Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other aromatic compounds extracted from plants for physiological and psychological treatment. There are two basic ways of aromatherapy, by inhalation and by applying the oils to the skin. The term aromatherapy was first used in the 1920s by René Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist, who researched the healing properties of essential oils, after accidentially discovering that lavender helped a severe burn on his hand to heal rapidly and without scarring.
Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy
Essential oils are not like normal oils, they are of light texture and evaporate quickly. Essential oils can be found in different parts of plants, such as the flowers, the twigs, the leaves, the bark, the seeds, or in the rind of the fruit. For example, in roses the oil is found in the flowers, in basil it is found in the leaves, in sandalwood in the wood, and so on. Some plants produce large quantities of oil while others produce only very little. Essential oils should always be mixed in a carrier oil and should never be applied directly to the skin. Carrier oils are pure, gentle oils like, for instance, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, or sesame oil among many others.
The term aromatherapy may be a bit misleading, as it isn’t only the aroma that is therapeutic. The oils can also interact directly with body chemistry. As scents, they can activate the limbic system and emotional centers of the brain, also known as olfaction, when applied to the skin in form of massage oils, they penetrate the tissues and find their way into the bloodstream where they are further transported to the organs and systems of the body.
The Notes of Essential Oils
Essential oils are usually described by their „note“. There are three categories of classification, top note, middle note, and base note. They relate to the rate at which they evaporate, that is to say, how long the fragrance will last.
The top notes are the most stimulating oils. They are very strongly scented, but their fragrance lasts only for about 3 to 24 hours. Top note oils are: basil, bergamot, clary sage, coriander, eucalyptus, lemongrass, neroli, peppermint, sage, and thyme.
Middle Notes last about 2 to 3 days and their fragrance is less potent than that of the top note oils. Middle note oils are: balm, chamomile, fennel, geranium, hyssop, juniper, lavender, and rosemary.
Base Notes are the longest lasting oils, they can last up to one week. Their fragrance is sweet and soothing and they have a relaxing and comforting effect on the body. Base note oils are: cedarwood, clove, frankincense, ginger, jasmine, rose, and sandalwood.
A combination of all three notes will produce the best results in order to create a balanced perfume. There are no fixed rules in aromatherapy and it may need some experimentation to find out which combination works best for you.
Aromatherapy at Home
Besides inhalation and oil massages, there are a variety of ways to fill your home with the pleasant aromas of essential oils, such as aroma lamps or electric diffusers, aroma candles, added to humidifiers and vaporizers, or combined with water in a spray bottle. You may wish for a fresh, clean smell in your livingroom? Take 1 drop of cedarwood, 3 drops of pine, and 2 drops of rosemary. Or you may wish for an aroma to induce sleep in your bedroom? Take 2 drops of each chamomile, lavender, and neroli.
There are a great number of symptoms, both physical and mental, that may be treated with aromatherapy. Be it allergies or anxiety, digestive problems or depression, skin problems or stress, the essential oils in aromatherapy can bring relief.