Aromatherapy is the complimentary and alternative medicine with the use of
essential oils and other scented compounds from plants. It is a method which
roots lie in ancient times and along with phytotherapy have the most natural
healing attributes. Essential oils are the volatile part of leaves, roots,
cortex, seeds and fruits of various flowers, plants and trees and are
produced with special techniques of infusion, expression and distillation.
Other liquid substances which are commonly used in Aromatherapy treatment
are hydrosols and vegetable oils. Hydrosols are aromatic by-products made
during the productive procedure of essential oils and can be used for skin
care, compresses, house sanitization, clothes washing and more. Many pure
Hydrosols are free of alcohol and other harmful substances and can be
ingested after inquiring a druggist or a physician. Vegetable oils are also
called base or carrier oils because are used for diluting essential oils
before they are carried to the skin. Vegetable oils come from various seed
and plants and cannot be vaporized like essential oils.
Aromatherapists believe that each aromatherapy essential oil has unique
therapeutic properties and the appropriate use of them can be beneficial for
our health. There are many medical researches which scientifically proved
that Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects.
On the other hand, doctors who circumspect about holistic medicine, doubt
the effectiveness of Aromatherapy.
There are many ways to use essential oils. The most common uses are external
and include massages, compresses, bath, hair shampoo, facial and skin care,
room and body perfume and inhales. You can indulge yourself and heal various
diseases with Aromatherapy. Stress and headache relief, sleep improvement,
mood boosting, hormones’ regulation, muscles’ relaxation, stimulation of the
immune system, blood circulation, skin diseases’ healing are some of the
most well known benefits of Aromatherapy.
Essential oils have the ability to penetrate skin and disperse throughout
the body very quickly. Moreover, they are very potent substances and
consequently attention must be paid, especially by inexperienced persons.
Most of the times, aromatherapy essential oils must be used with carrier
(base) oil and not be applied directly on skin. Furthermore, essential oils
are often adulterated bye cheat suppliers with cheaper substances such as
synthetic ingredients and alcohols and therefore they lose their therapeutic
potential and can be dangerous at the same time.
Attention must be paid by people suffering from allergies, high blood
pressure, epilepsy and women during pregnancy who should consult an
aromatherapist before using any essential oil. Besides, aromatherapy
essential oils must be very carefully used to babies and children due to
their sensitivity.
You don not have to be an expert to benefit from Aromatherapy’s natural
gifts. Almost everyone can start using essential oils at home by adding a
pleasant essential oil in bath or by vaporizing a relaxing essential oil
with an Aromatherapy burner. Experiment with your favorite oils that fit to
your desire and needs, but for aromatherapy massage and other therapeutic
treatments you should visit a qualified aromatherapist.
George Kakaris is a freelance writer living in an island of Greece. He is
very interested in natural health and alternative active life style and
owner of an information site about
Aromatotherapy Essential oils.
