Aromatherapy is a form of complementary medicine. Aromatherapists use the aromatic essential oils extracted from plants to aid the healing of a range of ailments, and improve people's general health and wellbeing.
An Introduction to Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is not a recent form of alternative medicine. Plants have been used for their healing properties for thousands of years. Modern-day aromatherapy is an holistic health care system which focuses on prevention rather than cure, and which aims to heal both body and mind.
Aromatherapy essential oils are natural, concentrated, fragrant oils extracted from plants. They are most often used in healing full-body massages after having been diluted in natural vegetable carrier oils. However, there are other ways of using aromatherapy essential oils too, such as in bath oils, steam inhalation, skin and hair care and even in household cleaning products.
Healing the Body with Aromatherapy Essential Oils
Different aromatherapy essential oils have different qualities. Qualified aromatherapists will choose suitable oils to use depending on these qualities and their clients' health care needs. Here are some examples of commonly used aromatherapy essential oils and the reasons they might be chosen:
- frankincense, lavender and neroli: These essential oils have a calming effect and are useful for relieving stress and tension.
- bergamot, geranium and rosemary: The uplifting and stimulating qualities of these essential oils makes them suitable for treating depression.
- eucalyptus, manuka and ti-tree: These essential oils are useful for strengthening the body's immune system and fighting infection.
The Holistic Approach of Aromatherapy
There is more to aromatherapy than simply picking combinations of essential oils with which to perform massages. Aromatherapists also ask their clients questions about their medical histories, diets, exercise, psychological wellbeing and general lifestyles. This helps to build a complete picture of each person's health, and tailor each aromatherapy treatment to the individual.
For example, if a client has back pain, the aromatherapist will discuss lifestyle issues which may contribute to the pain (such as sitting at a desk all day) and will suggest ways of addressing these issues. Appropriate healing essential oils which help relieve back pain will then be selected for massage, such as rosemary or roman chamomile which help to relieve tension.
Aromatherapy does more than address the symptoms of people's health problems. It encourages people to take better care of their own physical and psychological health, and offers advice on how they can prevent ill health.
In many cases, it would be unwise (and possibly life-threatening) to use aromatherapy essential oils as a replacement for conventional medicine, but they can often be used safely alongside it to naturally improve overall health and general wellbeing. Some essential oils are even safe for use during pregnancy. For more information about how essential oils may help to improve your mood, you may be interested in Essential Oils for Happiness: Bergamot, Geranium and Rose.
Sources:
Bupa. "Aromatherapy" (Accessed June 10th 2010).
Farrer-Halls, Gill. "Introducing Aromatherapy." The Aromatherapy Bible: The Definitive Guide to Using Essential Oils. Great Britain: Godsfield Press, 2005. 8-15. Print.
Sharon Kirby - Sharon is a freelance health writer and contributes to various print and online publications. Writing credits include Nursing Times, Good ...
