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The
Healing Powers
of
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
means 'a therapy using aromas' - the aromas from the plant kingdom. The
essential oils are obtained from herbs, fruits, flowers, seeds, and trees
for therapeutic reasons. The relevant part of the plant - the wood of
sandalwood, the petals of a rose, the peel of lemon, the leaves of a
rosemary bush, the berries of juniper for instance, go through a
distillation process which produces the wonderfully aromatic, but extremely
concentrated substances called essential oils. Their actions on the human
body are not fully understood, but they have been used beneficially for
thousands of years. If used incorrectly they can be hazardous so they must
be treated with respect.
The
Use of Essential Oils
Essential
oils are always diluted in either a carrier oil (e.g. almond oil), water,
or a lotion because of their
concentration, and because they are easily absorbed through the skin and
could harm you if applied undiluted. There are various methods of
application such as baths, massage, steam inhalations, hot and cold
compresses, room vapourisers, creams and lotions to treat a wide variety
of complaints like colds, coughs, sinusitis, stress-related problems,
migraine, muscle aches and pains, and menstrual problems, to name but a
few.
The
oils have a direct effect on all the body systems; for instance, the
nervous, digestive, respiratory, hormonal system, and so forth. Research
has shown that the oils help restore the balance between body, mind and
spirit, and that they have a psychological effect on our emotions. As our
sense of smell is linked to our emotions, we find that some scents can
lift us out of depression whilst others may have a calming influence on
troubled emotions. This makes aromatherapy a very subtle but very
effective therapy.
However,
it is not about smell alone. The oils have their individual healing
properties - be they antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal,
anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, or expectorant
They can be used to help alleviate a variety of complaints, such as
Frankincense for anxiety, Lavender for headaches and
insomnia, Rosemary to stimulate blood circulation and Ginger
for nausea and cold feet. Chamomile helps skin complaints whilst Tea-Tree
and Ravensara speed up the healing of wounds, and boost the immune
system. These examples are but a few from the very impressive range of
essential oils available today.
An
Aromatherapy Treatment
Aromatherapy,
particularly in the form of a massage, can help the body to remain
healthy. An aromatherapy massage will be carried out using a blend of
essential oils selected specifically for the individual, after first
taking a careful medical history to establish any contra-indications to
the treatment and oils. The consultation also involves discussing the
client's lifestyle, diet and emotions because this therapy uses the
holistic approach, i.e. treats the person as a whole and not just the
symptom. Plato once said, 'The cure
of the part should not be attempted without the treatment of the whole…'
The aim, in the long run, is to help clients heal themselves.
The
oils work on the body in 3 ways:
1)
The oils are absorbed via the skin into the blood stream and lymphatic
system, and transported throughout the body.
2)
The inhalation of the oils works on the respiratory system so that oils
chosen, for example for asthma or bronchitis, reach the areas they are
required for.
3)
Via our nose - the olfactory system - the scent of the oils works directly
on our emotions and can have a profound effect on relaxing, releasing
pent-up emotions, and restoring balance to the body.
Like
so many other complimentary therapies, aromatherapy works well with
acupuncture, homeopathy, and reflexology, to name a few. They all have the
'gentle' approach to treating the human body.
Caution
Before
using essential oils it is imperative to note
that the safety regulations should always be adhered to, which are:
1)
Never take the oils internally.
2)
Never apply neat to the skin - always
dilute before use.
3)
Never allow the oils near or in the eyes.
4)
Keep out of children's reach.
5)
Always check with a qualified aromatherapist or a reputable reference book
before treating yourself or your family for any ailments.
A Brief History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
is not a 'new' practice and has been around for many years. Historical
inscriptions and manuscripts show that the Egyptians were highly developed
in the use of aromatic medicines 3,000 BC. China and India also have a
long tradition of using plants for healing, as do the Ancient Greeks and
Romans. Greek physicians - Hippocrates and Dioscorides - began recording
and classifying the properties of medicinal plants, and the Arab physician
Avicenna is said to have perfected the art of distillation in the 10th
Century. It was from the Orient that many exotic plants found their way to
Europe in the 13th Century when the Crusaders returned home.
During Mediaeval times herbs were strewn on floors or burnt in houses to
ward off bacteria and infections, especially during the Plague. In the
1930s a French chemist and researcher - René Gattefosse - first coined
the phrase 'aromatherapie', and further studies were carried out by the
French surgeon, Jean Valnet into treating soldiers in World War II with
aromatic oils when they had no drugs. Antibiotics became widely available
after the war, and the use of natural medicines declined.
Recently,
people have begun to realise that the orthodox medical profession does not
have the answers to all forms of illness, and people are looking for more
natural forms of treatment. It is since the 1970s that the popularity of
aromatherapy has started to increase, and many medical doctors in the UK
and Europe are now working closely with aromatherapists.
©
Hatzy Joyce • March,
2003