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History of Aromatherapy
Ancient History
Aromatherapy is known to have been practiced as long ago as 3000 BC, and may date back even further. The first evidence we have of aromatherapy comes from the ancient Egyptians, who are regarded as the pioneers of aromatherapy. They had a wide knowledge of aromatic plants and used them in religious ceremonies, as cosmetics, for medicinal purposes and for embalming their dead.
There is some evidence that aromatherapy was being used in ancient China at around the same time as in Egypt. There is definite evidence of aromatic herbs and plants being used in Traditional Chinese Medicine at this time.
The Greeks learned about aromatic plants and herbs from the Egyptians. They used olive oil to absorb the odours from flower petals or herbs and then used this perfumed oil for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Greek soldiers would take an ointment containing myrrh with them when going into battle; for treating wounds.
Hippocrates, a Greek physician, is regarded as the father of modern medicine. He is alleged to have said ‘the way to health is an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.’ Hippocrates used essential oils to get rid of plague in Athens, and wrote about using plants for medicinal purposes.
The Romans employed many Greek doctors who brought with them their knowledge of herbs and essential oils. The Romans began using the oils as perfumes and cosmetics, and for bathing.
The peoples of India used aromatic plants as part of their Ayurvedic medicine system. The Indian sages believed that fragrances affected our consciousness; and used aromatic flowers in their rituals and ceremonies. Flowers still form a huge part of religious ceremony in India today.
In the Middle East around 1000 A.D. an arab physician called Avicenna wrote a large number of books on plants and the effects they had on the human body. He also is believed to have invented the first distillation method for extracting essential oils.
In Medieval times herbs were widely used to combat plague. Doctors would wear nose-bags which contained herbs to kill germs, usually cinnamon and clove. People carried pomanders and aromatic woods were burnt to stop the spread of the disease.
Modern History
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse is known as the Father of Aromatherapy. He was a chemist living in France and working in his family’s perfumery business. One day he burnt his hand badly and plunged it into the nearest vat of liquid, which happened to contain lavender oil. Rene-Maurice was amazed to discover that his hand healed quickly without scarring, and devoted himself thereafter to investigating the properties of the essential oils. His book Aromatherapie was written in 1928. This was the first time the term aromatherapy was used.
Dr. Jean Valnet was a doctor in France in the 1930s. He used essential oils during World War II to treat injured soldiers. His book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, was published in 1964.
Madame Marguerite Maury was an Austrian biochemist living in France. She was not happy with the idea of people ingesting the oils and did research on external application. She moved to Britain in the 1950s and set up an aromatherapy clinic in London, teaching therapists how to use the oils with massage.
Definition of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art and science of healing through smell. It is a holistic therapy, which means it works on the mind, body and spirit, not just on a physical level. It is non-invasive and completely natural.
Aromatherapy encourages relaxation and relieves stress. In these busy modern times, stress is known to cause 75% of all illness and disease.
Aromatherapy is an inclusive treatment; it is versatile, adaptable and suitable for everybody. No-one is completely contra-indicated.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils which are extracted from various parts of plants, flowers and herbs.
Aromatherapy can be used in a wide variety of different ways: massage, compresses, baths, inhalations, saunas, room sprays, burners, vaporizers, mouthwashes, cooking and perfumes, creams and lotions.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are the odiferous substance of the plant. The different oils are extracted from various different parts of the plants e.g. flowers, seeds, bark, grain, roots, resin, leaves, twigs, fruit.
Several oils can be extracted from one plant. For example, the orange tree provides us with sweet orange oil from the fruit peel, petitgrain from the leaves of the tree, and neroli from the blossom.
Essential oils are highly volatile, they evaporate readily in the air and are affected by heat, light and moisture. They should be stored in amber bottles in a cool dark place, with the lids closed tightly.
Most essential oils have a shelf life of around two years, with the exception of citrus oils, which have a shelf life of around six months.
Essential oils are complex chemical structures, this gives them their wide range of properties. The chemical components react together in a natural way impossible to reproduce synthetically. Essential oils are sometimes called ‘the hormone of the plant’.
The chemical components and odour of oils can change depending on soil conditions, climate variations and methods of cultivation. This is why it is particularly important to have a good supplier that you can trust, as if the chemical structure of an oil changes, so too do its’ properties.
The depth and intensity of colour of an essential oil is varied.
The amount of essential oil present in a plant varies from 0.01% up to 10%. Some oils are very difficult to extract e.g. rose and therefore more expensive.
Essential oils can be categorized in two different ways.
The first is by note - top, middle or base. This method of categorizing aromas was developed by a Frenchman called Piesse in the nineteenth century. He categorized them like a musical scale.
Top notes are the most volatile and evaporate most quickly. They are the notes you will smell first in a blend of oils. They are the oils that act fastest on the body and are stimulating and uplifting. They are mostly citrus oils and oils like tea-tree, eucalyptus and niaouli.
Middle notes evaporate at a moderate pace. They tend to be good for digestion and around bodily functions e.g. menstrual cycle. They are the oils you will smell second in a blend. They are mainly obtained from flowers and herbs.
Base notes are the slowest oils to evaporate. They take the longest to work on the body. They are the oils you will smell last in a blend. They act as a fixative for the other more volatile oils, helping the scent to last longer. They are sedating and relaxing on the mind and body and are mostly obtained from woods and resins.
The other way to categorize oils is into citrus, exotics, herbs, florals, spices, resins and trees.
The following are all citrus oils: Bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, orange, mandarin. Citrus oils are mostly top notes (mandarin is a middle note) and are good for the skin and uplifting to the mind.
The following are all exotics: Patchouli, sandalwood, valerian, vetivert, ylangylang. Exotics are usually base oils and work around your core issues e.g. sexuality.
The herb oils are middle note oils and are good for digestion and regulating bodily functions. These include basil, clary sage, fennel, marjoram, melissa, peppermint, rosemary, thyme.
The floral oils are anti-septic and anti-depresssant. They are generally middle note oils. They include chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, and rose.
Spice oils are warming and are usually base or middle oils. These include black pepper, cinnamon, clove and ginger.
Resins are base oils and include benzoin, frankincense and myrrh. These are thicker than normal essential oils and harder to pour.
Tree oils can be top, middle or base. They include cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, niaouli, petitgrain and teatree.
Methods of Extraction
Essential oils are extracted in a number of different ways. These are steam distillation, expression, enfleurage, solvent extraction, hydro diffusion and CO² extraction; the most common of which is steam distillation.
In steam distillation, steam is passed up through the plant parts, carrying the essential oils with it. It passes into a condenser where the steam turns into water and the essential oil, being lighter floats on top of the water. Then the essential oil is separated from the water. This method creates a byproduct called a hydrolat, or floral water.
Expression is used for citrus oils. The fruit peel is squeezed, traditionally by hand but now mostly by machinery, and the oil is collected.
Enfleurage has become quite rare but was traditionally used on the harder to extract oils, like rose. Petals are laid on a layer of fat and these layers are built up. The fat absorbs the oils and the petals are changed and replaced with fresh petals. This continues until the fat is saturated with oil. This is called a pomade. The pomade is washed in alcohol, separating the essential oil from the fat. What is left is known as an absolute. Absolutes are highly concentrated essential oils and a smaller quantity is required than normal essential oils i.e. one drop of an absolute is equal to two drops of an essential oil.
Solvent extraction uses a liquid solvent to dissolve the essential oil from the plant. When the solvent is removed we are left with a semi-solid substance called a concrete; which is a combination of the essential oil and the plant’s natural waxes or resins. The concrete is then washed with alcohol and the alcohol separates the waxes from the essential oil, leaving an absolute.
Hydro-diffusion, or percolation is a relatively new method of extraction. It is similar to steam distillation except the steam passes down, under enormous pressure, through the plant parts. The steam and essential oils then pass into a condenser like with steam extraction.
CO² extraction is also a new method of extraction. The equipment required is very expensive and for this reason it is not popular. The plant material is exposed to compressed CO² at a low temperature. The oils produced by this method are said to be extremely pure and high quality and further study needs to go into how this affects their properties and correct dosage etc.
Rose Otto Essential Oil
Oil Name: Rose Otto
Plant Type: Floral
Latin Name: Rosa Damascena
Botanical Family: Rosaceae
Note: Base
Method of Extraction: Solvent extraction or enfleurage
Part of Plant: Flower
Main Chemical Alcohols 60%
Components: Monoterpenes 20%
Country of Origin: Morocco
Contra-indications: Do not use during pregnancy
Keyword: Queen of Oils (Female aspect)
Properties
Physical: Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, de-purative,
hepatic, splenetic, diuretic, stomachic, laxative,
uterine, emmenagogue, PMS, frigidity, infertility,
regulating cycle, astringent, cell regenerator,
haemostatic, aphrodisiac.
Psychological
/Emotional: Anti-depressant, neurotonic, sedative.
Lavender Essential Oil
Oil Name: Lavender
Plant Type: Floral
Latin Name: Lavendula Angustifolia
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae
Note: Middle
Method of Extraction: Steam distillation
Part of Plant: Flowers and stems
Main Chemical Esters 45%
Components: Alcohols 36%
Country of Origin: Mediterranean
Contra-indications: Pregnancy and extreme low blood pressure.
Keyword: Versatile and First Aid
Properties
Physical: Emmenagogue, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal,
anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, vulnerary,
anti-rheumatic, anti-convulsive, carminative, diuretic,
sudorific, cytophylactic
Psychological
/Emotional: Anti-depressant, relaxant, sedative, tonic, nervine,
restorative.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Oil Name: Orange (Sweet)
Plant Type: Citrus
Latin Name: Citrus Sinensis
Botanical Family: Rutaceae
Note: Top
Method of Extraction: Expression
Part of Plant: Peel of fruit
Main Chemical
Components: Monoterpenes 85%
Country of Origin: China
Contra-indications: If used excessively can build up a sensitivity
Keyword: Happy oil
Properties
Physical: Anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, febriguge,
stomachic, tonic, balancing appetite, breaking down
fats, forming collagen, relax aching muscles,
clearing congested skin (anti-bacterial), dry skin,
skin tonic, dermatitis.
Psychological
/Emotional: Anti-depressant, sedative, uplifting but calming,
quelling anxiety, insomnia/cholesterol, reviving you,
boosting positive outlook.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has helped many thousands of people worldwide. Its main benefits include:
* Complete therapy in itself.
* Very versatile. Has many methods of administration.
* Adaptable. Treatment tailor made to suit the individual.
* Easy to use.
* Simple and effective.
* Accessible.
* Complex.
* Has physical benefits on all the systems of the body.
* Oils are absorbed into bloodstream.
* Aromatherapy helps the body to achieve homeostasis, a state of
balance.
Types of Aromatherapy Treatments
There are many ways that essential oils can be used, from a simple oil burner to a full aromatherapy massage. The oils enter the body through the olfactory system, directly to the brain via the nose when they are inhaled, whether through perfume, vaporizers, massage, baths or any other method of application.
When the oil is applied to the skin, either through a compress, bath or aromatherapy massage the essential oil molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream as well as being inhaled.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is considered to be one of the most effective and enjoyable aromatherapy treatments. This is because of the therapeutic benefits of the massage itself, as well as the fact that the essential oils are being absorbed into the bloodstream. Carrier oil molecules are absorbed into the skin. It is important only to use natural, good quality carrier oils and not mineral oils, which are not absorbed and create a barrier effect on the skin.
Suitable carrier oils include grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil, apricot kernel oil, calendula oil, wheatgerm oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil, carrot oil. Each of these natural oils has its own properties and they may be blended with each other to give the required result.
The aromatherapist carries out a consultation with their client, after which the aromatherapist will blend a number of oils, usually one top, one middle and one base and perhaps one or two other essential oils to create a blend specific to that client’s needs at that time.
Aromatherapy Baths
Baths are a wonderful way of using aromatherapy oils. The oils penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, as well as reaching the brain via the olfactory system.
Oils should not be added until after the water has been run, as the running hot water will cause them to evaporate. The oils should be diluted in 10 ml of full fat milk as oils are lighter than water and will sit in a film on top; undiluted they can cause a skin reaction. Four to six drops of essential oil is sufficient, and the person should relax in the bath for at least fifteen minutes.
People can also have sitz baths, where they sit in a bowl or bidet of warm water with essential oils added or handbaths or footbaths to help with various conditions e.g. haemorrhoids, athletes’ foot.
Aromatherapy Burners
Essential oil burners can be used to add a pleasant scent to a room or to deodorize or fumigate.
A small amount of water is placed in the top of the burner with 4 – 6 drops of essential oil and a tea light is placed below. As the water heats up, the oils evaporate and spread around the room. If studying, it is helpful to burn an oil like rosemary which is a cephalic.
Ancient History
Aromatherapy is known to have been practiced as long ago as 3000 BC, and may date back even further. The first evidence we have of aromatherapy comes from the ancient Egyptians, who are regarded as the pioneers of aromatherapy. They had a wide knowledge of aromatic plants and used them in religious ceremonies, as cosmetics, for medicinal purposes and for embalming their dead.
There is some evidence that aromatherapy was being used in ancient China at around the same time as in Egypt. There is definite evidence of aromatic herbs and plants being used in Traditional Chinese Medicine at this time.
The Greeks learned about aromatic plants and herbs from the Egyptians. They used olive oil to absorb the odours from flower petals or herbs and then used this perfumed oil for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Greek soldiers would take an ointment containing myrrh with them when going into battle; for treating wounds.
Hippocrates, a Greek physician, is regarded as the father of modern medicine. He is alleged to have said ‘the way to health is an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.’ Hippocrates used essential oils to get rid of plague in Athens, and wrote about using plants for medicinal purposes.
The Romans employed many Greek doctors who brought with them their knowledge of herbs and essential oils. The Romans began using the oils as perfumes and cosmetics, and for bathing.
The peoples of India used aromatic plants as part of their Ayurvedic medicine system. The Indian sages believed that fragrances affected our consciousness; and used aromatic flowers in their rituals and ceremonies. Flowers still form a huge part of religious ceremony in India today.
In the Middle East around 1000 A.D. an arab physician called Avicenna wrote a large number of books on plants and the effects they had on the human body. He also is believed to have invented the first distillation method for extracting essential oils.
In Medieval times herbs were widely used to combat plague. Doctors would wear nose-bags which contained herbs to kill germs, usually cinnamon and clove. People carried pomanders and aromatic woods were burnt to stop the spread of the disease.
Modern History
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse is known as the Father of Aromatherapy. He was a chemist living in France and working in his family’s perfumery business. One day he burnt his hand badly and plunged it into the nearest vat of liquid, which happened to contain lavender oil. Rene-Maurice was amazed to discover that his hand healed quickly without scarring, and devoted himself thereafter to investigating the properties of the essential oils. His book Aromatherapie was written in 1928. This was the first time the term aromatherapy was used.
Dr. Jean Valnet was a doctor in France in the 1930s. He used essential oils during World War II to treat injured soldiers. His book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, was published in 1964.
Madame Marguerite Maury was an Austrian biochemist living in France. She was not happy with the idea of people ingesting the oils and did research on external application. She moved to Britain in the 1950s and set up an aromatherapy clinic in London, teaching therapists how to use the oils with massage.
Definition of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art and science of healing through smell. It is a holistic therapy, which means it works on the mind, body and spirit, not just on a physical level. It is non-invasive and completely natural.
Aromatherapy encourages relaxation and relieves stress. In these busy modern times, stress is known to cause 75% of all illness and disease.
Aromatherapy is an inclusive treatment; it is versatile, adaptable and suitable for everybody. No-one is completely contra-indicated.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils which are extracted from various parts of plants, flowers and herbs.
Aromatherapy can be used in a wide variety of different ways: massage, compresses, baths, inhalations, saunas, room sprays, burners, vaporizers, mouthwashes, cooking and perfumes, creams and lotions.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are the odiferous substance of the plant. The different oils are extracted from various different parts of the plants e.g. flowers, seeds, bark, grain, roots, resin, leaves, twigs, fruit.
Several oils can be extracted from one plant. For example, the orange tree provides us with sweet orange oil from the fruit peel, petitgrain from the leaves of the tree, and neroli from the blossom.
Essential oils are highly volatile, they evaporate readily in the air and are affected by heat, light and moisture. They should be stored in amber bottles in a cool dark place, with the lids closed tightly.
Most essential oils have a shelf life of around two years, with the exception of citrus oils, which have a shelf life of around six months.
Essential oils are complex chemical structures, this gives them their wide range of properties. The chemical components react together in a natural way impossible to reproduce synthetically. Essential oils are sometimes called ‘the hormone of the plant’.
The chemical components and odour of oils can change depending on soil conditions, climate variations and methods of cultivation. This is why it is particularly important to have a good supplier that you can trust, as if the chemical structure of an oil changes, so too do its’ properties.
The depth and intensity of colour of an essential oil is varied.
The amount of essential oil present in a plant varies from 0.01% up to 10%. Some oils are very difficult to extract e.g. rose and therefore more expensive.
Essential oils can be categorized in two different ways.
The first is by note - top, middle or base. This method of categorizing aromas was developed by a Frenchman called Piesse in the nineteenth century. He categorized them like a musical scale.
Top notes are the most volatile and evaporate most quickly. They are the notes you will smell first in a blend of oils. They are the oils that act fastest on the body and are stimulating and uplifting. They are mostly citrus oils and oils like tea-tree, eucalyptus and niaouli.
Middle notes evaporate at a moderate pace. They tend to be good for digestion and around bodily functions e.g. menstrual cycle. They are the oils you will smell second in a blend. They are mainly obtained from flowers and herbs.
Base notes are the slowest oils to evaporate. They take the longest to work on the body. They are the oils you will smell last in a blend. They act as a fixative for the other more volatile oils, helping the scent to last longer. They are sedating and relaxing on the mind and body and are mostly obtained from woods and resins.
The other way to categorize oils is into citrus, exotics, herbs, florals, spices, resins and trees.
The following are all citrus oils: Bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, orange, mandarin. Citrus oils are mostly top notes (mandarin is a middle note) and are good for the skin and uplifting to the mind.
The following are all exotics: Patchouli, sandalwood, valerian, vetivert, ylangylang. Exotics are usually base oils and work around your core issues e.g. sexuality.
The herb oils are middle note oils and are good for digestion and regulating bodily functions. These include basil, clary sage, fennel, marjoram, melissa, peppermint, rosemary, thyme.
The floral oils are anti-septic and anti-depresssant. They are generally middle note oils. They include chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, and rose.
Spice oils are warming and are usually base or middle oils. These include black pepper, cinnamon, clove and ginger.
Resins are base oils and include benzoin, frankincense and myrrh. These are thicker than normal essential oils and harder to pour.
Tree oils can be top, middle or base. They include cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, niaouli, petitgrain and teatree.
Methods of Extraction
Essential oils are extracted in a number of different ways. These are steam distillation, expression, enfleurage, solvent extraction, hydro diffusion and CO² extraction; the most common of which is steam distillation.
In steam distillation, steam is passed up through the plant parts, carrying the essential oils with it. It passes into a condenser where the steam turns into water and the essential oil, being lighter floats on top of the water. Then the essential oil is separated from the water. This method creates a byproduct called a hydrolat, or floral water.
Expression is used for citrus oils. The fruit peel is squeezed, traditionally by hand but now mostly by machinery, and the oil is collected.
Enfleurage has become quite rare but was traditionally used on the harder to extract oils, like rose. Petals are laid on a layer of fat and these layers are built up. The fat absorbs the oils and the petals are changed and replaced with fresh petals. This continues until the fat is saturated with oil. This is called a pomade. The pomade is washed in alcohol, separating the essential oil from the fat. What is left is known as an absolute. Absolutes are highly concentrated essential oils and a smaller quantity is required than normal essential oils i.e. one drop of an absolute is equal to two drops of an essential oil.
Solvent extraction uses a liquid solvent to dissolve the essential oil from the plant. When the solvent is removed we are left with a semi-solid substance called a concrete; which is a combination of the essential oil and the plant’s natural waxes or resins. The concrete is then washed with alcohol and the alcohol separates the waxes from the essential oil, leaving an absolute.
Hydro-diffusion, or percolation is a relatively new method of extraction. It is similar to steam distillation except the steam passes down, under enormous pressure, through the plant parts. The steam and essential oils then pass into a condenser like with steam extraction.
CO² extraction is also a new method of extraction. The equipment required is very expensive and for this reason it is not popular. The plant material is exposed to compressed CO² at a low temperature. The oils produced by this method are said to be extremely pure and high quality and further study needs to go into how this affects their properties and correct dosage etc.
Rose Otto Essential Oil
Oil Name: Rose Otto
Plant Type: Floral
Latin Name: Rosa Damascena
Botanical Family: Rosaceae
Note: Base
Method of Extraction: Solvent extraction or enfleurage
Part of Plant: Flower
Main Chemical Alcohols 60%
Components: Monoterpenes 20%
Country of Origin: Morocco
Contra-indications: Do not use during pregnancy
Keyword: Queen of Oils (Female aspect)
Properties
Physical: Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, de-purative,
hepatic, splenetic, diuretic, stomachic, laxative,
uterine, emmenagogue, PMS, frigidity, infertility,
regulating cycle, astringent, cell regenerator,
haemostatic, aphrodisiac.
Psychological
/Emotional: Anti-depressant, neurotonic, sedative.
Lavender Essential Oil
Oil Name: Lavender
Plant Type: Floral
Latin Name: Lavendula Angustifolia
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae
Note: Middle
Method of Extraction: Steam distillation
Part of Plant: Flowers and stems
Main Chemical Esters 45%
Components: Alcohols 36%
Country of Origin: Mediterranean
Contra-indications: Pregnancy and extreme low blood pressure.
Keyword: Versatile and First Aid
Properties
Physical: Emmenagogue, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal,
anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, vulnerary,
anti-rheumatic, anti-convulsive, carminative, diuretic,
sudorific, cytophylactic
Psychological
/Emotional: Anti-depressant, relaxant, sedative, tonic, nervine,
restorative.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Oil Name: Orange (Sweet)
Plant Type: Citrus
Latin Name: Citrus Sinensis
Botanical Family: Rutaceae
Note: Top
Method of Extraction: Expression
Part of Plant: Peel of fruit
Main Chemical
Components: Monoterpenes 85%
Country of Origin: China
Contra-indications: If used excessively can build up a sensitivity
Keyword: Happy oil
Properties
Physical: Anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, febriguge,
stomachic, tonic, balancing appetite, breaking down
fats, forming collagen, relax aching muscles,
clearing congested skin (anti-bacterial), dry skin,
skin tonic, dermatitis.
Psychological
/Emotional: Anti-depressant, sedative, uplifting but calming,
quelling anxiety, insomnia/cholesterol, reviving you,
boosting positive outlook.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has helped many thousands of people worldwide. Its main benefits include:
* Complete therapy in itself.
* Very versatile. Has many methods of administration.
* Adaptable. Treatment tailor made to suit the individual.
* Easy to use.
* Simple and effective.
* Accessible.
* Complex.
* Has physical benefits on all the systems of the body.
* Oils are absorbed into bloodstream.
* Aromatherapy helps the body to achieve homeostasis, a state of
balance.
Types of Aromatherapy Treatments
There are many ways that essential oils can be used, from a simple oil burner to a full aromatherapy massage. The oils enter the body through the olfactory system, directly to the brain via the nose when they are inhaled, whether through perfume, vaporizers, massage, baths or any other method of application.
When the oil is applied to the skin, either through a compress, bath or aromatherapy massage the essential oil molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream as well as being inhaled.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is considered to be one of the most effective and enjoyable aromatherapy treatments. This is because of the therapeutic benefits of the massage itself, as well as the fact that the essential oils are being absorbed into the bloodstream. Carrier oil molecules are absorbed into the skin. It is important only to use natural, good quality carrier oils and not mineral oils, which are not absorbed and create a barrier effect on the skin.
Suitable carrier oils include grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil, apricot kernel oil, calendula oil, wheatgerm oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil, carrot oil. Each of these natural oils has its own properties and they may be blended with each other to give the required result.
The aromatherapist carries out a consultation with their client, after which the aromatherapist will blend a number of oils, usually one top, one middle and one base and perhaps one or two other essential oils to create a blend specific to that client’s needs at that time.
Aromatherapy Baths
Baths are a wonderful way of using aromatherapy oils. The oils penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, as well as reaching the brain via the olfactory system.
Oils should not be added until after the water has been run, as the running hot water will cause them to evaporate. The oils should be diluted in 10 ml of full fat milk as oils are lighter than water and will sit in a film on top; undiluted they can cause a skin reaction. Four to six drops of essential oil is sufficient, and the person should relax in the bath for at least fifteen minutes.
People can also have sitz baths, where they sit in a bowl or bidet of warm water with essential oils added or handbaths or footbaths to help with various conditions e.g. haemorrhoids, athletes’ foot.
Aromatherapy Burners
Essential oil burners can be used to add a pleasant scent to a room or to deodorize or fumigate.
A small amount of water is placed in the top of the burner with 4 – 6 drops of essential oil and a tea light is placed below. As the water heats up, the oils evaporate and spread around the room. If studying, it is helpful to burn an oil like rosemary which is a cephalic.
