Alternative medicine. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for healing purposes. They can be massaged into the parts of the body or even taken internally (although this is less common). Whether inhaled, absorbed, or ingested, essential oils are gaining new attention as an alternative treatment for infections, stress, and other health problems.
Like most alternative strategies its concept has been around for centuries although the term ‘Aromathérapie‘ was coined in the 1928 by a French chemist, René Maurice Gattefossé, whose family owned a perfume factory.
Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses, seeds and roots. Each essential oil contains its own mix of active ingredients, and this mix determines the healing properties of each oil.
Aromatherapy should not be undertaken lightly. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. Most topical and inhaled essential oils are generally considered safe. Some oils are toxic, and taking them by mouth could be fatal.
Aromatic oils are frequently used in conjunction with other quack remedies and practices. For example many aroma-therapists tailor their treatment to a person’s star sign. Other aroma therapists work on a person’s aura or use acupuncture points as the site for their treatment. The new reflexology points also are used, so that someone who has a backache might be treated by having a spot of oil rubbed into a toe!
Apparently, essential oils can help the body to destroy viruses and the smaller the amount of oil used, the greater is the effect. It is claimed that aromatherapy can treat all manner of ailments. Whan essential oils can be used for? There are several ways for essential oils to be used:
Easy Inhalation. Place three or four drops of essential oil on a tissue. Place the tissue near your nose and inhale. When you are trying an essential oil for the first time, use only one drop to ensure that you do not have a reaction to the oil.
Steam Inhalation. Boil 2 cups of water. Pour the water into a bowl and add from three to seven drops of oil to the water. Use fewer drops if you are using an oil that may cause irritation to your mucous membranes (i.e. cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, pine, thyme, etc.). Place your nose about 12″ away from the bowl and inhale. Don’t inhale the steam constantly and if you notice any irritation or discomfort, stop immediately. Steam inhalation can help with colds and influenza. Use of energizing or relaxing oils can also make this method useful any time of day or night.
Room Freshening. Use the aromatherapy diffuser or lamp with candle under it. Pour into a small quantity of water (2 spoons) up to 10 drops of oil. Enjoy!
General Household Freshening. Add a few drops of oil to your trash can, laundry wash, drain, vacuum bag filter, or on a tissue for placement in your drawers.
Insect Repellent. Some of the essential oils (including citronella, lavender, and peppermint) act like a natural repellent against insects. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto tissues or cotton balls and place near your doorways and windows to help repel bugs and mosquitoes. Be careful not to apply the essential oil directly onto fragile surfaces.
Massage. Add up to 20 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil such as sweet almond oil for massage. Keep away from eyes and genital areas. Do not apply essential oils to the skin without first diluting them. Be sure to also read the safety data for the essential oils you choose to use.
Taking a bath. Add 5-7 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil. Add this blend to your running bath water and mix well before getting into the tub.
Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients.
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