Holistic Healing 

Natural plant oils have been used for thousands of years for their healing, cleansing, preservative and mood-enhancing properties as well as the sheer pleasure of their fragrances. Aromatherapy harnesses the pure essences of aromatic plants, flowers and resins, to work on the most powerful of the senses- smell and touch- to restore the harmony of body and mind.

The French doctor and scientist Rene Maurice Gattefosse is the 20th century father of Aromatherapy. He is credited with coining the term "aromatherapy" to describe treatments with essential oils. Aromatherapy first became popular in the early 1980s, when there was an upsurge in the popularity of "natural," non-toxic healing methods that cost less than conventional medications and produce fewer side effects.

The essential oils used in Aromatherapy are produced by steam distillation or cold pressing from a plant's flowers, leaves, branches, bark, rind, or roots. These volatile, flammable oils are then mixed with a "carrier"--usually a vegetable oil such as soy, evening primrose, or almond--or diluted in alcohol before being applied to the skin, sprayed in the air, or inhaled. 

The common methods of aromatherapy are: 

Inhalation: Adding 6 to 12 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water and deeply breathing in the scented vapours. 

Diffusion: Spraying oil-containing compounds into the air. This technique is said to calm the nerves, enhance a feeling of well-being, and even to improve respiratory conditions. 

Massage: Rubbing aromatic oil into the skin may be either calming or stimulating, depending on the type of oil used. Some people use it as a remedy for muscles sprains and soreness. Most preparations contain 5 drops of essential oil blended with a light base oil. A higher concentration could irritate the skin. 

Bathing: adding 6 to8 drops of oil to a tub full of water 

Hot and cold compresses: Soaking a cloth in a solution (adding 5 to 10 drops of oil to 4 ounces of water) and applying to the sore area. Excellent treatment for muscle aches or pains, bruises, or headaches 

Advocates of aromatherapy propose a variety of mechanisms for its reported effects. The most widely accepted theory suggests that fragrances do their work via the brain. When aromatic molecules enter the nasal cavity and stimulate the odor-sensing nerves, the resulting impulses are sent to the limbic system--the part of the brain that's believed to be the seat of memory and emotion. Depending on the scent, emotional responses then kick in to exert a calming or energizing effect on the body. 

Alternatively, some proponents suggest that certain aromas may work by stimulating the glands, prompting the adrenal glands, for example, to produce steroid-like hormones that fight pain and inflammation. Others believe that the essential oils, whether inhaled or rubbed into the skin, react with hormones and enzymes in the bloodstream to produce positive results. 

Here are some of the common essential oils and the symptoms that they alleviate. 

Lavender: Heals burns and cuts; destroys bacteria; relieves depression, inflammation, spasms, headaches, respiratory allergies, muscle aches, nausea, menstrual cramps; soothes bug bites; lowers blood pressure. 

Peppermint: Alleviates digestive problems; cleans wounds; decongests the chest; relieves headache, neuralgia, and muscle pain; useful for motion sickness. 

Eucalyptus: Lowers fever; clears sinuses; has antibacterial and antiviral properties; relieves coughs; useful for boils and pimples. 

Tea Tree: Fights fungal, yeast, and bacterial infections; useful for skin conditions such as acne, insect bites, and burns; helps clear virginitis, bladder infections, and thrush. 

Rosemary: Relieves pain; increases circulation; decongests the chest; relieves pain, indigestion, gas, and liver problems; lessens swelling; fights infection; helps alleviate depression. 

Chamomile: Reduces swelling; treats allergic symptoms; relieves stress, insomnia, and depression; useful in treating digestive problems. 

Thyme: Lessens laryngitis and coughs; fights bladder and skin infections; relieves digestive problems and pain in the joints. 

Tarragon: Stimulates digestion; calms neural and digestive tracts; relieves menstrual symptoms and stress. 

Everlasting: Heals scars; reduces swelling after injuries; relieves sunburn; fights infections such as bronchitis and flu; treats pain from arthritis, muscle injuries, sprains and strains, tendonitis. 

Colour has been known to have some of the most powerful effects on our mind and body. Colour contains the energy of the Sun, the life restoring force of nature. Hence, colour as well as music and fragrance are the efficient modes of nature to connect with the subconscious core. Light and Colours have an effect on the total energetic system of the body. Light is absorbed through the eyes as well as through the skin by our sensory nerve endings. Colours act like gems; they increase the aura the astral body. This is the ambit of pure colour, and is suitable for subtle or spiritual healing. Our energy centers of transformations called chakras or gateways are where healing through colours takes place. Each chakra governs particular organs of the body, specific emotions and psychological aspects of the mind. By knowing which colour operates through which chakra, and their complex interplay, one can balance the chakra, thereby correcting the disease in that particular organ or emotion.At IVAC, a detailed consultation on colour therapy is given, which will be custom designed keeping in mind your particular needs and situation.

 

Gem therapy has gathered a lot of ground as an alternative form of healing. Practitioners of this therapy believe that gemstones carry certain vibrations which when placed within a person's aura, have the effect of changing it. It is believed that the human aura consists of nine colours: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, infrared and ultra violet. Any deficiency or excess of these colours upsets the body's energy balance leading to illness. Gemstones heal by restoring the balance to the original composition of the nine colours. They transmit a specific wavelength to the body, which in turn converts these rays into a chemical form that the body can utilize to improve its functioning. 

A genuine stone, or Gem, when worn continuously, emanates power and energy, which gets merged with the Cosmic Radiations and forms a protective aura around the body, which combats unfavorable negative vibrations from external sources, and escalates flow of favorable positive vibrations, creating the right circumstance essential for achievement of aims & objectives, and fulfillment of wishes. 

There is evidence to show that the healing properties of gemstones were recognized as far back as the Greek and Egyptian civilizations and in the Vedic period in India. Archaeologists have found evidence of systematic mining for gemstones in Egypt over 7000 years ago as well as in the Oxus Valley in Afghanistan. 

The Vedas are acknowledged as the authority on gems, their description, potencies and prescription for effective use. According to the Vedas, imbalances could be set right either by wearing gems against one's skin or using them as an ingredient to make medicines and potions to be taken internally. 

There is a universal life energy that is our source of life. It has been spoken of, written about and identified for over 5,000 years. This universal life energy emanates from, surrounds and penetrates our bodies and has been scientifically measured to show definite colors and frequencies. This energy has been called many names--"magnetism" in the early 19th century by Mesmer. The Yogic name for it is "prana." In Taoism and acupuncture, it is known by the Chinese term "chi" or "qi" (Japanese "ki").

Each theory of healing has an explanation for the nature of human difficulty and disease. In this theory, for a multitude of reasons, life-energy readily becomes blocked in human beings. The channels through which it flows can be stopped up, weakening the energy in one part of the body, building it to excessive levels in another. Energy can become blocked in our bodies from depression, trauma, unexpressed emotions and tension. When there are blocks, our energy cannot move freely and this may cause disease. When our energy is flowing freely, we have a sense of well being and better health.

This approach to healing is based on the view that a special energy moves through all things-a life energy that is the creative impetus for the universe, for all matter, and for the moment-to-moment feelings of each human being. This energy moves in pulsating rhythms that make up the seasons, the stages of the life cycle, the developmental phases of growth, the tidal rhythms of breath, the drumbeat of the heart, and the vibratory dance of the smallest particles inside each cell. Seen in terms of energy, the body consists of 

• energy centers (chakras), 

• energy pathways (meridians), and 

• energy fields (auras)

Life-energy may be released and rebalanced through a number of means. Acupuncturists use needles, pressure, and the precise application of heat to balance the flow of "chi" through elaborately mapped pathways called "meridians." Applied kinesiology and polarity therapy rebalance the energy through precise touch. Tai chi and chi gung build, release, and balance life-energy through elaborate, gentle movements and prescribed postures. Hatha yoga uses physical postures, breathing, and diet to balance the centers of prana. Reichian therapy and bioenergetics release blocks and cultivate the ability to experience the fuller flow of organismic energy. Reiki and therapeutic massage manipulate muscles and move energy with the hands, not to remove muscular tension in a mechanical sense, but to clear the deep energy pathways of the body. 

In the ancient method of the laying on of hands, healing energy is transmitted from one person to another by touch, to reenergize or rebalance the afflicted part. The energy of healing hands can also be transmitted to others at a distance, and it can be transported by means of charged objects or a glass of charged water. Perhaps the most direct method for cultivating life energy is through working with the breath, breathing in pure energy, breathing out blocks, inhaling the energy into special centers, breathing it from there into all parts of the body. Breath exercises can be found in yoga as well as many recent healing methods. 

The power of the mind to influence the body is quite remarkable. Imagery is the most fundamental language we have. Everything you do the mind processes through images. When we recall events from our past or childhood, we think of pictures, images, sounds, pain, etc. It is hardly ever be words. Advocates of imagery contend that the imagination is a potent healer that has long been overlooked by practitioners of Western medicine. Imagery can relieve pain; speed healing and help the body subdue hundreds of ailments, including depression, impotence, allergies and asthma. 

Guided Imagery is a meditative technique, which involves focusing on a particular sensory image to create a specific physical reaction. This mind/body technique calls upon the power of suggestion by picturing in the mind's eye a specific image, which is focused on intently enough to convince the subconscious that it is real. Many clinicians believe that the more fully something is imagined, the more "real" it seems to the brain and the greater is the amount of information sent to the nervous system.

During a typical session of imagery, the focus is on a predetermined image designed to help control a particular symptom (active imagery) or to allow the mind to conjure up images that give an insight into a particular problem (receptive imagery). 

While we still wait for basic science research to inform us as to precisely how imagery works as a primary connector of mind/body/spirit, there is much clinical evidence that our images can effect our healing in our journey toward wellness. Studies demonstrating the positive effect of imagery on immune systems activity are exciting and encouraging Imagery is often used for the purposes of enhancing performance (as in sports psychology), deepening connection with the core self, and reducing stress by creating a relaxed peaceful inner state.