When you smell something nice, such as an appealing perfume, or a tasty dish being cooked in the kitchen, or fresh cut roses set in a vase full of cold water, does not the smell give you a good feeling inside? These good feelings created by pleasing aromas are the basis for the art of aromatherapy.
People who practice aromatherapy believe that the scents that a person smells can induce the body to stimulate its ability to heal itself. Depending on the kind of scent or combination of scents that was inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the scent activates the immune system of the body, making it more capable of fighting invading microorganisms that cause disease and boosting its strength.
To make the body heal and become more resistant to illness, practitioners of aromatherapy make use of essential oils. These essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants. They often find uses in the making of scented candles, perfume, soap and other beauty products.
Essential oils are very volatile – they evaporate easily and they are easily absorbed into the skin. Practitioners of aromatherapy, however, never use essential oils undiluted because these oils are highly concentrated. They can burn and irritate the skin if they come into direct contact with it.
Essential oils are always mixed with what are called carrier oils before they are used. What, now, are carrier oils? Simply put, they are vegetable oils, extracted from certain kinds of fruits, nuts and vegetables. They are called carrier oils because they literally carry the essential oil when mixed and applied onto the skin.
Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that each kind of essential oil and each kind of carrier oil have their own properties and characteristics. To treat a specific ailment, a specific combination of essential oils and carrier oils need to be used. The mixture is then massaged onto the skin or added to bathwater. Sometimes, it is put into an air diffuser. Below are the most commonly used essential oils and carrier oils, as well as the properties that each possess and the ailments for which they are used.
Essential oils:
* Chamomile. Chamomile can help in easing pain so the body can relax. It is also good for soothing the skin. Chamomile is often used for people suffering from nervous tension, headaches caused by fatigue, and an upset stomach. It can also be used for treating skin problems like acne and boils.
* Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus refreshes as well as relieves congestion and pain. So, it is used for colds, sinusitis and other respiratory problems. It is also applied to aching muscles and joints affected by rheumatism.
* Lavender. For ailments such as rheumatism and muscle tension as well as skin problems like acne and dandruff, lavender is often used. Lavender can help soothe and relax the body as well as enhance the circulation of the blood. Lavender is also applied to people suffering from insomnia.
* Lemon. The citrus in lemon is refreshing and can provide relief from congestion and pain. This is why it is also used for treating headaches and migraine. It is also good for treating stomach problems, and it is also claimed to have the ability to reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin.
* Rose. The rose is great for the skin. It is often applied to skin that is dry, delicate or sensitive, making it softer and smoother. The scent of the rose can also aid in relaxing the body, so it is also used for treating headaches, stress and insomnia.
Carrier oils
* Almond. Almond oil is good for the skin because it has Vitamin D and can help moisturize dry skin. It is a popular kind of carrier oil because the skin can easily absorb it.
* Apricot. Apricot oil is a light kind of carrier oil that is rich in Vitamin A. Practitioners of aromatherapy love to use apricot oil because it arrests the skin’s aging process and helps revitalize the skin.
* Grapeseed. Grapeseed oil is the most commonly used carrier oil among practitioners of aromatherapy because it is the least expensive. Also, because it is light, it can be used on people with oily skin without clogging the pores.
* Jojoba. Jojoba oil is another type of carrier oil that is good for people with oily skin. It has the ability to break down excess sebum, which causes pimples and dandruff. Moreover, jojoba has Vitamin E, a kind of vitamin that helps the skin maintain its youth.
* Sesame. Sesame oil is a kind of carrier oil that is known for its nutty smell, but it has great antiseptic properties. It is effective in treating fungal infections, skin infections and light wounds.
Aromatherapy is a nice way of treating the body’s hurts and pains, if only because the oils used in aromatherapy smell great.
Most information available on sexual health are primarily geared towards women. However, men, particularly those who are sexually active are also at risk for sexual problems. Whether gay or straight, sexual health is an important aspect of a man’s life and must be paid particular attention to. Threats on men’s sexual health must be prevented and diminished, not only for their safety but also for that of their partners.
Parameters of Male Sexual Health
Men’s sexual health is usually determined by several factors. These factors include the following:
* Physical Health
Men who are physically fit and healthy generally have better sexual health than men who do not look after their diet or practice regular physical activity. Weak cardiovascular constitution, underdeveloped muscles, and poor blood circulation also contribute to poor sexual health. A weak body is also more prone and susceptible to infections which can weaken a man’s resistance to sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
* Psychological Health
Contrary to popular belief, a man’s physical constitution is not the sole determinant of sexual health. Often, some sexual problems are direct effects of a man’s emotional problems. For example, it is commonly observed that physically healthy men who suffer for erectile dysfunction have a serious lack of confidence or are riddled with anxiety performance disorders.
* Social Activities
Men who are in monogamous sexual relationships are at lesser risks for sexual problems compared to men who enter polygamous relationships. Drug addiction also puts a man at a greater risk for infection especially if he uses intravenous drugs.
Risks to Men’s Sexual Health
Male sexual health can be threatened by several diseases and disorders. Some of these risks include:
* Ejaculation Disorders
There are three common forms of ejaculation disorder in men. These are premature ejaculation, retarded ejaculation, and retrograde ejaculation. Premature ejaculation happens when due to an excess of sexual arousal, anxiety, or loss of control, a man ejaculates before or soon after penetration. Retarded ejaculation occurs when an ejaculation comes too slow that prevents orgasm. Retrograde ejaculation happens when the ejaculate is forced back into the bladder instead of being released at orgasm.
* Erectile Dysfunction
Another term for this disorder is impotence. This happens when a man is unable to have or sustain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse and ejaculation. As such, he is unable to introduce his semen into his partner reproductive system to induce a pregnancy. This is often caused by psychological trauma or an effect of certain medications.
* Inhibited Sexual Desire
This can be loosely translated to a loss or decrease in a man’s libido levels. Often associated with low testosterone levels, inhibited sexual desire may also be triggered by medications, psychological problems, and some illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure.
* Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections
Men usually get infected with STIs and STDs following unhealthy and unprotected sexual relationships with an infected partner. Usual signs of STDs and STIs include: difficulty in urinating, bloody urine, foul penile discharge, sores, lesions, and excessive itching in the genitalia.
Immediate medical assistance must be sought when it comes to problems concerning male sexual health. Diagnosis is usually done through physical and psychological exams, as well as a thorough evaluation of medical history. Treatment usually comes in two phases: medical treatment for physical symptoms and psychological therapy for mental and social factors.