What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils for improving and maintaining health and beauty. All the ancient civilizations –– Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian have used Aromatherapy for their physical and mental well-being. The modern day interest in aromatherapy began with a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in the early 20th century. He accidentally burned himself while working in his laboratory and plunged the injured arm into a cool tub of lavender oil. He was surprised that the pain and inflammation of the injury were greatly reduced by the oil. This prompted him to begin a lifelong investigation into the properties of many different oils, as well as coin the term "aromatherapy." Why Aromatherapy Works
As an holistic therapy Aromatherapy is able to work on several levels of the individuals well being.
Aromatherapists believe that the proper mixture of different types of oils can naturally help our bodies control and rebalance skin problems, ease muscle strain, treat circulation and respiratory problems and strengthen the immune system.
Aesthetic therapy: Essential oils enhance the beauty of skin and hair due to their antiseptic and antiviral qualities and their ability to balance the production of sebum in the skin. They can be used as fragrant bath oils, as shampoos, lotions, or massage oils.
Psychological therapy: The various scents of essential oils have an effect on our moods and can incite certain emotions. They ultimately communicate with our limbic system, which acts as our emotional control center, which is capable of interpreting visual and oral information.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are non-oily aromatic liquids occurring naturally in various parts of plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, woods and spices. They contain the life force of the plant and have the ability to strengthen our immune system and to stimulate our bodies natural healing
abilities.
Using Essential Oils
Essential Oils are highly concentrated and should not be used directly on the skin or near the eyes. They must always be diluted in a suitable carrier oil (vegetable oil like Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, Wheat Germ Oil. Essential oils are not for internal use.
Uses
Aromatherapy can be used in a variety of ways for many benefits: Massage, Baths, Foot-baths, Vaporizers, Compresses, Diffusers, Skin care, Meditation and Deodorizers.
Synergies
A synergy is a blend of two or more essential oils. The combined effect is more powerful than the effect of the oils used individually. Sometimes, combining oils produces effects that can't be obtained from any individual oil. Synergies have to be added to a carrier product.
Aromatherapeutic Products
With New Millennium we are becoming increasingly concerned about the content of our food, side effects of the medicines, etc. We replace genetically modified with organic, conventional drugs with homeopathics…… At last we seem to realize that the food we eat and the air we breathe affect our health. And so do cosmetics!
Aromatherapy aims to rejuvenate the body and balance the state of mind through the use of essential oils, and, as a result, generally improve our outward appearance.
Aromatherapy preparations - body lotions, creams, face and bath oils, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, etc.- can be used as pleasant and natural substitutes of 'high science' in the bathroom. They are loaded with natural goodies: essential oils, natural waxes, and butters! They can address your mood and treat your medical complains at the same time!
Essential oils are superb skin care agents - balancing sebum and toning complexion - and can help common skin problems. Not only can you benefit from the physical properties of those valuable ingredients but also from the therapeutic effect they will have on your mind.
Do you trust them...
We are very trusting of cosmetic companies. We assume that the products we buy are safe and that what advertisements say is true…… But is it?
A fifth of the chemicals used by the cosmetic industry are known to cause harm - that is about 1000 commonly used ingredients. And only 14% have been found safe...
Example taken from leading brand moisturizing body lotion:
- Sodium laureth sulfate - eye irritant, may cause skin irritation and dermatitis
- Cocamidopropyl betaine - may cause contact allergies and contact dermatitis
- Ethanolamine - harmful, skin irritant
Aromatheray philosophy
Aromatherapy uses the concentrated essential oils of various plants for therapeutic purposes. These oils can be administered through massage, inhalation, compresses and baths. While commonly associated with pleasant applications for beauty and general relaxation, essential oils have complex chemical components that, like herbs, have medicinal properties that effect the body in a variety of ways. Understanding these uses requires training in the appropriate selection, preparation and application of these oils as well as knowledge of their toxicities, side effects and interactions with pharmaceutical drugs.
Aromatherapy has been used by ancient cultures for thousands of years, with the earliest example discovered in Iraq and dating back 60,000 years. Evidence of its use has been found in Egypt, China, India, Tibet, Persia, Arabia, Africa, Europe and other cultures worldwide. Many of these cultures developed substantial written descriptions of their use including prescription, methods of preparation and dosages. In ancient Greece Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, is known to have utilized aromatics for the treatment of female disorders and for its antibacterial properties.
In the 19th century essential oils first underwent scientific analysis to identify the therapeutic components of plants and to document its medical uses. A French chemist, Maurice Gattefosse, studied both the psychological and physiological effects of essential oils and coined the word aromatherapy in his 1937 publication Aromatherapie. Dr. Jean Valnet devoted much of his professional life to researching aromatherapy and produced the classic text, The Practice of Aromatherapy. Research was continued in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and France and the practice continues to be researched and taught in order to verify and promote its safe and effective use as a part of medical therapeutics.
The use of aromatherapy in hospitals was introduced by nurses as a means of reducing patients’’ pain and anxiety and increasing well being, providing important support to the process of healing. Ongoing nursing and medical research is providing further evidence for other therapeutic uses.
