What Is Aromatherapy?
The ancient art of aromatherapy is natural and holistic, using plant extracts called Essential Oils, to enhance well being and healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. The mind is either uplifted or sedated by various oils, while the body is either stimulated, detoxified or completely relaxed through a feeling of deep tranquillity.
Essential oils are procured through the process of distillation. They are extracted from flowers (like lavender), leaves (like manuka), wood (like rosewood) and fruit (like orange). Various parts of the plant are used depending on the desired effect on the body. This is a crucial part of distillation, sometimes only the seed, flower, leaves, bark or root are used, and in other cases entire aerial plant is used (leaves, flowers and stem). Most essential oils are extracted by the steam distillation method, where temperature controlled steam passes through the plant material forcing the cells to open and release the essential oil. The steam is then cooled through a condenser and the essential oil is
decanted off the water (hydrosol). Production of essential oils is fairly expensive as only small volumes of essential oils are distilled from large quantities of plant material. Very often, synthetic chemicals or inferior quality, but similar smelling oils, are added to the distilled product for affordability. The result, however, is a non-therapeutic oil which cannot be used in terms of aromatherapy. Only pure, 100% distilled essential oils can be used in aromatherapy. Quality is important if wanting a therapeutic benefit from your oils. Climate, country grown, harvesting methods, storage and species all contribute to the quality of the end product.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Although the fragrance of an essential oil is an important aspect of the therapy, treatment and healing is not done through scent alone. Essential oils consist of many naturally occurring chemical constituents referred to as the’ life force’ of the plant and, like spinal fluid is to man for his survival, plants cannot function without this balance of constituents.
Essential oils have therapeutic properties like anti-viral, antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. The greater percentage of essential oil molecules are absorbed into the blood stream through the skin, while a certain percentage are absorbed through inhalation via the olfactory nerve. Through the knowledge of the various properties of these oils, the correct ones are selected and blended with carrier oils to effectively treat individual requirements.
Essential oils can be used in a variety of methods:
* Aromatherapy burners
* Baths and foot baths
* Lotions and creams
* Massage
An aromatherapy massage is aimed at aiding the essential oil penetration, to relax the body and to improve the function of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. The essential oils are carried through the circulatory system to all the cells and organs of the body. Each organ takes only the components it needs from the essential oils, and the balance is discarded via the excretory system. Through this improved blood supply, nerve impulses are unblocked, stress and tension is relieved and toxic waste eliminated. This assists natural equilibrium to be restored, allowing the body to use its natural healing potential.
Providing you know the benefits and considerations of the essential oil you are using, and follow suggested dose guidelines, essential oils are usually safe to use. For medical conditions, pregnancy, elderly people and children, special considerations apply. In these instances it is essential to ask for advice from a qualified aromatherapist before using any essential oils. Blends and recommendations are typically given for a healthy adult.
* Essential Oils are 70x more concentrated than the herb or plant that they are extracted from, therefore only small quantities are used.
* Only purchase essential oils that have the Latin name/botanical species written on the label. This ensures correct species for the therapeutic benefit desired. Labels carrying the wording ‘Fragrance’ are not essential oils but synthetic products and will not have desired therapeutic benefits, and it is necessary for the label to state 100% essential oil.
* Store essential oils in dark glass bottles that have a dripulator, in a cool place away from light.
* Never take essential oils internally.
* Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin (unless directed to do so by a qualified aromatherapist).
* Keep out of reach of children.
* Keep away from eye areas.
* Mix essential oils thoroughly into creams, oils and water before use.
* Do not expose skin to the sun or sun bed for up to 12 hours after applying citrus oils, as they are phototoxic (can cause brown spots).
* Take homeopathy an hour apart from essential oils, as effectiveness of both the essential oil and the homeopathic treatment can be compromised.
* If essential oils cause skin irritation, repeatedly apply carrier oil (olive oil is best) to the affected area and gently wipe with a soft clean cloth. Seek medical advice if pain or irritation persists.
Aromatherapy burners are vapourisers, usually consisting of a hollow pottery or ceramic stand, with a scooped dish that sits on the top. Water is placed in the dish, and heated by a tea light candle which burns from underneath the hollow. Essential oils are dropped onto the heated water and evaporate into the air. Depending on the oils used, the amount of oil drops can be repeated every 2-3 hours. It is best not to mix varied therapeutic properties in one session. The water in the dish will need to be topped up from time to time, depending on the depth of the dish and the height between the candle flame and the dish. If the water in the dish boils / bubbles, this usually indicates the height between candle and water dish is too short, and the water may evaporate very quickly. Adding a small scoop of rock salt to the top of the burner before adding water and oil helps to prolong the evaporation.
Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully and only add the recommended number of drops. Fill your bath with the desired amount of warm water. The water must not be scalding, or the oils will evaporate before you have even hopped in. Drop 3-6 drops of essential oil (or the recommended dose) onto the water surface. Mix the oil thoroughly into the water using a figure 8 motion 8-10 times. Soak in the aromatherapy bath for at least 10 minutes, less time will not allow the essential oils to take effect, but no more than 20 minutes to get the full benefit of the oils added, and to avoid feeling lethargic from staying in too long. While you're in the bath, breath deeply and evenly from the diaphragm, inhaling and exhaling gently. A small cup of epsom salts can be mixed into the water to help in relaxing muscle tension, cleansing the skin and increasing circulation (take care with existing circulatory conditions). Also take care with citrus essential oils, as they can become skin reactive with hot water and may cause skin irritation and stinging (apply olive oil to reduce inflammation).
Place stones or marbles in the bowl / foot dish to soothe, stimulate and cleanse the feet. Fill the bowl with enough warm water to cover the ankles. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil onto the water surface. Immerse the feet into the water and soak as for the recommended bath method above. Half a cup of epsom salts can be mixed into the water to aid in relaxing muscle tension, cleansing the skin and increasing circulation (take care with existing circulatory conditions).
Essential Oils can be added to body lotions and face creams to infuse the creams with the benefits of the oils and to assist in skin moisturising. 5-6 drops of a blend or single essential oil can be added to a 50g jar of plain face cream or lotion, and used as a moisturiser or an aftershave. These could include Sandalwood, Frankincense, Patchouli, and Rose. There are many books offering recipe suggestions. Ensure that the essential oils are mixed thoroughly into creams before use. When mixing your own blends, leave them to steep for 24 to 48 hours before use so that the oils blend together thoroughly.
Carrier oils are cold pressed plant extractions used to dilute essential oils for application to the skin. Blended mixes can be purchased for immediate use or you can mix your own. Carrier oils include Sweet Almond (medium texture), Grape seed (light texture) and Jojoba (silky texture). For a hand or foot massage mix 2-3 drops of essential oil into 5ml of lotion or carrier oil and massage for 5-10 minutes per foot/hand. Use up to 15 ml for a back massage with 2-6 drops of essential oil.
Antidepressant: Basil, Bergamot, Bois de Rose, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Neroli, Patchouli, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, Rose, Rosemary, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.
Antiseptic/Immunity: Tea Tree, Manuka, Eucalyptus, Lavender.
Anxiety: Bergamot, Bois de Rose, Cedar, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Neroli, Petitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetivert, Ylang Ylang.
Emotional Stress: Bergamot, Bois de Rose, Geranium, Petitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetivert.
Environmental Stress (lights, noise, cramped space): Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cypress, Geranium.
Mental Stress: Basil, Bergamot, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Sandalwood.
Physical Stress: Bergamot, Chamomile, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender, Marjoram, Rosemary, Thyme.
Refreshing/Uplifting: Lime, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Manuka, Orange (citrus).
Sleep (low doses only - too much can stimulate): Chamomile, Clary Sage, Lavender, Marjoram, Orange, Vetivert, Ylang Ylang.
Essential Oil Blends, called synergies, are a blend of oils suited for a specific purpose and are labelled accordingly, for example: Relaxing, Muscle Warmer, Sinus Clear, etc. These blends are used individually and not mixed with other essential oils. The essential oils blended are listed on the label, but are not usually the botanical names.
Further reading and reference:
Aromatherapy an A-Z - Patricia Davis
The Fragrant Pharmacy - Valerie Ann Worwood
The Directory of Essential Oils - Wanda Sellar
The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy - Chrissie Wildwood
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