Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy?Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It is an art and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process.
As a holistic medicine, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness or 'dis'-ease. It is a natural, non-invasive treatment system designed to affect the whole person not just the symptom or disease and to assist the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself by the correct use of essential oils.
“Aromatherapy is essentially an interaction between the therapist, client and essential oils, working together to bring forth the healing energy which will help the client regain their sense of well being and vitality.”
Origin of the word - Aromatherapy?
The term “aromatherapie” was coined by Rene Maurice Gattefosse in 1928. He utilized the word to imply the therapeutic use of aromatic substances (essential oils). Since the beginning of Aromatherapy, the practice has encompassed human pathology and the treatment of different conditions (emotional and physical) with essential oils.
As Aromatherapy developed into a practice it adopted an holistic approach which encompasses the body, the mind and the spirit (energy). As an holistic therapy Aromatherapy is able to work on several levels of the individuals well being. Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts which are distilled from a variety of aromatic plant material including grasses, leaves, flowers, needles & twigs, peel of fruit, wood and roots.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in their Vocabulary of Natural Materials (ISO/D1S9235.2) defines an essential oil as follows: "An essential oil is a product made by distillation with either water or steam or by mechanical processing of citrus rinds or by dry distillation of natural materials. Following the distillation, the essential oil is physically separated from the water phase."
Benefits of Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy has proven, therapeutic benefits for a variety of conditions. Emotion based benefits Depression • Frustration • Grief • Hysteria • Anxiety • Insomnia • Lack of Concentration • Irritability • Fear • Poor Memory • Hopelessness • Moodiness • Panic Attacks • Nervous Tension • Sadness • Worry Medicinal benefits Bruises • Sprains • Strains • Burns (including sunburn) • Wounds and Scars • Nervousness • Tension • Stress • Motion Sickness • Fatigue • Respiratory Conditions including colds, flu, sore throat, asthma and bronchitis • Purifying the Air • Muscular aches and pains • Fungal infections such as athletes foot and nail fungus • Reduce skin inflammation • Enhance wound healing • Digestive disorders such as Constipation Skincare benefits Dermatitis • Stretch Marks • Eczema • Acne • Psoriasis • Mature Skin • Varicose Veins • Dry Skin • Cellulite • Wrinkles • Enhanced wound healing • Antifungal activity • Antibacterial activity
Home use
By learning more about the proper use of essential oils, either through a recognized school or through a qualified aromatherapy practitioner, you will open the door to a whole new world-one that is not so dependent on antibiotics and other over-prescribed drugs. Aromatherapy is not intended to replace traditional medicine or traditional healthcare. It is simply an avenue for you to take more responsibility for your own health and to allow nature to do what it does best - balance and heal body, mind and spirit. Before purchasing essential oils for home use, it is always best to seek the advice of a professional /qualified aromatherapy practitioner.
