Aromatherapy means "treatment using scents".

It refers to treatments such as massage, facials, wraps and baths using essential oils (natural oil oncentrates, distilled from plants) to aid well being and is particularly effective when used to combat stress and anxiety as well as a wide range of other ailments.

Aromatherapy is used for the relief of pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue and invigorate the entire body. Essential oils can affect the mood, alleviate fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves.

Aromatherapy is a fast growing field in alternative medicine, but it has been around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage.

There are about 150 essential oils, each of them with its own specific properties. The inhalation of the chosen essential oil offerns an alternative way to treat a variety of ailments, like insomnia, headache, hair loss, indigestion, fatigue and cold, but it is known to have even been used in some hospitals for relieving labor pain, pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients.

Aromatherapy is already slowly getting into the mainstream. In Japan, engineers are incorporating aroma systems into new buildings. In one such application, the scent of lavender and rosemary is pumped into the customer area to calm down the waiting customers, while the perfumes from lemon and eucalyptus are used in the bank teller counters to keep the staff alert.

Modern aromatherapy originated in 1930, and its name was coined by a French chemist named Rene Maurice Gattefosse. It all started when he accidentally found out the benefits of lavender oil in healing his burned hand without leaving any scars. He then went on investigating the effect of other essential oils for healing and other psychotherapeutic benefits. Aromatherapy works on the mind and body simultaneously.

Essential oils stimulates the powerful sense of smell. It is known that odors we smell have a significant impact on how we feel. In dealing with patients who have lost the sense of smell, doctors have found that a life without fragrance can lead to high incidence of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. We have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells. It is believed that smells enter through cilia (the fine hairs lining the nose) to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning.

Studies with brain wave frequency has shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. Fragrance of Jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.

Care must be when using essential oils.

Do not use too much. Also, please be wary of any allergies people you might have to essential oils.

The best way to test for allergies is to apply on a little spot of your skin first. But also remember that several essential oils must not be applied to the skin pure. These oils should instead be mixed witha “carrier oil”. You can find more information about what carrier oils are and how to use essential oils in the next article: Aromatherapy: Essential Oils and How To Use Them.

In our Aromatherapy section you can find out more about specific essential oils, their applications and caution you should use for.

Main reasons to use caution are: pregnancy, allergy, high blood pressure and epilepsy. Be careful with young children or babies. If you accidentally spill the essential oils on your skin or eye, wash it off immediately with whole milk. Milk with some fat in it is best for reducing irritation and removing the oil actually in the eye. You may also use olive oil or other vegetable oil to resolve any issues if experiencing a burning sensation which would be possible with oils like peppermint. Watch out for inflamed skin if you use essential oils. If you consume the oil by accident, drink lot of milk, eat soft bread, and go to the nearest poison control center for appropriate action.

It is a very good idea to keep your eyes closed while inhaling the aromatic oil. This helps build up your imagery which enhances the effect of the essential oil. It also prevents the "fumes" from irritating the eyes at close range. Don't apply any oils close to your eyes.

Certain oils such as mint oil causes insomnia. Do not use it at night.