Aromatherapy has been a part of human history for centuries past. It goes back to Egyptian times when essential oils extracted from plants to soak for a while and then filtering the oil through a linen bag. Some records that the procedure is now known as aromatherapy was used by Hippocrates and other medical history of Egypt. However, do not become general knowledge until the late 1920s when the French scientist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse first used the procedure in the treatment of those wounded in World War I. The term “Aromatherapy” was coined by the scientist. After continued research, discovered that certain essential oils have different healing properties. He went ahead to recognize these essential oils from plants in groups such as antiseptic, stimulant, tranquilizer, contratoxic, etc. based on their healing properties.
However, aromatherapy has come along way from that point. Interest has grown in the field of holistic healing with many users claiming that stimulates aromatherapy stress relief and self-healing. One therefore, wonders how aromatherapy works and how much can realistically be self-healing and emotional / mental uplifting.
Basically, aromatherapy, aroma rich oil extracted from specific plants. These oils are mixed with other materials such as alcohol, oils, lotions, etc. to give the desired effect on the body. These oils are applied to the body made by either massaging the skin, inhalation of air, although the release or discharge into the water bath soothing and calming effect on the body.
When massaging the skin, it is believed that the oils are absorbed into the body through the pores in the skin and then directly into the bloodstream. The oils are thought to be lipophilic in nature, making it easier to gain entry into cells of the body to perform its healing effects. Oils in bath water too seem to follow this pattern, except that the effect of the oil mixture water tend to add an extra soothing and relaxing feeling in the body. This is best understood if you think about what a cold shower rather than a tired body on a hot afternoon.
When inhaled, the aroma of the oils is believed to activate cells in the nose, sending sensory signals to the brain’s limbic system. This is the part of the brain responsible for higher sensory functions such as emotion, thought and intelligence.
This gives you an idea of how aromatherapy. It is believed by practitioners that can be used to enhance emotional, calm and relieve stress and physically to help treat or relieve certain conditions by stimulating the body’s immune system, nervous system or circulatory system.
Although not much is scientific evidence to support the claims, practitioners of aromatherapy believe that aromatherapy can be applied to a wide range of therapeutic treatments including physical and mental conditions, burns, infections, depression, sleep deprivation and high blood pressure.
The best advice is that aromatherapy should be seen as a complement to the normal body healing system. Should supplement the body’s immune function, but not as a replacement for professional medical care, especially in people with obvious signs and symptoms of a medical condition. Aromatherapy can be so effective in improving mood, relieving stress and perhaps invigorating the mind, but the therapeutic power of these vegetable oils may not be stretched beyond beyond these limits.
Tags: Alcohol, Aromatherapy, High Blood Pressure, Lotions, medical care, medical condition, Oils, Physically, Skin, Stress, Treatment, Vegetable oils
