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Aromatherapy
By Wendy | May 28, 2008
The practice of using volatile plant oils, such as essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being, is better known as Aromatherapy. It is used as a form of alternative medicine that many see as a way to affect a person’s mood or health. The natural essence of a plant or the essential oils, have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used in a correct and safe manor. Essential oils differ in chemical composition from other herbal products due to the distillation process only recovering the lighter phytomolecules. Because of this reason essential oils are loaded with monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, as well as other VOC substances.
The word aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes along with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs. The most common use of these products include massaging products, medicine, or any topical application that includes the use of essential oils to their products. Aromatherapy itself has a very particularly Western influence. Medical treatment involving aromatic compounds may exist outside of the Western hemisphere, but may or may not be included in the term “aromatherapyâ€.
There are two main ways to apply the use of aromatherapy and different benefits for each. There is an aroma or inhaling form of application, which is when an individual inhales the essential oils using a diffuser. This form can have many of its own great benefits. When the essential oils are inhaled into the lungs it can offer both psychological and physical benefits. The aroma of the natural essential oil stimulates the brain to trigger a reaction, and when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents or the naturally occurring chemicals, can supply therapeutic benefits. This diffuses eucalyptus essential oils to help ease congestion. But if this is not done correctly and safely, the use of essential oils can have severe consequences. This is why one must adhere to all directions supplied or partake in the use of a specialist.
There are also great benefits in the physical application form as well. The physical application is when the essential oils that are applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The constituents of essential oils applied physically can aid in health, beauty and hygiene conditions. Because essential oils are very powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. The correct way to apply essential oils to the skin is to first dilute the oils into a carrier such as a cold pressed vegetable oil, which is also known as a carrier oil. Many carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, and grape seed oil.
The essential oils can be blended together to create appealing and complex aromas. The practice of using aromatherapy can as previously stated, be used for medical reasons, as well as for the use of not only physical beauty but internal beauty. Essential oils can also be blended for an exact therapeutic application.
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