Aromatherapy uses your sense of smell as a way to treat health conditions. Some effects are physical, causing changes in the way your body receives and processes stimuli from your environment. Scents can also trigger happy memories. A 2007 study published in the journal Memory and Cognition found that certain smells can invoke emotional memories if one has an association with the scent and a past event. As with any alternative medicine, use aromatherapy with care.
History
Aromatherapy has long been a part of human culture. According to Discovery Home and Health, the practice of using essential oils dates back to ancient Egypt. Essential oils are concentrations of herbs used for medicinal purposes. Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician and the father of modern medicine, advocated the use of its principles as ways to ensure good health. Modern day aromatherapy can be credited to Rene-Maurice Gattefosse's 1937 book "Gattefosse's Aromatherapy."
Uses
Essential oils have different uses based on the reaction each will trigger in your body. Lavender, for example, tends to promote relaxation and ease stress, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can use it in the form of a scented candle, as an additive to your bath water or as a room spray. Some essential oils, such as peppermint, make pleasant-smelling massage oils to relieve muscular tension.
Considerations
One of the guiding principles of aromatherapy is to never place undiluted essential oils on your skin. Any product has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. In its concentrated form, reactions may be more likely. For this reason, it is best to dilute essential oils in a neutral carrier oil such as almond oil before you use them for aromatherapy. Likewise, you should not ingest essential oils.
Benefits
The benefits of aromatherapy vary with the ingredients used. While lavender may relax you, jasmine oil may have a stimulating effect for relieving depression, according to a 2010 study published in the journal Natural Product Communications. Other evidence suggests that aromatherapy may complement treatment or help relieve symptoms associated with other health conditions, including cancer. A 2008 study published in Psycho-Oncology found that scented massage oils can lower cortisol levels in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cortisol is the so-called stress hormone, the overabundance of which can impair brain function.
Guidelines
Aromatherapy affects people differently. A good result with one person is no guarantee that another will experience similar effects. Before using any aromatherapy product, test your body's reaction by placing a small amount in the crook of your arm. Wait until the next day to see if you respond negatively. If you have an existing condition such as high blood pressure, contact your doctor before beginning aromatherapy.
References
- "Memory and Cognition"; Olfaction and Emotion: The Case of Autobiographical Memory; J. Willander and M. Larsson; October 2007
- Discovery Home and Health: Aromatherapy
- "Gattefosse's Aromatherapy"; R.M. Gattefosse; 1937
- "Natural Product Communications"; Stimulating Effect; T. Hongratanaworakit; January 2010
- "Psycho-Oncology"; Massage in Patients Undergoing Intensive Chemotherapy Reduces Serum Cortisol and Prolactin; J. Stringer et al; October 2008
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