The Origin and Evolution of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has long since been used as a method of healing various ailments that plague the human body. For thousands of years, healers have tapped into the healing properties of aromatherapy. Although, its roots are are hard to trace, scientists and doctors have found that aromatherapy can be dated back at least 4000 years. The Egyptians were the first noted to use botanics in several different ways. Using a number of spices and herbs, the Egyptians were said to indulge in soothing massages aided by the aromas. These spices and herbs were also commonly used as medication, within their cosmetics and even in embalming.
Many centuries later, Hippocrates was the first to bring aromatherapy into the forefront as a high profile procedure. 2000 years earlier, the physician’s creed was written attesting to the benefits of aromatherapy as both a physical and emotional healer. Within the 10th century, the Arabs used aromatherapy by extracting the oils from plants through the process of distillation. There are many other cultures throughout history that used the curative powers of plants in potions, aromas and even jewelry. Through distillation, extracting oils from herbs and plants has been widely used as a therapy for emotional and physical ailments. Aromatherapy is able to treat and cure ailments such as headaches, asthma, arthritis, acne, dry skin and herpes.
In the 1900s, both France and England attempted to reintroduce the healing properties of aromatherapy to the populace by garnering positive reviews from the traditional medical community. France has since been successful in reinstating ancient remedies into modern applications. French doctors are known to prescribe aromatherapy to special patients. It is widely common for French pharmacies to stock and sell a wide variety of oils and crushed herbs. Insurance companies are also willing to pay for medical treatments which involve ancient healing remedies such as aromatherapy.
How to Use Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Diffuser and Inhaling
You have your essential oils and know they are natural remedies, effective and safe for health and healing. You have a headache, now – what do you do?
Essential oils (E.O.’s) are easy to use. Open the bottle, get a drop or two and use it. That’s it. Not the answer you’re looking for? Let’s expand on it a bit.
There are many application methods for therapeutic healing with E.O.’s. The method you chose is dependent upon the condition being treated, and in some cases, the E.O.’s being used.
The three main categories are:
Inhaling
Topical
Internal
Inhaling Essential Oils
E.O.’s are quite effective when inhaled. This method is best for, but not limited to, emotional conditions like stress, anxiety and depression, respiratory ailments, headaches, migraine, colds, flu, sinus congestion, and to enjoy the natural perfume like fragrance. Methods used to inhale oils include:
Diffuser: There are several different diffusers designed to disperse the essential oils into the atmosphere. You can also add E.O.’s to a bowl of steaming water and inhale – be very careful not to let the fumes go into the eyes as this can be very irritating with some oils.
Evaporation: Drop some essential oils on a tissue or cloth and either inhale directly or place nearby. This is a good system for insomnia or difficulty sleeping. Evaporation method can include simply sniffing from the bottle.
Spray: Adding about 15 drops of E.O.’s per ounce of water in a spray bottle is an ideal way to create a room fragrance or deodorizer. Be sure to shake the bottle before spraying
Putz Method: Place a drop of E. O. onto a 2″ square tissue, roll it up a place it into the nostril for a few minutes. Repeat with other nostril. This is great for headache, sinus and respiratory issues.
What Is an Aromatherapy Massage?
Aromatherapy massage is a method of massage therapy that uses certain essential oils and scented candles for the purpose of releasing stress with the use of beneficial scents. This practice dates back to the Ancient times where they use herbal extracts as ointments on patients as they believe that these certain herbs have healing properties when inhaled. Although unlike today where our modern massage therapists can use scented candles, the ancient people only have the herbal extracts applied as ointments on the body of the patient although there are studies indicating the burning of herbs.
How it is done
During an aromatherapy massage session, the room is lit with certain scented candles that aid on whatever purpose the massage therapist need. There are scented candles that help in calming, energizing, uplifting the patient and many more. The massage therapist also prepares the essential oils that he or she will be using on the patient throughout the whole duration of the massage therapy session. Like any other massage therapy, an aromatherapy massage also requires the patient to take off his or her clothes and lie down on the padded massage bed. The massage therapist will then apply the prepared essential oil on the skin of the patient and slowly begins to massage as he or she conditions the body of the patient for the massage therapy. Various massage strokes will then be used on the body of the patient to relieve stress and muscle pain. After the session, the patient will put on his or her clothes and will be escorted as he or she exits the room.
Just like a Swedish massage therapy or any other type of massage method, the same preparation is made in order to enjoy and have a comfortable massage therapy session.
Aromatherapy Healing Treatment or Cosmetic Product Review
Aromatherapy appears to be an increasingly popular form of alternative healing and is the result of a process of taking the natural oils from parts of herbs and plants. Claims are made that in addition to stimulating brain function essential oils can be absorbed through the skin and as they travel through the blood stream they are able promote whole body healing.
Used in a variety of applications aromatherapy is seen as providing pain relief, mood enhancement. The Mayo clinic stops short of claiming aromatic cures for cancer; they do include aromatherapy among 11 complementary treatments that can improve the quality of life of cancer patients. According to the clinic’s website, aromatherapy will not play a role in curing cancer, but it may help with the symptoms caused by cancer treatment such as stress, vomiting, nausea and pain.
The product resulting from the extraction of natural oils from plants and herbs is said to enhance psychological and physical well being. Aromatherapy uses essential oils, which are extracts from the leaves, seeds, flowers and roots of herbs and other plants, for medicinal purposes. Aromatherapy is among 11 complementary treatments that can improve the quality of life of cancer patients. It seems that as an alternative therapy with few side effects, aromatherapy complements traditional medicine.
The word “aromatherapy” may suggest inhalation but may also be offered as a topical application. Essential oils may also be ingested for medicinal purposes. Only a trained aromatherapist should prescribe taking essential oils by mouth, as some are toxic and all are highly concentrated. How you apply aromatherapy, essential oils have an impact on their healing capabilities.
Aromatherapy Storage For Beginners
Aromatherapy dates back 3,500 years ago, before Christ. Today, aromatherapy is used in massage sessions, uplifting spirits, health uses and simply creating a desirable environment through the magic of scent.
Plants, herbs, trees, fruits, and vegetables are run through a distillation process to remove drops of oil from them and the oils are then bottled and sold for purposes of massage, healing or aroma to achieve the holistic basis of aromatherapy. These oils can be placed in other oils, called “carrier oils” to dilute the powerful properties of the essential oil. The diluted oil can then be massaged into the skin or applied to the injured area for healing.
When adding the essential oil to the skin undiluted, as with a few of the oil types, healing can be achieved as well. When applied full strength, some of the essential oils can burn or irritate the skin, calling for the need of carrier oils. Some of these oils also find their way into potpourri burners, or pans of water on a stovetop, to fill the air with a scent to either heal or lift spirits.
Essential oils can lose their potency if not handled or stored carefully. With a few simple steps, the oils can be kept at their optimal levels of strength.
The first thing to remember when purchasing essential oils is to buy them from a reputable supplier. Some companies aren’t as careful with the packaging or the distilling process of oils from the original source, leaving them lacking in potency.
The oil needs to be packaged and stored in dark glass bottles, relieving it from direct sunlight. Sunlight can speed the oxidation process, which breaks down the oil’s healing elements. Do not store any essential oil in plastic containers. The powerful attributes in essential oil can break down or in some cases melt the plastic, causing leakage or contamination of the oil.