| The most common interpretation of the word | | | | biological properties such as anti-inflammatories, pain |
| "Aromatherapy" would be to define it as therapy | | | | relievers, etc. Essential Oils are used for various |
| which uses aroma or scent. | | | | purposes. They can stimulate or sedate, relieve |
| While this seems to be the mainstream philosophy, in | | | | anxiety and stress, boost the immune system, relax |
| reality, it is not simply the aroma, or psychological | | | | muscles, stimulate circulation etc. They have |
| effect of the aroma, but also the pharmacological | | | | antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic properties that aid in |
| and physiological effects that only the pure Essential | | | | the healing process but are less toxic than synthetic |
| Oil can induce within the body systems that makes it | | | | antibiotics. |
| therapeutic. | | | | The purpose of aromatherapy is to enhance, restore |
| Many products are sold today as "aromatherapy" | | | | and heal the body on all levels, mentally, physically, |
| when in reality they are just products with fragrance | | | | emotionally and spiritually. Health can be defined as |
| added to enhance the senses. | | | | having all body systems in balance. Diseases happens |
| Fragrance oils are synthetic and have no therapeutic | | | | when the body stops functioning in a balanced way. |
| value although their odor can affect the emotions | | | | Aromatherapy helps to strengthen the body systems |
| through olfaction. | | | | and assists in the self-healing process bringing the |
| Essential Oils on the other hand affect not only the | | | | body back into balance or harmony. |
| senses but also the body system as a whole bringing | | | | There are many websites on the Internet which talk |
| balance and harmony to the body through various | | | | about Aromatherapy and how to use aromatherapy |
| applications of the oil. | | | | but many of them can be misleading, or in some |
| Pure Essential Oils are the pure, unadulterated oil that | | | | cases downright dangerous. There are some people |
| is extracted from the plant, tree, roots, stem, etc. of | | | | who will even advise using essential oils directly on |
| the living plant through various methods of distillation. | | | | the skin without diluting it first in a suitable carrier oil. |
| Essential Oils are the life "essence" of the plant and | | | | This can be extremely dangerous and cause toxicity |
| therefore have the natural, healing properties | | | | to enter the body and lead to sensitization. |
| contained within them. | | | | The best way to learn about what aromatherapy is, |
| These volatile, concentrated essences are contained | | | | is to take a good aromatherapy course that will |
| in the glands, glandular hairs, sacs or veins of the | | | | teach you how to use aromatherapy treatments |
| different plant parts. They contain hundreds of | | | | safely and effectively. Aromatherapy Courses can |
| organic constituents, including hormones, vitamins, and | | | | really vary in price so be sure to find one that is |
| other natural elements which are produced in the | | | | affordable and informative. Check out the syllabus of |
| chloroplasts of the leaves (the place where light and | | | | any of the aromatherapy courses you are thinking of |
| matter are combined through photosynthesis.) Plant | | | | taking before making your final decision. |
| sugars help to move the chloroplast to different | | | | Although the Internet is called the "Information |
| parts of the plant. These oils help to attract or repel | | | | Highway" it is sadly riddled with misinformation. This is |
| insects etc and their antiseptic properties guard them | | | | why we need guidance to be able to sort the chaff |
| against fungi and bacteria. | | | | from the wheat. |
| Essential Oils are phytochemicals with specific | | | | |