Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine using essential oils to improve health and wellness. The oils are distilled from the seeds, stems, leaves, needles and flowers of plants.
They are highly concentrated and can be flammable, cause dermatitis or cause oral toxicity when inhaled. It’s important to choose pure, high-quality oils from a reliable source.
How it works
Essential oils are potent, concentrated plant oil that can be used in different ways to support health and wellness. They’re usually mixed with a carrier oil, which helps protect the skin and deliver the essential oil to your body. When you inhale the aroma of an oil, olfactory receptors in your nose detect the molecules and send messages to the brain that trigger certain hormone responses. This can help calm the mind, reduce anxiety and lower stress levels.
Benefits
Aromatherapy uses scent to improve your mood and well-being. It may also ease physical symptoms like pain or nausea. Inhaling the smell of certain essential oils can trigger a reaction in your brain. It affects the limbic system, a part of your brain that controls emotions. Different oils have different effects. For example, citrus oils can make you feel happy or energized. Lavender can reduce anxiety or stress.
Some research shows that aromatherapy can help with trait anxiety, a type of anxiety you might have all the time. It can also help with symptoms of depression and dementia.
However, more study is needed to prove these claims. And you should always talk to your healthcare provider before trying aromatherapy, especially if you’re pregnant or could become pregnant, have any diagnosed medical conditions or take prescription medications. They can tell you if it’s safe for you and recommend the right type of oil for you. They can also teach you how to use aromatherapy safely at home.
Techniques
Aromatherapy relies on the use of pure essential oils, volatile substances extracted from diverse parts of fresh plants with curative properties. They are different from perfumes or aromatic mixtures used in the beauty industry; they’re not only a pleasure to smell but contain powerful healing properties.
A trained aromatherapist uses a special blending process to mix the appropriate therapeutic essential oil or combination of oils. The therapist consults the patient to inquire about the desired results and then selects a therapeutic blend to treat the condition or preserve wellness.
The therapist can diffuse the chosen essential oil in a room to fill it with its scent or add it to a massage oil. This oil is then used to massage the body’s muscles and soft tissues. Marguerite Maury, a nurse, developed this application in the 1960s. 8 major nursing theorists have embraced clinical aromatherapy to promote a holistic approach to health and healing that balances physical needs, spirituality and emotional well-being.
Precautions
Some essential oils are toxic when ingested and can cause interactions with certain medications. Others may have side effects when applied to the skin or may trigger symptoms of an underlying health condition.
Educate yourself on how to choose, use and store essential oils. Purchase your oils from reputable suppliers who analyze their products with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
Avoid “fragrance oils,” which aren’t pure and are typically mixed with chemicals. You should also avoid using old, improperly stored oils, as they will oxidize and become less effective.
Infants and children have thinner skin, so dilution is required when applying essential oil to the body. It’s best to consult a health professional and follow safety guidelines when working with these young patients. Also, some oils can act as estrogen, so they’re not recommended for use around pregnant women.
