Aromatherapy uses oils from the roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms of plants to help boost your mood and make you feel better. These oils are called essential oils.
When smelt, these oils turn on smell receptors in your nose and send signals to your brain that trigger responses throughout the body.
Ancient Greeks
Throughout the Hellenistic period, herbalists experimented with a wide range of medicinal herbs. Their discoveries laid the foundation for modern aromatherapy techniques. They also incorporated them into perfumes and used them in rituals and ceremonies.
The ancient Greeks regarded scent as an integral part of their culture. They believed that herbs and flowers had sacred powers. Perfumes were worn by gods, goddesses, and mortal characters in epic poems such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
Greek physicians, such as Hippocrates, developed an understanding of the connection between plant and human health. They recognized that certain plants can cause harm in large doses but can be beneficial in small amounts.
The Hellenistic period saw an expansion of the knowledge of herbs, oils and oleo-resins. The establishment of Alexandria in Egypt under the leadership of Alexander’s successor, Ptolemy I, enabled the exchange of ideas between Greek, Egyptian and Eastern scholars. This resulted in the development of a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology.
Persians
Persians are a people and an empire with an identity loosely tied to cats, rugs, and princes. They are also the source of some of the world’s most beautiful and haunting literature. The opulent dramas of Aeschylus and the poems of Omar Khayyam are a testament to their artistry.
The modern language of Iran is Persian, which belongs to the western branch of the Indo-European languages. It is closely related to Old Persian, the official religious and literary language of the Achaemenids, as well as Middle Persian, which was the language of the Sasanian Empire.
Today, Persian is mainly spoken in Iran, Afghanistan (including eastern parts of the country), the Caucasus (particularly Ossetia and other areas of Georgia, Dagestan, and Azerbaijan), Pakistan, and inner India. However, some emigrants from these regions use the term Iran when they discuss their heritage and culture. Others choose to use the name Parsi, which is an Indian word for Iranians.
French
Using aromatherapy as part of a holistic approach to health and well-being is very popular in France. A group of experts has worked to develop guidelines for integrating aromatherapy into the hospital environment. They address everything from education structure to financial rationale. The safety of essential oils was a major point of discussion.
During the conference, there was an excellent presentation by a French phytotherapist, Paul Goetz. He discussed a combination of new research discoveries and traditional uses. He also emphasized the importance of proper dosage.
A French-style approach requires high quality oils that are distilled carefully to preserve their therapeutic properties. For example, frankincense (Boswellia carterii) is used for a variety of purposes, including anti-depressant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. YL, unlike many multi-level companies, owns and operates its own farms and has complete control over the cultivation and distillation process. In addition, they offer tours of the farms to educate their customers on how the oils are made.
Modern day
Aromatherapy uses pleasant scents, such as eucalyptus or lavender, to promote physical healing and emotional stability. This holistic treatment is a great alternative to traditional medications, which are often habit forming or damaging to the body. Essential oils have been shown to affect the limbic system of the brain, which governs emotions and behavior. For this reason, many people experience positive mood changes and stress relief after using aromatherapy.
Like smelling someone’s fart, it is highly unlikely that smells have direct physiological effects (with the exception of menthol / eucalyptus). However, the sense of smell has a strong connection to memory and emotions, so it makes sense that pleasant aromas can trigger positive psychological changes. This is why spa facilities are incorporating aromatherapy into their treatments.
