Aromatherapy means “treatment using scents”. It is a treatment of the body using essential oils. These essential oils may smell as beautiful as perfume but they are distilled from all types, and parts of plants - flowers, fruits, trees, bark, grasses, roots and seeds - for their healing properties rather than their scent. These essential oils are massaged to the skin, inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room.
Aromatherapists can now choose from over 300 essential oils which are now traded around the world. To ensure the best-quality oil product, the plant must be picked at the optimal time. In the case of sandalwood, that means waiting for 30 years for the tree to mature, which is why it is so costly.
Lavender oil is easy to harvest and extract; hence it is relatively inexpensive. Rose is expensive as it takes tens of thousands of rose petals just to produce one small bottle.
HOW DO OILS WORK?
Essential oils stimulate the powerful sense of smell. Odours that we smell have a significant impact on how we feel. We have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells. It is believed that smells enter through the cilia (the fine hair lining the nose) to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning.
Studies with brain wave frequency have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. The fragrance of jasmine increases beta waves in the pre-frontal lobes of the brain which are associated with a alertness.
Scientific studies have also shown that essential oils contain chemical components that can exert specific effects on the mind and body. Their chemistry is complex but this generally includes alcohol, esters, ketones, aldehydes, and terpenes as summarized in the table below.
Components of Essential Oils
Name of the chemical component
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Properties of the chemical component
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Essential oils that contain the chemical
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Aldehydes
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anti-inflammatory,calming, sedative and anti-viral
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Characteristic lemon-like smell, such as lemon grass, lemon balm, citronella, eucalyptus
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Alcohols
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bactericidal (kills bacteria), stimulant, energizing, vitalizing, antiviral, diuretic. Our pancreas produce 32 kinds of alcohol for use in the human metabolism
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Rose, petitgrain, rosewood, peppermint, myrtle, tea tree, sandalwood, patchouli, and ginger
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Phenols
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strongly bactericidal, tonic, stimulates immune system, invigorating, warming. Can produce slight liver toxicity if taken in high doses for extended periods. Used in lip balms and cough drops
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Clove, cinnamon, thyme, oregano, savory, cumin
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Cetone (Ketones)
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wound healing, mucolytic (eases the secretion of mucous), stimulates new cell growth, used as a nail polish
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Camphor, rosemary, sage, eucalyptus globulus and hyssop
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Terpenes
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Very stimulating, potential skin irritants, anti-viral properties
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Lemon, orange, bergamot, black pepper, pine oils, nutmeg and angelica
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Sesquiterpenes
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anti-phlogistic (moves fluids), anti-inflammatory, sedative, anti-viral, anti-carcinogenic, bacteriostatic and immune stimulant
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Blue chamomiles, immortelle, tansy, yarrow and tagetes
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Esters
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anti-fungal, sedative, calming, spasmolytic, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory
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Roman chamomile, lavender, clary sage, petitgrain, bergamot
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Lactones (part of ester group)
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anti-inflammatory, mucolitic
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arnica, elecampane
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Ethers
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harmonizing to the nervous system. antiseptic, stimulant, expectorant (increases secretions), spasmolytic, and diuretic
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Cinnamon, clove, anise, basil, tarragon, parsley, and sassafras
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Each essential oil contains as many as 100 chemical components, which together exert a strong effect on the whole person. Depending on which component is predominating in the oil, the oils act differently. For example, some oils are relaxing, some soothing and some pain relieving. Then there are oils such as lemon and lavender, which adapt to your physiological needs to help you cope with the situation.
The mechanism by which essential oils act on us in not very well understood. What is understood is that they enter through the skin or mucus membrane and affect our minds and emotions.
Aromatherapists use the oils singly or in combinations. They will ask questions about your health to establish which oils will benefit you most.
IMPORTANT
Aromatherapy is generally safe for home use, if you follow the basic guidelines in this chapter and remember:
1. Do not ingest essential oils except with the guidance of a professional.
2. Do not use the same oils for weeks and weeks without a break. Constant use may cause irritation and possible toxic build up.
3. Do not use too much as essential oils are very concentrated.
4. Do not apply undiluted essential oil on your body as they are very concentrated. The exception is lavender oil, which can be applied safely in the undiluted form for burns and insect bites.
5. Before using any oil, patch test a diluted quantity on a small part of your skin, in
case of an allergic reaction.
Caution is advised for patients who are pregnant as the oils can induce menstruation, and cause allergic reactions, high blood pressure or epilepsy. Please consult a qualified practitioner.
If you accidentally spill the essential oil on the skin or eye, wash it off immediately with whole milk.
COMMON WAYS TO USE THE OILS
Direct Application: Not usually recommended, but lavender and tea tree oils are exceptions. Apply to the affected area with a dampened cloth.
Oil Burners: These containers have a bowl at the top and an opening for the candle at the bottom. Fill the bowl with hot water and add 5 to 15 drops of essential oil. The candle keeps the water heated, releasing the fragrance and essential properties to the air.
Aroma bath: Add 6 to 12 drops of essential oil to a bath, or use an oil blend; but wait until the bath is almost full of water because the oils evaporate quickly. Ensure that the oils are well dispersed. Breathe deeply, and try to soak your entire body for 10 to 20 minutes.
Showers: You can add 2 to 3 drops of oil to a damp cloth or body brush and rub over your body as you stand under the shower. Remember to inhale deeply.
Inhalation: These help to hydrate, cleanse and stimulate the skin and nasal passages and are recommended for some skin and respiratory problems. Fill a bowl with near-boiling water and add 4 to 10 drops of essential oil. Drape a towel over your head, covering the bowl as well, and breathe deeply for several minutes.
Aromatherapy Massage: Dilute essential oil in a neutral base carrier oil such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, or peach or apricot kernel oil. The best blend for body oil is around 5 drops of the essential oil to 2 teaspoons of the carrier oil.
Humidifiers: You can add essential oils to the water.
