Aromatherapy - what are the aromatherapy benefits ?

The practice of Aromatherapy and the enjoyment of aromatherapy benefits have existed for centuries.  Dating back to the ancient Egyptians and in India  and China we find they used essential oils as perfumes, cosmetics and for medicinal purposes

Concentrated essential oils are either massaged into the skin, put into your bath or inhaled. Aromatherapy is accepted as an ‘alternative medicine’ or as a complement to conventional medicine. Evidence exists to suggest that you may benefit from Aromatherapy; however, there is no scientific research to show how essential oils achieve the results they do.

The concentrated essential oils used by Aromatherapists are not concentrated from whole plants but extracted whereas herbal medicines are concentrated from whole plants

These essential oils are extracted from:

Leaves       Flowers        Roots         Grasses        Resin           Bark       Peel   

Aromatherapy treatment is currently used for a wide range of conditions and is believed to relive physical and psychological illnesses.

Aromatherapy Benefits - theories

The first theory suggests that when an essential oil is inhaled, the limbic system is activated (this is the part of the brain that stores and retrieves learnt behaviour and controls your emotional state inducing relaxation).

Another theory is that essential oils absorbed through the skin have medicinal properties.

Due to the lack of scientific research it has not been verified whether or not essential oils work via skin absorption or inhalation. Nevertheless, there are examples where it has been possible to predict the aromatherapy benefits based upon the chemical composition of the essential oils used.

Aromatherapy Benefits - conditions

Many people believe that Aromatherapy benefits sufferers of a wide range of medical conditions such as:

• anxiety 
• muscular aches and pains 
• insomnia and stress 
• asthma 
• headaches 
• digestive problems 
• menopausal and menstrual symptoms 
• eczema 

Pharmacies and health shops provide aromatherapy oils over the counter and you may decide to treat yourself or you may consult an Aromatherapist. An Aromatherapist will massage essential oils into your skin. After having had an aromatherapy massage, you should drink plenty of water to help the body rid itself of toxins

If the Aromatherapist is a trained professional they will mix a blend of essential oils just for you - depending on what you are looking for, or needing at that particular time.  If you do not like the smell of a particular blend - the therapist should offer the mixed blend for you to smell to ensure you like it - then the therapist will modify it or mix a new blend for you - you are not under any obligation to go with the blend if you don’t like it! 

Should you choose to treat yourself, you can inhale the essential oils by way of steaming water, adding the essential oils to your bath water or use an oil burner or diffuser. Essential oils are contained in a wide range of toiletries that claim to have healing properties and at the same time increase your wellbeing. 

Case studies have shown that aromatherapy benefits have been identified due to:

• its mild and short lasting soothing effects on anxiety 
• the possibility of helping to relieve alopecia 
• the possibility of preventing bronchitis 
• fungal infections and acne may be relived by the use of tea tree oil  

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Safety Guidelines

You should not drink any essential oils without first consulting a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. You should not apply any undiluted essential oil, absolutes, CO2s or any other concentrated essences directly onto the surface of your skin.

You should only use essential oils when under the proper supervision of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner if you have a medical condition or you are pregnant or suffering from liver failure, cancer or epilepsy.

Always use a skin patch test when using an essential oil for the first time.

Children: you must exercise extreme care if using essential oils with children. Only the gentlest essential oils and very small quantities. You are strongly advised to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner prior to using essential oils with children.

Please refer to 'Safety Guidelines'

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