What is Aromatherapy? Embracing the concepts of holistic healing, aromatherapy is the ancient art and modern science of using essential oils from plants to promote health and healing of the body, mind, and spirit, and emotions. This is done through inhaling fragrant oils (thus the name aromatherapy); applying oils to the body; and taking the oils internally in liquid or food form. The word aromatherapy simply means the study of scent (Cooksley 3).

When we inhale the essential oil is absorbed through the lining of the nose and reaches the brain in less than a second where aromas are processed automatically and instinctively. These inhaled molecules pass down into the lungs, into the blood, and ultimately are carried to other parts of the body. When essential oils are applied to the skin, the nervous system is stimulated, internal organs are affected, senses are aroused, and emotions are soothed. The essential oils penetrate through the process of diffusion, acting quickly by diffusing through the skin and penetrating the walls of blood vessels and body tissues.

History There are many references to essential oils in the bible's Old and New Testaments, including specific formulas. Plant essential oils were more valued than gold. Records dating back prior to 4000 B.C. describe the use of oils from various plants for religious rituals and medical uses (Devereux 10). The Egyptians discovered the potential of fragrance and originated the art of extracting essences from plants. Romans spread the use of aromatics and Arab scientists later made improvements to the techniques of distillation. India was considered the fragrant garden of the world, scenting screens, fans, mats, clothes, etc., and China used plants for their medicinal properties.

Many consider the French cosmetic chemists, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, Ph.D., to be the father of modern aromatherapy and the first modern-day scientist to study the properties of oils. In 1910 he experienced a chemical explosion in his lab, receiving a severe burn on his hands and forearms. By chance, he dipped his hands into a tub of lavender oil and the pain subsided with the burn healing totally without scarring. From his experience, Gattefosse focused his reachers studies on lavender and other essential oils.

What Are Essential Oils? Essential oils are non-oily concentrated plant essences extracted from a variety of plants such as flowers, buds, fruit, berries, leaves, grasses, stems, wood, resin, twigs, bark, rind, shrubs, bushes, roots, and seeds, and can change composition and location from one part of the plant to another. The term essential oils is derived from the Latin word essentia, meaning "essence." They are called oils but do not have a greasy texture and their consistency can range from very watery to syrup-like.

The essential oils are tiny droplets in glands, glandular hairs, sacs, or veins of different plant parts which are responsible for giving the plant its unique scent. Essential oils enter the body primarily through the nose and skin and may also be used internally and have healing properties on both physical and emotional levels.

Healing with Essential Oils Some of the many therapeutic properties of essential oils include antiseptic, diuretic, antiviral, antibacterial, sedative, antispasmodic, disinfectant, pain killing, anti-inflammatory, to name a few.

The fragrance of an essential oil may be very stimulating psychologically and physically and the same oil may also be soothing, helping one to overcome anxiety. And, on a physiological level, essential oils may stimulate immune function and regenerate damaged tissue. They may also help to combat infectious disease by killing viruses and other pathogens. Essential oils act as natural balances in the human body, stimulating the secretion of antibodies, neurotransmitters, endorphins, hormones, and enzymes. They may also be used to reduce appetite, therefore helping with weight loss.

Everything has energy--the human body has vibrating frequency wave patterns of energy as well as every plant, flower, or tree. Our health can be determined by the frequency of our body or organs. Energy vibrates at certain frequencies. Lower frequencies in the form of junk food, drugs, or pollution can lower the body's electrical frequency to an unhealthy level. The high frequency of the oils helps to promote healing when in contact with a lower frequency of energy, raising the body's vibrational frequency (DeVita 2, 3).

Purity Plant material that is free of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemiclas produce a more therapeutic grade of oil. These chemicals can react with the oil producing toxic compounds. I recommend using pure or organic substances for healing as synthetic oils can have unhealthy side effects when used for medicinal purposes. When pure essential oils are used in correct doses, they are powerful medicines and rarely have side effects. Because a product is marked "essential oil," does not mean it is pure.

Knowledge in the uses, safety, and storing and caring of essential oils can be done through careful research and experimenting with a few at a time until familiar with the oil. There are some essential oils that must be used with caution, thus, it is recommended that some oils be used under the guidance of a qualified aromatherpist, that one contact his or her health care physician and, through research, become aware and familiar with any contradictions in the use and care of the oils.

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