Aromatherapy and Herbology, a Journey Through Time...

It was first believed that the use of aromatic plants and flowers dated as far back as 5000 years and that the early Egyptians were the first to use botanical extracts and oils. In an effort to preserve the body of a deceased person, aromatics were absorbed into their wraps to aid the mummification process and reduce decomposition. Modern archaeology has proven this practice was useful, as numerous sites have provided evidence to support the effectiveness of this ancient method of body preservation.

Recently though we have found that even prehistoric man was partial to and mesmorized by the many spiritual properties of fragrant botanicals. Burial sites have shown that placing flowering plants in the graves of the departed was a practice among many tribes. Whether this practice was believed to keep the departed somehow connected to those left behind, or to guide the spirit back to mortality, or simply an act of human compassion remains a mystery to us today.

Aromatic potions have been used by shamans, priests and priestesses for centuries and for many cultural and religious ceremonies. The belief is that each individual aromatic has specific therapeutic, medicinal or magical properties. This is possibly where the use of incense in Buddhist, Christian and other religious temples, churches and citadels began.

The Romans and Greeks were soon to learn of the healing properties of aromatic plants and oils and Europe as a whole incorporated them for many purposes. Aromatics were used to mask body odors, deter body lice and the disease carrying fleas of mice and rats. The antiseptic properties were used to prevent the spread of cholera and the black plague by creating immunity to these diseases.

During the Dark Age Medieval Royalty found pleasure in forming carpets of sweetly scented herbs, to enhance the ambience of and provide fragrance for celebrations and feasts. Even the Asian cultures of the Middle Age would hang pots of aromatic herbs along the walls of buildings during celebrations, to encourage good luck and good fortune to all. Early sailors and seafarers found that the components in limes, known to us now as vitamin C and bio-flavenoids, helped prevent the onset of scurvey.

By the late 1600's extracts and oils were widely used to formulate medicines, and aromatics were now classified for either cosmetic or medicinal use. This era was most likely what influenced the development of the drug, perfume and cosmetic industry. The cosmetic properties of botanicals were embraced by the well to do of England and France and their popularity grew immensely.

Aromatics soon covered the world and were found in multiple types of applications. During the same century the flavorful properties of numerous botanicals were now widely used in various culinary applications too. The sweet, sour, spicey, astringent and bitter components made meals a pleasantly indulgent experience, as the seductive flavors of herbs awakened and enlivened the palate. It was also discovered that numerous herbs helped aid the digestion of foods, relieving the uncomfortable symptoms of digestive disorders.

The chemical composition of plant molecules were being identified by scientists by the late 1800's and synthetic medicines were soon to be formulated. Scientists still seek the active component of various botanicals, but in truth it is most likely a combination of substances working synergistically that provides the therapeutic and healing properties of plants.

The animal kingdom has also found use in botanicals. Branches, twigs, sprigs and snippings of various plants and herbs can be found in dens and nests of animals and birds, intended as protection from parasites and other pests. Sometimes these herbal gifts are offerings to a new mate who has accepted the courtship ritual.

Got Parasites? Ewww.

Not a pleasant subject, but an important fact to be aware of is that parasites of many types are abundant in our environment. They have no problem taking over our bodies to reproduce and form new colonies. They are in the soil and grass we walk on, in our food, in our pets and their environments, everywhere. Our exposure to them is constant. Undercooked meats and fish, poorly washed produce, improper hand washing and many other factors can cause ingestion or absorption.

Once parasites enter our system they usually seek refuge in our intestines, but if untreated their eggs and larvae have the ability to circulate through our blood stream and take refuge in other parts of our bodies including our livers, hearts and brains. Yes, in our vital organs. In extreme cases this can result in serious circulatory problems, distortion of thoughts and eventual dimentia, insanity and death.

Some of the symptoms of intestinal parasites mimic those of vitamin B and Omega 3 deficiency, they are constant runny nose, anal itching, cracking at the corner of the mouth, dry eyes, dry skin, constipation, stomach bloating, anemia, asthma, diarrhea, digestive disorders, fatigue, low immune system, nervousness and skin rash. The most obvious sympton is their presence in our feces.

There are numerous clinical and holistic remedies to eradicate parasites once detected. Self maintenance routines are helpful too. With cases of serious infestation clinical intervention might be necessary and should be considered.

1) Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 seconds after handling pets or working in the soil.

2) Scrub feet well after working barefoot in gardening soil, or playing in lawns where animals may have visited.

3) Wash raw vegetables and fruit well before cutting or consuming.

4) Before eating meat be sure it has reached proper internal temperature.

5) If you are a sushi eater be sure you are indulging at a credible location.

6) Consider a defensive homeopathic therapy every three months (or so) of Black Walnut extract. Black walnut rind is high in tanins and creates an undesirable environment in our body that acts as a vermifuge to some parasites. Black Walnut extract can be found in health food stores everywhere, it is also available encapsulated. I prefer use of the extract, 3-5 drops sublingually, in four fifteen minute intervals, 3 times a day, for approximately 7-10 days.

7) Not my first choice, but another home remedy I have stumbled across is peeled raw onions macerated in whiskey or bourbon. I have often wondered what those old East Indian farmers are doing at the store's check out lines with their jugs of Kessler's and sacks of onions.

Curiosity got the best of me so I got into some of my holistic reference material and concluded that they are making a tincture to eradicate parasites, naturally working in agriculture they are exposed to many. Apparently the onions contain sulfur and is undesirable to parasites, the whiskey acts as a catalyst that carries the sulfur through the digestive system more rapidly, wiping out the parasite colonies along the way.

On another note alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, etc.) are believed to be beneficial to connective tissues and of course a shot of whiskey from macerated onions just might soothe a hard working body at the end of a long day.

Shocking Links: be cautioned, this link contains pictures that may be disturbing to some.

http://www.electroherbalism.com/Naturopathy/MiscAltHealthTopics/Parasites/Parasite_Pictures_and_videos.htm

Massage and Touch Therapy Facts

Massage feels too soothing and sounds too luxurious to have any benefits beyond indulgence, but it does. When I practiced massage therapy in my spa I was intrigued by how people's energy would shift, how tension slipped away and how their bodies would develop a more tranquil state of being.

Compassionate touch therapy is another technique to soothing emotional ilk and physical discomfort. Simply resting ones hand on the inner curve of another's elbow while consoling them, holding hands, a warm embrace, stroking the hair around the face or a kiss on the forehead of the bedridden are all therapeutic to the soul and can ease even the most intense pain.

Read these facts to learn more about the use of massage and touch therapy in our day to day life and throughout history:

1.) Just a few minutes of massage can help reduce the pain and intensity of numerous physical and mental ills.

2.) Children raised in families who hug and hold one another are generally healthier, more able to withstand pain and infection, are more social and happier.

3.) Marriages where people hold and hug each other are generally longer lasting.

4.) Friendships that allow open acts of affection and free expression of thought are stronger than those that do not.

5.) Harvard studies show that people recovering from surgery, or other illnesses who receive massage or compassionate touch therapy recover more rapidly, with a decreased requirement of drugs. This may be due in part to an increase in lymphatic and circulatory function, resulting in enhanced immune, physiologic and psychologic function.

6.) Massage has numerous health benefits such as; improved circulation, muscle relaxation, aids digestion, and by stimulating the lymphatic system massage speeds up the elimination of waste products.

7.) Massage is an ancient art that is first mentioned in writing in a book of Chinese Medicine, which dates as far back as approximately 2700 BC.

8.) At the end of the nineteenth century, massage was a popular medical treatment frequently used by eminent surgeons, cardiologists, and physicians.

9.) During World War I, massage was used extensively in the treatment of nerve injury and shell shock.

10.) Even today the therapeutic value of massage is being recognized and accepted as a complement to various other medical treatments and chiropractic.

11.) Massage therapy during pregnancy can help reduce the discomfort of low back pain, swelling of hands and feet, headaches, calf cramps, insomnia, sciatic pain and sinus congestion.

12.) Overall the therapeutic effects of massage are general relaxation, improved circulation, lymphatic stimulation, blood filtration resulting in toxic waste elimination, improvement in cellular nutrition, muscle relaxation, alleviation of muscular pain, structural normalization, relief from the negative effects of stress, reduction of anxiety and emotional release.