Aromatherapy

Introduction

Aromatherapy, according to Aromatherapy, A guide for home use - by Christine Westwood, p.7 is "...the use of organic essences of aromatic plants for healing and the maintenance of vitality." These 'essences' (not to be confused with the Bach or flower remedies, which are quite different) are plant oils (called essential oils) which are derived from plants through a process called distillation. They are used in massaage and aromatherapy for their different health benefits and are often key ingredients in perfume and other health products. 

Essential oils

Essential oils are also known as 'aromatic oils' because they have an aroma. It is advised, however, that a couple of drops of essential oil should be diluted in a base or carrier oil before being applied to the skin. Carrier oils are vegetable oils such as sweet almond oil. Some essential oils can cause irritation to the skin. However, irritation can be avoided if the essential oil is diluted with carrier oil. It is not advisable to take essential or carrier oils internally. Nor is it pleasant, because pure essential oils are very strong and have an intense aroma.

     Essential oils are extracted through a process called distillation. Because the essential oil is found in varying quantities in different species of plant (e.g. tea tree and lavender), some essential oil production requires a greater amount of plant material to produce a sufficient amount of essential oil to sell. This means that it costs more to produce such an essential oil than one whose plant material contains more essential oil and requires less plant material. For example, according to Aromatherapy, A guide for home use - by Christine Westwood, p.7 "...it takes the petals from about 30 specially cultivated roses to produce one drop of Rose essential oil and several kilos of lavender to produce a small bottle of essential oil." This is why Rose essential oil is so expensive - because in order to produce a bottle's worth of the essential oil, a greater amount of plant material is required.

    The essential oil can sometimes only be found in the bark (such as with red cedar), so specially cultivated trees are needed. Of course, if the bark of the same tree/s was continually stripped off in order to extract its essential oil, the tree or trees would die. Hence, these trees are planted in plantation areas systematically, so that their bark can be stripped without stripped too much from any one tree. Obviously, if there was a certain boom in the business of selling this essential oil, it would put a strain on the production and tree plantation.

History of aromatherapy

According to Complementary Health, The Hamlyn Encyclopaedia to - by Nikki Bradford p.68 "The Greeks, Romans and ancient Egyptians all made use of aromatherapy oils. Nearly 6,000 years ago the Egyptian physician Imhotep, who became the god of medicine and healing, recommended fragrant oils for bathing and massage. Hippocrates, the Greek father of medicine, recommended regular aromatherapy baths and scented massage and placed such store by the power of scent that he used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague. In England, essential oils were used to ward off the plague long before drugs and synthetic perfumes took their place. However, it was not until the 1930's that French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse developed the use of aromatherapy as we know it today. Gattefosse originated the term aromatherapy to define the therapeautic use of essential oils as a discipline in its own right. His interest in the therapy stemmed from his personal experience of the benefits of lavender oil. Apparently, according to the story, he burned his hand in a laboratory experiment and plunged it into the nearest liquid, which happened to be a container of lavender oil. His hand healed remarkably quickly, without infection and with no trace of scarring. This remarkable discovery left Gattefosse eager to find out more about the benefits of aromatherapy.

     "His work was expanded upon by French army surgeon Dr Jean Valnet, who used essential oils as antiseptics during World War II. But it was Madame  Marguerite Maury who developed the idea of aromatherapy as a holistic therapy. She introduced the concept of prescribing oils for the individual, and was the first to combine the effects of essential oils with massage."

    

Types of essential oil and health benefits

Aromatherapy oils

According to Essential oils, a guide to - by Jennie Harding p.34, lemon-grass essential oil is "...regarded as a potential irritant to already sensitive or allergic skin and is not advised for infants and young children. It should always be diluted in a carrier, even in bath blends." It can be used for easing "...muscular aches, pains and stiffness; eases stomach cramps, indigestion and constipation; lifts depression or anxiety and improves the mood." 

     In order to harness their benefits, essential oils can be inhaled or massaged in carrier oil into the skin. In fact, they can also be used to moisturise the skin should it be dry (or plain carrier oil can be used for this). Lavender is considered to be excellent for insomnia - a few drops either side of the pillow before sleep can be helpful, with its soothing, calming smell entering the nostrils. Some essential oils, such as lavender and tea tree oil, are believed to have antiseptic and healing properties. Tea tree is said to be good for treating athlete's foot.  

    According to Essential oils, The encyclopaedia of - by Julia Lawless p.118, (true/European) lavender was traditionally used "... to 'comfort the stomach' but above all as a cosmetic water, and insect repellent, to scent linen and as a reviving yet soothing oil." It was also "...a tonic against faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, spasms and colic ... A few drops of lavender in a hot footbath has a marked influence in relieving fatigue. Outwardly applied, it relieves toothache, neuralgia, sprains and rheumatism. In hysteria, palsy and similar disorders of debility and lack of nerve power, lavender will act as a powerful stimulant."

     The oil's actions are "Analgesic, anti-convulsive, antidepressant, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-toxic, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, insecticide, nervine, parasiticide, rubefacient, sedative, stimulant, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary."
    According to Essential oils, a guide to - by Jennie Harding p.29, tea tree oil can be used for fighting "...bacterial, viral and fungal infections such as acne, athlete's foot, cold sores, impetigo, nailbed infections, thrush, ringworm, verrucas, warts and chicken pox; eases mild inflammatory conditions such as insect bites and stings, bronchitis, cystitis, and sinusitis. Teas tree oil is also an excellent supporting oil for the immune system, and helpful for people with post-viral fatigue or recurring glandular fever." It is "Extensively used by Australian aboriginal tribes for its effectiveness in clearing infections, coughs, cold and headaches. In particular, tea tree's ability to clear bacteria, now known worldwide, emerged when a Dr Penfold carried out research into the oil in 1923. He found it to be 12 times more effective at killing bacteria than the standard hospital disinfectant at the time - carbolic acid. For this reason, tea tree is also an increasingly popular component of shampoos, soaps and cosmetics."    

Using essential oils

Essential oils can be used for baths - a couple of drops of pure (non-diluted) lavender oil into a bath for example; steam inhalations - a few drops of essential oil (e.g. mint) into hot water that is inhaled; diffusers and vaporisers; massage.

 
References

Aromatherapy, A guide for home use - by Christine Westwood

Aromatherapy - by Nicola Jenkins

Aromatherapy - by Christine Wildwood
Complementary Health, The Hamlyn Encyclopaedia to - by Nikki Bradford [et al.]

Essential oils, a guide to - by Jennie Harding

Essential oils, The encyclopedia of - by Julia Lawless
Oil, Lavender - by Julia Lawless