Aromatherapy: How real is it? Many of us have read about Aromatherapy. Some of us have experienced it. Aromatherapy has found its place within the spa environment, especially in a massage room. If you are reading this article, chances are that you know what aromatherapy is because of its undoubtedly popularity. Yet, the question continues to rise: Does it work? There are still doubts of its effectiveness among the western medical population stating that research continue to insist that there is no substantial evidence of its claims. Meanwhile, Herbalists and professionals under the umbrella of natural medicine continue to embrace this modality and demonstrate its value. What is Aromatherapy? It is important to first fully understand what aromatherapy is and how it works before one can review the various scientific studies found about this popular modality. Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic oils on the body predominantly by inhalation or massage. These oils are extracted from plants (called essential oils). Dr. Jane Buckle, a critical care nurse trained in Clinical Aromatherapy and well known as an educator in the subject, indicates that essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for over 5,000 years. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Egyptians applied them after bathing and for embalming mummies. The Ancient Chinese compiled an encyclopedia of information on the uses of plants,
Going back to 400 BC some of the most famous Greeks and the fathers of many aspects of modern medicine used essential oils. Hippocrates understood the importance of treating the mind, body, and spirit of his patients and was a firm believer in using both aromatherapy and massage as a part of medical treatments.
Aromatherapy can increase circulation, and relieve aches and tightness in the muscles. Aromatherapy is often used in combination with Massage or Acupressure as a healthy treat. Depending on the type of pain and the type of oil, they can be applied directly to pressure points, They can be used in massage combined with a base oil, or taken internally mixed with water. There are many oils that are not effective, make sure when buying, to do your research beforehand on the most natural oils, which are typically more
There are many essential oils used in aromatherapy which have several healing properties. For example, peppermint oil can be used to relieve chest congestion, fevers, and pains in the joints of the body.
Aromatherapy can be used to treat many problems such as nausea, body aches, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headaches, labour pain and hormonal problems (Lane et al., 2011; Medicalnewstoday.com, 2018). Aromatherapy can be used in addition to other medicine practises including those performed by allied health professionals, or on its own (Medicalnewstoday.com, 2018). For example, a study conducted by (Olapour et al., 2013) has found that aromatherapy can provide pain relief to women who have recently had a
Plant extracts known as essential oils have been utilized for centuries by many cultures for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Essential oils are extracted primarily through steam distillation or mechanical presses. The oils are then used through skin absorption, inhalation, or ingestion. The inhalation of essential oils is termed aromatherapy. Either a single essential oil or a combination of essential oils are inhaled through an inhaler, oils placed on an absorbent material, or in an essential oil diffuser. When inhaled, the olfactory system is triggered. The olfactory bulb sends messages to the limbic system which initiates a systemic physiologic response to the inhaled oil. When essential oils are inhaled, the respiratory system
An aromatherapist is a holistic practitioner that uses the essential oils to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.
Aromatherapy is a gift form mother nature to nurture, comfort our emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing.
Our olfactory system allows us to detect chemical in the air that begin to dissolve once they are inhaled through our nose and processed through our limbic system. What is fascinating for such a matter of fact sense, is memory. Through our sense of smell, exists a powerful gateway to past experiences. A particular smell can trigger an immediate recall of situations that are within the deepest reaches of our memory. Smell is a worthwhile sense to command. Since we know if its ability to connect us emotionally through memory, therapeutics is worth exploring. Aromatherapy is the careful use of scented oils to relax the senses. The practical implications of aromatherapy are that the olfactory system triggers an endocrine and hormonal response via the hypothalamus. This regulatory exercise, while quite natural can be stimulated by synthetic scents, which have been shown to register physiological and psychological benefits. Many concentrated oils come from natural plants and have application for daily relaxation or mediation all the way to chemotherapy or child birth.
Essential oils and aromatherapy are great options for babies and children. One of the best therapeutic uses of aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to calm your child. You do have to take precautions, though, and use oils that have been deemed safe for children. Additionally, children under two years old are always more sensitive than older children, so keep that in mind when you are choosing an oil.
In this essay, I will determine how and to what extent aromatherapy should be tested to see its scientific validity. Science is ever changing, hypothesis built on top on ranging hypotheses, theory after theory continually being ratified and disproved, never-ending ideas of experiments, case studies, and surveys; these all furthering of human understanding of this world. Mainstream science can also often be classified as pseudoscience because it has hence been disproven, but not to the extent where the general public accepts or even realizes its apocryphalness. Aromatherapy is partially under this category because there is no definitive research proving either way because of the challenges in research, but in order to be determined scientifically
René-Maurice Gattefossé was a French chemist born in 1881. He is known as the “father of aromatherapy” because of his extensive research of essential oils and is credited with coining the term “aromatherapy.” Gattefossé is most famous for his work and personal experience with lavender oil (Modern Essentials 13) During Medieval times, people were obviously divided on the properties of lavender regarding love. Lavender is a universal oil that has traditionally been known to balance the body and to work wherever there is need. This oil may help many things such as anxiety, arthritis, asthma, body systems balance, bronchitis, bruises, carbuncles, cold sores, earaches, fainting, gallstones, relieves headaches, heart irregularity, reduces high blood pressure, hives and many other things (Modern Essentials
There are numerous conditions that utilize aromatherapy treatments since it is widely applicable with patient’s psychological and physical healing. It has been noted that “the effects of aroma and touch can occur rapidly, and be either relaxing or stimulating depending on one 's previous experience as well as the chemistry of the essential oils used” (Buckle, 1999, p. 42). Aromatherapy has been used in many treatment processes ranging from pain reduction to corrective curing of disease, and reduction of common discomforts such as headaches. Because essential oils are
We all have heard and experienced the benefits of Aromatherapy. We use variety of essential oils in this process which benefits our mind and body. However people still question Is aromatherapy safe?
The option will hinge on the choice of the individual or on the sort of therapeutic massage remedy. These days, there are several choices when it comes to oil. A patient can have important oils which are a excellent alternative as they are scented oils, aiding in the aromatherapy of the patient. There are no proven damaging consequences in making use of these oils as medium on your massage treatment.
If I were a psychologist trying to determine if this claim is valid, I would set up a single blind experiment to see if the aroma of jasmine could help reduce depression. Aromatherapy is a type of therapy that incorporates essential oils to help improve a person’s mood (Krans). It is thought that the chemicals from the oil will travel up the nasal cavities to the olfactory receptors, which then send a signal to the olfactory bulbs, and then finally connecting to the limbic system where emotion, motivation, and memory are regulated (Ciccareli). During the single blind experiment, the participants would know I am trying to reduce depression, but would not know which scents I am testing.