While terms such as holistic medicine, complementary therapy and essential oils may sound exotic, in reality they are common terms used to describe processes, procedures and components that even the American Cancer Society includes on its website. Complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, often accompany traditional medicine in an attempt to provide relief from the symptoms, side effects and pain associated with conditions ranging from mild to severe (See References 1).
Identification
AromaWeb.com describes an essential oil as a highly concentrated, all natural liquid distilled from various parts of a plant. At its core, aromatherapy for the body uses the essential oils of approximately 40 different fragrant plants to remedy a number of internal and external conditions. Plants common to aromatherapy include lavender, rosemary, jasmine, peppermint and lemon. The American Cancer Society reports that in addition to people who choose to use aromatherapy in the home, massage therapists, psychologists, social workers and chiropractors often use it as part of standard treatment procedures.
Types
Two types of aromatherapy for the body include scent and skin therapy. Scent aromatherapy typically involves direct inhalation or steam inhalation. Direct inhalation uses three or four drops of an essential oil applied to a tissue and then held close to your nose. Steam inhalation uses three to seven drops of essential oils added to steaming water.
Skin therapy involves essential oils massaged into your skin or added to bath water. AromaWeb.com recommends taking precautions when using aromatherapy on the skin. Its recommendations include diluting approximately 20 drops of essential oils in one ounce of carrier oil, such as almond oil, and keeping massage oils away from your eyes and genital areas. When using aromatherapy in bath water, mix five to seven drops in one ounce of carrier oil and add this mixture while water is still running to ensure it mixes well.
Benefits
According to the American Cancer Society, those promoting the use of aromatherapy for the body credit it with a wide variety of benefits. These benefits include relieving bacterial infections, helping to fight colds, sore throats and the flu, and increasing blood circulation. Additional benefits include curing herpes simplex, acne, headaches, indigestion, muscle tension, and some even claim aromatherapy can cure cancer. The Cancer Society notes that so far, there is no scientific evidence that aromatherapy can cure cancer.
How It Works
AlternativesForHealing.com states that scent therapy acts on the limbic system of the brain, influencing respiration, heart rate and blood pressure. Skin therapy works to activate thermal receptors, raise skin temperatures and kill bacteria and fungi. Essential oils absorbed into the skin act on the immune system, possibly as an antiseptic.
Warning
Despite its increasing popularity, there is no scientific evidence that aromatherapy for the body is effective when used as the sole method of treatment to cure or prevent disease, according to the American Cancer Society. However, the ACS also states that preliminary evidence resulting from clinical trials shows it may be effective as a complement to traditional medicine in treating chronic pain, nausea, stress and depression. Clinical trials are still in early stages and require further study and research.
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