Define Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils in a range of treatments designed to promote the well-being of mind, body and spirit. Essential oils are made from plants and can have a powerful effect on both mind and body. The oils are introduced to the body in a number of ways, with the main ways being massage and inhalation. According to the International Federation of Aromatherapists, the oils should never be taken internally, and no aromatherapist will ever recommend this.

Plants used in the Manufacture of Essential Oils

Oils are manufactured from all types of plants, trees, flowers and herbs, and all parts of the plant may be used, from the flowers, the leaves and stalks, the bark and the wood to the roots themselves. In the making of rose oil, only the petals are used. In the case of citrus oils, the whole fruit is used, the oil extracted from the fruit by subjecting it to extreme pressure.

How the Oils are Made

The essential oil is extracted from the plant in one of two ways: by pressure, most often used in the case of citrus oils such as mandarin and lemon, or through distillation. The majority of oils are produced by steam distillation, which separates the oil from the other constituents of the plant. One byproduct of this process is the production of flower waters such as rosewater and lavender water.

Blending of Essential Oils

The strength of oils is graded into "notes," which are described as top, middle and base. The top note is the lightest, followed by the middle note and then the base note, which acts as a fixative. Citrus oils are generally considered to be top notes, herbal oils such as rosemary and sage would be considered middle notes, while the base notes generally come from plants in which the root or bark is used, such as myrrh and sandalwood.

Massage

For use in massage, the blend of essential oils is diluted in a carrier oil before being applied to the body. It is usual for the blend to be comprised of two or three oils and can be used for a full body massage, a back massage or for a head or facial massage. For a powerful and relaxing experience treatment normally takes place on a massage table in a softly lit room and is accompanied by gentle music. Ali Headeach, an aromatherapist from Margate, UK, says, "A good aromatherapy massage should be deeply relaxing and uplifting, leaving you feeling both mellow and energized."

Other Methods of Use

Bathing, inhalation and vaporization are the other main methods in which oils can be used. The benefits of the oils can be absorbed through breathing and the pores of the skin by adding drops to bath water. Inhaling the oil in hot water is recommended for respiratory problems, as is burning the oil in a vaporizer, in order to fill the room with the scent of a particular oil.