Aromatherapy

Using oils from plants for physical and psychological benefits has long been known as aromatherapy. The art or craft of performing aromatherapy has been around for a long time and there are numerous passions regarding its use. From the entire alternative spectrum its use are well know. Everywhere from holistic and alternative medicine to using essential oils for calming effects is casually associated with the term aromatherapy in the most parts of the western world.

For thousands of years the use of herbs and plants because of their healing properties has practiced through numerous cultures and in numerous ways. Extracting essential oils from specific plants, depending on the wanted effect, have been used for cosmetic as well as medicinal purposes for centuries. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the term aromatherapy became part of the English language and ever since then its meaning has been broadened for every year that passed because more and more illnesses were treated with herbs and plants.

Starting out in France, the concept of aromatherapy is held in higher regard for medicinal treatment than in other industrialized country, and the essential oils are used for treatment of bacteria, antiseptic as well as fungus. Oils from herbs plants are included in many phases of pharmaceuticals in several highly developed countries, but unfortunately aromatherapy has still not been recognized as a branch of medicine. However, it looks like things are about to change and that more and more people are accepting aroma treatments.

Extracting the Different Oils to Use As you might have already guessed the essential oils are the liquids extracted from a plant. This is typically done through distillation. Oils that are extracted with the use of solvent water are normally known as fragrant oils. A third type of oils is the ones called carrier oils, and those oils, when they are mixed with essential oils, are the ones that are used for skincare products. When making aromatic candles it is often essential or fragrance oils that are mixed into them.

The larger medical companies and the doctors supported by them have no qualms of expressing their opinion on the benefits of aromatherapy or rather the lack of. They do however concede that there are benefits in the form of relaxation benefits as well as benefits to the reduction of stress. Some of the medical and pharmaceutical experts admit that scientific study has been lacking towards the medical benefits of aromatherapy. However the do point out that studies has not yet provided sufficient evidence to deem further study essential. Some might wonder why that is, if proof would mean less business to the medical industry…

No matter the claims from pharmaceutical companies, many people have noted that certain oils have had a beneficial effect on them. The use of lavender in oils is claimed to not only you relax and to reduce stress, but that it also holds healing properties. A great example is that of the French scientist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who suffered a third-degree burn on his arm. His initial attempt was to place his arm in water but he inadvertently placed it into a small vat of lavender oil which was at his disposal.

He immediately noted the relief of pain and he continued to apply more lavender oil to his burn. After doing this for some time his wounds or burns healed without scarring. Luckily for us he decided to write down his experience and in that testimonial the use of the term aromatherapy was used for the first time. That was back in the year 1928.