Seeds for Change Wellness
What is Aromatherapy?
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Aromatherapy is the inhalation and bodily application of essential oils from aromatic plants to relax,
balance, rejuvenate, restore or enhance body, mind and spirit. Pure essential oils are extracted from
many parts of the plant including the flower, leaf, resin, bark, root, twig, seed, berry, rind and rhizome.
A basic principle of Aromatherapy is to strengthen the self-healing processes by indirect stimulation of
the immune system. The depth of use of essential oils is quite wide, ranging from deep and penetrating
therapeutic uses to the extreme subtlety of a unique fragrance.
Aromatherapy is considered by some to be an ancient yet timely and modern approach to total well
being that is in tune with nature. Aromatherapists, armed with a technical understanding of an oil`s
constituents, artfully blend essential oils to produce new aromas.
The results of Aromatherapy are very individual. While there is general agreement about the actions of
certain oils, Aromatherapy texts may vary in their descriptions of the properties and characteristics of an
essential oil. In addition, no two people are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way.
Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of
day or mood.
What is the history of Aromatherapy?
The use of Aromatherapy actually predates written history. Combinations of resins, oils and fragrant
plants were used in some form - for ceremonial, medicinal, or pleasurable reasons - in most ancient
civilizations. Perfumes and aromatic plants were the basis for many of the early trade routes established
among ancient civilizations. Some of the earliest documented uses of Aromatherapy were in Ancient
Egypt. There, 3000-year-old papyruses have been discovered containing remedies for many types of
illnesses; some of the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy today. The
Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants and their essential oils to create massage oils, medicines,
embalming preparations, skin care products, fragrant perfumes and cosmetics. There are other written
accounts of aromatic oil use in Ancient Africa, Mesopotamia, Greece, Babylon, and China. In fact, the
Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine, written in 2697 BC, is the oldest surviving medical
book in China; it contains information on more than 300 plants and their properties.
Greek and Roman civilizations later adopted the use of aromatic oils for both medicinal and cosmetic
reasons. The Western world`s standard medical reference for more than 1200 years was a book on
herbals written by the Greek physician Pedacius Dioscorides. In fact, many of his remedies are still in
use in modern Aromatherapy. Aromatics were used in early Rome, where massage with oil would often
follow a typical bath. The Romans, who were also voracious explorers and conquerors, expanded trade
routes to East India, Arabia, and beyond. This enabled them to add a wide variety of new aromatic
products to their repertoire.
Other examples of ancient cultures using some form of Aromatherapy abound. Ayurveda, traditional
Indian medicine, has been practiced for more than 3000 years and incorporates aromatic massage as
one of its main aspects. Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in ceremony and in
daily life. The Aztecs specifically were well known for their plant remedies, and a wealth of medicinal
plants was found in Montezuma`s botanical gardens when the Spanish conquerors arrived. North
American Indians also used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies.
The modern term Aromatherapy was coined in 1928 by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.
Decades later, another French medical doctor Jean Valnet, inspired by Gattefosse`s research,
published his own work in 1964, The Practice of Aromatherapy. In 1977, Robert Tisserand released his
book The Art of Aromatherapy and was successful in capturing American interest in this ancient healing
art. Through Valnet`s, Tisserand`s, and other scientists` work of the current era, the healing science of
Aromatherapy has begun to be more widely known in the West.
Today in the West, the popularity of Aromatherapy as an alternative or complementary therapy is
growing rapidly. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, in the U.S.
Aromatherapy is a $300 million dollar business, and they project it to be a $1 billion dollar business by
the year 2000. (Health Foods Business 12/98, p.26) Already, in areas of Europe it is common to find
mainstream doctors who practice Aromatherapy and health insurance companies that reimburse for
treatments.
What are the different types of Aromatherapy?
The different types of Aromatherapy are cosmetic, massage and olfactory. Regardless of which type of
Aromatherapy you choose, essential oils should always be diluted in a carrier oil or water. Cosmetic
Aromatherapy combines essential oils with facial, skin, body and hair care products containing all
natural ingredients.
Massage Aromatherapy combines the healing touch of massage therapy with the aromatic benefits of
essential oils.
Olfactory Aromatherapy releases essential oils into the environment around you either by inhaling or
diffusion. For inhalation, you can either dispense the essential oil into a handkerchief or spray a mixture
of essential oils and distilled water into the air and breathe in. Diffusion is the evaporation of the
aromatic components of an oil into the atmosphere using Aromatherapy equipment. Several different
devises are used to fill the air space of a room. Some use heat as a means of "evaporating" the
essential oils; this spreads the essential oil vapor throughout the room. Candle diffusers and ceramic or
brass rings placed on light bulbs are commonly used. Other diffusers consist of an electrical air pump
and glass nebulizer, which micro-ionizes the volatile oil, thus allowing for the most efficient form of
inhalation treatment.
How does Aromatherapy work?
When inhaled, essential oils affect our bodies in several ways. The essential oil component molecules
enter the nasal passages where they stimulate the olfactory nerve. This sends messages directly into
the limbic system. The limbic system, located in the brain, is the seat of memory, learning and emotion.
The inhalation of the essential oils triggers changes within the limbic system which in turn can stimulate
physiological responses within the body via the nervous, endocrine or immune systems. Either
stimulation or sedation of body systems or organs may occur.
Certain essential oils may have certain effects. For example, due to their effect on the brain and the
subsequent sedating or stimulating of the nervous system, essential oils can also indirectly raise and
lower blood pressure and possibly aid in normalization of hormonal secretion. The inhalation method
can be useful for respiratory symptoms. Local application of diluted oils on various points (i.e. spinal
nerves, chakras, and meridians) is effective for certain conditions. Massage Aromatherapy provides
relaxation as well as a physiological action through the nervous system. In addition, when applied
topically, essential oils can exhibit anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, or anti-inflammatory properties.
Although essential oils produce certain effects that can be counted on, they also adapt to the needs of
different people.
balance, rejuvenate, restore or enhance body, mind and spirit. Pure essential oils are extracted from
many parts of the plant including the flower, leaf, resin, bark, root, twig, seed, berry, rind and rhizome.
A basic principle of Aromatherapy is to strengthen the self-healing processes by indirect stimulation of
the immune system. The depth of use of essential oils is quite wide, ranging from deep and penetrating
therapeutic uses to the extreme subtlety of a unique fragrance.
Aromatherapy is considered by some to be an ancient yet timely and modern approach to total well
being that is in tune with nature. Aromatherapists, armed with a technical understanding of an oil`s
constituents, artfully blend essential oils to produce new aromas.
The results of Aromatherapy are very individual. While there is general agreement about the actions of
certain oils, Aromatherapy texts may vary in their descriptions of the properties and characteristics of an
essential oil. In addition, no two people are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way.
Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of
day or mood.
What is the history of Aromatherapy?
The use of Aromatherapy actually predates written history. Combinations of resins, oils and fragrant
plants were used in some form - for ceremonial, medicinal, or pleasurable reasons - in most ancient
civilizations. Perfumes and aromatic plants were the basis for many of the early trade routes established
among ancient civilizations. Some of the earliest documented uses of Aromatherapy were in Ancient
Egypt. There, 3000-year-old papyruses have been discovered containing remedies for many types of
illnesses; some of the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy today. The
Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants and their essential oils to create massage oils, medicines,
embalming preparations, skin care products, fragrant perfumes and cosmetics. There are other written
accounts of aromatic oil use in Ancient Africa, Mesopotamia, Greece, Babylon, and China. In fact, the
Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine, written in 2697 BC, is the oldest surviving medical
book in China; it contains information on more than 300 plants and their properties.
Greek and Roman civilizations later adopted the use of aromatic oils for both medicinal and cosmetic
reasons. The Western world`s standard medical reference for more than 1200 years was a book on
herbals written by the Greek physician Pedacius Dioscorides. In fact, many of his remedies are still in
use in modern Aromatherapy. Aromatics were used in early Rome, where massage with oil would often
follow a typical bath. The Romans, who were also voracious explorers and conquerors, expanded trade
routes to East India, Arabia, and beyond. This enabled them to add a wide variety of new aromatic
products to their repertoire.
Other examples of ancient cultures using some form of Aromatherapy abound. Ayurveda, traditional
Indian medicine, has been practiced for more than 3000 years and incorporates aromatic massage as
one of its main aspects. Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in ceremony and in
daily life. The Aztecs specifically were well known for their plant remedies, and a wealth of medicinal
plants was found in Montezuma`s botanical gardens when the Spanish conquerors arrived. North
American Indians also used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies.
The modern term Aromatherapy was coined in 1928 by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.
Decades later, another French medical doctor Jean Valnet, inspired by Gattefosse`s research,
published his own work in 1964, The Practice of Aromatherapy. In 1977, Robert Tisserand released his
book The Art of Aromatherapy and was successful in capturing American interest in this ancient healing
art. Through Valnet`s, Tisserand`s, and other scientists` work of the current era, the healing science of
Aromatherapy has begun to be more widely known in the West.
Today in the West, the popularity of Aromatherapy as an alternative or complementary therapy is
growing rapidly. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, in the U.S.
Aromatherapy is a $300 million dollar business, and they project it to be a $1 billion dollar business by
the year 2000. (Health Foods Business 12/98, p.26) Already, in areas of Europe it is common to find
mainstream doctors who practice Aromatherapy and health insurance companies that reimburse for
treatments.
What are the different types of Aromatherapy?
The different types of Aromatherapy are cosmetic, massage and olfactory. Regardless of which type of
Aromatherapy you choose, essential oils should always be diluted in a carrier oil or water. Cosmetic
Aromatherapy combines essential oils with facial, skin, body and hair care products containing all
natural ingredients.
Massage Aromatherapy combines the healing touch of massage therapy with the aromatic benefits of
essential oils.
Olfactory Aromatherapy releases essential oils into the environment around you either by inhaling or
diffusion. For inhalation, you can either dispense the essential oil into a handkerchief or spray a mixture
of essential oils and distilled water into the air and breathe in. Diffusion is the evaporation of the
aromatic components of an oil into the atmosphere using Aromatherapy equipment. Several different
devises are used to fill the air space of a room. Some use heat as a means of "evaporating" the
essential oils; this spreads the essential oil vapor throughout the room. Candle diffusers and ceramic or
brass rings placed on light bulbs are commonly used. Other diffusers consist of an electrical air pump
and glass nebulizer, which micro-ionizes the volatile oil, thus allowing for the most efficient form of
inhalation treatment.
How does Aromatherapy work?
When inhaled, essential oils affect our bodies in several ways. The essential oil component molecules
enter the nasal passages where they stimulate the olfactory nerve. This sends messages directly into
the limbic system. The limbic system, located in the brain, is the seat of memory, learning and emotion.
The inhalation of the essential oils triggers changes within the limbic system which in turn can stimulate
physiological responses within the body via the nervous, endocrine or immune systems. Either
stimulation or sedation of body systems or organs may occur.
Certain essential oils may have certain effects. For example, due to their effect on the brain and the
subsequent sedating or stimulating of the nervous system, essential oils can also indirectly raise and
lower blood pressure and possibly aid in normalization of hormonal secretion. The inhalation method
can be useful for respiratory symptoms. Local application of diluted oils on various points (i.e. spinal
nerves, chakras, and meridians) is effective for certain conditions. Massage Aromatherapy provides
relaxation as well as a physiological action through the nervous system. In addition, when applied
topically, essential oils can exhibit anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, or anti-inflammatory properties.
Although essential oils produce certain effects that can be counted on, they also adapt to the needs of
different people.