What do you think of when you hear the word 'Aromatherapy'? For many folks, it conjures an image of plastic Glade Plug-In air fresheners; for others, a bottle of flowery dish soap. For a fortunate few, a pleasing bath with natural soothing scents comes to mind; for even fewer, a cold-air diffuser releasing a fine mist of pure Rose petal oil throughout their home. The rarest concept of Aromatherapy in these United States is one of highly potent medicines, effective against a broad range of bacteria and viruses, with further uses including relief of arthritis pain, stomach discomfort, sleeplessness, and a host of other conditions. If this is a new idea, read-on and enter the wonderful world of medicinal aromatherapy and therapeutic use of essential oils.
At it's heart, Aromatherapy encompasses the entire branch of botanical medicine using volatile aromatic plant compounds for treatment of various medical conditions. The term was coined by a French scientist after his discovery of Lavender oil's healing effects on burns he had sustained in the laboratory. The practice of 'aroma' therapy - or the inhalation of essential oils to make one 'feel good' - is more a delightful side-note than the primary healing benefit essential oils can provide. Many important actions of essential oils don't even have to do with one's sense of smell. Beyond acting on the psyche through the limbic system (the 'emotional' center of the brain, immediately affected by the smell sense), many essential oils have proven antibiotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, tissue-regenerative and other actions.
Effects of essential oils on the psyche, along with some biologic effects through the olfactory system, are an important aspect of their use; this should certainly not be discounted relative to the direct effects on the physiology. Many scientifically designed studies have confirmed the effects of aromatic oils on the mind and emotions. Your smell sense is the only one of the five senses directly connected to the brain - all other senses are routed first through the thalamus, then directed to the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. Each 'scent-sensing' cell is a sort of chemical receiver - every receptor in the nose reacts to some scents and not others. Each of these scent-cells is directly linked to the brain by one nerve fiber. It is difficult to sense an aroma and 'think' about it before having a response - the signal does not travel first to the thought centers. Because each sensing cell is in direct contact with the chemical being sensed, and the cell is in directly wired to the brain, the nervous system's response to smell is quick and powerful.
The olfactory sense is also closely tied to the limbic system, the center of emotions, sexual response, and the formation of many memories. Aroma receptor cells, when stimulated, respond in-kind by stimulating this important brain region. With such close ties continually being revealed between one's emotional state and one's physical well-being, it is no surprise that aromas can have such strong influences. Human studies have show the inhalation of natural aromatic oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting, relaxing, and/or clarifying, depending on the oil being inhaled (as opposed to synthetic ones, which do not have such effects).
This brings us to the great range of non-'aromatic', therapeutic uses of essential oils. Modern aromatherapy practice includes topical application, ingestion, and suppository use of these natural plant comounds. Safe and effective treatment depends completely on the particular essential oil - some are absolutely not to be taken internally and others are known strong skin irritants. Effects through topical application rely on the small size and lipophillic nature of essential oil molecules - the oil-like compounds pass through the lipid bi-layers of skin cells to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Used this way, essential oils can produce profound physiological responses - again ranging widely depending on the oil. Topical application may be helpful in a variety of skin, joint, and muscle conditions, infectious illness, as well as for more general stress related states. Oral injestion and suppositories are often used in systemic infectious illnesses of microbial or viral natures - the oils are quickly absorbed and able to travel easily throughout the body, again to due to their structure which is quite compatible with human physiology. A knowledgeable practitioner should be always be consulted for such applications, as it is important to preciecly match the oils and the condition being treated. Further, use of essential oils should only be used as an adjuct therapy in serious cases following the advice of a medical professional.
Broad acceptance of true 'medical aromatherapy' is a ways-off in the US. There is a lack of knowledge within the established medical community, and qualified aromatherapists are fairly rare, as of yet. With the growing body of evidence validating the efficacy of natural medicines, however, and the failing confidence in our allopathic medical institutions, it may not be long until essential oils find their rightful place in our medicine chests. In the meantime, be cautious, have fun, and do stop and smell the roses, and lavenders, patchoulis, sandalwoods, and all the other great aromatherapies available to you! - 14130
At it's heart, Aromatherapy encompasses the entire branch of botanical medicine using volatile aromatic plant compounds for treatment of various medical conditions. The term was coined by a French scientist after his discovery of Lavender oil's healing effects on burns he had sustained in the laboratory. The practice of 'aroma' therapy - or the inhalation of essential oils to make one 'feel good' - is more a delightful side-note than the primary healing benefit essential oils can provide. Many important actions of essential oils don't even have to do with one's sense of smell. Beyond acting on the psyche through the limbic system (the 'emotional' center of the brain, immediately affected by the smell sense), many essential oils have proven antibiotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, tissue-regenerative and other actions.
Effects of essential oils on the psyche, along with some biologic effects through the olfactory system, are an important aspect of their use; this should certainly not be discounted relative to the direct effects on the physiology. Many scientifically designed studies have confirmed the effects of aromatic oils on the mind and emotions. Your smell sense is the only one of the five senses directly connected to the brain - all other senses are routed first through the thalamus, then directed to the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. Each 'scent-sensing' cell is a sort of chemical receiver - every receptor in the nose reacts to some scents and not others. Each of these scent-cells is directly linked to the brain by one nerve fiber. It is difficult to sense an aroma and 'think' about it before having a response - the signal does not travel first to the thought centers. Because each sensing cell is in direct contact with the chemical being sensed, and the cell is in directly wired to the brain, the nervous system's response to smell is quick and powerful.
The olfactory sense is also closely tied to the limbic system, the center of emotions, sexual response, and the formation of many memories. Aroma receptor cells, when stimulated, respond in-kind by stimulating this important brain region. With such close ties continually being revealed between one's emotional state and one's physical well-being, it is no surprise that aromas can have such strong influences. Human studies have show the inhalation of natural aromatic oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting, relaxing, and/or clarifying, depending on the oil being inhaled (as opposed to synthetic ones, which do not have such effects).
This brings us to the great range of non-'aromatic', therapeutic uses of essential oils. Modern aromatherapy practice includes topical application, ingestion, and suppository use of these natural plant comounds. Safe and effective treatment depends completely on the particular essential oil - some are absolutely not to be taken internally and others are known strong skin irritants. Effects through topical application rely on the small size and lipophillic nature of essential oil molecules - the oil-like compounds pass through the lipid bi-layers of skin cells to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Used this way, essential oils can produce profound physiological responses - again ranging widely depending on the oil. Topical application may be helpful in a variety of skin, joint, and muscle conditions, infectious illness, as well as for more general stress related states. Oral injestion and suppositories are often used in systemic infectious illnesses of microbial or viral natures - the oils are quickly absorbed and able to travel easily throughout the body, again to due to their structure which is quite compatible with human physiology. A knowledgeable practitioner should be always be consulted for such applications, as it is important to preciecly match the oils and the condition being treated. Further, use of essential oils should only be used as an adjuct therapy in serious cases following the advice of a medical professional.
Broad acceptance of true 'medical aromatherapy' is a ways-off in the US. There is a lack of knowledge within the established medical community, and qualified aromatherapists are fairly rare, as of yet. With the growing body of evidence validating the efficacy of natural medicines, however, and the failing confidence in our allopathic medical institutions, it may not be long until essential oils find their rightful place in our medicine chests. In the meantime, be cautious, have fun, and do stop and smell the roses, and lavenders, patchoulis, sandalwoods, and all the other great aromatherapies available to you! - 14130
About the Author:
The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using Clary Sage and other pure organic essential oils.
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