AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.Aromatic herbs and spices include herbs with strong aromas. Peppermint, thyme, and cinnamon are among the best known aromatic spices.
The aroma indicates a high concentration of volatile oils. The strong smell comes from evaporation of these oils. Volatile oils give aromatic spices some surprising health benefits. They are often used to stimulate the digestive system, reproductive system, and disinfect the respiratory tract, or help expectorate the lungs.
Aromatic oils may be consumed internally (mint tea) or applied externally (as in tiger balm). Since volatile oils evaporate quickly they should be stored in a sealed container.
The aromatic oils are also the essential oils of an herb. The essential oil of a plant carries its "essence", i.e. its unique identity and pharmacology. In Ayurvedic terms, the essential oil is the prakruti or constitution of the plant.
Relaxes Muscles & Nerves
Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing muscles and nerves and opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
Aromatic oils relax muscle tissue, especially smooth muscle tissue. They are used to calm all cases of colic, including colicky peristalsis of the intestines, vasospasm type headaches, bronchospasms, and uterine spasms.
Aromatic Nerve Relaxants
Their aroma when inhaled easily reaches the brain. Psychologically, aromatic oils inspire, refresh and arouse with a sense of awe and letting go. Many aromatic oils are used as tension and depression relieving nervines (valerian, chamomile). Here, they are subtle, clear, and etheric.
Aromatic Antidepressants
Aromatic oils are penetrating. Many pungent spices like cinnamon and cayenne can increase swelling, heat, and inflammation. Aromatic spices like mint generally disperse fluids and heat. Many are slightly cool.
Lightens Digestion, Moves Food Stagnation
Aromatic spices clear the stomach and aid in protein digestion, making them light. Note how often aromatic spices are added to meat dishes for digestibility - such as mint with lamb, or rosemary with beef. Aromatic spices improve appetite and hunger (bitter orange peel). They increase gastric juices and clear heavy, sluggish digestion after a large meal.
Caution, however, as aromatic spices could aggravate acid reflux by relaxing the the cardiac valve at the top of the stomach, or by increasing acidity. When acid reflux is due to hypoacidity, however, aromatic oils may help reduce acid reflux.
Clears Stagnant Fluids
As diaphoretics, aromatic spices flush fluids from sweat and salivary glands, tear ducts, urinary tract, breasts and vaginal fluids.
They are useful to break up fluid stagnation when spring fever in early April leaves the face, hands, and feet feeling swollen. They break up mucus in the respiratory and digestive tract (cardamom). They are used for sore throats (as in halls cough drops).
As they are naturally diuretics, they are ultimately drying and may contribute to drying up breast milk. Their penetrating quality can cross the placenta into the fetus.
Antimicrobial
Aromatic oils are often
antimicrobial. Examples include eucalyptus oil, garlic oil and thyme oil. They encourage the creation of white blood cells and increase immunity.
Their antimicrobial and circulation improving nature makes them ideal for fevers. Use hot aromatics for low fevers, and cool aromatics for high fevers.
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