What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy has been practiced throughout the ages all over the world.  It has its root from the Egyptians who used this therapy to heal and relax.

Aromatherapy is the art of healing, relaxing and energizing the body as a whole by using the extracts of various plants and trees in the form of different oils.

These oils are extracted from various plants and is done through the process of distillation.  These oils are also called as Healing Essential Oils and are used for healing of different skin diseases as well as other common disorders like cough and cold.  These are medicinal oils for curing certain ailments.

Aromatherapy has become a complimentary therapy along with medicinal world and its advantages are getting popularized day by day.

There are a number of medicinal plants available in nature and aromatherapy tries to take advantage of these plants.  The extracted oil from the plants is of a very high concentration value and contains aroma and theraupetic properties.  These oils are used as naturally as possible without letting off any of its properties through chemicals disturbance.

The oils are administered by the following methods on individuals:

·        Inhalation – This is the most common method of Aromatherapy.  It is found that the olfactory nerves passes through the nose and proceed to the limbic system i.e. the emotional part of the brain. As such aroma from the oils gets immediate response if inhaled through the nose.

·        Massage – This is another way of administering Aromatherapy.  The oils are absorbed by the skin pores through massage.  These oils then penetrate the tissues and enter the bloodstreams where they are transported to the various organs and systems of the body.  In this, the different oils are used in various ways for relaxation or energizing the body.

·        Bath oils – Aromatherapy is also practiced through the bathing process where concentrated drops (2 to 6 drops) are mixed with warm water in the bathing tub and the person lets himself be relaxed as the oils along with the warm water vapor affects his body and lets the tension run away.

·        Diffusion – This is a revolutionary way of administering aromatherapy.  Through the diffusion technology, ultrasonic waves are created which brings about vibrations in the water creating vapor.  These vapors are of the purest form and have the maximum effective potential for the treatment of the process.  But the main disadvantage is that the diffuser cannot be carried during transit.

·        Aroma Pendants – This is a new innovation in the Aromatherapy process, whereby a glass pendant having the essential oil is tied to the neck. The person can inhale the oil whenever he wants by just opening the pendant.  This is mostly effective during colds and cough treatment and it can also help in concentration during work.

·        Aroma sprays – These can be kept in the purse or bag and can be used whenever needed.  They can also be used as face spray or body spray also.

The various types of oils and their healing processes are discussed below :

·        Reducing Pains – These are the oils which heats up the affected part and reduces pains.  Bay laurel, bay rum, black pepper, cinnamon and clove bud.

·        Pain Relieving – Relieves the pain by stopping the brain from receiving pain signals – Frankincense, ginger and lemon grass.

·        Numbing effect – Numbs the affected part and thus relieves the pain – clove bud, lavender and lemon grass.

·        Anti-inflammatory – diminishes the pain through anti-inflammatory actions – chamomile, germanium, juniper, marjorum, myrrh, rose.

·        Relaxation – Relaxes the mind helping in pain relief and stress – chamomile, clary sage, lavender, lemon, lemon-eucaplytus, petitgrain, marjorum.

·        Insomnia and sleep promotion – Induces sleep – bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, rose, scandalwood, mellisa, mandarin, neroli.

·        High Blood pressure – Oils for lowering the blood pressure – Ylang Yland, geranium, tangerine, neroli and orange.

·        Antibacterial oils – clove bud, cinnamon, garlic, oregano, savory and thyme.

·        Alertness – these oils help to stay alert at all time and act as a stimulant – angelica, basil, benzoin, black pepper, cardamom, clove.

·        Headaches – to relieve headaches – lavender, mellisa, peppermint, basil or lemongrass.

Thus, Aromatherapy is a therapy which helps the overall body to stay healthy and fit and is the perfect way for relaxation as well as alertness.