| Unless you've been asleep for the past few years, | | | | structure of the essential oils, and the fact that the |
| you've probably heard something about | | | | body can absorb these components (whether |
| aromatherapy. In fact, you might even be interested | | | | through inhalation, or through direct application |
| in learning more about aromatherapy, and the | | | | through massage or the like). |
| benefits it possesses. | | | | There are a number of ways aromatherapy is |
| Aromatherapy has actually been around for at least | | | | utilized, including: direct inhalation, steam inhalation |
| six thousand years. It was used in China in the form | | | | (using a vaporizer or similar), in personal care products |
| of incense burned in temples, and in the oils the | | | | (added to creams, soaps, lotions etc), in a clay pot |
| ancient Egyptians used in embalming and other rituals. | | | | diffuser, a lamp ring diffuser or a nebulizing electric |
| In some form or another, aromatherapy has been | | | | diffuser, or through massage with a carrier oil. There |
| utilized in human civilization ever since. | | | | are also aromatherapy candles on the market, which |
| However, it's only in recent years that aromatherapy | | | | when burned release the essential oils into the |
| has really come into its own. In fact, only now is it | | | | atmosphere in a similar way to a diffuser. Another |
| being seen as a genuine science, as well as an ancient | | | | common use of essential oils is in bathing, where a |
| art. | | | | few drops of an essential oil are added to bath |
| To many people, the idea of aromatherapy is just | | | | water, and mixed in vigorously. This is an excellent |
| that: therapy derived from aromas. But in actual fact, | | | | way for the user to both inhale the aromas, as well |
| it's much more. Aromatherapy involves the utilization | | | | as absorb the compounds through the skin. |
| of essential oils, which are oils derived from plant | | | | However, before you get stuck straight into the use |
| matter (these oils are generally extracted by | | | | of aromatherapy, remember that natural does not |
| distillation, although other methods are often | | | | necessarily equal safe! Essential oils contain powerful - |
| employed to do so). The plant parts used include | | | | often toxic - ingredients, and must be used with care. |
| leaves, flowers, stems, bark, roots, even the rinds of | | | | Many essential oils can not be applied directly to the |
| fruits. These essential oils don't actually feel "oily" as | | | | skin (as they are highly irritating) and the majority |
| such, but they are miscible in oil, which gives them | | | | should not be ingested on any circumstances. |
| their oily nature. They're very volatile, which accounts | | | | Remember also that when it comes to essential oils, |
| for their strong aroma, and contain a multitude of | | | | less really is more. A few drops of any essential oil is |
| chemical compounds. | | | | all you need. Adding more will not increase the power |
| Aromatherapy has been shown to be beneficial for a | | | | of the essential oil, and may instead produce |
| number of conditions, ranging from physical to mental | | | | deleterious effects (not to mention wasting the |
| ailments. Aromatherapy is particularly beneficial for | | | | essential oil, many of which are quite expensive). |
| stress (lavender oil is commonly used as a | | | | Before using essential oils, it's a good idea to read |
| de-stressor), and many essential oils have an | | | | more about them. You'll find several great resources |
| antibacterial or antifungal action, and can be applied | | | | both online and offline detailing the effects and uses |
| directly to the skin (tea tree oil is an excellent | | | | of the most common essential oils. You'll also learn |
| example of this). It's not widely understood why | | | | more about blending essential oils for maximum |
| essential oils have the effects on the body they do, | | | | effect, and any safety considerations you have to |
| but it's most likely to do with the complex chemical | | | | be aware of. |