Aromatherapy is a form of herbal medicine. It uses the scents in essential oils distilled from herbs, flowers and trees to improve health and vitality. Used properly, it can re-energize and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Aromatherapy comes in many forms. It can be used as oils, candles, lotions and soaps.

How Is The Scented Oil Extracted From The Plants?

Many herbs are used in the production of essential oils and waters for aromatherapy. essential oils are the aromatic compounds found in the herb. They are extracted by distillation. There are different methods of this but they are all basically the same.

The herbs are put into water which is heated until it produces steam. This releases and then carries chemicals, including the aromatic compounds. The steam is then chilled in a condenser and the material left behind is collected. Oils (which will become the Essential Oil) floats to the top of the distilled water and may be scooped off.

The distilled water part is called hydrosol. If you want to buy a herb or flower ‘water’ the best kind is a hydrosol as this is the by-product of aromatic distillation. Many ‘waters’ are essential oils added to water or alcohol and are not as good as true hydrosols.

Treat Aromatherapy With Respect!

Many people think that because the scented oils have ‘only come from plants’ that they can use as much as they like. Essential oils are very concentrated and are usually measured in drops. Strength wise - one drop would equal the volume amount of two cups. Ingesting one ounce of essential oil could prove fatal.

Unless you are a skilled aromatherapist, it’s best to use essential oils only on the skin. Always mix the drops of oil with a ‘carrier’ like sweet almond oil. Undiluted essential oil can burn the skin.

How Can Anything From Plants Be So Powerful?

Our pharmacology has developed from herbal medicine. Many medications in use today are still derived from plants.

There are more than 250,000 known plant species and yet less than 1% of them have been thoroughly tested for use in medicine. A quarter of our prescription medications are derived from this tiny 1%. The list includes morphine, atropine, ephedrine, warfarin, aspirin, digoxin, taxol, hyoscine - so plants are pretty powerful and care should be taken. Isn’t it amazing to think what other helpful medications are out there and as yet undiscovered!

Growing Herbs For Aromatherapy

A large area of crops is needed to grow herbs for aromatherapy purposes. This is because when calculated on the weight of fresh herbs distilled, plants only yield between 0.01% and 2% of essential oil. So a lot needs to be grown and distilled to produce reasonable amounts of oil.

To produce essential oils, the requirements are the plants, good soil (often organic), irrigation, reasonable shelter from harsh weather, harvesting and distillation equipment                                     

Hints And Tips On Essential Oils

1. Always read and heed advice on the labels on essential oils.

2. Keep them out of the sight and reach of children.

3. Never put essential oils near the eyes.

4. Always dilute with carrier oil before putting on the skin - or it will burn!

5. Essential oils are for external application only. Don’t ever ingest them.

6. As with any new skin preparation, test the oil first. Dilute a drop of essential oil with carrier oil and apply to the skin on your inner arm. If there is any irritation, discontinue its use.

7. Many herbs should be avoided by pregnant women and by people suffering some health conditions. Always check before use.

By Rebecca Prescott Published: 11/22/2006

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Aromatherapy Massage Oils

Aromatherapy massage oils are oils that have been extracted from flowers and plants to provide us with healing and energy.

History of Aromatherapy

The word "Aromatherapy" can be divided into two words, "aroma" meaning fragrance and "therapy" meaning treatment. Flowers, plants and their essences have been used for relaxation, healing and energy for as far back as 18,000 B.C.

Aromatherapy is reputed to be at least 6000 years old and was used by the ancient civilizations of India, Egypt and China. The Egyptians used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants that were used for medicinal, cosmetic and embalming purposes.

It is estimated that the Chinese were also using some form of aromatics at about the same time as the Egyptians. The oldest surviving medical book that dates back to 2700 B.C. contains information on about 300 plants. The Chinese burned aromatic wood and incense to show respect to God. Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine that has been practiced for more than 3000 years incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects.

Slowly but surely the knowledge of essential oils spread far and wide. Traders, physicians, chemists and doctors all learnt the importance of essential oils. Experiments were carried out to provide us with aromatherapy, as we know it today.

Using essential oils stimulates the mind and body. Each essential oil contains properties that can have subtle effects on the mind, body and emotion.

Benefits of Aromatherapy:

• The oils when applied to the body are believed to aid in health and beauty.
• When essential oils are inhaled correctly into the lungs they offer psychological and physical benefits. The aroma of the natural essential oil stimulates the brain to trigger a reaction and the natural constituents of the essential oils when inhaled provide physical benefits.
• Aromatherapy treatment is also used to help cancer patients dealing with chemotherapy, depression, anxiety, tension and sleep.
• Apart from the benefits referred to above, essential oils also act as a natural repellent and pesticide.

Names of a few essential oils with their properties:

Bergamot
This oil is used in clinics to treat depression. Bergamot relaxes the brain when sniffed. It is cooling, refreshing and calming. It helps in insomnia, releases stress and helps to deal with anxiety.

Cardamom
Cardamom is fresh and spicy. It encourages concentration, direction, straightforwardness, confidence and courage.

Cypress
Cypress is said to stimulate skin circulation, therefore it is used in massage blends to tone the muscles of the body. It is also very useful for cellulite, sore throat, varicose veins, muscle cramps, rheumatism, arthritis, stress and nervous tension.

Eucalyptus Lemon
A soothing and calming oil with a strong sedative effect, eucalyptus lemon is used for muscle and joint aches, it is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Apart from this, it is also a powerful antiseptic, used for athletes foot, and fungal infections. It is useful to use for a massage when a client is on the verge of getting a cold.

Fennel Sweet
Fennel sweet has a scent that is warm and slightly sweet. It is used for digestive, nausea and colic complaints. This oil also helps to keep the body and mind calm and free of stress and tension. This oil is best avoided in pregnancy.

Germanium
This essential oil is helpful for anxiety and stress relief. It balances female energy and hormones. It is oil that is wonderful for skin care, menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome and uplifting.

Helichrysum
This oil is one of the most ancient and valuable. It opens the heart and connects the body and spirit. Helichrysum is used for healing scar tissue, old or new. It is also very effective for joint pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This oil is also anti-inflammatory with analgesic and pain reducing effects.

Jasmine Sambac
Jasmine is an antidepressant and aphrodisiac. Romantic and sensual, this oil bolsters confidence and optimism. It is helpful for anxiety, fear and panic.

Peppermint
Peppermint is used for a host of problems like nausea, indigestion, headaches, liver problems and inflammation. Since peppermint is anti-spasmodic, it is used in massage for sports injuries. It is stimulating to the mind and provides mental concentration and memory. Pregnant women in their 1st trimester, small children and those with high blood pressure should avoid peppermint.

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