An overview on aromatherapy treatments and practices
By Alexandra Heep, 26th Jul 2010 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutHealthAlternative Medicine
A basic guide of understanding aromatherapy practices and treatments
Overview
Aromatherapy is the use of plant essences to assist in the healing process. The essences of plants are extracted (in most cases) via steam distillation and hence become essential oils. Plant essences can be extracted from roots, stems, flowers, leaves, peel, and resin. The scent of essential oils is thought to stimulate olfactory nerves that produce a sense of smell in areas close to the brain. Since all plant essences (and the essential oils derived from them) have complex different molecular structures, they are thought to affect certain physical and emotional conditions of the human body.
History
Aromatherapy treatments date back to ancient times in Egypt, China, and India; but did not achieve popularity in the Western world until the 20th century. Hippies first put aromatherapy on the map with their generous use of patchouli (for relaxation purposes) in the sixties. To this day, when people smell patchouli, they associate it with hippies. However, aromatherapy did not become popular until the 1980s.
New Awareness
With a new wave of going green and more awareness in the 21st century as well as desire for holistic and natural approaches, aromatherapy is becoming even more popular and it is easier now to obtain essential oils. In addition, more essential oils are being manufactured besides the old stand-bys of Lavender, Sandalwood, and Tea Tree essential oils.
Using Essential Oils
There are two basic ways of using essential oils in aromatherapy: releasing the oils into the air via burners or candles prepared with essential oils; and through topical application on the skin via lotions, creams, oils, and in the bathwater. Except for occasional and sparing use of lavender or tea tree essential oil, essential oils should never be applied to the skin directly. Also, essential oils should never be ingested. In the case of lotions, creams, and oils; essential oils are first diluted with a carrier oil (a popular one is jojoba).
Function of the Aromatherapy Council
While there is an organization in the USA called The Aromatherapy Council, essential oils are not regulated in the United States, nor have their health benefits been evaluated by the FDA or any other official medical and scientific studies (other than private ones). The Aromatherapy Council also sets certain standards for aromatherapy practitioners and they offer educational classes, the practice of aromatherapy itself is not regulated and anyone can advertise himself or herself to be an aroma therapist.
Certification
In order to be “certified”, classes usually run into the thousands of dollars, which keeps a lot of people from becoming certified. This means a lot of people who run websites or dispense advise otherwise are not certified. Usually, their knowledge on aromatherapy is obtained from books and website material. Increasingly, with the Internet and essential oils readily available, a lot of people simply treat themselves.
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