How Aromatherapy Works?

Aromatherapy is an amazing alternative medicine forprovide over 100 properties or chemical constituents.
balancing the physical, mental, and emotional energyFor example, lavender essential oil contains the
as well as treating minor ailments. Whether it's afollowing constituents: esters, aldehydes, terpenes,
common cold, flu, virus infection, wound, burn, musclephenols, ketone, oxide, alcohols, coumarins, & more.
spasm, skin rash, mental fatigue; or depression; ourMore than 40% of Linalyl acetate from ester
ancestors paved the way for us to reach a deepercompound is found in lavender. This compound is
understanding in how aromatherapy works. Thoughresponsible for its calming, relaxing, anti-inflammatory,
we are still far from becoming an expert in this realmand anti-fungal properties. Another 30-35% of Linalool
of medicine; we have understood that it is afrom terpene alcohol in lavender helps to stimulate
powerful, complex, and vital form of natural therapythe immune system and relieve discomfort.
available to us today.From an aromatherapy perspective, essential oils are
Modern medicine seems to address most healthvolatile oils made up of light molecules. These
concerns from the surface, then providing a quickmolecules are lipid soluble that can easily penetrate
remedy while ignoring the possible long term sidethe pore of the skin to enter the bloodstream, cell
effects prescribed with the pharmaceutical drugs. Asmembranes, and tissues of the body. To some
a result it disrupted the balance order of the entiredegree the structure of essential oils and our
health system. In contrast, aromatherapy looks atbiological structures share common properties. Both
treating the body holistically by addressing bothessential oils and human blood contain hormone-like
internal and external causes through application ofproperties which help to harmonize the physiological
therapeutic essential oils. When these issues are beingaspects of the human body. Another similarity
addressed, it is slowly re-introducing balance back toinvolved their ability to fight off infection and cell
the body as well as strengthening the immuneregeneration. Typically the healing properties of the
system to prevent illnesses and diseases.essential oils can take immediate effect within
If we look at the theory of evolution, we canminutes and release it from the body within hours
understand that all of life was created from single celldepending on the essential oil used. Of course
organisms which evolved into multi-cell organisms;ongoing researches are being conducted for more
algae, plant, tree, insect, animal and finally human. Thisinsights on specific pathways and effectiveness of
theory suggests that we have more in common witheach essential oil. Inhalation and vaporization are
plants, animals, and other living things than we maycommon and are the most effective methods used
care to relate. Whether it has anything to do within aromatherapy because scent can signal the brain to
biological structures or universal energies, these arerespond once the molecules of the essential oils
the key elements that can assist us to understandentered the olfactory system. The goal of
further how essential oils and botanical materialsaromatherapy is to provide natural therapy through
influence the human body. On a clearer note thearoma by strengthening the immune system to assist
biological design of the human body was built toin the self-healing process that will bring the body
metabolize the foods we eat; the liquids we drink;back into balance and harmony.
and the air we breathe. Most of the plants,Primary Aromatherapy Methods:
vegetables, herbs, & fruits adopted into our daily diet• Inhalation - add two or three drops of essential
naturally contained essential oils. For thousands ofoil to a bowl of steaming hot water and breathe in
years, our ancestors have discovered that burningthe steam for a few minutes with a towel draped
certain woods and aromatic plants can offer pleasantover your head to capture the steam with the
or unpleasant smells. At the same time it makes oneessences.
feel drowsy or invigorated; just as eating certain raw• Vaporization - add pure and therapeutic essential
or cooked plants can be poisonous or medicinal. Overoils to a diffuser or vaporizer instrument.
this period of time, our body becomes accustomed• Bath & Soak - mixes four to six drops of pure
to certain plant materials which enabled the body toessential oils to 1 ounce of Epsom salt, milk, or carrier
recognize the chemical substances of the plant. In theoil such as olive or jojoba before adding it to the hot
process, the body learned to convert thesebath. It's a wonderful way to relax with an
molecules into energy while strengthening the immunearomatherapy benefits to soothe the skin.
system to fight off various diseases.• Massage - using 12 to 15 drops of pure essential
Essential oils are the byproducts of the plant'soil in 1 ounce of massage oil base is also an effective
secondary metabolism. Each essence has it ownand therapeutic ways to receive the aromatherapy
unique set of characteristics determined by thebenefits of the oils, along with the detoxification of
species of the plant, its environment, and the seasonthe body through lymph drainage and the stimulation
that it grows in. These characteristics also come withof the entire circulatory system.
the different chemical properties and aromatic• Spray - uses approximately ½- ¾ teaspoon
fragrances delivered with it. The constituents of theof essential oils (50-75 drops) to 7 ounces of distilled
essential oil serve a vital role for insects and animalswater; mixes it before spray it onto bedding, linen,
to attract for reproduction purposes. Moretowel. It can also be use as a room spray to
importantly the plants produce essential oils todeodorize and disinfect the air. Shake it well before
safeguard themselves from viruses, bacteria, molds,each use.
fungi, and pests. Each volatile oil in a single plant can