Aromatherapy uses extracts from plants called essential oils to improve your overall health and wellness. The practice is used by a wide variety of people and healthcare professionals.
It can help ease symptoms of stress, anxiety and poor sleep. It can also enhance your mood and boost energy levels.
Origins
Throughout history, people have used oils for spiritual, hygienic and therapeutic purposes. This practice was later developed into a modern form of aromatherapy.
The origins of aromatherapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt and China, where aromatic essential oils were used for healing and fragrances were burned in ceremonies and rituals. In the 4th century BC, Hippocrates, a Greek physician, recognised that burning certain aromatic plants could offer protection against infectious diseases.
In Europe, it was French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse who first introduced the term “aromatherapy” in 1928. His study of the pharmacology of lavender essential oil led to a series of studies that helped reveal the therapeutic properties of essential oils.
Then, during the Second World War, French army doctor Jean Valnet began treating soldiers with essential oils to help heal gangrene. The practices of Valnet and Austrian biochemist Marguerite Maury continued to develop the therapeutic and antiseptic properties of essential oils. This research lead to a scientific approach called ‘aromatology’ or ‘aromatic medicine’, which focused on treatment of infection with essential oils.
Symptoms
Essential oils have a range of effects, including reducing pain, improving mood, and promoting relaxation. They can be used in a variety of ways, including through steam inhalation or added to bath salts and other products.
In addition, aromatherapy can also be used as a massage therapy component to ease pains or injuries. Some of the more common oil types that reduce physical pain include eucalyptus, ginger, thyme, and chamomile.
An aromatherapy massage can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which often come along with certain chronic health conditions. The olfactory nerves in the brain are stimulated by the massage, and this can boost serotonin levels and lead to improved mood and mental function.
Essential oils are very potent, so it’s important to use them in small amounts and only when needed. They’re best used with a carrier oil, which will dilute them and make them less strong. It’s also a good idea to get a consultation with an aromatherapist, who can help you choose the right oils for your specific needs.
Treatments
Aromatherapy is a kind of complementary therapy that uses essential oils from plants. It is believed that the smells of these oils can promote mental and physical health, reduce stress, increase relaxation, improve sleep, and help people cope with illness or injury.
Oils are made by extracting the plant’s essence from parts like the leaves, bark, roots, flowers or petals. There are over 60 different types of oils.
They are often used for pain, nausea and other side effects caused by cancer or cancer treatment. They can be diluted into body lotion or massaged on the skin.
Studies have shown that aromatherapy can lower symptoms of cancer and hospice care, including nausea, aches or pains, anxiety, and depression. They may also be helpful for improving quality of life and reducing fatigue.
Precautions
Aromatherapy can be a safe and natural way to promote health and wellness. However, it is important to follow certain precautions when using essential oils.
Essential oils are potent and highly concentrated. They can cause serious harm if used incorrectly, or not in the correct way.
For example, if an individual is prone to allergic reactions, they should not use essential oils without first performing a skin patch test. This will ensure that the person has no adverse reactions to the oil they are using.
It is also important to dilute the essential oil before applying it to the skin. A safe dilution ratio is usually 0.5 to 2.5 percent.
It is also important to keep essential oils out of reach of young children. They can be poisonous if ingested.
