Aroma Therapy: Titillating the Senses

The word Aroma is derived from Greek meaning Spice. Aromatherapy literally means curative treatment by means of fragrance. It refers to a particular branch of herbal medicine that uses concentrated plant oils called essential oils to improve physical and emotional health, and to restore balance to the whole body system.

Each of the oils has their own natural fragrance and gentle healing action that makes aromatherapy one of the most pleasant and popular alternative healing therapies. The pure essences of aromatic plants have been prized for thousands of years for their health-giving properties and scents.

It was 4500 BC, when the Chinese discovered plants with medicinal properties; they extracted the oils from these plants and used it as offerings to the Gods. Other than religious purposes it was also used for practical reasons such as preservation of corpses in preparation for the next world.

The oils played an important role in the rise in popularity of baths and massage and body culture in Greece. Around 1000 AD, Arabians successfully distilled rose essence and they became the world’s center for production of perfume. The medicinal properties of the oils were first highlighted in Western civilization in 14th and 15th century, when plague broke out in Europe and Asia, resins and oils of some aromatic plants were burned at various places to disinfect against various infectious organisms.

It was however a French chemist, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, who coined the word aromatherapy after burning his hand in his laboratory and immersing in it in lavender oil and being impressed by how quickly the burn healed.

Aromatherapy restores the harmony of body and mind by working on the senses of touch and smell. Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs are believed to offer both psychological and physical benefits; there is a dual action where the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulates the brain to trigger a reaction, and the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) of the essential oil are drawn into the lungs. Some of the common oils used are Lemon, Lavender, Bergamot, Juniper, Ylang-Ylang and Chamomile. It entails the passage of essential oils into the body to alter body chemistry, support body systems, and improve moods and emotions.

The oils can either be massaged or inhaled. Massaging oils into the skin ensures that the molecules of oils are so small that they get absorbed in the pores of the skin and into the bloodstream, and later on to every part of the body. Manipulating the soft tissues of the body has been shown to release emotional and physical tension, relieve pain, promote healthy circulation, and restore the whole person to a balanced state of health.

During inhaling, receptors in the nose convert smells into electrical impulses, which are transmitted to the limbic system of the brain affecting our moods and emotions, and improve mental alertness and concentration.

The oils are extracted from various plants and flowers using a variety of processes such as Steam Distillation where steam is used to release the essential oils from the plant material and then cooled and condensed to a liquid. Another more expensive technique is the Carbon Dioxide Gas Extraction method where compressed CO2 gas is passed through the plant material, which converts components into solution. The most common practice is Maceration, where seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and fruit peels are pressed at low heat.

The prevalence of various lifestyle diseases coupled with the spread of information about aromatherapy through mediums such as the Internet, the number of practitioners is constantly rising. Aromatherapy is being used for skin care, hygiene, body treatments, mood enhancer, aphrodisiac, insect repellant, room freshener etc.

The use of aromatherapy for enhancing the sex lives of men and women have been well documented in history. It forms an integral part of the massage ritual between couples. This is a time when both partners allow an intuitive choice to guide them towards a blend of oils that they find most appealing. They have a warming and enveloping quality, freeing the mind of the mundane and opening it to various exotic possibilities. Anise is a common favorite for men and women because of the licorice smell. Other choices are Cardamom, Cinnamon Clove bud.

Oils such as Eucalyptus, Jasmine and Rosemary serve as a mood enhancer and make the person cheerful and relaxed. Lavender, Marjoram and Peppermint are used when the muscles stiffen after a long day at work. There is also a remedy for individuals who have had a drink too many: Orange, Geranium and Fennel ensure that dehydration is staved off. There are seasonal blends where different oils are blended together to provide warmth in cold climes.

However the one must be cautious in the choice of aromatherapy products. Not all ready-made aromatherapy products labeled with the word "aromatherapy" are pure and natural. There are many myths that surround aromatherapy; some practitioners have called it the cure for AIDS and Cancer. It has not been conclusively proved that Aromatherapy can cure such serious diseases, however it can help enhance a cancer patient's quality of life by enhancing the patient's mood, calming fear and can help ease nausea during chemotherapy treatments.

Aromatherapy is a complementary alternative health modality. Its current use is not intended to replace standard medical care, but is meant to complement it.