Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant substances distilled from plants, called essential oils, to alter mood or improve health. These highly concentrated aromatic substances are either inhaled or applied as oils during massage. There are approximately 40 essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy; among the most popular are lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, chamomile, marjoram, jasmine, peppermint, and geranium.

There is no scientific evidence that aromatherapy is effective in preventing or treating disease, but it can be used to enhance quality of life. Early clinical trials suggest aromatherapy may have some benefit as a complementary treatment in reducing stress, pain, and depression.

How is it used?

Aromatherapy is promoted as a natural way to help patients cope with chronic pain, depression, and stress, and produce a feeling of well being. There is some evidence suggesting this may be true. Proponents also claim aromatherapy can help relieve bacterial infections, stimulate the immune system, fight colds, flu and sore throats, improve urine production, increase circulation, and cure cystitis, herpes simplex, acne, headaches, indigestion, PMS, muscle tension, and even cancer. There is no scientific evidence, however, to support these further claims. Fragrances from different oils are promoted to have specific health benefits. For example, lavender oil is promoted to relieve muscular tension, anxiety, and insomnia.

There are two schools of thought as to how aromatherapy works. Scent receptors in the nose are known to send chemical messages through the olfactory nerve to the brain's limbic region, which influences heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Some say these connections explain the effects of essential oils' pleasant smells. Others say the oils are absorbed directly into the system through the skin.

Aromatherapy is either self-administered or applied by a practitioner.
The essential oils, which are used individually or in combination, may be inhaled or applied to the skin. For inhalation, a few drops of the essential oil are placed in steaming water, oil burner, or humidifiers that are used to spread the steam/oil combination throughout the room.

Essential oils can be applied to the skin during massage, or they can be added to bathwater. For application to the skin, the oils are combined with a carrier, usually vegetable oil. Some people also apply drops of certain essential oils on their pillows.

What is the history?

The use of aromatic, perfumed oils dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, China, and India. In Egypt, such oils were used after bathing and for embalming mummies. The Greeks and Romans used fragrant oils for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Thousands of years ago the Chinese compiled an encyclopaedia of information on plants, herbs, and wood, and in India, aromatic massage was part of Ayurvedic medicine.
However, it was the medieval physician Avicenna who first extracted these oils from plants.

Is there any evidence that it works?

There is no scientific evidence that aromatherapy cures or prevents disease; however, a few clinical studies suggest aromatherapy may be a beneficial complementary therapy. In Britain, there are reports of the successful use of aromatherapy massage as a complementary treatment for people with cancer to reduce anxiety, depression, tension, and pain. There are also reports that inhaled peppermint, ginger, and cardamom oil seem to relieve the nausea caused by chemotherapy and radiation, however, these reports have not been scientifically proven.

Clinical research on aromatherapy is in its infancy; however, early trials suggest aromatherapy may help patients cope with chronic pain, stress, and depression. A randomized clinical trial of patients with bald patches on their scalp or skin showed aromatherapy to be a safe and effective treatment for hair loss. In another controlled clinical trial, inhaling the vapours from black pepper extract reduced the craving for tobacco, and improved participants' moods. In a third controlled trial, citrus fragrance used in 12 depressed patients made it possible to reduce the amount of antidepressant medicine needed for the treatment of depression.

Precautions

Essential oils should never be taken internally, as many of them are poisonous. Also, people should avoid exposure for a long period of time, because some may have allergic reactions to the oils.

Essential Oils A to Z

Note: This information is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs.