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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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