Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, in a number of ways, to promote healing, relaxation and feelings of well-being in the recipient. The most common form is massage, where two or three essential oils are combined with a carrier oil and applied to the skin. Essential oils have many healing properties and can encourage healing and relieve pain and discomfort, however, aromatherapy should never be used as a substitute for medical care.
Working Two Ways
Aromatherapy works in two ways: the oils are absorbed through the skin and inhaled through the nose. According to the International Federation of Aromatherapists, "Aromatic molecules are inhaled through the nose and transmitted via the Olfactory Bulb to the Limbic System. This is the part of the Brain which influences the nervous and hormonal systems, and which is connected to higher functions such as memory and emotional behaviour."
Using Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
The most effective use of the oils is through massage, when the oils are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin, enhancing healing and relaxation throughout the body.
Essential oils work best together when mixed in a synergistic blend. The website Esoteric Oils defines the term "synergistic" as: "Agents working together and in harmony to produce an effect greater than the sum of the two separate agents." For example, blending Lavender and Ylang Ylang could be more effective in balancing blood pressure than either of the oils used on their own.
Other Applications of Aromatherapy
There are a number of ways in which aromatherapy oils can be employed, though all embrace the sense of smell. Three or four drops of oil added to a warm bath or to a vaporizer can produce feelings of relaxation and well-being. Inhalation, such as adding two or three drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water and inhaling for 10 minutes, is very helpful in clearing a stuffy, blocked up nose or easing a cough.
Physical Benefits of Aromatherapy
The main benefit of aromatheraphy is relaxation and the reduction of tension in the skin and muscles, especially when associated with massage. The oils can also help to prevent ill health and disease, give support to the system when unwell, and aid recovery. When you are well, regular aromatherapy sessions help to maintain a state of health and well-being.
Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can also help to maintain both emotional and psychological health. Lavender and rose oils are uplifting and lighten your mood, while citrus oils help to ease depression. Lavender is also calming, as is chamomile. Jennie Harding states in "The Essential Oils Handbook": "All essential oil aromas reconnect us with Nature and an inherent state of relaxation that can simultaneously balance and uplift our mood."
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