Aromatherapy oils are known as essential oils form the base of aromatherapy and influence the mind, body and spirit. These oils are the concentrated extracts of plants and their roots, stems, flowers and fruits. Essential oils are extracted from the plants usually by the means of distillation.

Essential oils are concentrated and must be diluted by mixing up with carrier oils such sweet almond, apricot kernel, grape seed and jojoba, before application. Only a few pure essential oils like lavender and tea tree can be applied directly to the skin.

Massaging the oil onto the body is the most common method of getting the benefit of aromatherapy oils, since skin is the largest absorption organ that you have.

Presenting the list of commonly used essential oils -

Bergamot – Originally from Italy, it is obtained from the rind of the bitter orange. It is pale green in colour, with sharp, orangey and refreshing fragrance. It is happy uplifting oil, works well against tensions, headaches and anxiety either through massage or a diffuser. Recommended for vaginal itching and cystitis. If you are using this oil, avoid sun for at least 3 days after that.

Chamomile – The oil for women and children. Roman and German chamomile are used widely in world of aromatherapy. Roman chamomile is soothing and calming oil. Relieves cramps, spasms and shock. Good pain killer for dull aching pains. German chamomile is great oil for children. Soothes child’s colic or stomach upsets, alleviates nappy rashes and skin irritations.

Eucalyptus – quite versatile oil with origins in Australia. Used to fend off infectious illnesses, like flu, measles help bring down fever and relieve a bad cold. It is also an effective insect repellent.

Geranium – Sweet feminine aroma akin to rose, Geranium essential oil is extracted from Pelargonium. Avoid using Geranium essential oil during pregnancy. Good oil to use when one is irritable and depressed, especially during PMS. 4 drops of oil in your bath work as a great stress buster. Also acts as a remarkable insect repellent.

Jasmine – Reputed to be aphrodisiac oil, Jasmine has a very sexy and beautiful fragrance. Jasmine essential oil when massaged on the abdomen during the later stages of labour strengthens uterine contractions and relieves pain. Used in skin care for dry skin. Leaves a warm feeling after massage with jasmine oil. Comforts and helps a person to be more confident.

Lavender – This oil calms, soothes the skin, balances oil production, helps to heal blemishes, stimulates circulation to skin, reduces inflammation of acne and soothes nervous system.

Lemon – The uplifting and cheerful fragrance of fresh lemons is obtained by pressing the outer rind of the lemon fruit. A rich source of vitamins A, B and C. Helps to stimulate body’s immune system to fight disease.

Mandarin – Mandarin essential oil is extracted from the peel of mandarin oranges. Mild, sweet and fruity, it is essentially children’s oil. The anthranilic acid in the oil is good stress buster for kids.

Neroli – Obtained from the flowers of bitter orange tree, Neroli’s fragrance is bitter sweet and refreshingly beautiful. A gentle sedative rejuvenates the skin and relieves anxiety. Also said to be an aphrodisiac. Stimulates the growth of healthy new cells.

Niaouli – is spicy pleasant oil. Useful for sore throats, cough, runny nose, cystitis, general skin problems and hemorrhoids. Should not be used for children under 10 years old or by pregnant women. Used to clean minor wounds and burns, due to its antiseptic properties.

Palmarosa – It is antibacterial, balancing and regenerating with scent similar to geranium. Recommended for acne, make a great preshampoo hair conditioner. Good oil to diffuse during flu epidemics.

Peppermint – Smelling of fresh mint, often added to cosmetics and skin care products for acne or oily skin. Refreshing and stimulating oil, peppermint herb is well known for indigestion. Can cause insomnia, should not be used on babies or young children and can irritate sensitive skin.

Rose – Rose oil is all time favourite oil with its beautiful and soothing fragrance. Considered to be women’s oil and aphrodisiac. Tones the womb, overcomes problems with female reproduction system. Women should rose oil in first 5 months of pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage. The anti depressant qualities of the oil relax the person, relive stress and overcome depression. Can be used for all skin types, especially beneficial for mature skin.

Tea Tree – Has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and antiviral properties. Heals blemishes without any side effects such as dryness, itching, stinging, burning or redness. Restores energy depleted by everyday stress, reduce or alleviate mental fatigue and exhaustion. Irritating to highly sensitive skin.

Food allergy is a serious condition that can threaten the lives of people especially students at school. Food allergy also known as food hypersensitivity is the immune system’s reaction to the types of food containing protein or other ingredients. Thus, a certified allergist is needed to diagnose food allergy.

The symptoms of food allergy may greatly vary among individuals because of different exposures to food allergens. The time of attacks and severity also depend on the reaction to the types of food that are eaten. Food allergy’s most common symptoms include: skin irritations like hives, eczema, and rashes; gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea; and runny nose, breath shortness, and sneezing.

If not treated properly, severe reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a fatal condition that requires instant medical attention. This is manifested by speedy onset of concurrent reactions such as hives, itching, swollen throat, difficult breathing, low blood pressure, and unconsciousness at some instances.

However, if food allergy management is incorporated, students can be handled without too much risk. The secret to its effectiveness lies on knowing and doing the responsibilities of the concerned parties. In this manner, students with food allergies are provided with a safe and sound educational environment.

The family of students with food allergy should notify the school about their condition. They must work with the school’s administration to create a plan on how to accommodate the needs of their children inside the classroom, cafeteria, post-care programs, school bus, FAAP (Food Allergy Action Plan), and sponsored activities in school. Medical instructions, documentations, and medications provided by the child’s physician through the FAAP must be submitted including photos.

Medicines must be disposed upon expiration or replaced after use with proper labels. Parents should educate their children about unsafe and safe types of food, strategies to avoid unsafe types of food, allergic symptoms, reading labels of types of food, and right time to tell adult once allergic symptoms occur. Review procedures and policies with your child, child’s physician, and school staff. Never forget to give contact information in case of emergency.

The school should be knowledgeable regarding federal laws and any district or state policies. They must review the student’s health records provided by their physicians and parents. They must create a school team which are composed of a school principal, nurses, teachers, school food services, counselor, and nutrition director to work effectively with both students and parents and establish a major prevention plan.

Students with food allergy must be included in all school activities. Fieldtrips and no eating rules on school busses must be thoroughly discussed with parents and administrators. School staff with direct contacts to the students knows about food allergy, recognizes its symptoms, coordinates with other staff to get rid of allergens in the meals, school projects, educational tools, or incentives of allergic students.

Proper coordination and cooperation of all school staff is needed so that FAAP becomes efficient and effective. All medications are properly secure and accessible within school premises. However, regulations stated in the federal laws must be strictly followed.

The students should never trade different types of food with other students, eat types of food without knowing its ingredients, participate actively on the FAAP, and immediately notify adults in cases of emergency.

Students can outgrow their food allergies through proper management. Making this as part of their daily activities can enhance safety as well as food enjoyment throughout their lives. Planning well and joining forces together will definitely end well.

The art of healing with the use of essential oil massage is known as Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a well known method of natural healing. The oil massage used in aromatherapy is extracted from aromatic plants and herbs and used to treat and balance the body, mind and soul of an individual. The aromatherapy benefits are known since ages; the name ‘aromatherapy’ was first coined in ancient France.

Aromatherapy in Pregnancy

At different stages during pregnancy, the aromatic treatment can prove to be useful and beneficial in a number of ways. Moreover, the application this therapeutic treatment is also very easy and simple.

But there are certain guidelines that need to be followed while applying aromatherapy to pregnant women. They guidelines are as follows:

1. Generally, the aromatic oils are highly concentrated. So before applying oil massage to pregnant ladies, the oils need to be diluted.

2. The use of the following oils should either be extremely limited or better avoided during the first trimesters of pregnancy. The oils are – basil, cedar wood, cinnamon, clove, cypress, fennel, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, lemongrass, sweet marjoram, thyme and parsley.

3. It is best to use the oils that are recommended, to be used for the therapeutic treatment during pregnancy. The oils that are best to be used are: bergamot, chamomile, cypress (after 5 months), eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, mandarin, rosewood, neroli, sandalwood, tea tree and ylang-ylang.

Method of applying aromatherapy during pregnancy

Aromatherapy massage can be done in a number of ways during pregnancy.

Initially, the essential oils need to be extracted from the herbal and aromatic plants by the process of distillation. As the extracted oils are very much concentrated, they can lead to various skin irritations if used without diluting the same. The oils can be used by the pregnant ladies by adding a few drops in the water at the time of bathing. Otherwise, the essential oils can be well blended with sesame oil to experience a great and effective massage.

It can also be used for touch therapy i.e. gentle massaging of the forehead and the scalp using a few drops of oil.

In most cases, the pregnant mothers lie down sideways and have the massage done.

Benefits of Aromatherapy during pregnancy

Using aromatic treatment for the well being of the mother and the child during pregnancy and also after birth is an age old process. The benefits of aromatherapy during pregnancy can be listed as follows:

1. Bergamot – it is helpful fro cystitis at times of pregnancy.

2. Cypress (after 5 months) – it is helpful for swollen ankles and veins.

3. Eucalyptus – it is helpful for respiratory congestion.

4. Chamomile – it is helpful in giving relief from pains, headaches and indigestion.

5. Geranium – it is soothes out aching legs and enhances circulation.

6. Grapefruit – helpful in water retention.

7. Lemon – helpful inhalant.

8. Mandarin – eases out fluid retention in joints and ankles.

9. Rosewood – good antiseptic.

10. Tea tree – useful to treat thrush during pregnancy.

11. Ylang-Ylang – relieves tension and stress.