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The Art of Aromatherapy

11 May, 2014 - 09:05pm by - First Lady | 19 Comments

Article by BR Natalie

When you think of aromatherapy you probably think of crystals, windchimes and an oil burner.  And yet so many people swear by the effects and therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy.

Technically speaking (and according to Wikipedia), 'aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health.'

What can aromatherapy be used for?

Aromatherapy is used to guide the emotions of a person and to relieve physical ailments.  Essential oils are used in a number of ways to tackle a number of problems, from mental, physical and internal issues. For example, people can use aromatherapy to relieve stress, improve circulation, ease pain, reduce swelling or cleanse the body of impurities.

Essential oils are believed to be helpful relieving viral or bacterial infections, burns, hypertension, respiratory conditions, insomnia, depression and many other illnesses.

A Brief History of Essential Oils.

The use of essential oils dates back to the Egyptian times. (They really were our beauty pioneers!) According to The Aromatherapy Co, Cleopatra used essential oils in her room and on her clothes to seduce Mark Anthony.

The Greeks, notably Hippocrates, used essential oils to protect from contagious diseases and for many different kinds of medicinal therapies.

The healing properties of lavender oil led to the art of essential oils being dubbed 'Aromatherapy'.  In the 1920s Rene Maurice Gattefasse, a French chemist, burnt his arm while making fragrance and immediately plunged it into a jug of lavender oil. (Presumably because it was there and too far to run to the tap?!) He found the pain was less than expected and the blistering was greatly reduced.  After a fast healing period and minimal scarring he began researching and documenting the healing properties of essential oils and published his book Aromatherapie in 1937.

How do essential oils work?

The Aromatherapy Co say it best.  'Essential oils have an affinity with the skin’s natural oils allowing this rapid absorption. They enter and leave the body very efficiently leaving no toxic residue behind. They are excreted through the normal bodily functions.  Essential oils have a very positive effect on blood circulation playing an important part in bringing nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and stimulating the lymphatic system to dispose of waste products. Essential oils also help stimulate the immune system.'

Can any 'smelly oil'  be used in aromatherapy?

No!  Essential Oils are 100% pure, made from extracts distilled from plants.  Perfumed or fragrant oils are manufactured with other ingredients and are not pure. 

What's an aromatherapist?  How are they trained?

An aromatherapist is a practitioner of aromatherapy.

There are no rules, regulations or laws in NZ for the standardisation of training within the aromatherapy field.  It is the responsibility of manufacturers of aromatherapy oils to ensure that they contain the correct substances.

The New Zealand Register of Holistic Aromatherapists (NZROHA) was formed in 1993 by a small group of like-minded aromatherapists.  Their mission statement is:

The preservation of health by advancing the knowledge, practice of, and expertise in Aromatherapy; educating, teaching and training and other lawfully charitable means.

Because they're natural, I can't go wrong right?

NO!  Essential Oils can be quite potent.  Stick to these rules at all times when exploring the art of aromatherapy:

  • Never consume or use essential oils internally unless under the advise of a trained and professional aromatherapist.
  • Ensure your oils have child proof caps and keep away from children.
  • Always do a patch test with a small amount of diluted oil 24 hours before undertaking the therapy.  Never use an undiluted oil unless under the guidance of a trained professional.
  • Do not use the same oils for weeks without a break as constant use can cause irritation and toxic constituents can build up in the body.
  • Pregnant women should always check with a professional aromatherapist before using any essential oils, as some can trigger menstruation and uterine contractions.
  • If you suffer with highly sensitive skin, asthma, epilepsy or high blood pressure should consult a trained aromatherapist before using essential oils.
  • Some oils can reduce or change the effectiveness of some types of medications and should not be used if undergoing chemotherapy. Always check with a trained aromatherapist.

For more information on finding a trained Aromatherapist and on safely using essential oils, check out the NZROHA website.


Do you regularly use aromatherapy or see an aromatherapist?  Why not share your experiences with us?

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Comments

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28th August, 2018

Interesting article =).

17th March, 2015

Essential oils are a huge part of my life. They are so healing.

6th August, 2014

I used to love putting on my oil burner as a teenager and making my room smell nice. I think its time I got back into that again. I do miss me a sweet smelling room.

18th May, 2014

Great article, and its good to know of the history of aroma therapy. I used to think of aromatherapy as oil burners. That is until recently, when I began hearing a lot about people using essential oils on their skin and face. I've always wanted to use essential oils but just didn't know where to start. That checklist is pretty good and gives good guidelines for a newbie like me. I remember ages ago when I tried tea tree oil on my face for acne, and I used it undiluted. Might explain why it stung my face...

16th May, 2014

I haven't used essential oil on their own but they are in some of the skincare and haircare products I have. I do love the scent of essential oils. I'm going to own a bottle of lavender oil soon. I did use to use lavender oil to calm my itchy flakey scalp years ago using a oat and lavender mix I concocted.

16th May, 2014

Great article, very well written and informative... I especially like the safety points. I regularly use oils in my burner as well as topically (diluted)... when used correctly they are better than over the counter medicines, it always great to learn more about them.

13th May, 2014

Love essential oils, they make you feel so luxurious, especially to relax or pamper yourself after a long day!

12th May, 2014

It has been shown that scent can have a powerful effect on the brain the same sort of precautions should be taken for some herbal teas as well e.g. pregnant women should avoid chamomile ;its fine if taken correctly but your current health should be considered and always follow proper advice on directions for use in regards to dosage and method

12th May, 2014

Essential oils are fantastic and really useful used properly, great if you want to try alternative therapy as opposed to hopping off to the Dr all the time for minor ailments, but you need to know what you are doing. This is a really good article BR. Love using them so a soak in the tub or in the burner too.

12th May, 2014

I always remember my mum burning essential oils when I was little - any sign of the sniffles and there would be an oil burner with Eucalyptus oil put in my room to clear my sinuses. One of my favourite things was to go with her and pick new oils - I always enjoyed the lovely smells in our house. It seems the oil burner method has kind of gone 'out of fashion' though and you see and hear about this much less than in the mid-late 1990s, today it's all about diffusers etc which are equally as nice, but there's something about the warm glow of the burner...

12th May, 2014

I don't use essential oils although I do love the idea of them, I guess I've heard the bad things that can happen and it kind of put me off!

12th May, 2014

I was mad on aromatherapy oils years ago. Spent a fortune on quality oils and used to burn them all the time. Still have many and just bought a new wee burner so I can start using them again.

12th May, 2014

I burn essential oils almost every night, helps me to relax and wind down. I spray lavender oil diluted with water on my pillow right before going to sleep, my partner complains that it gives him weird dreams due to being in such a deep sleep.

12th May, 2014

interesting read thank you BR. I am now going to look into trying to find something for my mum, hopefully it can help with her deep vein thrombosis and celluloses?

12th May, 2014

I absolutely love Essential Oils and cannot live without them. My favourites would have to be Tea Tree and Lavender, so many uses :-)

First Lady
12th May, 2014

Hi, if you head over to our essential oils article, you could ask our Essential Oils guru Gillian a question in the comments :) xxx

SandyGedge
12th May, 2014

choice. have done that thank you Nat :-)

SandyGedge
13th May, 2014

yes you are Gillian :-) xxx

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