What is Aromatherapy?
Before progressing into Aromatherapy blends and practical use of essential oils, it is important to understand the basics of Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy by definition is “the practice of using plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.”
Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils distilled from the leaves, fruit, roots of plants, as well as bark from trees, moss and even, in some cases, animals, in order to create a therapeutic or emotional sense of well being.
Aromatherapy has wide ranging benefits, from its use in complimentary medicine to the ability to deliver psychological benefits such as relaxation, sensuality, the relief of nervous tension and stress relief, to name a few.
Aromatherapy touches all our lives no matter where we live or what we do. The effects of Aromas upon our daily lives can be seen in just a few examples:
Walking on a cool summers night you pass a jasmine in full bloom. Its scent fills the air and effects your mood, perhaps even triggers a memory.
On a shopping trip to the local mall you pass by a bakery selling cinnamon buns hot from the oven, this drives your senses and taste buds into overload!
Whenever an aroma brings upon a feeling or emotion, that’s Aromatherapy at work. The art of aromatherapy is to harness the power of plant fragrance via the over 400 essential oils available, in order to achieve an emotional or therapeutic benefit.
The good news is that with the right essential oils, anyone can use basic Aromatherapy methods without intensive training. It is vital that the highest quality essential oils are used for optimum results.
The Next Article: History of Aromatherapy
© 2004 Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre
History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been around a very long time and can be traced back to over 4000 years before the birth of Christ. Ancient civilizations used essential oils like cinnamon, ginger, myrrh and sandalwood for their medicinal use. Over 4000 years ago Indian literature listed over 700 plant-based ingredients for their medicinal value. Traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurveda incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects. This form of Aromatherapy has changed little to this day and is becoming very popular in Western Aromatherapy.
Chinese civilizations also mastered the use of essential oils and herbs. In the year 2700 B.C. a Chinese practitioner, Shen Nung authored an herbal book that is the oldest surviving medical book in existence, containing information on over 400 plants. Around the same time, on the other side of the world, the Egyptians were also developing Aromatherapy. They practiced Aromatherapy in much the same way the Chinese, by herbal extraction and by burning aromatic woods and incense to show respect to their gods.
When embalming the Pharaohs, the body was first filled with a blend of palm wine infused with the herbs of Chamomile, and Galbanum, which cleansed the body before being filled with massive amounts of the oils of Cinnamon, Myrrh Cassia and other aromatic essences. Oils were then rubbed over the body before being wrapped in cloth saturated with the essential oils or Myrrh, Cinnamon, juniper and Cedarwood. This process preserved the mummy for its afterlife.
Besides the religious use of Aromatherapy, wealthy Egyptians used essential oils in their everyday life. The Egyptians would use oils as perfume, bath oil, skin and hair care. Ancient Papyri found in The Pyramids of Egypt told of the practical use of essential oils in the treatment of all illnesses as well as how they applied the oil. Interestingly, this is similar to the way it is done today.
One of the earliest forms of Aromatherapy used by the Egyptians was incense, created from a dried infusion of oils from aromatic plants pressed into cones. They used the incense as offerings to their many gods, a practice still used in religion today. Along with the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks also mastered the use of essential oils, using them medicinally and cosmetically. Over 1,200 years ago, Pedacius Dioscorides, a Greek physician, authored a book on herbal medicine. Many of his remedies are still in use today.
As the Romans expanded their empire into Greece and Egypt, they learned much of their medical knowledge from these advancing societies, using and improving the science of Aromatherapy. As the Roman Empire moved towards the Orient, new oils were introduced into Europe from India, China and the Arab Empire via the newly expanding trade routes.
Around 1000 A.D., Avicenna, a physician is believed to have been the first person to incorporate the process known as distillation to distil the essence of rose. Also during this period, alcohol was also first distilled by The Arabs, and then combined with essential oils, creating the first perfumes.
Spanish Conquistadors invading North and South America brought new plants and oils to Europe. The Spanish were amazed at the wealth of medicinal plants found in Incan, Mayan and Aztec botanical gardens and the knowledge they possessed concerning the use of plants in medicine. Together with the South American Indians, The Indians of North American also used aromatic oils and produced their own herbal remedies for both medicinal and religious ceremonies.
In the early 19th century scientists in Europe began researching the effects of essential oils on humans. Rene Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist, began his research into the healing powers of essential oils after burning his hand in his laboratory and immersing in it in lavender oil. It was this accident that impressed him as to how quickly the burn healed when treated with an essential oil. In 1937 he published a book about the anti -microbial effects of the oils and first used the word, Aromatherapy. He later went on to set up a business producing oils for use in fragrances and cosmetics.
In 1964, Dr. Jean Valnet, a French medical doctor, was impressed by Gattefosse’s research and began experimenting in his clinic with essential oils as medical therapy. Impressed by Dr. Valnet’s work, Margaret Maury began to apply Valnet’s research into her beauty therapy, customising beauty treatments for her clients individually. She was the first person to set up Aromatherapy clinics in Switzerland, London and France would use oils to maintain healthy, youthful skin, now known as the day spa.
Today Aromatherapy is in greater demand then ever before. Besides the clinical and home use, Spas are opening throughout the world catering to people of all walks of life. Spas are opening up in urban areas to cater to the stressed working men and women, providing them with relaxation by way of bathing, massage, wraps and treatments from recipes dating back to the ancient Greeks, Romans and Orientals, bringing our story full circle.
Aromatherapy has also transformed many worldwide resorts from budget destinations to exclusive Spa retreats for those who can afford to be spoiled!
Today the Internet is helping to spread the ancient secrets to the world through sites dedicated to educating the public on Aromatherapy as well as websites that offer most of the essential oils available at a low cost. Together, these sites make it possible for everyone to practice Aromatherapy.
The Next Article: How are Essential Oils Produced?
© 2004 Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre
How are Essential Oils Produced?
Most people are surprised to learn that it requires 2,000 kg of rose petals to produce 1kg of Rose essential oil, 6 tons of orange blossom to produce 1kg of Neroli, 400kg of thyme to produce 1kg of pure essential oil, and 4 million jasmine flowers to produce 1kg of Jasmine Absolute. Therefore, many essential oils are very expensive to produce, due to the labor intensive process and the quantity of the plant required to produce the oil.
Essential oils are the pure “essence” of a plant. The oils have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely. There are over 400 essential oils currently available on the market today. Many of these oils are very difficult to find in retail stores.
It is important to note that oils used in perfumery, fragrance oils or “fragrances” are different then essential oils. Most perfumes contain chemically based copies of essential oils. This is done to preserve the scent of the perfume and to increase its shelf life. Most fragrances contain unnatural chemicals and do not provide the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
The Next Article: What are Essential Oils?
© 2004 Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre
What are Essential Oils?
An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled using steam or water from the flowers, bark, leaves, seeds, stems, roots, or other elements of a plant. Contrary to the use of the word oil, essential oils are not oil. As oils are derived from many different parts of a plant, they are not oil in the true sense. They come in a variety of colors and consistency, from a clear, watery texture, to thick, syrupy and dark.
Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant. They are very concentrated and therefore should be used sparingly. Oils therefore represent outstanding value for money as a little oil goes a long way.
Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances and contain artificial substances fragrant oils are not to be used in Aromatherapy. Additionally, as it is unknown what chemicals are in fragrance oils, they are never to be consumed. If you see oils at an unusual price, it is probably a fragrance rather then a true essential oil.
Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price. Many factors affect the quality and price of oil such as the rarity of the plant, the country where it is distilled and grown and conditions that the plant was grown as well as quality standards of the distiller, and how much oil the plant produces.
It is important to look at the ingredients label when seeking Aromatherapy products, as many companies use artificial fragrance and not the true essential oils. Not all Aromatherapy products labeled with the word “Aromatherapy” are pure and natural. Many of these products contain artificial ingredients (i.e. fragrance) and do not provide Aromatherapy benefits.
The Next Article: What are Absolutes?
© 2004 Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre