What is Aromatherapy?
 | The human body is a multi-faceted, self-healing machine. Given the right conditions, it can cure itself of the most serious injuries and infections. Aromatherapy (the use of aroma as a therapeutic tool) is a system of helping the body to heal itself and can be administered in several different ways:
The healing qualities of aromatherapy are partly achieved by using the physical properties of aromatic oils and partly by their stimulus on the emotions. In many cases the healing actions can be several and complex. For example, lavender oil can be used to treat skin infections. This will have a direct pharmacological effect, by killing invading organisms, as well as possibly promoting cell production to heal the area. However, since the fragrance is so pleasant, it will also affect the emotional centres of the brain. Depending on the individual, the brain may then trigger immuno-stimulant activity contributing to the oil’s overall healing activity. |
 | When essential oils are being used, you need to consider whether their affects are achieved by psychological or physiological pathways or a combination of the two. Certain essential oils can have profound effects on the brain. What triggers this is how the olfactory system (the nerves that controls our sense of smell) perceives the fragrance. Our sense of smell plays an important part in our physiological processes and these physical responses can be acute and enduring. For example, the smell of food has a potent effect on our gastro-intestinal tract. Some smells are even capable of causing vomiting - a clear physiological response triggered by an emotional event, i.e. the mind’s reaction to a particular smell. Some researchers suggest that the reason women who live or work closely together tend to synchronise menstrual cycles is because of minute traces of body pheromones which are unconsciously registered by the olfactory system which in turn initiates physiological processes by the body. Research has also found changes in brain waves during sleep caused by the introduction of scent. Memory too can be strongly triggered by smell. The emotional centres of the brain seem to be able to store memories independently to the rest of the brain and as a result most people have experienced a particular smell which awakens distant memories, whether good or bad. This demonstrates the potential of aromatherapy to assist people with brain damage or memory loss to unlock past experiences or to re-create those which have been lost. Due to the affect aromatherapy has on the olfactory system, aromatherapy may trigger the placebo effect in the body more than other forms of treatment. The placebo effect is our most powerful inbuilt healing mechanism. It is so potent that it can enable the body to cure itself of serious illnesses. Unfortunately, in medicine, the placebo effect tends to be dismissed, rather than being acknowledged as our most important healing mechanism. |
Internal use of essential oils | The majority of pure essential oils are permitted food flavourings. Therefore, used in the right quantities, their addition to our food and drink, or when taken orally as a medicine, should not cause problems. Most of the essential oils taken internally are purged via the lungs and kidneys and as a result they can be extremely useful as lung and urinary tract sterilisers. However, when they pass through the bloodstream into the liver they may undergo chemical changes which can vary considerably and ultimately damage the liver. Particular problems may occur if the oils are not 100% pure and, where possible, organic, as they may be contaminated with carcinogenic solvents. Only take oils internally when you can be sure of their purity. |
Aromatherapy and massage | The physical effects of massage alone are known to be beneficial. Massage can change our levels of endorphins and hormones. It can prevent muscle-spasms, help reduce poor circulation and increase body-energy flows in a similar way to acupuncture. When combined with essential oils, the effects can be even greater. Essential oils help increase the heat in the outer layers of the skin which is invaluable when treating joint pains, stiff muscles and bad circulation in addition to the powerful effect of the fragrance on the brain as mentioned above. |
Aromatherapy and diffusion | There is increasing research which shows that significant volumes of essential oils diffused into the air are absorbed into the blood stream via the respiratory tract. This creates the twin result of a pharmacological effect, by the absorption of aromatic chemicals via the respiratory tract (which can have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects), coupled with an emotional reaction in the brain via the olfactory system. |
Different types of Aromatherapy | Aesthetic- the use of essential oils in cosmetic treatments. This therapy treats different skin types and derma-conditions. Holistic- is a combination of spiritual, psychological and medical aromatherapy taking into account all factors that are contributing to ill health or disharmony. It aims to strike at the cause of disease or imbalance as well as treating the symptoms. The therapeutic action of essential oils lies in their ability to balance and regulate bodily functions to help the body heal itself. Medical- aromatherapy as a medical treatment is much more than just treating symptoms. For example, essential oils may be used for a physical action (perhaps anti-bacterial), but because they smell wonderful, this may trigger an indirect effect on the immune system by improving the feeling of self-worth and by their calming abilities. Spiritual/ Psychological- refers to the use of essential oils to correct imbalanced emotions. |