The use of essential oils for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic and ritualistic purposes goes back to various ancient civilizations. Indians, Chinese, Egyptians, Arabians, Greeks and Romans used essential oils in various cosmetics, perfumes and drugs. Aromatherapy is the science of well being by use of essential oils. Since ages this therapy has been found to be useful in subsiding pain and anxiety, boosting energy levels, uplifting mood and short-term memory, relaxation, hair loss prevention and reduction of skin ailments.
Though essential oils had been used for ages yet the modern concept of aromatherapy was first mooted by few European scientists and doctors in the starting of 19th century. Gattefossé a French chemist burned his hand very badly and later he claimed that it was treated effectively with lavender oil. Later a French surgeon, Jean Valnet, started using essential oils as antiseptics in the treatment of wounded soldiers during World War II.
Natural oils are extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant. The inhaled aroma from these essential oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function and enhance psychological and physical well-being. These essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin. With massage these essential oils are absorbed by the body, travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing.
These days Aromatherapy is offered as a complementary therapy alongside standard treatment. Aromatherapists use standalone or blends of therapeutic essential oils for well being. These essential oils can be issued through topical application, massage, inhalation, water immersion or oil based perfumes to stimulate a desired response.
The modes of application of aromatherapy include:
Aerial diffusion: Useful for uplifting mood and fragrancing environment or aerial disinfection
Direct inhalation: Useful for respiratory disinfection, decongestant, expectoration and psychological effects
Topical applications: Useful as general massage, baths, compresses, therapeutic skin care
Various types of material used in aromatherapy include
Absolutes: These are fragrant oils extracted primarily from flowers or delicate plant tissues through solvent or supercritical fluid extraction (e.g., rose absolute).
Aroma lamps or diffusers: These are electric or candle heat based devices used to volatilize essential oils usually mixed with water or ethanol.
Carrier oils: These are typically oily plant base triacylglycerides that are used to dilute essential oils for use on the skin (e.g., sweet almond oil, jaboba oil, coconut oil).
Essential oils: These are typical fragrant oils extracted from plants primarily through steam distillation (e.g., eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil, lavender oil) or expression (grapefruit oil).
Herbal distillates or hydrosols: These are the aqueous by-products of the distillation process (e.g., rosewater, chamomile, lemon balm).
Infusions: These are aqueous extracts of various plant material (e.g., infusion of chamomile).
Vaporizers: These are higher oil content, plant based materials that are dried, crushed and heated to extract and inhale the aromatic oil vapors in a direct inhalation modality.
Aromatherapy has been a trusted practice among cultures spanning the globe for more than 5000 years liked by people who prefer natural healing and well being. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of aromatic essential oils are the most common reasons that people use it. Various researches have been done to study the uses of aromatherapy in pain management, improving sleep quality, reducing stress and anxiety, soothing sore joints and muscles.
Today, there are more than 50 kinds of therapeutic-grade aromatherapy essential oils that are extensively used in various health products like pain balms, inhalers, toothpastes, laundry detergents, body deodorants, bug repellants, ice creams, cakes and other eatables.
Most common benefits Of Aromatherapy
Relieves Stress
The most widespread and common use of aromatherapy is for stress relief. Some of the best essential oils for stress relief are lemon oil, lavender, bergamot, peppermint, vetiver, and ylang ylang essential oils.
Mood Upliftment
Essential oils are commonly used to overcome phases of bad mood. Certain studies have also shown that lemon oil can improve mood and reduce outbursts of anger.
Relieves Pain
Pain relief is one of the most useful applications of aromatherapy with any side effects of analgesics. Lavender, chamomile, clary sage, juniper, eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint essential oils do the trick.
Memory Booster
There are conclusive studies to show the efficacy of aromatherapy in young patients in boosting memory capacity for a certain time after treatment. The most common oil used for memory enhancing effect is Sage oil.
Boosts Energy Levels
More energy is required to perform tougher tasks. Essential oils like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, angelica, jasmine, tea tree, rosemary, and sage are known to increase circulation and raise energy levels and stimulate the body and mind, without any dangerous side effects like other stimulating substances like coffee, cigarettes or energy pills.
Acts as Antidepressant
Commonly used to eliminate feelings of depression and has no complicated side effects like pharmaceutical antidepressants. Most specialists suggest peppermint, chamomile, lavender, and jasmine.
Speeds up Healing
The anti-microbial properties of lavender, calendula, rosehip, everlasting, and buckthorn essential oils are considered to speed up the process of healing with increased flow of oxygen to the affected organs. They also reduce the severity and discomfort of skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Reduces Headaches
The best essential oils known to reduce headaches and migraines are peppermint, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and rosemary essential oils. Mixed with carrier oils like almond, avocado, coconut, apricot kernel, and sesame, these oils can be used for a relaxing forehead, skin or scalp massage.
Sleep regulator
Sleep disorder can trigger various medical conditions. Essential oils considered best for managing sleeping habits and having a healthy, sedative effect on the body are lavender, chamomile, jasmine, rose, benzoin, neroli, sandalwood, sweet marjoram, and ylang ylang.
Strengthens Immune System
Prevention is better than cure. If used properly aromatherapy can give a serious boost to immune system. The anti-microbial effects, anti-fungal and antibacterial effects of oregano, frankincense, lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, and eucalyptus essential oils are known to boost immune system.