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An important note to make is that
perfume oils, or fragrance oils are not the same as essential
oils. Perfume oils and fragrances contain synthetic chemicals
will not provide the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
There are many companies that do not use the proper term for
aromatherapy on the products that contain this synthetic or
altered oil, so important that you must read the ingredient
label to make sure that what you are buying is a true
aromatherapy product.
Essential oils that are inhaled into
the lungs stimulate the brain and trigger a reaction. Naturally
occurring chemicals of the essential oil are then drawn into the
lungs and supply physical benefit. However, if you do not use
essential oils correctly or as recommended, the use of essential
oils can also cause severe consequences.
Essential oils may be mixed or blended
together to provide a very pleasing aroma. Oils that are mixed
and blended together also provide a specific therapeutic need or
action. A synergistic essential oil blend of the correct oils in
proper proportions is considered to be greater in the total
benefit than singularly using the oil independently. There are
many “recipes” for different symptoms and a variety of
combinations of these recipes and synergies to bring us the full
benefit of using essential oils.
Aromatherapy Products
Not all aromatherapy essential oil
products labeled with the word "aromatherapy" are natural and
pure. Products with artificial ingredients do not provide the
best aromatherapy benefits. At best, these artificial products
provide only a fraction of the benefit that a natural oil
product will supply. The worst an artificial product will
provide is no benefit at all by using the product. People that
are seeking pure and true aromatherapy products need to make
sure they look at the ingredients within a product to ensure
that the product does not contain un-pure (chemical) or
fragrance oil components. A good guideline to go by is to be
wary of products that do not list their ingredients and those
that do not advertise of having pure essential oils (avoid those
that have words like fragrance, or do not claim 100% pure
essential oils). Some sellers will not list their blends because
they are afraid of other companies trying to copy these blends
and ingredients. If you simply ask the seller more about the
blend, and listening to what they tell you about their products,
you should have a better idea about the quality of the blend
being sold. Suppliers that sell good grades of essential oils
are generally happy to tell you the ingredients when asked. Some
customers that have health concerns when using oils should feel
comfortable in getting a straight answer about the ingredients
when asking a seller about their products.
Even though the term aromatherapy was
not used until the 20th Century, the foundations and use of
aromatherapy date back thousands of years. The Chinese culture
may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants
for well-being. Their practices involved burning incense to help
create balance and harmony.
Later on, the Egyptians created a
rudimentary distillation machine that allowed for the extraction
of cedar wood oil. It is also believed by some, that Persia and
India may have also invented crude distillation machines, but
very little is known.
Oils of cedar wood, clove, cinnamon,
nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians to embalm the dead.
When tombs were opened in the early 20th century, traces of the
oils and herbs were discovered with intact portions of the
entombed bodies. The faint smell of these oils used in the
entombing process, was still apparent. Although the cedar wood
the Egyptians used was distilled by a crude distillation
process, the other oils the Egyptians used were to be believed
as most likely infused oils.
The Egyptians also used infused oils
and herbal preparations for spiritual, medicinal, fragrant and
cosmetic use. It is thought that the Egyptians coined the term
perfume, from the Latin “per fumum” which, when translated means
“as through the smoke”. It is believed that Egyptian men of the
time used fragrance as readily as the women. The method that the
men used to fragrance themselves was to place a solid cone of
perfume on their heads. Gradually this cone would melt and cover
them in fragrance.
The Greeks learned many things about
oils and herbs from the Egyptians, however, Greek mythology
apparently credits the gift and knowledge of perfumes to the
gods. The Greeks also recognized the medicinal and aromatic
benefits of plants. Hippocrates, commonly called the "father of
medicine" practiced fumigations for both aromatic and medicinal
benefit.
The Roman Empire built upon both the
knowledge of the Egyptians and the Greeks. Discorides compiled a
book called De Materia Medica. This book described the
properties of approximately five hundred plants. It is also
reported that Discorides studied the distillation process.
However, distillation during this period focused primarily on
extracting aromatic floral waters and not essential oils.
A major event for the distillation of
essential oils came with the invention of a coiled cooling pipe
in the 11th century. A Persian, by the name of Avicenna,
invented a coiled pipe which allowed the plant vapor and steam
to cool down more effectively than the previous distillers that
commonly used a straight cooling pipe. Avicenna's discovery and
contribution led to more focus on essential oils and their
benefits.
Within the 12th century, in Germany, a
woman named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its
medicinal properties. She was the female head of a convent of
nuns.
Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born.
This event encourages great distillation of essential oils.
During the 14th century, the Black
Death Plague hit and millions of people succumbed to this
disease. This plague was the result of an insect known as the
Oriental Rat Flea. It lay on the backs of black rats and would
infect humans that came in contact with it. Herbal preparations
were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer. It is
also believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by
their constant contact with the natural aromatics.
Within the 15th century, more plants
were distilled to create essential oils including frankincense,
juniper, rose, sage and rosemary. A growth in the amount of
books on herbs and their properties also began later in this
century. Paracelcus, an alchemist, medical doctor and radical
thinker is credited with coining the term “Essence”, and his
studies radically challenged the nature of alchemy and he
focused upon using plants as medicines.
During the 16th century, one could
begin purchasing oils at an "apothecary," and many more
essential oils were introduced. An apothecary was more than a
simple druggist or pharmacist. Apothecaries were like doctors
form that era. They made house calls and would use essential
oils to treat illnesses and other maladies for that time period.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, various perfumes started to
be considered an art form, and it was more clearly defined as
its own field. During the 19th century, perfumery remained a
very prosperous industry. Women would have their jeweler create
special bottles to hold their treasured perfume. The 19th
century also was important scientifically as major constituents
of essential oils became isolated. During the 20th century, the
knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was
used to create synthetic chemicals and drugs. It had been
believed that by separating the major constituents and then
using the constituents alone or in synthetic form would be
beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries
helped lead to "modern medicine" and synthetic fragrances. This
actually weakened the use of essential oils for medicinal and
aromatic benefit.
During the early part of the 20th
century, a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice
Gattefossé, became interested in the various use of essential
oils for their medicinal use. Previously, he focused on the
aromatic use of essential oils, but his interest in their
medicinal use grew after an accident heightened his curiosity.
While working, he had badly burned his
arm. By reflex, he plunged his burned arm into the closest
liquid, which happened to be a large container of lavender
essential oil. The burn he suffered healed quickly and left no
scar. Gattefossé is credited with coining the term aromatherapy
in 1928 within an article where he supported the use of using
essential oils, in their whole, without breaking them down into
their primary constituents.
In 1937, Gattefossé wrote a book called
“Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales” that
was later translated into English and named “Gattefossé's
Aromatherapy”. It is widely read and is still in print.
Other highly respected 20th century
aromatherapists include Jean Valnet, Madam Marguerite Maury, and
Robert B. Tisserand. Jean Valnet is most remembered for his work
using essential oils to treat injured soldiers during the war
and for his book, “The Practice of Aromatherapy”, which was
originally entitled “Aromathérapie” in French. Austrian Madam
Marguerite Maury is remembered as a biochemist, which had avidly
studied, practiced, and taught the use of aromatherapy for
primarily cosmetic benefit. Robert B. Tisserand is an English
aromatherapist who is responsible for being one of the first
individuals to bring the knowledge and education of aromatherapy
to the English speaking nations. He has written books and
articles including the highly respected 1977 publication “The
Art of Aromatherapy”. The Art of Aromatherapy was the first
aromatherapy book published in English.
From the late 20th century and on into
the 21st century, there is a growing resurgence to utilize and
use more natural products, including essential oils for
therapeutic, cosmetic, and aromatic benefit. The use of
essential oils has never ceased, but the scientific revolution
minimized the popularity and use of essential oils in one's
everyday life. Today's heightened awareness regarding the use of
therapeutic grade essential oils, coupled with the increased
availability of aromatherapy information within books and the
internet has refueled the use of essential oils for therapeutic
use.
Practitioners of aromatherapy believe
that fragrances in the oils stimulate the nerves in the nose.
Those nerves send impulses to the part of the brain that
controls emotion and memory. Depending on the type of oil, the
result on the body may be calming or stimulating.
Essential oils are thought to interact
with the body's hormones and enzymes to cause changes in blood
pressure, pulse, and other body functions. Another theory
suggests that the fragrance of certain oils may stimulate the
body to produce pain-fighting substances.
What is aromatherapy used for?
Aromatherapy may promote relaxation and
help relieve stress. It has also been used to help treat a wide
range of physical and mental conditions, including burns,
infections, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
Is aromatherapy safe?
Practitioners of aromatherapy are not
specially licensed in the United States. A wide range of
licensed health professionals (such as massage therapists,
nurses, and counselors) may have experience and training in
aromatherapy. It is important to talk with your medical doctor
to see whether aromatherapy may be helpful and safe for your
specific health conditions.
It is always best to tell your doctor
if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking
about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional
medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional
medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.
Most aromatherapy dispersed through a
diffuser which allows small mists of essential oils into the
air. Other way to use aromatherapy include certain places on
your body that will allow your body to absorb oils, or to be
able to be placed in an area of your body where you can breath
these oils.
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