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Ayurvedic Aromatherapy
Drs. Light and Bryan Miller

Alternative medicine is today seeing a resurgence of ancient healing techniques. This is due to the inadequacies of modern allopathic medicine and the shortcomings of our traditional natural and herbal medicines. Ayurveda and Aromatherapy both offer insights and alternatives to healthcare that are tried and true.

Aromatherapy has an ancient history going back 3,500 years. Parallel development of distillation methods in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and China saw the use of essential oils in the medical systems of each culture. Aromatherapy is the art and science of using aroma and scent to rejuvenate, revitalize, and heal the body. Distillation of plant materials produces essential oils, which are the active principle or life force of the plant. Completely different in nature from vegetable oils, they are composed of alcohols, aldehydes, cetones, terpenes, sesqueterpenes, and other components. These natural chemicals possess healing abilities comparable to allopathic medicine. In fact, many pharmaceuticals are models of chemical constituents originally isolated from plants.

Essential oils must always be diluted by vegetable oil, water, food, or air due to their intensity. They are directly absorbed through the skin, sinuses, lung membranes, or GI tract, depending upon the application, causing powerful changes in the metabolism of the affected organs. After initial absorption, essential oils circulate through our blood and lymph giving all tissues and organs an opportunity to use them. Ultimately, they are eliminated through the lungs, skin, kidneys, liver, and GI tract where they will have additional therapeutic action.

Many essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Fortunately, bacteria do not become "resistant" to essential oils the way they do to antibiotics. While pharmacology has little to offer for virus, a large proportion of essential oils have antiviral effects. Many health professionals point to fungi-yeast as a major undetected factor in illnesses as diverse as chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, and cholesterolemia. The antifungal properties of such oils as tea tree, thyme, and oregano may compose an effective arsenal in a wholistic approach to such systemic problems.

Essential oil components provide building blocks for the body's production of (steroid) hormones, heart glycosides, and terpene alkaloids. They can keep the autonomic nervous system balanced to maintain optimum immune response. Essential oils promote the release of neurotransmitters, facilitating the free flow of information through our psychosomatic networks resulting in emotional health and strengthened self-identity (an important factor in healing).

Traditionally, Ayurveda has largely employed the use of medicated oils. These were accessible to all strata of society. Any housewife could soak locally gathered herbs in locally produced vegetable oil (sesame or coconut) for 30-60 days to create a "medicated" oil. Essential oils have been produced in India for thousands of years but usually were only available to the royal classes and their physicians. Thus,
Ayurveda's strong tradition in the use of medicated oils (Bhrami, Neem, Maha-Nayaran, Dashmool, etc.) and limited traditional use of essential oils. With the common inexpensive availability of a wide variety of essential oils, this no longer needs to be so. Aromatherapy can easily accommodate itself into the practice of Ayurveda.

An important precept in Ayurveda is "local herbs for local problems". Dr. Frawley and Dr. Lad, in their landmark book, "Yoga of Herbs", brings to Ayurveda the western herbs delineating their energetic and doshic applications. Likewise, with a medicine chest of 30 (or more) essential oils, the Ayurvedic practitioner can blend and mix specific remedies for each of their patients (and each of their patient's problems).

In our Pancha Karma program, here in Florida, we have created an essential oil concentrate for every organ system. Then, each day of Pancha Karma is directed toward healing a specific organ system. The first day is directed toward the digestive system and he patient is massaged using the concentrate for digestion. They also do inhalations using the digestive concentrate, and their steam is "flavored" with the digestive concentrate, etc.

One drop each of Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary in 1/4 oz. sesame oil makes a nose drop formula for sinus allergies or infections. A drop each of Inula (Elecampagne), Basil, and Angelica in a bowl of boiling water creates an instant inhalation for a host of lung and bronchial complaints.

Individualized Abyangha (self-massage) can be individualized for the patient by the addition of essential oils to traditional sesame oil. Example - with the inclusion of Lavender (for depression), Cypress (grounding), Geranium (for dry irritation), and Rosewood (for stability), the practitioner can create an abyangha blend that addresses the body-mind and spirit of the patient.

Self-care is a big part of Ayurveda; the individual taking back their power to heal self. Essential oils used Ayurvedically can empower the individual to stay with their program for a slower but longer lasting cure than allopathic approaches. Just the daily ritual of meditating and practicing pranayama in an aromatherapy bath can center and empower the patient to take on the myriad lifestyle changes which Ayurvedic practitioners encourage their patients to incorporate into their life.

The following is a list of the most appropriate oils to use with each metabolic type, but please remember, all oils can be used by any type in the appropriate situation. In general, Vata benefits from heating and grounding oils that come from roots and spices. Pitta benefits from cooling flower oils. Kapha benefits most from resins and spices which activate fluid movement and metabolism.

Vata: Anise, Basil, Bergamot, Birch, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Chamomile (Blue, Gold), Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cumin, Cypress, Dhavana, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fir, Frankincense, Ginger, Marjoram, Orange, Patchouli, Rose, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Valerian Root, Vanilla, Vetiver.

Pitta: Cedarwood, Chamomile (Blue, Gold), Champa, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Geranium, Hina, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemongrass, Myrtle, Neroli, Peppermint, Pettitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Wintergreen, Yarrow, Ylang-Ylang.

Kapha: Anise, Basil, Bergamot, Birch, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cajaput, Caraway, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cumin, Cypress, Dhavana, Dill, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fir, Frankincense, Ginger, Hina, Jasmine, Juniper, Kapha, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Myrrh, Myrtle, Orange, Parsley, Peppermint, Pettitgrain, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Saffron, Tangerine, Tea Tree, Thyme, Wintergreen, Yarrow.

Each of the body types has certain vegetable oils which are best to use:
Vata - Sesame, Hazel Nut, Peanut
Pitta - Coconut, Sunflower, Olive
Kapha - Mustard Seed, Almond

How to use oils:
Bath: 10-20 drops after filling tub.
Body Oil/Massage Oil: 5-10 drops per ounce of vegetable oil.
Perfume Oil: Up to 50 drops per ounce of vegetable oil.
Inhalation: Pour boiling water into bowl, add 2-3 drops of essential oil, cover head with towel and carefully inhale over bowl for two minutes.
Cooking: 1 drop = 1 teaspoon dried herb. (Note: Use only steamed distilled, culinary essential oils for internal use).
Shampoo & Crème Rinse: Add 2-3 drops essential oil per application.
Tea: 1 drop essential oil in a cup of hot water.

As our nation's leadership attempts to overhaul our expensive healthcare system (disease management system), individuals can take personal responsibility for creating balance in their bodies by becoming familiar with, and using, Ayurveda and aromatherapy. Powerful plant allies have the ability to heal, nourish, transform and balance our bodies inexpensively and easily. Ayurvedic practitioners can avail themselves of the hundreds of essential oils to individualize their Ayurvedic therapies.

Drs. Bryan and Light Miller are the authors of "Ayurveda & Aromatherapy", "Ayurvedic Remedies for the Whole Family", and their Ayurvedic Correspondence Course. Together, they teach globally, administer Pancha Karma and Kaya Kalpa treatments in their clinic, and through the Florida Vedic College offer degree programs in Ayurveda and Aromatherapy. They reside on a beautiful beach in Sarasota, Florida.
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