「冷暖自知」這話說得頗有道理 ── 在選擇香薰用的diffusers時都要考慮這點的。 很多人買diffusers時考慮到的是 ── 用這個的話會否影響療效，這是行家的睇法； 所以他們通常都會選用那些不用加熱的。 不用加熱的有兩款的，一款是要用水的，這比較適合那些喜歡淡香的人，而另一款是不用加水的，香味較濃。
我則比較喜歡加熱形的那種，即是要燒candle的，這種令人有一種warm feeling, 與那些冷冰冰的很不一樣的。 香薰油是揮發性強的油，加熱後的療效當然與冷冰冰時的狀態很不一樣，但這不是個人感覺而已，因為人生不只是科學（冷冰冰的），還有暖人心的art，真的很難取捨的。
說到療效，對於我這只是享受生活的人來說，重感覺多於療效，暖洋洋的當然勝似冷冰冰的； 對於要治病的人來說，或有不同的選擇吧！ 你認為呢？ 外表冷冰冰但內心又暖洋洋的你又是如何選的？
剛看了本「素頻美人養成中醫芳療才是關鍵」的書的某章，內中提及「補陰」及「補陽」，這使我想起自己是個陰盛陽衰的人。 這種人通常都是「忽陰忽晴」（情緒方面）的 ── 帶點情緒化，易疲倦，易受寒的等，書中提及這類人應該「補陽」的 ── 因這能帶來活化及積極的一面。
想起香療上的油有白豆冦、肉豆冦、薑等香油，都可應用在「補陽」方面的；難怪我有次聽個講座時，講者說及香療可以改變人的認知，看來都不無道理。 我起初一直以為只要身體好起來，人便會積極起來的； 但原來身體不好的人，認知上都可以是陽氣十足的。
對於那些虛不受補的人來說，調配可考功夫，但香油其中一個好處是既能「補」又能「瀉」，即可以用兩種性質相反的油來逹到想要的效果。
今天看了篇文章，是李思儀中醫師提及中西醫都不主張即時退燒的，因為這樣只會令病更難痊癒，中醫一般的做法是利用發汗來退燒，以逹到「祛邪外出」。
對於我這易發燒的人來說，都是久病成醫的一群；在芳療的角度來說，即時處理會好過等候。我的經驗是── 即時處理的話，一兩天便全好了，而且沒有後遺症的； 但時間一長的話，便會更難處理，而且病亦會纒綿，還會引起其他病的。
這可能是因為精油的分子比較細，滲透力比較強的關係，功效發揮顯著的關係。 病情初起時，精油可以處理較細的範圍，可集中精力，因此特別見效。 但若時間一長，便要調配較強的份量，或多塗幾次，在這情況下，身體未必能完全「消化」； 而且病中的身體更會加重身體的負擔。 事問在這情況下，免疫系統的運作亦會加重，而所涉及的範圍亦會增大，這樣便難事半功倍了。
在芳療的角度來看，發汗只是其中一種方式，排泄 ── 呼吸、排尿、噯氣等都是其中的方式，而這些正是芳療的強項。選擇那種方式作治療效果，各人不同； 但每種方法都有其獨有的應用方法，孰優孰劣，沒有一定的；但是處理的方法很重要的。
用芳療有一好處，便是可以不用戒口，又可作病中的享受 ── 試問誰能抵得住香氣誘人的芳香療法呢！ 對於飲食向來講究的你，更是難以抵受的誘惑！
當你的肚「一鼓作氣」時，一般香薰的應用是直接在肚皮塗些調記好的香薰油。 天氣涼的時候，我的肚常「一鼓作氣」的，直接塗的方法是好，但只能夠維持短時間（約3-4小時左右）。 加上我腸胃敏感，吃了些刺激性食物 （包括飲茶）都會發作的。
我無意中發現，用浸牛奶香薫浴的方式的話，可以治標又治本，只要我不再受寒便可。用於浸浴的香薰油，一般都不太讚同用薑、豆寇或者是薄荷等油； 但只要是混在牛奶中，便可以中和刺激性，可以安心使用。 因為這些油都是「良藥」，使用香薰油，「良藥不再是苦口」，生活真是好享受！
很多時我們長暗瘡，都會用直接塗在患處的方法來作治理方法的，當然在某些情況下要靠食藥來作治療。對於做香薰治療的同業者，一般都是用直接塗在患處的方法來處理的。
我的背部都一直在長暗瘡，有三十年之久沒有停過 ── 試過用香薰油來作治療，功效不太佳，雖然有所改善。 後來我想出一種方法，便是浸牛奶香薰油浴，情況便大有改善，而且皮膚變得又白又滑。
方法很簡單，我是用二杯牛奶＋5-6滴香薰油（可以選些消炎、提神及潤膚性質的油），倒入半浴江的水中攪勻便可。 我不讚成將香薰油直接倒入水中浸浴，我試過用柔和如薰衣草的油，都會引起皮膚過敏的。
我和一位中醫師提及過這方法，她還問我為何會想到這樣做，這方法好像不曾有人使用過 ── 我最後亦向她講述如何使用。
有興趣的話可以試試看，我相信自己再浸多幾次便可痊癒了。
In this chilly weather, it is easy to get sick by catching cold. I am the kind of person who gets cold easily, which will then turn to fever. The symptoms that usually developed include aversion to cold, sore throat, headache and mild fever. To try something new, and to have some breakthrough in my blending, I have made a fever blend that incorporates some of the TCM concepts. It works very well, as after one to two applications, my body got back to normal shape.
The blend that I have made includes 1 drops of Ginger, 2 drops Balsam Copaiba, 1 drop of Orange, and 2 drops peppermint in 5ml olive oil. The rationale behind each selection is as follows:
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): it is a warming oil which helps the skin to perspire and to release the cold trapped in surface exterior (skin), it is also anti-inflammatory.
Orange (Citrus sinensis): It’s uplifting, calming and soothing energy can have a pleasant impact on the sick. The oil can also tone and vitalize the body, and it is an immune booster. The reason that I choose the oil is that it can bring out (uplift) the synergistic effect of the whole blend. Therapeutically, its skin penetrating property helps the absorption quickly.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): Peppermint is the cooling oil, which can cool the heat trapped in the surface exterior of the skin. Therapeutically, it can reduce fever, stimulate circulation, and boost the immune system.
Balsam Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis): The oil comes from the resins of the tree, therefore, it has the property of healing, as whenever there is a wound, the tree can heal itself via the secretion (resins/gum). The cooling, anti-inflammatory and healing properties make the oil a good choice for the fever blend.
Whenever I have headache, there is too much Qi in my head. I find it most effective when Qi is being dissipated. That is why I use cooling oils like peppermint, and Balsam Copaiba. The areas that I apply the oils include the back of the neck, the upper shoulders and the lower back. At the same time, I drink honey with lemon juice in warm water to soothe my sore throat. I sip the drink instead of swallowing it so that the liquid can stay longer in my throat, which helps to speed up the recovery process.
In this “experiment”, my body returned to normal after two applications.
To conclude, the combination of TCM concepts and essential oil knowledge makes my fever blend works wonderfully well. By considering the two elements: releasing the surface exterior and lowering the Qi, the wind cold that I caught was healed in this fever blend.
References:
Aromahead Online Classes
Webinars of Marc Gian
I attended a Christmas dinner, and got half drunk. I then applied Frankincense (Boswellia frereana) oil (1/4 tsp olive oil, 1 drop of essential oil) every 15 minutes twice on my forehead, temples, tip of the nose, area between the mouth and the nose, back of the neck, and shoulders; I also drank some hot green tea. I sobered up, and was clearheaded.
I used to have motion sickness when somebody gave me a ride. To prevent motion sickness, the usual practice is to use Ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil for topical application and inhaling. I also tried Frankincense (Boswellia frereana) [1/4 tsp olive oil, and 1 drop of essential oil] — on the same areas (apply several times or as necessary when needed), and it worked great.
Frankincense can clear the mind and elevate the spirit. It keeps your spirit strong, focused, and positive. I used to take a nap after my breakfast, but today (Dec 15), I didn’t have to. Since I have back acne, and I am using frankincense to clear them with carrier oil. The whole process of application was rejuvenating. The inhalation of frankincense made me feel great and energetic about myself. As frankincense can achieve this objective, I suspect the application of it can relieve symptoms of mental illness. More research is needed to validate the claim.
The information or research about Bowswellia frereana are very limited. Known as the King of Frankincense, Bowswellia frereana is usually imported from Somalia. The therapeutic properties of Bowswellia frereana are anti-inflammatory, uplifting, revitalizing, and centering. It is also used for joint health.
According to Stillpoint Aromatics (2014), Boswellia frereana is composed mainly of the chemistry of alpha thuyene, delta sabinene and para cymene – they are related to monoterpenes. It also carries the characteristics of monoterpenes such as antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic, and so on. Because of a high content of alpha thuyene, Boswellia frereana, the aroma of the essential oil is more pungent.
People usually equate Boswellia frereana with Boswellia carterii. From my experience, the latter is milder, and more calming. The invigorating effect of the former can make up stay awake all the night.
Bowswellia frereana still leaves much room for aromatherapists to research in its clinical applications. However, it brings the Frankincense family to another height as there are still many to explore.
References:
When it comes to pure rose oil (Rosa damacena), people become very cautious as it is very pricey. However, when we weigh the benefits with the cost, it worths every penny of the price.
Here, I would like to share two of my personal experience in using the pure rose oil:
Hair
As I am in my mid age, I have started to experience problems of thinning of hair, grey hair, and dry hair. To resolve this problem, I have been using pure rose oil with my lavender shampoo. The results are unbelievable – my hair has regained its strength – the thinning issue solved, grey hair (though 2 pieces only) turned black, and I have got soft and shiny hair. When you massage the scalp of your hair when shampooing, it is so soothing, and it smells so good. The whole feeling is very rejuvenating, refreshing, and comfortable.
Skin
When one approaches mid age, aging problems start to appear. I use one drop of pure rose oil with ¼ tsp of carrier oil to massage my face once a day. It makes my skin so soft, and the signs of aging are diminished. The fragrance of rose oil is so calming and relaxing. My mind regains the peaceful feeling. Believe it or not, this has a stabilizing effect on one’s mood.
Rose oil is renowned for its skin healing and cell regenerating properties. That is why I can have such a wonderful experience both in my hair and on my skin. Although it is very expensive, I keep using it for maintaining the optimal results.
When you beautify yourself physically, you also beautify your spirit. How can a woman survive without the rose oil? What’s your thought on it?
deliaroma 