What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the systematic use of volatile plant oils known as essential oils for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is a form of complementary therapy designed to treat the whole person and not just the symptom or disease by assisting the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.

Essential oils consist of tiny aromatic molecules that are readily absorbed via the skin, and whilst breathing they enter the lungs. These therapeutic constituents next enter the bloodstream and are carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers. Because they are highly concentrated, only a small quantity of essential oil is required to bring about results.

When using good quality essential oils correctly, the soothing combination of beautiful aromas, massage, aromatic baths and other treatments all work to regulate, balance, heal and maintain your entire being by working with nature, and not against it.

Today, aromatherapy is one of the most popular of all complementary therapies, offering a wide range of highly effective treatments to both the acute and chronic stages of illness and disease. At the same time, regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby establishing a preventative approach to overall health.

When applied to the body, essential oils penetrate the skin via the hair follicles and sweat glands and are absorbed into the body fluids, where they not only help to kill bacteria and viruses but also stimulate the body's immune system, thereby strengthening resistance to further attack.

Some essential oils increase the circulation and help with the efficient elimination of toxins, others promote new cell growth and encourage the body's natural ability to heal itself. Each essential oil has its own character and aroma, exhibiting a varying number of properties and benefits which are unique to itself, since no two essential oils are quite the same.

The minute molecules of essential oils are readily absorbed into the bloodstream when they are inhaled and the lungs work to oxygenate the blood. This form of absorption is most efficient when inhaling essential oils from a tissue, diffusing them in a vaporizer, or adding them to your bathwater. The aroma sends a signal directly to the Limbic System in the brain which is the centre of emotions, memory and sexual arousal. This is why essential oils have such a powerful effect on our moods and general state of mind, as we will see later.

Combination

Because essential oils can influence our emotions, aromatherapy can help to lift depression, soothe irritable nerves and generally encourage a better state of mind. It has been discovered that relaxing oils such as Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Clary Sage, Sandalwood, Frankincense and Ylang Ylang work by stimulating a neuro-chemical called serotonin that is naturally produced by the body to help relaxation and induce sleep. It is this action that makes these oils so invaluable in helping long-term conditions such as insomnia, stress and tension.The most popular methods of enjoying aromatherapy are briefly explained here. Choose the method that suits your particular requirements, but to really experience the benefits and versatility of aromatherapy you should try them all!

Massage

This is one of the oldest and best methods to enjoy aromatherapy due to the added benefit the massage brings. Massage is also the most efficient method because the skin covers a large area and readily absorbs the oils into the bloodstream.

You can choose just one, or up to four essential oils suitable for your own particular needs and add them to your carrier in a dilution of 5 drops of essential oil to 10ml of carrier. If you have particularly sensitive skin use only 3 drops.

To calculate how many drops to use in a smaller measure, simply divide the amount of carrier in mls by 2, and that number is the total of drops of essential oil needed. For example, if you wanted to use just 6ml of carrier for a local application you would use 3 drops of essential oil.

Baths

For a wonderfully relaxing experience at the end of a busy day, just add 4 - 6 drops of an essential oil to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes. Always agitate the water well before getting in. Choose from any of the relaxing oils such as Chamomile Roman, Clary Sage, Lavender, Marjoram Sweet or Sandalwood for a truly blissful experience. Alternatively you can use oils in the morning to give you an invigorating start to the day by simply choosing an appropriate stimulating oil.

If you use several oils together in the bath, ensure that you do not exceed a maximum total of 8 drops. When using a citrus oil in a bath never exceed 3 drops as they may be mildly irritating to some sensitive skins. Baths are particularly helpful if taken as well as massage, but always take the bath first and then apply the massage. For handicapped or elderly people a footbath is the ideal alternative to a conventional bath. Use only 3 or 4 drops of essential oil in a footbath.

Compress

This is a highly effective method of pain relief and first aid. A HOT compress is for relieving chronic pain, period cramps etc. and a COLD one for reducing swelling, sprains and headaches. Put 4-6 drops of the oil into very hot or icy cold water.

Using a folded piece of absorbent material soak up the oils without fully immersing in the water, wring out excess and apply to the affected area. Finally, cover the area with a towel or wrap with polythene.

Steam inhalation

Used for centuries to help all respiratory tract problems, this method is a highly effective way to deliver essential oils into your system. Fill a large bowl with almost boiling water and add 3 or 4 drops of your individual essential oil or mixed blend. Lean over the bowl and breathe slowly and deeply for a few minutes until relief is felt. A towel may be placed over the head to help direct the vapours.

Instant Relief

For instant relief if you are suffering from a cold, asthma attack or hay fever, put 3 or 4 drops of essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and gently inhale, - a handy method to use when out of the house. This is also the recommended application for asthmatics, who should not expose themselves to steam.

Vaporiser

Excellent for room refreshing or to create a soothing atmosphere for relaxing or meditation by simply using an essential oil for it's particular quality. Use during illnesses to kill airborne bacteria and help prevent the spread of infections.

When used appropriately, essential oils and aromatherapy products are safe for all the entire family. As with all things in life though, some common sense precautions should be observed when using essential oils since they are highly concentrated.

Undiluted essential oils

Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin except in an emergency; for example to cuts, burns or insect bites. A single drop of undiluted Lavender, Tea Tree or Chamomile Roman oil can be used to soothe and protect from infection - but you should only apply them neat once or twice. Some individuals can become sensitised to neat Tea Tree oil if it is applied repeatedly.

In particular, undiluted essential oils should be kept away from the delicate eye area, unattended children, pets and all highly polished surfaces. And never, ever, use undiluted oils on children under the age of 3. Their under-developed and delicate internal organs can not eliminate the oils or deal with their metabolites efficiently.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant you must seek the advice of your doctor, midwife or aromatherapist before using any essential oils. Once your doctor has given their approval they should be used only after the first trimester, and then at only a 1% concentration, which is half the normal strength.

It is also a good idea to seek the advice of your supplier or aromatherapist to ensure that the essential oils you are thinking of using are not contraindicated during pregnancy. There is a lot of misinformation about precisely which essential oils should not be used and some aromatherapy books produce a huge list of contraindicated oils that are completely out of proportion to the facts.

Much of this misinformation is based on the internal use of the plant in herbal preparations, and this is certainly not the same as the external use of a diluted essential oil in massage. Most essential oil experts argue that since many contraindicated essential oils are used as food additives they can hardly be considered dangerous.

However, if you have a history of miscarriage do not use any essential oils at any time during your pregnancy since it is better to err on the side of caution under these circumstances. Essential oils best avoided throughout your pregnancy include:

• Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)
• Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Savin oil (Juniperus sabina) - Never use in aromatherapy

Babies, infants and young children

As already stated, never use any essential oils undiluted on babies up to 3 years old. Essential oils should be used at a fraction of the usual concentration, and the correct procedure is to calculate the amount of essential oil to be used by the body-weight of the infant:

• 1 to 2 stones - 1 drop of essential oil
• 2 to 4 stones - 2 or 3 drops of essential oil
• 4 to 6 stones - 4 or 5 drops of essential oil

Internal use

Never take essential oils internally, unless under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist who has received the necessary training in this very specialised mode of administration. Most aromatherapists have not had this training, so be sure to check this out first.

You may read articles in magazines and books extolling the virtues of taking essential oils internally, but you should absolutely never attempt this without expert guidance.

Photosensitivity

Some essential oils are mildly photosensitising and should be either avoided or used at a low level prior to sunbathing or using a sunbed. The main photosensitising oils used in aromatherapy include:

• Angelica root oil (Angelica archangelica)
• Bergamot oil expressed (Citrus aurantium ssp. bergamia)
• Bitter Orange oil (Citrus aurantium)
• Cumin oil (Cuminum cyminum)
• Lemon oil cold pressed (Citrus limonum)
• Lime oil expressed (Citrus aurantifolia)
• Tagette oil (Tagetes minuta)

If you love Bergamot essential oil and want to go out into the sunshine, be sure to use Bergamot FCF which has had the photosensitising components removed.

Irritants and sensitisers

Some essential oils can irritate the skin if used in too high a concentration or for a long period of time. The essential oils below represent the most commonly known among this group.

• Bay Leaf oil (Pimenta racemosa)
• Cinnamon bark oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
• Clove oils (stem, leaf, bud) Syzygium aromaticum
• Litsea Cubeba aka May Chang oil (Litsea cubeba)
• Origanum oil (Origanum vulgar)
• Tagette oil (Tagetes minuta)
• Thyme white and red oil (Thymus vulgaris)
• Use no more than 3 or 4 drops of citrus oils in the bath since some may irritate sensitive skin.

Oils that must be avoided altogether

Some essential oils should not be used in aromatherapy at all due to the danger of toxicity, severe irritation, sensitisation or other serious health risk. Most responsible aromatherapy suppliers do not offer such oils, but those listed below do find their way onto the market and should only ever be used by those have have undergone the necessary specialist training.

• Parsley herb oil (Petroselenium crispum)
• Pennyroyal oil (Mentha pulegium)
• Savin oil (Juniperus sabina)
• Tansy oil (Tanacetum vulgare)
• Wintergreen oil (Gaultheria procumbens)
• Wormwood oil (Artemisia absinthium)

Flammability

Many essential oils are flammable, so never use or put your bottles of essential oil near a naked flame, fire, or any source of ignition.