Aromatherapy

What is aromatherapy? How does aromatherapy work? What is the history of aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is now a widely practiced complementary medicine, using aromatic plant, flower, leaf, seed, bark and fruit essential oils to aid healing. The essential oils are usually extracted by a steam distillation process, and tend to be used either:
1)holistically, where the oils are used (often with massage) to treat emotional and physical complaints.
2)clinically, used in combination with orthodox medical treatment (although this remains rare in some countries)
3)aesthetically, which accounts for perhaps the most widespread usage, where the oils are used on special burners or diffusers in the home, or added to baths.

How does it work?

Aromatherapy works on our sense of smell and by absorption into the bloodstream. About 15 per cent of the air we inhale goes to the roof of the nose, where olfactory receptors transport odours straight to a part of the brain called the limbic system. This area is connected with instinct, mood and emotion, and it's thought that aromatherapy may stimulate the release of chemicals which in turn play a part in unlocking emotions (think how even the merest whiff of floor wax can zip you back to the classroom).

What is the history of aromatherapy?

It's thought that ancient civilizations used 'aromatherapy' in many ways and for many reasons such as massage, bathing, medicinally, even for embalming bodies. The concept was probably originally used at around the same time in China, Egypt, the Middle East and by Native Americans, then brought to Europe by the Romans.

The practice of modern aromatherapy is largely attributed to a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefoss. He began investigating the healing powers of essential oils in the first quarter of this century after noting how lavender oil seemed to aid the healing of a severe burn on his hand. He also published the first book on the subject Gattefoss's Aromatherapy in 1937, which may still be available in print. The word aromatherapy stems from two Ancient Greek words: 'aroma' meaning fragrance or pleasant smell, and 'therapeia' meaning healing.

Can aromatherapy really be used to cure illness?

Aromatherapy seems to have the most beneficial effect on minor ailments, digestive problems, PMT, stress-related illness and some skin complaints. Some essential oils such as tea-tree oil are widely used for their antiseptic properties. Aromatherapy is extremely unlikely to cure major illness, and it is never recommended to be used on its own in place of conventional medicine. It can however, be used to help alleviate any psychological stress experienced by sufferers of major disease or illness.

More and more trials are being carried out to try and establish the health and healing benefits of aromatherapy. For example it is used with hypnosis in 'post-hypnotic suggestion', where people are taught to associate a particular smell with relaxation. This method was tested on a small sample of epilepsy sufferers, who, when they felt a seizure coming on, sniffed particular oil and in many cases, prevented the seizure developing .

DIY aromatherapy and what to watch for

Aromatherapy is relatively easy to practice at home as we now have almost unlimited access to oils, candles, bath oils, diffusers and burners on the high street. But before you start using essential oils yourself, there are some important points to note:

1) Never ever drink (neat or diluted) essential oils

2) Never use neat oils on the skin; if using for massage, always dilute the oils in a carrier oil (eg almond, grape seed or jojoba) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

    3) Check with your GP if you are pregnant, as certain oils may be dangerous in
        some circumstances.

   4) If you are worried that an existing condition such as high blood pressure or
        diabetes may be worsened by using essential oils, speak to your GP.

There are many candles and bath oils which claim to be 'aromatherapy'; many of these contain synthetic oils, not essential oils, and may not be as beneficial. Use them because they smell nice - don't expect miracle results.

Common essential oils and their uses

For home use, you can use essential oils on a lamp-ring (or electric) diffuser, in the bath, or combined with a carrier oil for massage - just follow the manufacturer's instructions. Depending on the effect you want, these are the most common uses for popular essential oils:

RELAXING: lavender (also antiseptic), camomile, jasmine, frankincense and myrrh (both can irritate when used on the skin or in the bath), neroli, orange, tangerine, ylang-ylang (over-inhalation may cause headaches)

REVITALISING: lemon (may irritate the skin, especially when exposed to the sun), grapefruit, cinnamon, juniper (also has antiseptic properties), vanilla, geranium, rosemary

STIMULATING: peppermint and eucalyptus (both act as decongestant when inhaled, but may irritate the skin so take care)

Other oils such as tea-tree oil are renowned for their antiseptic properties - but always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Over many years I have collected and put together some recipes using essential oils that are wonderful for making your own skin care, spritzers, scrubs, healing ointments and moisturizers to name just a few.

These products that you make yourself contain no preservatives so are many times purer than commercially made products and of course you know exactly what goes in to them.

I have called the book NATURAL BEAUTY and you can purchase it from me as a PDF. It will be sent to your email address as soon as you have paid the money into PayPal

This is wonderful value at only $9.95 US and will be something you can use over and over again.

None of the recipes are complicated or hard to follow. If you have any questions please contact me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.