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Last Updated 14 July 2005 |
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Massage Therapies >> Herbal Remedies >> Complementary >> Relaxation >> Beauty Therapies >> S.I.D.S. >> Exercise Therapies >> |
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Massage Therapies >> Herbal Remedies >> Complementary >> Relaxation >> Beauty Therapies >> Orthodox Therapies >> Exercise Therapies >> >> |
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Aromas directly stimulate centres in the brain which are involved in mood |
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Based on the excellent book "Encyclopaedia of Complementary Medicine" Published by Dorling Kindersley |
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History Ancient Origins The ancient origins of Aromatherapy can be traced back through religious, medical and social practices of all the major civilizations. It is likely that the Chinese were the first to discover the medicinal power of plants around 6,500 years ago, but there is hieroglyphic evidence that aromatic essences were used as offerings to the gods of Egypt. The Greeks appreciated their medicinal properties as did the Romans, who used them for massage and baths etc. The use of Essential Oils in Europe With the fall of the Roman empire the use of essential oils ceased in Europe. It carried on in Arabia where Avicenna first distilled rose essence around AD 1000. The crusaders re-introduced the art of perfumery into Europe around the twelfth century. A lower incidence of death due to plague was recorded among perfumiers. "Modern" Aromatherapy With the advent of modern medicines the medicinal usage of essential oils fell into disuse, until the term Aromatherapie was coined by a French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. He was alerted to the remarkable properties of essential oils when he burnt himself badly in his laboratory and he put neat lavender oil on his wound, and noticed that it healed up very quickly with virtually no scarring. He then set about a lifelong study of essential oils which was taken up by |
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Dr. Jean Valnet. The importance of holistic healing, the mind and body being in harmony, is being accepted by more and more conventional practitioners. Today there is a worldwide revival in the study and use of essential oils. How essential oils work Some of the uses of essential oils are only effective in high concentration such as the action of Tea Tree against cold sores and athlete's foot or the use of Lavender on burnt or injured skin, or citronella used against insects, while others are exerted in extremely low concentration through a direct effect on two centres of your brain via your olfactory bulb. The two areas are the hippocampus which is part of your limbic system involved with mood and emotions, and the thalamus which along with the hippocampus affect your hypothalamus. Your hypothalamus runs your hormonal systems. In this way your moods, metabolism, hormones, stress, sex drive and your immune system can all be affected by aromatherapy. The oils are also absorbed through your skin during your aromatherapy massage and it is thought that they can work systemically as well but this has not been so deeply researched. It is well recognised that smell does have a psychological effect. How often have you noticed that a smell took you right back to a memory from years ago? There is research in this country in 1993 that shows for example that cardiac patients benefitted more from massage with one type of lavender oil over another. How to use Essential oils The essential oils are used most often in the following ways :
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Aromatherapy Theory |