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    CainO' & $ons,                 
                   Aromatherapy Practicalities


     Essential oils are safe, gentle, & profoundly effective, but they are extremely concentrated, and as with any therapeutically powerful substance, they need to be used with respect. Misuse can result in irritation, sensitization, or actual damage to your system - although this is extremely rare. If you adhere to the following guidlines, you will be able to benefit from and enjoy the essential oils to their full potential.
     As with many complementry therapies, aromatherapy works effectively alongside orthodox medicine, and in many cases offers a safe & effective form of treatment for many long-term conditions, especially those linked to stress & tension, such as backache, headaches, sleeping problems, & depression, without the side effects of long-term drug use. Orthodox medicine can, however, provide an important life-saving treatment, so a balanced approach between the two is advisable.



General Guidlines
     (1) Each drop of essential oil is highly concentrated, & the majority should be used only when diluted according to the recommendations. Lavender & tea tree are the only oils that can be used undiluted in small amounts.
     (2) Never use more then 10 drops of essence in a bath; clean plastic bath thoroughly after use.
     (3) Do not take oils orally. Serious damage or even death may result if oils are taken internally without professional presription by an aromatologist or clinical aromatherapist.
     (4) Avoid getting essences in the eye, as this can cause permanent damage. If you do, rinse it with milk and see a doctor immediately. Close eyes during inhalations to avoid irritation.
     (5) Never bring undiluted essential oils into contact with mucus membranes (mouth and respiratory tract & genital-urinary tract), as severe irritation & discomfort may result.
     (6) Certain essential oils should be strictly avoided during pregnancy, including clary sage, black pepper, cedarwood, geranium, marjoram, & jasmine. It is advisable to avoid using any essences in massage during the first three months of pregnancy, & altogether if there is a history of miscarriage. Exceptions are the very gentle rose, neroli, lavender, & camomile, which can all be esed safely when diluted: 3-4 drops in bath & 1-2 drops in massage blends. Vaporizing oils is a safe alternative way of using them.
     (7) Estrogenic stimulants, such as clary sage & geranium, should be avoided by women suffering from fibroids or uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer.
     (8) Lavender, clary sage, & petitgrain are often recommended for treating asthma, but some asthmatics, especially those with hay fever, may find lavender irritates their conditions.
     (9) Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Make sure there is adult supervision at all times; give inhalations for short periods only.
     (10) Always consult a medical practitioner in the event of serious or prolonged illness. This is especially important in the care of babies. children, pregnant women, & severe burns.                      



Sensitive Skin
     (1) Those with sensitive skin should avoid black pepper, cedarwood, pine, & ginger. Some oils act as sensitizers to hypersensitive skin, so avoid benzoin,jasmine, pine, clary sage, & rose, & ylang ylang at high concentration or very regular application. Sandalwood. jasmine, bergamot, ginger, geranium, lime, & vetiver can cause dermatitis on hypersensitive skin.
     (2) If in doubt, do a skin-patch test first. Prepare the dilution of the oil you wish to test, wash & dry the forearm thoroughly, add a sample of the blend to the gauze of a large bandage, & apply it to the sensitive skin on the inside of the forearm. Leave it for 24hrs unless irritation or discomfort occurs. If the skin is inflamed or irritated after this time, do not use the essence in question. Although this procedure does not guarantee that an adverse reaction will be prevented, it usually indicates if an oil is not suited for a particular skin type.
     (3) If you have sensitive skin, dilute essential oils in 1 teaspoon of milk or vegetable oil before adding them to the bath for adequate dilution & dispersal of the oils.
     (4) Babies & the elderly have hypersensitive skin, soconcentrated essences should not be used. Dilute 1 drop on a teaspoon of milk for bath & 1 drop (of camomile or lavender) in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil for massage. Or vaporize the essences or use them in sprays.
     (5)some oils are phototoxic, making the skin sensitive to ultraviolet light & cousing pigmentation. Cederwood, ginger, & citrus oils like bergamot, mandarin, & orange should be avoited before exposure to sun or a sun bed.



Massage Guidlines
     (1) Do not use more then a 2.5 percent dilution unless professionally advised to do so.
     (2) Do not apply deep pressure during massage, especially in the region of the spine, & do not work on any area that is very painful.
     (3) Avoid pressure on the abdomen & lower back during pregnancy. Only use very gentle techniques, especially in the first three months.
     (4) Do not give vigorous whole-body massage on the first two days of menstruation as it can accelerate bleeding; use gentle or localized massage on arms, hands, feet, legs, & face.
     (5) Do not give massage in case of the following: severe heart disease; very high or low blood pressure; homorrhaging or a history of blood clotting (stimulating the circulation may cause a blood clot to move); epilepsy (massage with some oils could bring on an attack); high temperature (use cool compresses); serious infection (massage stimulates the circulation, which may cause the infection to spread, & raise the temperature - local application can be used & massage can be beneficial during recuperation, but seek professional advice).
     (6) Avoid the following: site of injury - fractures, open wounds, scar tissue, severe bruising, inflammation, burns or sunburn; infected areas (lavender or tea tree may be effective, but seek professional advice); unidentified lumps (seek medical advice if any are found - they may be fatty tissue, but it is important to check); varicose veins (massage in early stages can help prevent their development).
     (7) Do not massage a subject who has consumed a heavy meal or excessive amounts of alcohol.
     (8)Diabetics can benefit from massage, but only treat those with balanced insulin levels; pay attention to their temperature as they may be insensitive to fluctuations. For those who have been recently diagnosed, seek medical advice...



Thanx, CainO' & $ons, International.
        c/o David Michael Cain O'Dough'erty