The Principles of Aromatherapy
Read more articles on Natural Medicine.July 9, 2006
Posted by Emma
July 9, 2006
Posted by Emma
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Aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant extracts called essential oils to affect mood or health, or for cosmetic benefit. Various fragrances can uplift the spirit, rejuvenate the body and mind, or provide calming and relaxing effects. In most parts of the Western world, including America, aromatherapy is viewed as a complementary treatment, meaning that when used for medicinal purposes it is rarely the only treatment prescribed for a given condition.
The practice of aromatherapy has a long and colorful history, with roots in ancient Egyptian and Babylonian culture dating back over 6000 years. Aromatic herbs and spices were used then, as they are now, for medicinal, spiritual, and cosmetic purposes.
Essential oils are commonly extracted from leaves, roots, wood, fruit, and flowers via steam distillation. During this process, plant tissue is infused with steam, and oils evaporate as the temperature increases. The evaporated oils are collected in a cooling chamber, where they cool and condense into liquid form. Less commonly, water, solvent, and carbon dioxide distillation may be used in cases where steam distillation is not appropriate. For example, solvent distillation is used for extracting essential oils from plants which have a naturally low concentration of oil, such as jasmine blossom.
Essential oils can be used in several different ways. Inhalation is the most commonly-used method for those who practice aromatherapy at home. Diffusers (also called oil burners) can be easily obtained and used safely in the home. These use heat to evaporate small amounts of oil, allowing the fragrance to slowly diffuse through the air. Oils can also be absorbed through the skin via baths or massages, or absorbed through mucous membranes via gargles and mouth washes. Essential oils used in these ways are highly diluted using what are known as carrier oils. These are commonly derived from nuts or seeds, and include sesame, grapeseed, and macadamia oils.
While aromatherapy can effectively treat minor ailments such as athlete’s foot and acne, toothache or nasal congestion it should not be used as a replacement treatment for serious conditions, and more traditional medical advice should always be sought for persistent symptoms.
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