Info-Authority.com: Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, in different forms, has existed for thousands of years. Plant oils have been found to be effective in lubricating the skin, purifying the air, and acting as insect repellents. Bath and massage oils were commonly used in ancient Egypt; the Greeks and Romans also used them to treat infection. The French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, accidentally discovered the benefits of lavender when he spilled it onto his burned hand. He began studying the benefits of plant oils, and thus founded aromatherapy, which has been used in Europe since the early 1900s. A form of alternative medicine that uses the essential oils derived from plant materials, aromatherapy is used to improve one's physical or psychological health.

Forms of Aromatherapy

There are three forms of the practice:

Home aromatherapy (self treatment)
Clinical aromatherapy (applied in conjunction with pharmacology)
Aromachology (use of aromas to affect moods).

Aromatherapy Materials

The materials used are derived from a wide variety of sources, including: eucalyptus oil, grapefruit oil, oils extracted from roses, rosewater (water-based byproduct of roses), infusion of chamomile, phytoncides (organic compounds derived from plants), and natural oils, such as sweet almond oil, that are applied directly to the skin.

Practicing Aromatherapy

The therapeutic practice of aromatherapy is highly varied. Western traditional medicine, often views aromatherapy as more of an art than science. It is usually only recommended as a complementary treatment, to be used in conjunction with other approaches. In France, however, aromatherapy has been integrated into mainstream medicine, and some of the essential oils are treated as pharmaceutical agents to be administered by physicians.

Aromatherapy is administered in several different ways, including: inhalation (directly or through the air), absorption through the skin (baths, massage, and compresses), absorption through the mucous membranes (oral rinses), and rarely through ingestion (with caution). Essential Oils are generally not used internally, unless they are included in pharmaceutical drugs. Aromatherapy practitioners also need to be aware of the source of the oils and how they are processed, as these factors can affect the outcome of treatments.

Benefits of Aromatherapy

Advocates of aromatherapy believe that the odors stimulate the nerves in the nose, which, in turn, send impulses to the brain to either calm or stimulate the body or emotions. Aromatherapy is used to kill bacterial and fungi, as a form of anesthesia, for the central nervous system, for metabolic and endocrine system conditions, as a stimulator of the immune system, and for its psychological effects. For example, lavender is used for memory enhancement and as a sleep aid. Clinics are now using aromatherapy for pain control, to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy, and for cardiac rehabilitation. Advocates of aromatherapy believe it is beneficial for treating burns, infection, insomnia, depression, and high blood pressure.

Skeptics concede aromatherapy is relaxing, but cite the scant scientific verification of its benefits. They also acknowledge the benefits of using eucalyptus oil and mint to open the airways during colds and the flu, but find that broader use of aromatherapy is limited in its effectiveness. They also caution against possible ill effects, particularly if the substances interact with traditional medications. Aromatherapy practitioners are not licensed in the United States, but rather come from the ranks of massage therapy, nursing, and counseling. Consultation with a traditional physician is recommended to determine whether or not aromatherapy is safe to use. It is not recommended for young children, people with certain lung conditions like asthma, or those with skin allergies. In pregnant women, some oils are thought to induce labor.

By Eve Visconti




	Aromatherapy Aromatherapy, in different forms, has existed for thousands of years. Plant oils have been found to be effective in lubricating the skin, purifying the air, and acting as insect repellents. Bath and massage oils were commonly used in ancient Egypt; the Greeks and Romans also used them to treat infection. The French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, accidentally discovered the benefits of lavender when he spilled it onto his burned hand. He began studying the benefits of plant oils, and thus founded aromatherapy, which has been used in Europe since the early 1900s. A form of alternative medicine that uses the essential oils derived from plant materials, aromatherapy is used to improve one's physical or psychological health. Forms of Aromatherapy There are three forms of the practice: Home aromatherapy (self treatment) Clinical aromatherapy (applied in conjunction with pharmacology) Aromachology (use of aromas to affect moods). Aromatherapy Materials The materials used are derived from a wide variety of sources, including: eucalyptus oil, grapefruit oil, oils extracted from roses, rosewater (water-based byproduct of roses), infusion of chamomile, phytoncides (organic compounds derived from plants), and natural oils, such as sweet almond oil, that are applied directly to the skin. Practicing Aromatherapy The therapeutic practice of aromatherapy is highly varied. Western traditional medicine, often views aromatherapy as more of an art than science. It is usually only recommended as a complementary treatment, to be used in conjunction with other approaches. In France, however, aromatherapy has been integrated into mainstream medicine, and some of the essential oils are treated as pharmaceutical agents to be administered by physicians. Aromatherapy is administered in several different ways, including: inhalation (directly or through the air), absorption through the skin (baths, massage, and compresses), absorption through the mucous membranes (oral rinses), and rarely through ingestion (with caution). Essential Oils are generally not used internally, unless they are included in pharmaceutical drugs. Aromatherapy practitioners also need to be aware of the source of the oils and how they are processed, as these factors can affect the outcome of treatments. Benefits of Aromatherapy Advocates of aromatherapy believe that the odors stimulate the nerves in the nose, which, in turn, send impulses to the brain to either calm or stimulate the body or emotions. Aromatherapy is used to kill bacterial and fungi, as a form of anesthesia, for the central nervous system, for metabolic and endocrine system conditions, as a stimulator of the immune system, and for its psychological effects. For example, lavender is used for memory enhancement and as a sleep aid. Clinics are now using aromatherapy for pain control, to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy, and for cardiac rehabilitation. Advocates of aromatherapy believe it is beneficial for treating burns, infection, insomnia, depression, and high blood pressure. Skeptics concede aromatherapy is relaxing, but cite the scant scientific verification of its benefits. They also acknowledge the benefits of using eucalyptus oil and mint to open the airways during colds and the flu, but find that broader use of aromatherapy is limited in its effectiveness. They also caution against possible ill effects, particularly if the substances interact with traditional medications. Aromatherapy practitioners are not licensed in the United States, but rather come from the ranks of massage therapy, nursing, and counseling. Consultation with a traditional physician is recommended to determine whether or not aromatherapy is safe to use. It is not recommended for young children, people with certain lung conditions like asthma, or those with skin allergies. In pregnant women, some oils are thought to induce labor. By Eve Visconti Related Links: WebMD - Aromatherapy Overview of aromatherapy including its uses and safety.