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Aromatherapy
Although aromatherapy seems to be a recent addition to modern alternative medicine, the practice of using essential oils (the oils extracted from certain plants) to enhance health and beauty dates back nearly to the beginning of civilization.
- The ancient Chinese may have been the first to experience the benefits of aromatherapy by burning incense in the belief that the aromatic fragrances created balance between the physical and psychological.
- Ancient Egyptians used oils of cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and myrrh in embalming. In fact, on the opening of one Egyptian sepulcher, traces of aromatic fragrance still lingered.
- The "father of medicine", Hippocrates believed in both the mental and medicinal benefits of fumigation with aromatics.
While it doesn't take the place of traditional health care, as well as being used in salons and at home, hospitals and clinics increasingly use aromatherapy as an adjunct to traditional care.
How does Aromatherapy work?
Amazingly, aromatherapy works in three ways to improve our physical health as well as our emotional well-being.
- The olfactory nerve carries the aromas of essential oils to the parts of the brain that regulate our hormones.
- Inhaling aromatic fragrances lets our lungs have a part in distributing physical benefits to our bodies.
- Application of essential oils to skin allows tissues to absorb essential oil properties.
However, because aromatherapy essential oils are the concentrated extracts of plants, never apply them full-strength! Products, like aromatherapy body oils are diluted with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, apricot kernel, or grapeseed oil. Even so, some of them should be used only under the supervision of a qualifed medical professional or aromatherapist.
For an example of the strength of essential oils, recall the smell of the chest rub (camphor) your mom used when you were a child or the citronella candle you use in the summertime to repel mosquitoes. Camphor and citronella are both essential oils.
Essential Oils Commonly Used in Aromatherapy
Essential oils are the aromatic essences of plants and depending on the plant may be extracted from the flowers, fruits, stems, bark, leaves, or seeds of the plant. Although essential oils are made from plants, not all plants have essential oils. It is also important to note that although some perfume oils are made from essential oils or a blend of essential oils, fragrance oils are not always the same as essential oils. Some of the most common essential oils used in aromatherapy and possible uses include:
- Eucalytus - Arthritis, bronchitis, catarhh, cold sores, colds, coughing, fever, flu, poor circulation, sinusitis.
- Ylang Ylang - Anxiety, depression, frigidity, hypertension, palpitations, stress
- Geranium - Acne, cellulite, dull skin, menopause, oily skin.
- Peppermint - Asthma, exhaustion, fever, headache, nausea, sinusitis, vertigo.
- Lavender - Acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, depression, headache, hypertension, migrane, stress.
- Lemon - Colds, dull skin, flu, oily skin, spots.
- Clary Sage - Asthma, coughing, dysmenorrhea, exhaustion, gas, labor pains, sore throat, stress.
- Tea Tree - Acne, cold sores, colds, flu, insect bites, itching, migraine, oily skin, sinusitis.
- Roman Chamomile - Allergies,arthritis, dermatitis, earache, headache, insomnia, nausea, PMS, rheumatism,
- Rosemary - Aching muscles, arthritis, exhaustion, muscle cramping, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism
Essential oils that should be used only by qualified aromatherapists and medical practitioners include wormwood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, horseradish, wintergreen, rue, bitter almond and sassafras.
Essential Oil Cautions
Never use full-strength essential oils on skin.
If you have an on-going health problem, consult your medical practitioner before undergoing any type of aromatherapy or essential oil application.
Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy. Since many have
physical effects on the body, you should be
aware of the oils the therapist may use. Oils
that have stimulating effects should be avoided,
such as basil, cinnamon, cedarwood, and
peppermint. Clary sage should also be avoided
as it can initiate labor.
The following are
recommended as safe for use during pregnancy:
Lavender to relieve nausea, headaches,
and constipation
Neroli and Ylang-Ylang may
help reduce stretch marks.
Always use the smallest amount of essential oil that works. For instance, one drop in a bath may be enough. It that's the case, don't use two.
Keep essential oils away from children. They smell good enough to drink, but essential oils never should be taken internally! Like any strong medicine, before using essential oils on children, consult your health practitioner.
Like any oil, essential oils are flammable. Keep them away from open flame.
The information contained herein is for educational purposes only and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Any information found herein should be discussed with a health care professional. Use of this information should be done in accordance with the health care plan outlined by your health care professional. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor. |
