Natural aromatic plant materials, such as essential oils, have been used by ancient cultures for thousands of years to support the well-being of both the body and the mind.
The ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Romans, and Greeks used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and “medicines” for therapeutic, hygienic, spiritual, and ceremonial purposes.
Simply put Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for some type of therapeutic benefit.
The internet is brimming with articles about Aromatherapy. This is just a small sampling of information.
The word Aromatherapy often represents different things to different people. For those steeped in the science and study of aromatherapy, as the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, it is defined as “the therapeutic application or the medicinal use of aromatic substances (essential oils) for holistic healing.” Perhaps, you can think of Aromatherapy as a type of subspecialty of Herbal Medicine.
For others, it may simply mean, “lavender oil relaxes me;” “peppermint oil helps when I am car sick;” or “eucalyptus oil helps clear my sinuses during cold and allergy season.”
There are a variety of ways to add a bit of aromatherapy into your life using essential oils. Each essential oil offers a range of unique aromatherapeutic properties, uses, and effects. Different oils can also be combined to create a synergistic blend with its own unique benefits.
Although the word "aroma" suggests that these plant essences must be inhaled, they can also be used topically.
Inhalation Aromatherapy
Although researchers still have a lot to learn about how aromatherapy works it makes sense that the systemic effects of aromatherapy are usually experienced through the sense of smell via inhalation.
We have all experienced the effects of smell on our memories and emotions. Scents remind us of times of joy as well as times of sadness.
The way in which our sense of smell is wired to our brain is quite unique among our senses.
When we inhale through our nose, the scent molecules in essential oils travel across millions of tiny olfactory neurons that sit on the roof of the nasal cavity.
Once triggered, the olfactory neurons send messages to the olfactory bulbs, two lobes at the base of the brain. But the "scent" messages do not stop there. They also trigger brain regions like the limbic system.
The limbic system plays an important role in emotion, mood, stress levels, and behavior as well as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and memory.
Although not fully understood, this relationship may help explain why smells often trigger specific memories or emotions.
Molecules inhaled through the nose or mouth are also carried to the lungs and from there, to other parts of the body. In this way, aromatic oils can affect the body through multiple systems and pathways.
There are many ways to use essential oils for inhalation aromatherapy, both for their lovely scent as well as their therapeutic properties.
They can be used in diffusers and humidifiers, in sprays for rooms, showers, or linens, and in products like bath salts, candles, and bath oils. Even your daily soaps and moisturizers, made with real essential oils, of course, can add some relaxing or energizing moments to your day.
Topical Aromatherapy
While the word “Aromatherapy” suggests something only used for the nose, many essential oils may have a localized effect when applied topically in a carrier oil.
Topical application allows you to target a specific area of the body in order to achieve a desired effect.
Each essential oil has a unique chemical profile that determines the type of topical benefits it may provide.
For example, a massage therapist might add a few drops of ginger, rosemary, or juniper berry oils which, especially when combined with the sense of touch, can help relax tight muscles.
Each Essential Oil & Each Person is Unique
Essential oils can lift your mood and make you feel fabulous with a simple whiff of their natural aroma. Each oil has a different chemical make-up and therefore a different effect. For example:
- some have energizing, uplifting, and revitalizing properties
- some help ease stress, anxiety, and depression
- some promote relaxing, calming, and soothing feelings
- some help improve sleep
The purpose of aromatherapy is to elicit some reaction in the body. Since we are all unique, not all oils will benefit everyone in the same manner.
Since the emotions and/or memories evoked by a specific scent are very subjective, the different aromas and the chemical constituents of essential oils can produce different emotional and physiological reactions in different people.
While you may swear that peppermint oil always calms YOUR headaches, it may cause agitation in some people.
Rosemary essential oil can provide feelings of calm and contentment for some, but it can be quite stimulating to others.
For most people, lavender is calming and soothing. But for some, the scent could be associated with a negative experience and cause agitation.
Be mindful of the uniqueness when using diffusers, room sprays, or any method that may have an effect on others.
Safety: Some Things to Consider
While most essential oils are safe and free of adverse side effects when used properly, they are highly concentrated, should be used sparingly, treated with respect, and used with the same caution as a medicine.
Do Not apply undiluted essential oils topically
Most undiluted essential oils should NOT be applied directly to the skin. Adding them to an organic carrier oil, such as coconut or sunflower, in the proper dilution, will help protect the skin from irritation.
Essential oils do not dissolve in water
Also, please note that essential oils are soluble (will dissolve) in alcohol and carrier oils.
However, they are insoluble (do NOT dissolve) in water or water-based liquids like hydrosols, milk, aloe, or even witch hazel (which contains a small amount of alcohol).
When mixed with a water-based ingredient the molecules of the essential oil will float in tiny droplets on the surface (think of oil droplets on the surface of water). Those droplets can behave like undiluted essential oils on your skin and cause irritation. So please don’t simply pour essential oils into your bathtub! (you can still enjoy their benefits with our bath salts tough!)
Buyer Beware
Be cautious with mass-marketed ‘aromatherapy’ products. The term aromatherapy is often used as a marketing strategy for many scented products. Unfortunately, the total amount of true essential oils in these products is often very low compared to the added synthetic aromatics.
Be sure that you are buying a product made with pure essential oils. You may see products with a label stating “calming lavender aromatherapy", however, they actually contain either synthetic fragrances or fragrance isolates rather than natural essential oils.
Further research is needed to determine how essential oils might affect children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Also, how these oils, whether inhaled or applied topically, might interact with medications and other treatments in a positive or negative way. Drug interactions can be dangerous.
Although limited research shows that aromatherapy can have health benefits, you should NEVER use aromatherapy instead of your regular medical treatment.
Cover Photo by Mary Skrynnikova
