What Is Aromatherapy?
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
Herbal medicine has a branch that uses vital oils from plants and herbs called aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative treatment therapy. It dates back to ancient times and has been practiced by Egyptians, Italians, Chinese and Indians. Aromatherapy is widely practiced in Europe and North America in today's times apart from China and India. It is a kind of holistic treatment that at times incorporates the usage of necessary oils along with massages, candles and other calming products.
Rene Gattefosse who was a French chemist named this treatment aromatherapy in 1937. He himself was truly amazed by how lavender oil healed burnt skin.
How does aromatherapy work? The unique effects of the essential oils that include antiviral, antibacterial, diuretic, vasodilator, tranquilizing and stimulating are believed to have an effect on practically every organ in our body. You can use the oils in one of 3 ways: oral consumption, topical application and inhalation.
By the oral consumption of essential oils aromatherapy strives to infuse well being and health in human body. However, always remember before taking any essential oil you should be under proper medical guidance and supervision.
Among all the various methods, the quickest results from aromatherapy come from inhaling of essential oils. Extensive research has been conducted to prove that sense of smell is the strongest sense and it has a huge influence on body and mind. The olfactory nerve cells are activated in the nasal cavity due to the scent of the oil. This then sends impulses to that section of the brain that deals in emotions and memory.
Aromatherapy is believed to work on the emotional and physical aspects of our being. Emotionally to make you feel better through the invocation of pleasant memories, which the smell of lemon or peppermint for example, may do. Physically it can help to stimulate the immune, nervous and circulatory systems to relieve certain conditions like stress.
People ministering aromatherapy treatments are known as aromatherapists. Only the most natural and purest kinds of essential oils that have medicinal properties are used. Perfumed bath shampoos and oils will not fall in this category.
When you combine aromatherapy with other forms of treatment it could be very effective. However, it is hardly used as the primary system of therapy. For instance, herbalist treatments and massage therapy combine the usage of essential oils.
If you use aromatherapy as alternative medicine you have to be honest and frank with your aromatherapist and give complete details of your medical history, levels of stress or factors influencing your life. Even the reasons you are consulting for aromatherapy must be explained. This will be of great help to the professional in understanding and treating your problem.
However, you must take the following precautions:
Not all essential oils are good for pregnant women
You must first test the oil for any allergic reaction on a little patch of skin, may be near the elbow. It could take 24 hours to know if you are allergic. Then you must mix sunflower oil or other carrier oils with the concentrated oil before application on the skin and then it can be sealed using a band-aid.
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Micheal Webb
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Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 Time: 3:08 AM
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