Aromatherapy

The latest fascination with aromatherapy, holistic healing and herbalism is an important part of a movement whose goal is environmentally friendly living. People are embracing the amazing therapeutic power of nature to bring back a sense of balance to body and soul. In accordance with all other holistic treatments, aromatherapy works better when integrated with various other holistic healing techniques.

Aromatherapy has countless benefits, but possibly the most fundamental is its use as a solution for dissipating the negative effects of emotional distress. There is no more medical dispute that emotional pain, such as unexpressed emotions or destructive beliefs – can reveal themselves as physical symptoms which in turn will give rise to a general deterioration of the body’s immune system. The objective of holistic healing is always to take care of the interrelated elements of body, mind and spirit.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils. Treatment methods include the direct inhalation of these oils or perhaps applying them to our bodies as required. To enhance health, all these natural oils promote the sense of well being.

So what exactly are essential oils and how do they exert their beneficial effects?

These oils occur naturally in several fragrant plants, – such as peppermint, rose, sandalwood, basil, fennel, jasmine, frankincense or bergamot – just to mention a few. Essential oils are extracted from these plants by cold expression, steam distillation or by using a solvent, such as petroleum ether or hexane. These oils in fact are not technically oils. Many have the consistency of alcohol and they will evaporate when not stored properly in an air-tight container.

Each oil consists of a distinctive combination of biochemical elements that have distinct therapeutic qualities. Phenols for instance are found in higher strength essential oils, such as sage or clove and have powerful mental revitalizing and antibiotic properties. Esthers on the other hand, which are found in lavender or chamomile have fantastic wound healing characteristics as well the fact that they are effective anti-fungals and anti-inflammatories.

Different oils consequently have numerous overlapping attributes and it’s quite possible that several oils have many beneficial effects which are still unrecognized by science. Therefore a single oil can have an incredibly broad spectrum of beneficial properties.

Essential oils are absorbed into the system by two different ways: by inhalation or by the skin absorbing them. The small aromatic molecules of an essential oil can pass through the epidermis or the follicles of hair right into the blood stream or are usually absorbed by the lymph and intestinal fluid. When inhaled they get into the lungs where they diffuse throughout the tiny little air sacs into the adjoining capillary vessels and offer innumerable physiological, physical or psychological benefits for a person.