The literal meaning of the word aromatherapy is "a smell or fragrance treatment." The natural, usually non-invasive practice of aromatherapy uses essential plant oils, which are extracts taken from the flowers, leaves, seeds or roots of the plants, to promote physical and emotional healing. During aromatherapy, essential oils can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or, in rare instances, ingested. Some common uses of aromatherapy include the treatment of depression, anxiety, nausea and infections.
History
Shellie Enteen, Director Coordinator of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, believes that the history of aromatherapy is "as old as man's relationship to the plant kingdom." She cites urns filled with "aromatic resins" in the Pharaoh's tombs and "recipes using aromatic compounds" in the Old Testament as early examples of aromatherapy. Multiple cultures, including ancient Chinese, Indians, Greeks, Romans and Egyptians have used essential oils for ritual and cosmetic purposes for over 6,000 years.
Modern Origins
The father of modern aromatherapy is the French chemist and perfumer Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. While he was working in his laboratory in 1928, Gattefosse suffered a severe burn on his hand. In an effort to relieve the burning, he submerged it in a nearby container of pure lavender oil. The burn healed quickly and left no scar, leading Gatterfosse to study the use of essential oils, which he dubbed "aromatherapie," on wounded World War I soldiers.
Emotional Benefits
While exactly what happens in the body during aromatherapy is unclear, The University of Maryland Medical Center posits that the emotional benefit of aromatherapy may be linked with how your brain receives the sensation of smell. When essential oil particles are inhaled through the nose, the nasal receptors can positively stimulate the amygdala and hippocampus sections of the brain, which store emotions and memories.
Physical Benefits
Aromatherapy is used as holistic treatment to relieve pain and gastric distress, as well as to treat alopecia and psoriasis. Some uses of common essential oils include peppermint oil to aid digestion, citrus oil to boost the immune system, and sage for symptoms of menopause. Essential oils are often used to reduce pain and anxiety during pregnancy and during cancer treatments.
Dangers
Aromatherapy is not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and there is no licensing needed to practice aromatherapy, so you should take care when choosing an aromatherapist. Check with your doctor before aromatherapy if you take any medications or have any conditions, as there are possible interactions with certain essential oils. Although aromatherapy is generally considered safe, allergic reactions and rashes have been known to occur, and ingesting essential oils may cause nausea.
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