Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the process by which plant oils, including essential oils, are utilised for their ocular and therapeutic properties to cure ailments as wide-ranging as stress to depression to irritable bowel syndrome!
Essential oils comprise the major part of the aromatherapist’s arsenal. These are pure oils extracted from the petals, bark, rind and leaves of different plants to create a potent ’essence’ of the original plant from whence the oil came. That’s why a 10mL bottle of lavender oil smells as if it contains about 6 large bushes of lavender blossoms in such a tiny jar; it quite literally does!
As well as the powerful essential oils, aromatherapy makes use of carrier oils (oils to dilute the potent essential oils), aqueous infusions, absolutes and distillates to maximise the healing properties of plants in their application for various ailments.
How Does Aromatherapy Benefit Me?
Aromatherapy is thought to work on many different levels in its application as a treatment for various ailments. The immediate olfactory effects are what many find most satisying about aromatherapy, although this is not necessarily the most powerful action of essential oils. The natural aroma of any given essential oil is thought to trigger a reaction in the brain, as well as being inhaled into the lungs and being absorbed on a cellular level. In this way lavender soothes a throbbing headache, and eucalyptus clears a stuffy nose. More subtle scents such as bergamot and lemon have an uplifting effect, while stimulating scents like rosemary and pine increase your concentration and are great for study or long road trips in stuffy quarters!
Topical application of essential oils allows for the major benefits of aromatherapy to be actualised, as the oils are absorbed into the bloodstream more readily. To be applied to the skin, most essential oils need to be distilled in a carrier oil since they can be toxic in such a potent form. Popular carrier oils in aromatherapy include cold pressed almond oil, apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil.
Essential oils are often combined in a carrier oil to create a synergystic blend that is specially formulated to target a particular ailment. For many ailments it is thought that the smell of the oils, combined with the absorption of the oil into the bloodstream through massage with the oils, ingestion or application of a tincture functions to stimulate brain activity conducive to wellbeing. For example, lavender has been shown to stimulate alpha wave activity towards the base of the brain, which may explain it’s calming and relaxing effect on people.
How Can I Use Aromatherapy In My Life?
Probably the easiest and safest way to bring aromatherapy into the home is to buy yourself an oil burner and an aromatherapy recipe book and get cracking! The subtle and natural scents that fill your home when you burn essential oils requires no in-depth knowledge about the properties of different oils, so you can choose the scents that appeal to you the most and improve your mood instantly!
If you do plan to use essential oils topically through massage, tinctures, bubble baths and the like, make sure you invest in a trusted aromatherapy resource to guide you! Essential oils are extremely potent and many are toxic if applied in undiluted form to the skin. Valerie Ann Worwood’s "The Fragrant Pharmacy" is a good start. Invest in cold pressed essential oils, not fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are a cheap imitation of essential oils and while you may not be able to smell the difference, your nervous system will take it as an insult if you apply fragrance oils to your body! Many contain harmful chemicals and can make you rather ill. So buy the best essential oils you can afford.
In short, aromatherapy is a great tool to add to your kit around the house, office, anywhere you like. Mop the floors with basil (one of the most powerful antibacterial agents known) and hot water instead of bleach and your nose will know the difference! Infuse your vaccum cleaner with cinnamon for an exotic germ killing spree. Ylang ylang burning in the bedroom is likely to light a little more than the tea-light candle too...aromatherapy adds a whole new dimension to your life. The sense of smell is often neglected in our society. Now get out there and ignite your senses!!
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