Aromatherapy - The Art of Essences.

Aromatherapy is a multifaceted healing art which uses the essential oils of aromatic plants and trees to promote health of body and serenity of mind. The use of aromatics for both healing and their pleasing effects dates back to the beginning of mankind. However, it has been relatively recently, perhaps as late as the early thirties that the medicinal benefits of essential oils was recognized, and became a major focus of the medical community.

Essential oils or "essences" are highly concentrated substances extracted from various parts of aromatic plants and trees. They are usually captured by steam distillation, a process whose origins can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia. Unlike ordinary vegetable oils, such as corn and olive, plant essences are highly volatile and will evaporate if left an open-air.

The chemistry of essential oils is complex. Most consist of hundreds of components, such as, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. For this reason a single oil can help a wide variety of disorders. Lavender, for instance, is endowed with antiseptic, antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, analgesic, decongestant and sedative properties. Moreover, due to their tiny molecular structure, a central supply to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. They also reach the bloodstream as a result of aromatic molecules being inhale into the lungs through the tiny air sacs to the surrounding blood capillaries by the process of diffusion. Once in the bloodstream the aromatic molecules interact with the body's chemistry.

Modes of Absorption

When essential oils are applied externally (the recommended method for lay people and medically unqualified to aromatherapist), there are two main routes by which they may reach the bloodstream: by skin absorption and by diffusion across the tiny air sacs in the lungs. The typical example of skin absorption is through combining small amounts of essential oil with a "carrier oil" containing small amounts of the essential oil. In this way, the medicinal properties of a particular essential oil can be massaged into the skin where they can enter the bloodstream.

Essential oils can also be absorbed through the lungs, using a diffuser or nebulizer. In this fashion, essential oils are absorbed by converting them into airborne aromatic molecules the same way that a perfume atomizer converts perfume into small odorific molecules that can be inhale through the nostrils. In some instances, studies have actually shown that the use of certain essential oils is more effective when inhaled than through direct skin contact.

Essential oils come in a wide variety of selections, each possessing special medicinal or therapeutic properties. Covering each of the oils and their uses is well beyond the scope of this article. However, we will make some recommendations concerning additional reference materials that can help to educate you on essential oils and how to use them.

The most important consideration when purchasing and essential oil is to make sure that your in fact purchasing the pure product. Most aromatherapists buy their oils from specialist mail order suppliers, not from shops concerned with beauty or perfumery. The advantages offered by mail order suppliers include a wider range of oils and lower prices on larger quantities. However, there are some quality health shops and retail outlets that specialize in natural remedies, and these facilities are typically good for obtaining quality essential oils.

Some places where you can obtain quality essential oils also offer courses of instruction on how to use them. Be sure to pursue that if the subject is of sufficient interest to you.

For additional resources on aromatherapy and the use of essential oils please refer to the following references. Click refresh to see additional selections: