Aromatherapy- The Info, Benefits & Precautions

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants for many uses- physically, mentally, and psychologically. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years- stemming back to Egypt where they would use it for perfume, makeup, and even as an aphrodisiac. The Chinese culture would use it for more spiritual purposes, such as providing harmony and balance. By the 15^th & 16^th centuries, essential oils were used for medicinal and apothecary purposes. Now it is known that aromatherapy can honestly help just about any condition under the sun. Yet, not as many know about it as you would think.

So, how does aromatherapy work? Well, we humans have a strong sense of smell and certain aromas can have a big impact on how we feel. What happens is the molecules from the oils are immediately exposed to our nose and reaches what is called our Olfactory nerves in the nasal cavity, which is directly connected to the brain. In smelling the aroma of the oil or oils, it will send a message to the brain, depending on the oil’s qualities and purpose, not to mention its effects when used on the body.

Oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting, cooling, warming, revitalizing, and stress-relieving- just to name a few of their influences. They can also help soothe muscles and joints, heal scars and dry skin, ease symptoms for allergies, colds & flu, and even be detoxifying and help boost our immune system.

They can be used in a variety of ways- topical application, in a mist or spritzer for aromatic use, evaporation or diffusing. You can also find essential oils such as Lavender and Tea Tree in many health & beauty products such as shampoo, soap, and even makeup because of their versatile beneficial properties. Most cleaning products contain citrus oils, such as lemon, because of its anti-bacterial elements. And yes, some oils are used for cooking & baking too!

Using aromatherapy with your massage or alone can help improve your quality of life in so many ways. Whatever condition, ailment, or adversity you face, essential oils are bound to find you relief. Of course there are always precautions when using essential oils, and avoiding the use of specific essential oils if you have a condition that can be worsened by their use. And results do vary, but finding the right blend and if used properly on a regular basis, aromatherapy can naturally help improve your well-being.

That’s why I have taken a special aromatherapy course and am constantly studying and learning about essential oils. I know when essential oils shouldn’t be used, as well as the right combination blends and application use for each particular need.

Common Useful Oils:

You always hear about Lavender in just about everything- well, that’s because it does just about everything! It’s calming, helps with stress, eases muscle & joint pain, assists in respiratory and nasal congestion relief, improves mood, and relieves burns. Some specific conditions it’s used for are Arthritis, Asthma, Cold & Flu, ADHD, and Depression.

Another infamous oil is Tea Tree. It is found to be an excellent antiseptic, as well as partnering up with lavender to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, asthma, colds & flu. It is also great for cuts, wounds, insect bites & acne, not to mention having anti-fungal properties as well.

Lemon is a great anti-bacterial oil. The best household cleaners contain this essential oil, not just for the great smell. This is one oil that can be used in cooking and baking instead of lemon extract, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Ever heard of Scurvy? It was a disease sailors contracted from lack of Vitamin C, so they used lemons and oranges to cure them. All citrus contains Vitamin C, also known as Absorbic Acid. Another great use is for oily- and blemish-prone skin.  Any citrus oil is going to cause photo-sensitivity, so sun exposure should be avoided if applied to skin.

Those three oils are the most common because they have so many beneficial properties and are some of the least harmful. So these are definitely a few of must-haves in your own medicine cabinet, not to mention Eucalyptus, Chamomile, and Rosemary. But there are hundreds of different essential oils, and some oils are extracted differently or grown in different climates which will give those different qualities and properties.

*Important precautions to take with essential oils:*
Aromatherapy is a rapidly growing self-care practice, but it is picking up so much popularity that it is becoming a fad with lack of knowledge on the subject, and it is not something to use lightly. 

First of all, it is very important to at least have a very thorough informational book handy such as The The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. Even better than that, I *highly* recommend taking a class from a certified professional. They will know the chemistry precautions to take with blending as well as application, interactions with drugs and allergies. 

Also, make sure you do your research and footwork on buying quality essential oils. Essential oils need to be obtained from plants grown around the world, because of the difference in climate, soil and conditions in which they would thrive alter their chemical properties and potency. They can also be extracted in different methods and different parts of the plant used can change the whole constitution of the oil. 

Purchasing from a company that is reliable will not be very well-known unless you are amongst the hardcore aromatherapy crowd. These companies test all of their oils for potency and purity. You can even request to see the test results if they are not already available online. I do not recommend purchasing from work-from-home company consultants, as while they may do their research, they have not had formal training and there is a lot of liability on the line. 

As long as you take the right precautions, aromatherapy can be such an amazing health benefit for the mind, body and spirit.

transferred- original post date 04/17/2011