Aromatherapy

Written By Shari Grayson

AROMATHERAPY

"Smell is the primordial sense, more powerful, more primitive, more intimately tied to our memories and emotions than any other.  A scent can trigger Spiritual, Emotional or Physical peace and stimulate healing and wellness." ~ Donna Karan


What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a natural holistic treatment that uses scents to promote health and well-being.  The scent molecules travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the limbic system, and emotional center of the brain. It is sometimes called essential oil therapy as natural plant extracts are distilled into aromatic essential oils, and used intentionally to affect the health of the physical body, mind, and spirit. Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science.

How long has Aromatherapy been used?

Humans have used aromatherapy for thousands of years. Ancient cultures in China, India, Egypt, Greece and elsewhere incorporated aromatic plant components in resins, balms, and oils. These natural substances were used for medicinal and religious purposes. They were known to have physical, pharmacological, and psychological benefits.

Essential oils distillation is attributed to the Persians in the 10th century, though the practice may have been in use for a long time prior to this. Information about essential oil distillation was published in the 16th century in Germany. French physicians in the 19th century recognized the potential of essential oils in treating disease.

How do you utilize Aromatherapy?

Anything you smell could be considered an aromatherapy "treatment." I have been enjoying the scent of fresh cut grass during my Tai Chi in the Park classes on Wednesdays, enhancing my connection to Nature and calming me. The scent of baking fresh bread or cookies releases "feel good" hormones in the body. If we associate those smells with feelings of "mother is at home, all is well," we may feel comforted. Coffee, Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Pine and other scents may spark memories and the associated feelings of those memories.

Essential oils may be:

  • Diffused into the air (inhaled through olfactory)

  • Absorbed through the skin (integumentary)

  • Ingested through the mouth (digestive)

In all these cases they are recognized by the olfactory system.

Essential oils are absorbed quickly into the skin. They are volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly.
Ways to inhale oils: use diffusers, spritzers (water & essential oil in a spray bottle), inhalers.
Ways to absorb through the skin: add to bath and soak, add to body lotions, oils, creams massage into the skin.
Ways to absorb through the digestive tract: the safest is to eat or drink naturally arromatic foods such as ginger, cinnamon, mint. Some small amounts of essential oils may be ingested, check with a professional aromatherapist before trying this. Scents can be used alone or in combinations that may increase their potency.

There are nearly one hundred types of essential oils available. Essential Oils have a Bio-electric frequency (vibration) that can raise the vibration of the human body to promote health and well-being. Generally, people use the most well known oils. If you use a good quality, pure essential oil, then a little goes a long way, you only need a drop or two in a diffuser or spritz bottle.  In a bath typically 1-5 drops for strong scents (definitely only 1 for Patchouli)  like Frankincense, or up to 10-15 drops if blending different oils.  Good bath oil combinations are: 
 - Eucalyptus and Pine for Colds or stuffy nose
 - Lavender and Chamomile for Insomnia or to wind down before sleep
 - Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Bergamot for muscle aches
 - Lemon, Orange, Geranium for a morning pick-me-up

In most cases, essential oils should be added to a carrier oil or lotion before being directly applied to the body, except for Lavender which is really helpful when applied directly to burns and insect bites.  When my kids get sunburned, I add Lavender to Aloe Vera gel and apply it to the skin.  When diffusing, be sure to add the essential oil to water so that the scent is diffused through the steam produced by the diffuser.  When traveling in Europe a few summers ago, I was pleasantly surprised to have a turn-down kit of refreshing Eucalyptus, Bergamot and Lavender vile for the bath
and Lavender and vanilla pillow spray for the bed.

Oils fall into one of five categories:

1. Spice Oils - Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger
These are warming and pungent, great to use internally by making a warm tea infusion.  Good for tonifying the blood and supporting healthy digestion.
2. Mint Oils - Peppermint, Rosemary, Oregano, Wintergreen
Although we perceive these as cooling initially, they are actually designated as warming. These oils stimulate the lymphatic system, good topically for pain, make a good expectorant, stimulating, and research shows use improves memory and cognition. Energizing and refreshing.
3. Tree Family Oils - Eucalyptus, Spruce, Cedar, Pine, Tea Tree, Frankincense
These strong aromatic oils help clear lungs, good for respiratory system. Energizing and Refreshing.
4. Citrus Oils - Lemon, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit
These are gently stimulating, and uplifting to your mood. They make great disinfectant, we often associate Lemon with "clean."
5. Flower Oils - Lavender, Cammomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Rose
These are relaxing and calming and promote a sense of well-being. They may also create a sensual allure and enhance feeling romantic.

Essential oils are available online, in health food stores, and in some supermarkets. It’s important to buy from a reputable producer since the oils aren’t regulated by the FDA. This ensures you’re buying a quality product that is 100 percent natural, and of course organic is better. It shouldn’t contain any additives or synthetic ingredients. In fact, synthetic scents such as those found in commercial air fresheners and scented candles can have negative effect on our system, some people experience allergy like symptoms from these synthetic scents. Check out these essential oils available on Amazon.

Each essential oil has an array of unique healing properties, uses, and effects. Combining essential oils to create a synergistic blend creates even more benefits.

Some Benefits that have been documented in small studies and/or through numerous antidotal experiences, show that aromatherapy can:

Of course combining aromatherapy with other self-care activities amplifies it's effects. For instance, I have been walking by a house in my neighborhood that has honeysuckle, jasmine and rosemary growing in abundance on it's side fence, and I always stop at each and take a deep inhale of the fragrance and then often take a tiny sprig of rosemary with me to crush between my fingers and sniff as I continue my walk. Fresh air, sunshine and exercise combined with aromatherapy. Take time to stop and smell the roses on your way. I love soaking in a hot epsom salts bath with essential oils added. Those of you that bought (or were gifted) some of my homemade bath salts with Tranquility essential oil blend know the pleasure of that activity. And, getting a massage with essential oil infused massage oil is the best.

Shari Grayson
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