Use of essential oil in Ayurveda
Medicine and the knowledge to heal the ill body has been some of the greatest discoveries by human beings. Our consciousness and superior brain had allowed us to stretch the boundaries of healing and reach a new level with science and research. The art of medicine and medicinal practices was not formed today. Yes, modern medicine today is at its peak. However, many techniques and methods were developed in the long course of time before we reached modern medicine.
One of the many methods of healing and curing is the technique of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the ancient science of medicine and the techniques to heal the human body. The techniques of Ayurveda have been passed down from generation to generation from thousands of years ago. Ayurveda is a vast field and it uses many techniques to heal the body. One such technique is the use of essential oil.
Ayurveda as we mentioned is a vast field. Some people spend their lifetime learning and researching about the practices of Ayurveda but even that is not enough to completely understand it. Also, many of the techniques and learning of Ayurveda has been destroyed over time. The scriptures and texts where the knowledge had been written have been lost. Also, not many people are around who could truly grasp the actual knowledge that has been written in those scriptures.
This is because the tests are written in pure Sanskrit (Sanskrit is the ancient language, which many people do not understand today). This may be the case but Ayurveda has survived this long because people believe in its healing power and have to experience the power of Ayurveda. This is the very reason why even in this world of modern science and technology people are attached to Ayurveda.
Essential oils
Ayurveda has used the parts of the plants or entire plants as their way of practicing medicinal works. Not just Ayurveda other healing practices, even before the human civilization began and people just developed from forest man there had been records of using plants parts and herbs as medicine. The practice of using plants and their parts as medicine is that old. Ayurveda uses many things as its component for medicine, however plants and herbs are still the much-used part of Ayurveda.
Among the many plants and herbs, there are some whose medicinal uses are exceptional. From their roots to stems and leaves all are very useful and have the ability to heal multiple conditions and diseases. Essential oils are the derivates of these beneficial plants. Mainly essential oils are volatile in nature and are aromatic.
Essential oil is manufactured using various processes. Whatever the process and techniques may be used the plant which is used to extract its aromatic flavors are the main component of the process.
Why are they called essential oils?
They could have been named anything. Simply saying they also could have been called Ayurvedic oils, it makes sense too as they are the product of Ayurveda, but why the name essential oils. It seems there is also a proper explanation behind this name. They are called essential oils because by using the oil the manufacturer captures the plant’s essence, flavor, and scent.
Saying the name essential oil only does not complete. As we talked about earlier the major component of the essential oil is the plant from which it is extracted or which part of the plant is used to make it. It is important as without the extracts of the plant it is only the oil and there is no such difference between any two kinds of oil.
When the extracts of the plant are captured by the oil it gets its medicinal abilities. Therefore, only saying essential oil is not its complete name. Use of the plant’s name before saying essential oil completes its name. For example, if sandalwood is used to make a certain essential oil, then its name is not only essential oil its name is sandalwood essential oil. There like this the complete name should be used.
Difference between plant and essential oil
Essential oils are the extracts of the plants but there are many differences between them. Yes, they are made from plants that have medicinal property but they are not similar also and differ in many terms. For example, multiple or many plants may be needed to produce few drops of the essential oils.
Therefore, even the few drops of the essential oil may have the strong smell and character that many plants from which the extracts even may not have. Also, there is the use of many active ingredients in the making of the essential oils so, the end product of the essential oil may be very different from the single plant it started out with.
How is an essential oil used?
The primary thing about which everyone who uses essential oils should know is that essential oils are not for swallowing. It is for aromatic purposes, for the outside application and outside use. While it is used for many things and is very useful it is not for consumption. This should be known very well before use. Also, this should be kept away from the children as it has a very beautiful smell sometimes even resembling some consumable items so it should be kept away from small children who are not able to understand what it is.
Use for Aroma
Essential oils are used for aromatherapy, where the smell and aroma are used to cure and balance various conditions. The essential oils are of various kinds. To be precise there are many plants with ayurvedic properties and correspondingly there are many essential oils also. If for aroma only then you can choose whose scent and aroma you like most there is no restriction. However, it needs to be chosen to balance certain conditions then it should be chosen carefully according to the nature of the essential oils.
Application use
There are some essential oils that are directly applied to the skin. Its one use is that it will provide the aroma day long, but it also is an effective way to absorb the nutrients and elements of the essential oils. The chemicals of the plant can be very useful to the body as they are completely natural and has minimum to zero side effects. Being made completely natural and being made from natural things essential oils had the interest of lots of people in recent times.
Also, there are some methods of application also. Some methods above another claim that this results in the better absorption of the minerals and nutrition are by the skin during applications. For example, some methods only say to apply it to the specific parts of the body as it aids better absorption and some methods of the application say to apply with heat and proper rubbing for better and efficient absorption.
Essential oils for Vata, pitta, and Khapa
According to Ayurveda human body is made of five elements earth, water, fire, air, and space. In the making of the body, all of these things are compulsory but can be present in a different ratio. All of these elements are present in every individual in a unique way. Basically, saying that the combined ratio is unique in all of us. This leads us to the three doshas Vata, Pitta, and Khapa.
These three are also present in everyone but one of them is dominant in one’s body while the other two are dormant. The body of the individual can be classified into Vata body, Pitta body, or Khapa body according to the body type they have. Now, the type of body is very important in Ayurvedic medication as the medication depends upon the type of body you have. Without the determination of the body type and application of the medicine with response to that, Ayurvedic medication may not be such effective.
Now, the question is that what essential oils have to do with all these. The truth is essential oil is very much connected to these doshas and the way to balance them. When the three doshas Vata, Pitta, and Khapa in the body gets imbalanced body may act strange and may even fall victim to disease and condition. During this, these need to be balanced, and essential oil is used to again balance the amount of these into the body. Essential oils are used as the key medicine in balance the Dosha disbalance in the body.
Vata dosha and essential oil for Vata imbalance
The people with Vata dominance in the body are said to be light and energetic. However, during the Vata disbalance in the body, the body becomes cold, dry, rough, and irregular. To balance the Vata in the body essential oils can be used. To balance the disturbed Vata in the body one needs warm natural essential oils and use its aroma. Earthly, warming and sweet are the nature of essential oils that counters Vata’s disbalance in the body. Ginger essential oil, cinnamon essential oil are examples of warm and earthly essential oils.
Pitta Dosha and essential oil for Pitta imbalance
Pitta Dosha is said to have been based on fire and the water element in the body. Pitta is said to be associated with personality. The nature of the pitta dosha is hot, sharp, and a little oily. Calming, cooling and sweet nature’s essential oils are used to balance the Pitta into the body. Sandalwood, Lavender essential oils are examples of the calming and cooling essential oils that are needed to balance pitta in the body.
Khapa Dosha and essential oil for Khapa imbalance
Khapa Dosha in the body is said to be based on the two elements earth and water. The people with Khapa dominance in the body are said to be strong, heavy, stable, and steady. People who have Khapa imbalance in the body are said to be slow, cold, and dull. To make the khapa balance in the body strong, pungent, and warm-natured essential oils need to be used. Musk essential oil, Camphor essential oil, black pepper essential oil is the example of the pungent, strong and warm natured essential oils. The balanced use of these essential oils can balance the khapa dosha into the body.
Advantages of using essential oils:
Amazing aroma
Essential oils have the very best kind of smell and aroma. The use of the essential oils can lighten and make the surrounding filled with an amazing aroma. It feels amazing to taste this amazing aroma all day long.
Better sleep
There are some essential oils that can be used to induce better and proper sleep in individuals. This kind of essential oil works best for those individuals who are suffering from insomnia and a bad sleeping cycle. The lavender essential oil has been found with the ability to do so. The smell of lavender also induces calmness and the removal of stress.
Helping Migraine
Migraine has been a constant problem for many. Also, there is no complete cure for this condition and the best solution is a calm and stress-free environment where it can be controlled. Use of the lavender and peppermint essential oil has been found very effective in managing migraines.
Sets the mood
The aroma and smell directly affect the mood and our attitude. The effect of bad and unpleasant smells in the surroundings evokes sadness and a little bit of anger in the individuals. This is somewhat we can all relate to as we all have felt how much the aroma and smell can affect our mood and attitudes. Having a pleasant aroma around us helps to set the mood right and suppress the negative emotions.
Stress and anxiety removal
Aromatherapy has been found very effective against stress and anxiety removal. Stress and anxiety are some of the leading problems in the people of today’s generation. Due to the busy city life and continuous hassle people are now more stressed than ever. Against all there the use of essential oils has been found very effective and useful. May use it and found it helps. Stress-bearing for a long time may lead to anxiety and other similar problems. The use of calming essential oils helps to get rid of the stress and induce a positive attitude and emotions. The use of Lavender essential oil, sandalwood essential oil is found to be effective against stress and anxiety.