Aromatherapy uses scented oils to help heal your mind, body, and spirit. You can find these oils at health food stores and online. But they aren’t regulated by the FDA, so look for ones that promise to be pure.
Also, talk to your provider about using this therapy if you have certain health conditions or take prescription medication. Some oils can interact with medications.
History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves inhaling and putting essential oils on the skin to help restore balance, health and well-being. The oils are diluted with vegetable oil (called the carrier oil) to make them safe for use on the skin.
Aromatic plants have been used for medicine and beauty since ancient times, although the actual term “aromatherapy” was devised by French perfumer and chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1937. He coined the term after suffering a burn and discovering that his hand was healed by rinsing it in lavender oil.
The Egyptians used scented oils for religious rituals, beauty treatments and to embalm the dead. They also shared their knowledge of medicinal and aromatic plants with the Greeks, including Hippocrates and Galen, who documented the beneficial effects of frankincense, myrrh, helichrysum and other oils in their herbal remedies. Shirley Price and Robert Tisserand were among the first to bring aromatherapy to Westerners, with the latter publishing The Art of Aromatherapy in 1977.
Essential Oils
Essential oils contain plant chemicals that may help protect against certain diseases and improve mood or other health conditions.
They can be extracted by distillation, a process that uses steam to pull the oil from the plant material. Some oils can also be extracted by a chemical solvent process. Generally, essential oils should only be inhaled or applied to the skin. They should never be swallowed, as this can be harmful and even fatal.
A growing body of research suggests that some essential oils may be helpful as a supplementary treatment for several health conditions and symptoms, including anxiety, nausea, infections and sleep problems. However, much more clinical study is needed to support many of the purported benefits.
It’s important to use only high-quality, pure essential oils. They’re highly concentrated, and it’s best to dilute them with a carrier oil before applying them topically. They can irritate the skin, and can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Techniques
Aromatherapy uses plant extracts called essential oils to promote mental, emotional and physical well-being. These oils are extracted from the seeds, leaves, bark, roots, peels and flowers of plants. They can be inhaled or put on the skin to create a variety of benefits. Healthcare providers who specialize in CAM or integrative medicine often provide aromatherapy services in their offices or clinics.
Aromatherapists dilute potent essential oils with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, to apply them to the skin during massage therapy. This allows them to enter the bloodstream, providing localized or systemic effects depending on the chosen oil.
To implement an aromatherapy program in a facility, it’s important to get buy-in from major stakeholders. This can include a committee with interprofessional members who can provide input and commit to proceeding with the program. Nursing considerations should also be identified, such as identifying a preoutcome and postoutcome to measure the impact of aromatherapy on symptom management.
Safety
Aromatherapy offers a holistic wellness experience that can enhance your sense of well-being. However, it’s important to practice proper safety measures to avoid potentially harmful effects.
The difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic one can be incredibly small, even in the case of pure essential oils. It is recommended that you always follow the recommendations for dilution and frequency of use and consult the Safety Data Sheets or Contraindication List (check JennScents Holistic Aromatherapy Comprehensive Guide) for each oil.
A qualified aromatherapist should avoid using any essential oil with a known toxicity, carcinogenic or skin irritant properties. Ingestion of essential oils is never recommended unless under the guidance of a healthcare professional trained at a clinical level in aromatherapy and certified by the AIA.
