In the midst of all the alternative medicine treatments that you’ve heard about recently, you may have noticed aromatherapy mentioned a few times. Many dismiss the idea of using scents to bring medical results as quackery, and that’s understandable in many ways. There’s a lot of information about aromatherapy that comes from people who speak about it based on their spiritual beliefs and a lack of information that comes from detailed medical studies. As a medical treatment in Western nations, it’s still relatively new, so there’s still much to learn about it. Let’s explore some of the ways that aromatherapy does aid people so you know how to better incorporate it into your life.

As A Medical Practice

The basis of aromatherapy comes from the use of essential oils, which are taken from plants using distilling processes, resulting in concentrated liquids that are often very fragrant. In France, where aromatherapy is used in concert with traditional medical practices, but it’s for the antiseptic properties of the essential oils more than anything. In France, essential oils are sometimes prescribed and administered by a physician to target harmful organisms that might lead to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

If you’re wondering where the “aroma” part of aromatherapy comes in, there are traditional medical practices in the United States in which the scents of various compounds result in an alleviation of symptoms of illness. The approach most people are familiar with is the use of things such as Vicks VapoRub or Halls cough drops to help drain clogged sinuses and throats. Aromatic chemicals such as menthol and eucalyptus bring an alleviation of those symptoms, which are often associated with colds.

As Stress Therapy

When you begin to venture out of such applications and begin to talk about alleviating stress with aromatherapy, then you start to get into ideas that come less from observed scientific evidence than from everyday theories. Aromatherapy is often suggested as a way to reduce symptoms of stress in people and for other effects. For instance, basil oil is often suggested to ease the effects of depression and to help you to focus, while lavender is used for relaxation.

While many of these purported aren’t determined through scientific study, it’s easy enough to notice that pleasant scents can make people feel cheerier. In that respect, it wouldn’t hurt to practice a little aromatherapy at home; at best, it really will help and at worst, you still end up surrounded by nice scents. So, whether you’re using it for medical purposes or just to relax, aromatherapy offers something for you.

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For many centuries, lots of people have praised the virtues of essential oils as having healing properties, and for two hundred years or more the benefit of having a aromatherapy massage as been spread, mostly by word of mouth. Recent research has however confirmed that there are significant benefits.

A study conducted recently in London by the Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus used independent reviewers to analyze the results of using an aromatherapy treatment on over 1,300 reference studies. Their conclusions indicate that short-term benefits are obtained on psychological well being, supporting the positive effects on anxiety.

They found aromatherapy massage reduced sickness and pain and an additional study is being conducted to establish if aromatherapy enhances the effects of massage performed with the essential oils.

Different types of oils used in a aromatherapy treatment:

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are obtained by the distillation process extracting them for plants, flowers, herbs and woods. These are the oils that are part of the plants’ biological make up as well as giving them their individual scent. It has taken centuries of basic trial and error to determine which oils are best for treating which mood or pain but those centuries of research are benefiting people today.

For instance:

• A blend of black pepper, rosemary, lavender, marjoram and fir is utilized in a aromatherapy treatment for aches and pains.
• Tendonitis can be massaged with a blend of rosemary, lavender and peppermint.
• Sunburn relief can be achieved by using lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus and peppermint.

While many benefit from the use of oils in simply inhaling the fragrances, in aromatherapy it is believed that massaging them into the skin allows the benefits to be realized quicker. Basic massage therapy has been around a long time for relaxation and stimulation; however it’s been found that by incorporating essential oils into a massage enhance the benefits.

The oils are absorbed rapidly into the skin and an aromatherapy massage combines the benefits of therapeutic massage with the healing aspects and scents of the oils.

For example:

Therapy involving breathing in the aroma of black pepper, thyme, carrot seed, sage and lemon will help with poor circulation, but a massage using these same essential oils will not only increase the benefit of circulation enhancement, but will also provide relaxation through the aromatherapy treatment.

For lack of sleep during pregnancy it’s suggested a light aromatherapy massage with Roman chamomile and lavender. For infants with stomach problems, try a blend of dill and geranium.

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