other oils have these same
capabilities. It is known that infrared exposure improves circulation
and opens blood vessels, bringing blood to the surface. This may
explain the fact that essential oils are known to absorb infrared
radiation can increase circulation and oxygenate the blood.
There
may be 200 to 800 different chemical constituents in a single oil and
each has its own effect on the body. For example, Aldehydes are
anti-infectious, sedative and calming to the nervous system. Eugenols
are stimulating and antiseptic. Ketones stimulate cell regeneration
and liquify mucous. Phenols are antiseptic and kill viruses and
bacteria. Sesquiterpenes are anti-inflammatory and bring increased
oxygen to the brain and stimulate the endocrine glands, Terpene
Alcohols are anti-bacterial and work as diuretics and de-congestants.
And so on…
For
example, there are three types of terpenes. The first is called
phenylpropanoids or hemiterpenes, which work to clean the receptor
sites on the cells. The receptor sites are “transfer stations”
where chemical and energetic information is conveyed through
hormones, peptides, neurotransmitters, steroids, or other
intracellular messengers. When these sites are clogged this blockage
generates mis-communication between cells. The hemiterpenes are found
in Clove (90%), Cassia (80%), Oregano (60%), Anise (50%) and
Peppermint (25%) oils. These oils are effective in detoxification and
clearing the body’s channels of communication, and are also well
known for their anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities.
Another
variety of terpenes is called sesquiterpenes. They deliver oxygen to
the cells and also seem to be capable of erasing or de-programing
miswritten information in the DNA. Sesquiterpenes are the principal
constituent of Cedarwood (98%), Vetiver (97%), Spikenard (83%),
Sandalwood (90%), Black Pepper (74%), Patchouli (71%), Myrrh (62%)
and Ginger (59%). They are also found in a lesser quantity in
Galbanum, Benzoin and Frankincense (all 8%).
The
third terpene is called monoterpenes. Oils high in these chemicals
have many valuable healing properties. One extraordinary ability of
monoterpenes is their capacity to re-program information in the
cellular memory. Improper coding in the DNA can lead to
malfunctioning of cells and subsequently to disease. These oils work
to correct this information. The oils highest in monoterpenes are
Galbanum (80%), Angelica (73%), Hyssop (70%), Cistus (54%),
Peppermint (45%), Juniper (40%), Frankincense (40%), Spruce (38%),
Pine (30%), Cypress (28%) and Myrtle (25%).
What
stories does this plant tell?
From
the subtle energy aspect, each plant carry a story of cellular
memory, which is transferred to human beings through their essence,
the oils extracted from their leaves, roots, flowers, or seeds. What
stories do they tell?
The
use of essential oils can increase our ability to listen to deeper
layers of our inherent intelligence, when our energetic system is
activated by the plant’s memory.
Electromagnetic
frequency
The
measurable rate of electrical flow between two points is called
frequency. Everything has a frequency. Scent is created by the rate
that molecules move. This rate can speed up or slow down, depending
on the oil. It seems to be the vibration rate rather than the
molecular shape that makes oils smell a certain way.
According
to recent scientific research, pictures of the brain show color
changes when aromas are introduced. The brilliance of the colors turn
dark, cloudy or missing with the impact of lower frequency.
When
essential oils are placed in the palm of the hand, the auric field
changes also have been recorded – with higher frequencies (such as
rose oil), the individual’s aura gets brighter and wider than the
field in the control photographs where no oils are introduced.
Essential oils brings more coherency to the auric or energy field,
thus can be used to align frequencies, balancing and harmonizing body
organs.
Essential
oils blends can amplify these frequencies, in the same way that
crystals. Lower frequency oils have an impact on structural and
physical changes, while higher frequency oils affect the emotional
and spiritual realm.
General guidelines
- Hot & Wet > Best for Vata – Worst for Pitta – Good for Kapha
- Hot & Dry > Fair for Vata – Poor for Pitta – Best for Kapha
- Dry & Cold > Worst for Vata - Best for Pitta - Fair for Kapha
- Cold & Wet > Fair for Vata - Good for Pitta - Fair for Kapha
Ayurveda
Energetics and Essential Oils
Ayurveda
understands the effects of the different essential oils according to
their qualities, and uses their correlation with the doshas and
dhatus, for restoring balance and healing.
Ayurveda
recognizes that because of their chemistry, different essential oils
will either be heating or cooling, moisturizing or drying, etc…
These
different qualities, when taken in account of the Prakruti and
Vikruti of the person who will chose the oils, will offer guidance
for use and dosage.
Ayurveda
offers hundreds of traditional formulations for the preaparation of
medicated oils combining carrier oils, essential oils, and herbs.
Their use includes massage, various body care treatments such as
nasya, ear cleansing, mouth washing, vaginal tampons, as well as
cooking.
(...)
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