A romatherapy
Basic Information
Aromatherapy is an alternative practice of therapeutic medicine used to address a variety of physical and emotional issues. Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that, through various combinations and applications of essential oils, one can improve the conditions of one's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
According to aromatherapists, everyone has unique responses to specific smells. These specific responses, it is generally believed, are formed in memory. For example, say you were at a baseball game and were constantly assailed by the smell of hot dogs. If your experience that day was a pleasurable one, you will thereafter associate the odor of hot dogs with the positive memory. Aromatherapists believe that, by exposing individuals to certain odors, they can trigger these positive responses on a somewhat consistent basis. Essential oils cannot exclusively heal individuals from their various ailments. However, the oils have been known to alleviate symptoms dramatically and, at times, with some veritable consistency. This process achieves its success by placing elements of the body in a better balance. A maintenance of this balance creates a more functional, positive individual. Thus aromatherapy is not a pill or a shot, but rather is a practice. However, since practitioners of aromatherapy don't use hot dogs, we should examine what substances are really involved.
History
The origin of aromatherapy dates as far back as 6000 years ago, and it is widely believed that Egyptians were the first civilization to use odor extractions for regular medicinal and spiritual use. However, Egypt was not alone in employing plant oils in their religious and health practice. For example, the Shen Nung Herbal book, from China, dates back to 2700 B.C., and the Indian practice of Ayurveda, which incorporates massage elements of aromatherapy, is at least 3000 years old. Thus, pardon the pun, aromatherapy certainly has its roots in civilization.
In the nineteenth century, western scientists finally began to take notice of certain effects plant oils had on bacteria. A French doctor in the twentieth century, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, once burned his hand and, after dipping it in lavender oil, was amazed at the expedience of his recovery. Discovering that essential oils were more effective in medicine than synthetic oils, Gattefosse was the first to coin the term "aromatherapy." Jean Valnet, another Frenchman, used Gattefosse's groundbreaking research to experiment with various essential oils. Also, Margaret Maury began to investigate the possibilities of applying oils to the body with massage. It is their combined research which now functions internationally as what is termed "aromatherapy."
Essential Oils
Essential oils are those substances extracted from parts of plants (flower, leaf, bark, root, resin, twig, seed, berry, etc.) which are the substances used in aromatherapy. The chemical composition of each oil is entirely unique and complex. By processes of steam distillation or expression, essential oils are extracted from plants. Steam distillation is the process in which, when plant substances are heated and steamed, the oil emitted may be ciphoned through a tube and then collected. Expression is simply a means of pressurizing plant substances until the oil is squeezed out.
Essential oils are applied in a number of different ways, including via inhalation, massage, baths, bug repellent, and room freshening. It is not recommended that essential oils be applied orally. Because human beings are such individuated creatures, both biologically and socially, it follows that everyone's responses to essential oils will be very different. It is the aromatherapist's job to gauge the effects of certain essential oils upon an individual, and create potent combinations that will produce positive responses. It is also possible that an individual can react differently to the same oil. However, there are some general consistencies between oils and effects that permit a list of oils and their general functions.
There are many important facts to know about essential oils. First of all, essential oils are typically clear, and hardly oily. Essential oils function very differently from perfume oils. Perfume oils are clinically manufactured oils produced solely for the artifice of fragrance. In contrast, essential oils are the very essence of the plant from which they were extracted.
Essential oils can be liquid, semi-solid, or completely solid. Essential oils are not applied directly; rather, they are mixed with carrier oils which dilute the extreme potency of the essential oil. Oils should be kept in a cool, dark place, usually in amber or cobalt blue bottles for best preservation. Oils sold in glass bottles, or in bottles with rubber bulbs, should typically be avoided as those which lend themselves towards quicker deterioration. Rubber bulbs often turn the oils into a gummy sort of substance. In order to purchase essential oils. sources are readily available at this point; however, the reliability of all outlets are never certain. Many aromatherapists suggest purchasing oils from established aromatherapy mail order companies, until individuals become acquainted with their practice, and can use their own judgement.
List of Essential Oils
(All of these oils have unique chemical properties that have been known to create a variety of problems in even the healthiest of individuals. Please research each oil carefully as to how it affects you, generally and personally, both in its essence and in how best to use it.)
Anise - Small dose stimulating, large dose can cause circulatory problems, stupor, paralysis. Licorice-like scent.
Basil - Helps mental and physical fatigue, sinus congestion, headaches, colds, muscular aches and pains.
Bay - Promotes hair growth; useful for muscle spasms and strains; counteracts depression, stress, and nervous exhaustion. Can irritate the skin.
Bergamot - Used to balance stress and anxiety. Possibly strengthens immune system.Has been used to treat herpes, eczema, psoriasis. Do not expose treated skin with sun.
Birch Black Pepper - Relieves pain in aching muscles. Allegedly an aphrodisiac. Good for congestion, the flu.
Camphor Carraway Seed Cardamon Carrot Seed Cedarwood - Eases respiratory ailments. Treats acne, dandruff, and can be used as a diuretic. Can be used to combat anxiety and fear. Moth-repellent.
Celery Seed German Chamomile - For irritated or inflamed skin.
Roman Chamomile- Can be used as a sedative or minor pain reliever. Also addresses insomnia, stress, arthritis, headaches.
Cinnamon Citronella Clary Sage - Can help relieve stress brought on by menstruation. Restores inner tranquility. Allegedly both a euprhoric and an aphrodisiac. Anti-depressant.
Clove Bud - Very skin irritating. Stimulates memory, mind, body, and aids depression and fatigue. Strengthens the immune system.
Coriander - Stimulates the appetite and facilitates digestion.
Cypress - Used to address circulatory and respiratory issues. Possibly fosters better concentration. Emotionally comforting in situations of loss or grief.
Dill Weed Eucalyptus - Good essential oil for respiratory problems. Helps blood to circulate. Combats aches and pains and has an anti-viral, anti-bacterial effect.
Fennel Fir Needle Frankinsence - Typically used for spiritual growth. Helps balance emotions by centering. Soothes congestion.
Geranium - Used to address problems of menopause and menstruation. Has been used to lower blood sugar. Emotionally balancing.
Ginger - Skin irritating. Helps with queasiness, aching muscles, flu. Possibly an aphrodisiac. Has been used to treat male impotence.
Grapefruit - Energizing. Uplifting. Helps with issues of self-esteem, eating disorders, and excessive oiliness in the skin and hair.
Hyssop Juniper Berry - Helps with arthritis, rheumatism, and is a diuretic.
Lavender - Helps with burns, abrasions, and other skin problems. One of very few essential oils that can be used without a carrier oil upon the skin.
Lemongrass - Combats dandruff, greasy hair. Increases concentration.
Lemon - Disinfectant. Stimulates the immune system.
Lime Mandarin - Helps to calm emotions. Used for skin tones and against acne.
Marjoram - Has been known to lower high blood pressure. Antispasmodic. Can be used as a minor sedative.
Myrrh - Helps decongestion and problems of respiration. Used to address itching caused by eczema and other fungal varieties. Can treat gum disease, cold sores.
Nutmeg Orange - Refreshing, relaxing.
Palma Rosa (Rose Geranium) - Helps treat skin problems. Sublimates anger and grief.
Parsley Seed Patchouli - Helps treat severe skin conditions including cracked or inflamed skin, acne, eczema, and dermatitis. Allegedly removes wrinkles. Also an appetite suppressant.
Peppermint Pine Rosemary Rosewood - Aphrodisiac, anti-depressant, and promotes growth of skin cells.
Sage - Overuse can be TOXIC. Good for oily hair, inflamed skin. Allegedly increases hair growth, as in the case of baldness. Helps ease pain caused by arthritis. Raises blood pressure.
Sandalwood - Known to treat urinary problems, and has been used to combat Strep. Mostly used in meditational or spiritual activity. Soothes skin irritation. Anti depressant. Also an aphrodisiac.
Spearamint Spike Lavender Spruce Tea Tree - Has been dubbed a "cure-all." Antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial oil. Highly effective against athlete's foot.
Thyme - Has been used to address stomach (gastrtis, general aching) and intestinal (staph, candida,, parasites) problems, as it has strong antibacterial properties.
Yarrow - Helps with circulation problems, and some claim it encourages hair growth.
Ylang Ylang - Antidepressant, body-relaxing, aphrodisiac, tension reliever, emotionally stabilizing, esteem-building, and has treated sexual difficulty. Also used to lower blood pressure and ease pain in the muscles.
Safety
Special precautions should be taken by individuals with unique medical conditions, including epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Pregnant women are advised caution in using aromatherapy. Also, those with sensitive skin, asthma, allergies, or individuals who already use prescription drugs are also warned to consult first with a medical physician. For those people with certain medical conditions, a short list of some certain substances to avoid follows:
- High Blood Pressure - Avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage, thyme.
- Pregnancy - Avoid aniseed, basil, camphor, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, citronella, clary sage, clove, cypress, fennel, hyssop, juniper, marjoram, myrrh, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme.
- Epilepsy - Avoid clary sage, fennel, hyssop, rosemary, sage.
- Diabetes - Avoid angelica.
Experts recommend purchasing a reliable, contemporary, and comprehensive sourcebook on aromatherapy before any individual experimentation. It is important to begin slowly with essential oils, so as not to overexpose oneself to a harmful reaction. Children should never be allowed use of essential oils unless supervised by an able adult practitioner. Oils should not be induced orally, nor should they ever be placed directly upon the skin without some dilution of a carrier oil. This, of course, is with exceptions, too numerous to outline here.
Practice
(Before engaging with any of these methods, it is absolutely imperative to research the safety conditions of individual oils and their specific usage instructions. Furthermore, aromatherapy, without use of a reliable sourcebook or consultation with established medcinalists, is not recommended.)
- Inhalation - Place a few drops of an essential oil upon a tissue. Place tissue near the nose and inhale.
- Steam Inhalation - Boil 1-2 cups of water. Pour the water into the bowl and add 3-7 drops of the oil to the water. Place nose at least 12" from the bowl and inhale.
- Room Freshening - Use steam inhalation method above but do not inhale directly. Allow steam to infiltrate the room.
- General Household Use - Add a few drops of oil to trash cans, laundry wash, tissues to be placed in drawers, etc.
- Massage - Exact quantities should be decided upon by a reputable practitioner first. Add 10-20 drops of oil to 1 ounce carrier oil and apply to individual. Avoid genitals and eyes when massaging.
- Bath - Add 5-7 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil and add this blend to running bathwater.
Additional Resource(s):
- Alternative Medicine Digest