Unless you?ve been asleep for the past few years, you?ve probably heard something about aromatherapy. In fact, you might even be interested in learning more about aromatherapy, and the benefits it possesses.
Aromatherapy has actually been around for at least six thousand years. It was used in China in the form of incense burned in temples, and in the oils the ancient Egyptians used in embalming and other rituals. In some form or another, aromatherapy has been utilized in human civilization ever since.
However, it?s only in recent years that aromatherapy has really come into its own. In fact, only now is it being seen as a genuine science, as well as an ancient art.
To many people, the idea of aromatherapy is just that: therapy derived from aromas. But in actual fact, it?s much more. Aromatherapy involves the utilization of essential oils, which are oils derived from plant matter (these oils are generally extracted by distillation, although other methods are often employed to do so). The plant parts used include leaves, flowers, stems, bark, roots, even the rinds of fruits. These essential oils don?t actually feel ?oily? as such, but they are miscible in oil, which gives them their oily nature. They?re very volatile, which accounts for their strong aroma, and contain a multitude of chemical compounds.
Aromatherapy has been shown to be beneficial for a number of conditions, ranging from physical to mental ailments. Aromatherapy is particularly beneficial for stress (lavender oil is commonly used as a de-stressor), and many essential oils have an antibacterial or antifungal action, and can be applied directly to the skin (tea tree oil is an excellent example of this). It?s not widely understood why essential oils have the effects on the body they do, but it?s most likely to do with the complex chemical structure of the essential oils, and the fact that the body can absorb these components (whether through inhalation, or through direct application through massage or the like).
There are a number of ways aromatherapy is utilized, including: direct inhalation, steam inhalation (using a vaporizer or similar), in personal care products (added to creams, soaps, lotions etc), in a clay pot diffuser, a lamp ring diffuser or a nebulizing electric diffuser, or through massage with a carrier oil. There are also aromatherapy candles on the market, which when burned release the essential oils into the atmosphere in a similar way to a diffuser. Another common use of essential oils is in bathing, where a few drops of an essential oil are added to bath water, and mixed in vigorously. This is an excellent way for the user to both inhale the aromas, as well as absorb the compounds through the skin.
However, before you get stuck straight into the use of aromatherapy, remember that natural does not necessarily equal safe! Essential oils contain powerful ? often toxic ? ingredients, and must be used with care. Many essential oils can not be applied directly to the skin (as they are highly irritating) and the majority should not be ingested on any circumstances. Remember also that when it comes to essential oils, less really is more. A few drops of any essential oil is all you need. Adding more will not increase the power of the essential oil, and may instead produce deleterious effects (not to mention wasting the essential oil, many of which are quite expensive).
Before using essential oils, it?s a good idea to read more about them. You?ll find several great resources both online and offline detailing the effects and uses of the most common essential oils. You?ll also learn more about blending essential oils for maximum effect, and any safety considerations you have to be aware of.
Fiona Shearer-Hann is the webmaster of The Aromatherapy Expert website, and also maintains several other websites including Mega Health Suite.