Advertising

What Is Aromatherapy? Beyond Just Smelling Nice

| Print |

E-mail

Written by Melissa Manchester

Sunday, 13 July 2008

by MelissaManchester

What do you think of when you hear the word 'Aromatherapy'? For many folks, it conjures an image of plastic Glade Plug-In air fresheners; for others, a bottle of flowery dish soap. For a fortunate few, a pleasing bath with natural soothing scents comes to mind; for even fewer, a cold-air diffuser releasing a fine mist of pure Rose petal oil throughout their home. The rarest concept of Aromatherapy in these United States is one of highly potent medicines, effective against a broad range of bacteria and viruses, with further uses including relief of arthritis pain, stomach discomfort, sleeplessness, and a host of other conditions. If this is a new idea, read-on and enter the wonderful world of medicinal aromatherapy and therapeutic use of essential oils.

We've always been attracted to pleasant smells - body perfumes have been used for millennia, as have incense and scented balms in religious and ritual ceremony. Plants have been used medicinally throughout history as well. Therapeutic use of distilled aromatic compounds of plants only 'officially' began in 1937 with the writing of Rene Maurice Gattefosse's 'Aromatherapie' - a treatise on the physiological effects of essential oils published by the scientist after his accidental discovery of the healing properties of Lavender oil. Medical aromatherapy practice continues strongly in Europe today - in France, one can be prescribed an essential oil blend by a doctor, and have it filled as we have pharmaceutical prescriptions prepared here. These are not prescriptions for simple aromatic use; as the practice of Aromatherapy includes the entire branch of botanical medicine using volatile aromatic plant compounds, these prescriptions utilize other broad-ranging physiologic effects of essential oils. These include noted antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory and immune supportive effects of many oils, just to name a few.

Essential oils effects on the nervous system an psyche through the olfactory sense is not to be discounted, however. Studies have shown repeatable results in essential oils' ability to lift the spirits and sharpen the attention. Students inhaling Lemon and Rosemary essential oils while studying have scored better on tests; other subjects have slept better while inhaling Lavender (one article proclaimed these results with "Lavender Works Better than Benzodiazepines !"). The 'aromatic' effect of essential oils is a result of the intimate wiring of the smell sense with certain control systems of the brain. The olfactory system is the only one of the five senses directly connected to the bulk of your gray matter - the rest are routed first through the thalamus. This direct connection has powerful implications for physiological as well as psychological effects.

The olfactory sense is also closely tied to the limbic system, the center of emotions, sexual response, and the formation of many memories. Aroma receptor cells, when stimulated, respond in-kind by stimulating this important brain region. With such close ties continually being revealed between one's emotional state and one's physical well-being, it is no surprise that aromas can have such strong influences. Human studies have show the inhalation of natural aromatic oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting, relaxing, and/or clarifying, depending on the oil being inhaled (as opposed to synthetic ones, which do not have such effects).

The beneficial effects of essential oils reach far beyond that of the olfactory sense and limbic system - bringing into view the true potential of Aromatherapy. The most promising use of oils is in the treatment of infectious illness, notes Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, America's leading medical aromatherapist. Modern medicine is falling short in this area; overuse of antibiotics has lead to chemically-resistant 'super bugs', and a series of antibiotics tends to throw the delicate symbiotic natural balance of microorganisms in the human digestive system out-of-whack for some time. Oregano and Cinnamon oils are some of the most broad-spectrum antibacterial known - and while their use demands practical knowledge due to their powerful nature, they do not seem to create resistant bacterial strains or upset our own system's balance. Other oils (which are generally less sensitizing) work very well on some strains of bacteria and not as well on others - here, the practitioner's ability to match the proper oil with the patient's symptoms plays a critical role in the therapy's efficacy, as with any medical treatment. The proven effects of essential oils also goes beyond these illnesses - essential oils have

As the acceptance of healing with natural means continues to grow in the US, the concept of aromatherapy for many individuals will expand to include these important and exciting facets. More certified practitioners will be available to utilize essential oils to their true potential, and more 'end users' will aquire the knowledge to heal themselves with these incredible gifts from nature. Or should we simply push to change the name? Phytomedicinal Oil Therapy? It does have a ring to it...Hmmm...

About the Author:

The author is the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for world-class lavender and other essential oils, therapeutic essential oil blends and aromatherapy supplies.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.