Baby FaCe

The Nose Knows

Diane Baldwin
AppleTree Staff Writer

erely thinking of a crisp
fall day, with the smell of
apple pie baking in the
oven, conjures a memory that makes
many adults feel peaceful, cozy or
relaxed. The same is true for babies
and children.
6 An infant hours old already identi-
fies its mother by a scent familiar
only to that baby. Thus begins the
human journey into aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is a way to reduce
stress, increase energy, heal and
restore your body. Various scents trig-
ger physical (energy, relaxation,
-simmune-system boost) and mental
(learning, memory) responses

Diane Baldwin is a new mother
and freelance writer who lives in
Clarkston.

because it effects our glands. It
involves the fragrance of various
plants as well as their therapeutic
powers of healing, stimulating or
comforting.
Plants can have medicinal value
and are available in many forms
like oils, extracts, ointments, cap-
sules or teas. The use of plants to
cure disease is as old as the
human race, according to Danielle
Ryman, author of Aromatherapy:
The Complete Guide to Plant .&.
Flower Essences for Health and
Beauty. In her book, Ryman details
the history of aromatherapy
throughout the world. She says that
as Americans increasingly seek
alternative routes to health care,
aromatherapy has grown in popu-
larity.
For the past seven years, Renata
Frieman-Czajkowski, a certified

myomassalogist in Southfield, has
been practicing aromatherapy and
massage for children, babies and
pregnant women.
For the parents of the many chil-
dren experiencing sinus/congestion,
cold/flu and coughs right about
now, Frieman-Czajkowski recom-
mends a few, simple home remedies
(see below). She says parents should
use essential oils in a diffuser (i.e., a
vaporizer) or bath water; or, for a
stronger effect as a compress,
inhalant or massage oil.
But be warned:
because the essential
oils are powerful, use
them only as directed,
Frieman-Czajkowski
says. Keep essential
oils away from the
eyes.
While the use of

aromatherapy is not a substitution for
medical care, it can offer relief or
comfort, both physical and psycho-
logical.
Note: Author Danielle Ryman
warns parents of the following:
* "Essential oils are drugs and
should be considered as
such.... essential oils are very strong
indeed and have a corrosive action
tha•could be a danger if (taken inter-
nally)...there are actually some dan-
gers in self-help aromatherapy."
Recipes listed here should be
followed exactly.
Frieman-
Czajkowski is
available for con-
sultation or to
offer professional
advice and guid-
ance at (248)
788-2672.

Renata Friem

Sinus/Congestion:
2 drops basil
lt 4 drops lemon
4 drops eucalyptus

To use as a mas
sage for the chest
area combine
above with 6 oz.
canola or
almona
oil.
To use with a diffuser, corn
bine with water in diffuser
unit and operate for 20 min-
utes in an open room.

To use with a diffuser, com-
bine with water in diffuser unit
and operate for 20 minutes in an
open room.

Cough:
5 drops cypress
5 drops /uniper

To use as a compress for
the throat, combine
above with 5-6 oz.
warm water.
To use as an inhaler, corn-

toy .av er bowl of stea m

water and oil, and
breathe deeply (not too hot, and
be careful not to scald face)

Relaxation:
15 drops lavender
3 drops rose
7 drops geranium

To use with a diffuser, combine
with water in diffuser unit and
operate for 20 minutes in an open
room.

an
by bat

Disinfect/freshen baby's room:
drops tea tree
6 drops eucalyptus

To use with a diffuser, combine
with water in diffuser unit and
operate for 20 minutes in an open
room. Operate \Arhen baby is out
of the room, and air out when fin-
ished.

11/7
1997

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