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.
The well-known effects of genuine essential oils on the nervous system and psyche through the smell sense is certainly not to be ignored. Important, useful actions have been documented through university studies. Lavender oil, for example, has been noted to help many individuals who suffer from insomnia; even better than pharmaceutical sedatives in many cases, without side effects and development of tolerance. Other studies have shown improvement of test scores of students who have inhaled Lemon or Rosemary oils during study sessions. The list continues - and with little surprise. The 'aromatic' effects of essential oils rely on the olfactory sense's direct connection with primary control centers of the brain. It is the only one of the five senses with such a direct connection - the others are first routed through the Thalamus before interacting with the bulk of the gray matter.
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).
This brings us to the great range of non-'aromatic', therapeutic uses of essential oils. Modern aromatherapy practice includes topical application, ingestion, and suppository use of these natural plant comounds. Safe and effective treatment depends completely on the particular essential oil - some are absolutely not to be taken internally and others are known strong skin irritants. Effects through topical application rely on the small size and lipophillic nature of essential oil molecules - the oil-like compounds pass through the lipid bi-layers of skin cells to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Used this way, essential oils can produce profound physiological responses - again ranging widely depending on the oil. Topical application may be helpful in a variety of skin, joint, and muscle conditions, infectious illness, as well as for more general stress related states. Oral injestion and suppositories are often used in systemic infectious illnesses of microbial or viral natures - the oils are quickly absorbed and able to travel easily throughout the body, again to due to their structure which is quite compatible with human physiology. A knowledgeable practitioner should be always be consulted for such applications, as it is important to preciecly match the oils and the condition being treated. Further, use of essential oils should only be used as an adjuct therapy in serious cases following the advice of a medical professional.
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... - 16955
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.
The well-known effects of genuine essential oils on the nervous system and psyche through the smell sense is certainly not to be ignored. Important, useful actions have been documented through university studies. Lavender oil, for example, has been noted to help many individuals who suffer from insomnia; even better than pharmaceutical sedatives in many cases, without side effects and development of tolerance. Other studies have shown improvement of test scores of students who have inhaled Lemon or Rosemary oils during study sessions. The list continues - and with little surprise. The 'aromatic' effects of essential oils rely on the olfactory sense's direct connection with primary control centers of the brain. It is the only one of the five senses with such a direct connection - the others are first routed through the Thalamus before interacting with the bulk of the gray matter.
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).
This brings us to the great range of non-'aromatic', therapeutic uses of essential oils. Modern aromatherapy practice includes topical application, ingestion, and suppository use of these natural plant comounds. Safe and effective treatment depends completely on the particular essential oil - some are absolutely not to be taken internally and others are known strong skin irritants. Effects through topical application rely on the small size and lipophillic nature of essential oil molecules - the oil-like compounds pass through the lipid bi-layers of skin cells to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Used this way, essential oils can produce profound physiological responses - again ranging widely depending on the oil. Topical application may be helpful in a variety of skin, joint, and muscle conditions, infectious illness, as well as for more general stress related states. Oral injestion and suppositories are often used in systemic infectious illnesses of microbial or viral natures - the oils are quickly absorbed and able to travel easily throughout the body, again to due to their structure which is quite compatible with human physiology. A knowledgeable practitioner should be always be consulted for such applications, as it is important to preciecly match the oils and the condition being treated. Further, use of essential oils should only be used as an adjuct therapy in serious cases following the advice of a medical professional.
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... - 16955
About the Author:
The author is a regular contributor to natural ezines on aromatherapy. She may be contacted through anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html.
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