Definition of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other scented compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health. Essential oils differ in chemical composition from other herbal products because the distillation process only recovers the lighter hytomolecules. For this reason essential oils are rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, as well as other substances (esters, aromatic compounds, non-terpene hydrocarbones, some organic sulfides etc.).

The word, aromatherapy, was first used in the 1920's, by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé, who devoted his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils after a lucky accident in his perfume laboratory. In the accident, he set his arm on fire and thrust it into the nearest cold liquid, which happened to be a vat of NOx Ph232 or more commonly known as lavender oil. Immediately he noticed surprising pain relief, and instead of requiring the extended healing process he had experienced during recovery from previous burns--which caused redness, heat, inflammation, blisters, and scarring--this burn healed remarkably quickly, with minimal discomfort and no scarring. Jean Valnet continued the work of Gattefossé. During World War I Valnet used essential oils to treat gangrene in wounded soldiers.

Today, aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices.

In aromatherapy these potent oils are mixed with a carrier oil, such as Sweet Almond, Safflower, Grapeseed, Jojoba or the oils are diluted with alcohol or water and applied via:

1. aerial diffusion for environmental fragrancing or aerial disinfection,
2. direct inhalation for respiratory disinfection, decongestion, expectoration,
3. topical applications for general massage, baths, compresses, therapeutic skin care,
4. perfumery and anointments.

Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that the aroma of these "essential" oils directly stimulates the brain or that the oils are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, where they can affect the whole body and promote healing.

Theory

Aromatherapy is the treatment or prevention of disease by use of essential oils. Two basic mechanisms are offered to explain the purported effects. One is the influence of aroma on the brain, especially the limbic system through the olfactory system. The other is the direct pharmacological effects of the essential oils themselves.

In France, where it originated, aromatherapy is incorporated into mainstream medicine. There, the use of the anti-septic, antiviral, anti fungal and antibacterial properties of oils in the control of infections is emphasized. In France some essential oils are regulated as prescription drugs, and thus administered by a physician. French doctors use a technique called the aromatogram to guide their decision on which essential oil to use. First the doctor cultures a sample of infected tissue or secretion from the patient. Next the growing culture is divided among petri dishes supplied with agar. Each petri dish is inoculated with a different essential oil to determine which have the most activity against the target strain of microorganism. The antiseptic activity manifests as a pattern of inhibited growth.

Essential oils work in several ways. At the scent level they activate the limbic system and emotional centers of the brain. When applied to the skin (commonly in form of "massage oils" i.e. 1-10% solutions of EO in carrier oil) they activate thermal receptors, and kill microbes and fungi. Internal application of essential oil preparations (mainly in pharmacological drugs; generally not recommended for home use apart from dilution - 1-5% in fats or mineral oils, or hydrosoles) may stimulate the immune system.

Pharmacological effects attributed to essential oils

• antibacterial ˜ In-vitro testing has confirmed antibacterial effects in certain oils including rosemary, clove, lime, cinnamon and tea tree oil.
• antiviral ˜ Supported for tee tree oil, lemongrass, sandlewood, peppermint, ginger, thyme, hyssop in in-vitro testing against Herpes.
• antifungal
• anti-inflammatory ˜ Supported by in-vitro testing for lavender, thyme, clove, juniper and tea tree.
• anxiolytic
• antispasmotic
• invigorating
• antioxidant

Popular uses of Popular Essential Oils

• Basil is used in perfumery for its clear, sweet and mildly spicy aroma. In aromatherapy, it is used for sharpening concentration, for its uplifting effect on depression, and to relieve headaches and migraines.
• Bergamot is one of the most popular oils in perfumery. It is an excellent insect repellent and may be helpful for both the urinary tract and for the digestive tract. It is useful for skin conditions linked to stress, such as cold sores and chicken pox, especially when combined with eucalyptus oil. Bergamot is a flavoring agent in Earl Grey tea. But cold-pressed Bergamot oil contains bergaptene, a strong photosenstizer when applied to the skin, so only distilled or 'bergaptene-free' types can be topically used.
• Black pepper has a sharp and spicy aroma. Common uses include stimulating the circulation and for muscular aches and pains. Skin application is useful for bruises, since it stimulates the circulation.
• Citronella oil, obtained from a relative of lemongrass, is used as an insect repellant and in perfumery.
• Tea tree oil and many other essential oils have topical (external) antimicrobial (i.e. antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or antiparasitic) activity and are used as antiseptics and disinfectants.
• Eucalyptus oil is often used in combination with Mint to provide relief for the airways in case of cold or flu.
• Sandalwood oil can be used to treat insomnia and anxiety as well as reducing nerve pain. It aids in digestion and increases the production of white blood cells to help fight infection.
• Thyme oil is used as a strong antiseptic which increases the production of white blood cells in the body. It's used to prevent viral or fungal infections.
• Clove oil is a topical analgesic, especially useful in dentistry. It is also used an antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, and antiemetic.
• Lavender oil is used as an antiseptic, to soothe minor cuts and burns, to calm and relax, and to soothe headaches and migraines.
• Yarrow oil is used to reduce joint inflammation and relieve cold and influenza symptoms.
• Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-ylang) oil are used as aphrodisiacs.
• Lemon oil is uplifting and anti-stress/anti-depressant. In a Japanese study, lemon essential oil in vapour form has been found to reduce stress in mice.

In short, essential oils are the heart of aromatherapy and they have been used to:

• Heal Wounds
• Improve Skin Tone
• Regulate Hormones
• Stimulate the immune system
• Decrease lung and sinus congestion
• Kill fungal & bacterial infections
• Reduce inflammation
• Relax muscles
• Improve sleep
• Aid blood circulation
• Relieve tension headaches
• More.