Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a field of complementary medicine and uses the aromatic properties of essential oils to promote physical and emotional health.

Although a fairly recent practice, aromatic plants have been used since antiquity, to make perfumes, cosmetics and for healing body and soul.

Essential oils possess amazing therapeutic properties and depending on the essential oil they may have antibiotic,anti-inflammatory, diuretic, digestive, antipyretic, stimulating or calming properties when applied to the body in some way.

They are highly volatile substances derived from plants whose cells exude powerful aromas. The composition of these aromatic compounds is quite complex and varied. 

It is scientifically proven that these aromas have definite effects on us. We know we often associate certain people, places and events with certain smells. Babies often recognise their mothers by smell. When the essential oil vapours are inhaled the different chemical compounds trigger a unique response in the brain which may be either stimulating or calming. Aromas can be a powerful tools for recalling memories.

History

The term Aromatherapy first came up in the 20th century with reference to using essential oils for treating diverse physical or psychic ills.

The principles of aromatherapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt; the Egyptians were very knowledgeable of plants and their healing powers. Between the 19th and 20th century, pharmacists were using fresh plants for making infusions and ointments. The use of fresh plants in medicine and many of the traditional practices was soon replaced with modern science.

In 1920, René Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist with a family tradition in the perfume industry, commenced his personal voyage of discovery in the healing powers of plants. One fine day, so the story goes while working in his lab he burnt his hand severely after which he immediately plunged it in lavender essential oil. Apparently the burn healed rapidly without leaving boils or scaring. It may be considered that from his studies modern day Aromatherapy was born.

Marguerite Maury, a French biochemist also made a fine contribution to the use of essential oils. She confirmed their therapeutic effects on mind and body and also developed a method of essential oil dilution and use in massage treatments. Her technique is still used successfully today for massage and beauty treatments.

Aromatherapy came of age in the 1980’s. By this time biochemists had isolated most of the various components of essential oils responsible for their amazing properties. Since the 20th century the study of plants and their properties has evolved into an exact science. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) for example was first made from a chemical substance known as salicin, extracted from willow bark. The antipyretic and analgesic properties of the willow were known by Hippocrates who recommended a tea made from willow leaves for the relief of pain and fever. This is just one of many examples how traditional cures evolved into modern medicine as we know it today.

How it works

Essential oils re-establish the internal harmony and revitalise the functioning of internal organs that may be debilitated.
Depending on the type of application different essential oils operate in different ways.

Inhalation: when inhaled the essential oil vapours pass the mucous membrane where olfactory receptor cells process the chemical signals and send stimuli to the brain: the hypothalamus, the thalamus and amygdala. These stimuli have a kind of hormonal action that results in the release of neurochemical substances.

Massage, Bath, Compresses: When any one of these methods are used, the skin becomes the means of transmitting the essential oils. The skin is made up of 3 layers: the epidermis, the dermis and hypodermis. The epidermis acts as a barrier to prevent penetration of the skin and protecting it from harm. Essential oils particles are minute and fat soluble. They dissolve in the sebum in the pores and taken via the bloodstream and lymphatic system around the internal organs of the body.