Aromatherapy uses scented oils to improve mood, sleep, anxiety and other health problems. These oils are inhaled or applied directly to the skin during massage.
Research suggests citrus oils may boost the immune system and that vanilla scent can lower heart rate and blood pressure during a stress test. But before you try this therapy, talk to your doctor.
The History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has long been used to enhance the psychological and physical well-being of people. It involves the use of fragrant oils extracted from medicinal plants, flowers, trees and roots. These oils are absorbed through the skin and lungs and affect body functions like mood, sleep and digestion.
Essential oil inhalation is the most common form of aromatherapy. When you inhale the molecules of an essential oil, they stimulate the smell receptors in your nose and send messages through the olfactory nerve to the brain. These messages then trigger the release of hormones that can have positive effects on your mental and emotional health.
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist and pharmacist, coined the term ‘aromatherapy’ in the early 1900s to describe his therapeutic use of botanical extracts. He is considered one of the fathers of modern aromatherapy along with French physician Jean Valnet and English herbalist Robert Tisserand. They combined ancient wisdom with emerging scientific research, paving the way for modern-day applications of clinical aromatherapy.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are concentrated extracts made from the roots, seeds, leaves, bark, stems or blossoms of certain plants. They are used to promote physical healing, like soothing sore muscles or improving circulation. They can also be used for emotional healing, calming anxiety or enhancing relaxation.
These oils are inhaled or added to a carrier oil and applied directly on the skin. They are very strong, so they must be diluted before use. They may cause irritation in the eyes or respiratory tract if they are inhaled directly or in high concentrations. This can be problematic for individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are sensitive to irritants or may have other sensitivities to specific chemicals or compounds.
Aromatherapists recommend using a ratio of 1 drop of essential oil to a teaspoon of carrier oil when applying them to the body or to a diffuser. The oils are very powerful and should never be ingested or vaped as they can be toxic to the body.
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are a key ingredient in many aromatherapy and natural skin care recipes. They dilute essential oils and facilitate their absorption into the skin. You can find them at health food stores and specialty beauty suppliers or purchase them from companies that specialize in natural aromatherapy and body care products.
Carrier oil is pressed from a variety of seeds, nuts and plants. Some are odorless, while others have faint aromas that may be nutty, sweet or characteristic of the plant or nut from which they come.
A high quality carrier oil should be unrefined and organic. It should also be cold pressed and free of additives. It should have a long shelf life and be able to be stored in a dark glass bottle. Some carrier oils, such as Avocado and Borage Seed, are fragile and should be refrigerated after opening to prolong their lifespan. It is important to use the correct ratio of essential and carrier oil when creating therapeutic massage and body oil blends.
Techniques
The practice of aromatherapy necessitates the use of a variety of techniques. These techniques include inhalation, diffusion, massage and application of the oils to the skin or ingesting them orally. It is important for a practitioner to have knowledge of the properties of essential oils and how they work with the body.
A skilled practitioner is able to evaluate the effect of aromatherapy in different situations and apply the appropriate technique. This requires familiarity with oil chemistry, pharmacology and physiology. In professional settings, this expertise includes understanding the dilution rates of various essential oils.
Getting started in aromatherapy in the health care setting requires buy-in from major stakeholders. This is facilitated by establishing a committee that includes interprofessional members. The committee should identify and prioritize goals for the program. Then, they should find a best practice model and create a policy and procedure manual. Finally, the team should identify preoutcome and postoutcome measurements for the symptom they wish to manage with aromatherapy.
