We have all heard of aromatherapy, but what exactly is it? Is it a new form of therapy or does it have a longer history? Is there any scientific basis for aromatherapy? When you learn the facts, you may find a greater appreciation for aromatherapy and its psychological, emotional and physical benefits.
Origins of Aromatherapy
While the term 'aromatherapy' is of recent origin and it has only become popular in the West since about the 1970s, the history of aromatherapy dates back thousands of years. Ancient cave paintings found in France suggest that aromatic plants were burned and inhaled for medicinal purposes in Europe over 10,000 years ago. In China and India, the use of aromatic plants in healing can be traced back over 6000 years and the ancient Egyptians are said to have been the first to invent a distiller for the extraction of essential oils.
Early in the 20th century, René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist, burnt his hand and impulsively immersed it in the first liquid he saw. This just happened to be lavender essential oil. After noticing how quickly he healed and that no scar tissue developed, Gattefossé became passionately devoted to the study of the medicinal benefits of essential oils and coined the term "aromatherapy".
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy may be a less than ideal name for this type of therapy because it implies that the scent of an essential oil is its only therapeutic property. Because of this, many people still believe that aromatherapy is a "feel good" placebo without real medicinal benefits. The truth is somewhat different. By definition, a placebo has no actual medicinal value. Research has shown that many of the scents in the essential oils used by aromatherapists can trigger powerful chemical reactions in the brain. These reactions can have psychological and even physical effects that go far beyond the "placebo effect." Moreover, as René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered accidentally, when applied to the skin, some essential oils can have a healing effect.
How Is Aromatherapy Practised?
An aromatherapist will use essential oils in a variety of ways. The three most common application modes include environmental (such as incense), topical and through direct inhalation. The aromatherapist may use them in conjunction with a massage treatment, reflexology or another form of bodywork. She may also use them in a facial treatment or as part of a counselling session. The practitioner blends the oils for specific purposes and often clients will take a blend home with them for further self-treatment.
Aromatherapy is practised as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments. Some common conditions aromatherapists treat include colds, influenza, nausea, headaches, migraines and insomnia, to name just a few. While aromatherapists have successfully treated a wide variety of disorders, they do not claim to have cures for diseases. For serious conditions especially, it is always wise to consult your doctor or other qualified health professional first.
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