Aromatherapy: Science or fiction?

 

By Christine Charles, RDH, CCA
April 15, 2015
Christine Charles, RDH, CCA is a certified clinical aromatherapist with 12 years experience using therapeutic grade essential oils in supporting wellness and balance.

According to the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists, “aromatherapy is a treatment designed to help maintain physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing by the correct application of pure essential oils. The word ‘aroma’ means a fragrance or sweet smell and the word ‘therapy’ simply means a treatment designed to bring about a positive change in an individual.

“Since an aromatherapy treatment is concerned with creating balance and equilibrium within a person, its primary uses are to uplift, detoxify, de-stress and invigorate—in other words, to help the body to help itself to regain health or wellbeing.” (1)

A 2009 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found evidence that aromatherapies are helpful. The authors undertook “a systematic review of scientific experimentation addressing olfactory effects on mood, physiology and behavior. From this review, 18 studies meeting stringent empirical criteria were then analyzed in detail and it was found that credible evidence exists that odors can affect mood, physiology and behavior.” (2)

Certified clinical aromatherapists (CCA) make custom-balanced essential oil blends for a client's problem. A custom blend is specific to the client and requires a great deal of knowledge of the chemistry and actions of the oils and their desired outcomes on the part of the CCA.

Aromatherapists need to take an in-depth assessment of their client to discover the issues for which essential oils may be helpful. That includes asking medical questions and writing down the history that is given by the client. This information is valuable in helping to decide which healing treatments and which essential oils to use in the healing session with the client.  

The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists also states that “essential oils are manufactured in the leaves of aromatic plants during the process of photosynthesis and then stored in a variety of places, such as in the flowers, leaves, fruit, seeds, etc., depending on the plant. They are extracted by a variety of methods, including distillation and expression. Each individual essential oil has its own chemical components and therefore, its own individual therapeutic properties.” (1)

Therapeutic grade essential oils can work through inhalation, ingestion, and topical application; it all depends on the purpose and focus. Topical use is perhaps the best known, and oils are also used through massage, acupuncture, acupressure, warm compress, cold packs, bath and shower.  Dietary use may be one of the most effective ways of unlocking their health benefits (e.g., antioxidant benefits). It is important to look for the “dietary supplement” on the label—then you know it can be taken internally.

A very popular and useful way to use therapeutic grade essential oils is by direct inhalation or by diffusing, as well as by adding to humidifiers and vaporizers. It is important to know your essential oil company and the purity and efficacy of the oils from the seed to the seal on the bottle.


References

1. What is aromatherapy? International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists.
http://ifparoma.org/public/whatisaromatherapy.php. Accessed April 15, 2015.

2. Herz RS. Aromatherapy facts and fictions: A scientific analysis of olfactory effects on mood, physiology and behavior. Int J Neurosci. 2009;119:263-90. doi: 10.1080/00207450802333953.

http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2015/04/aromatherapy-science-or-fiction.html

Aromatherapy for relaxation

Make a little space in your day to relax with soothing essential oils away from the stresses and strains of your hectic schedule.

Aromatherapy essential oils have powerful effects on your moods, as the part of the brain that detects smell messages from the nose (olfactory bulbs) is closely linked with your emotional centre in a part of the brain called the limbic system. Oils are also absorbed from the skin into the circulation and can have powerful effects on the body. Even Hippocrates, the Greek father of medicine, recommended the use of aromatic essential oils for their relaxing properties.

Some essential oils are so relaxing that they help to promote sleep, especially geranium, juniper, lavender, neroli, lemongrass, sandalwood and ylang ylang. Try sprinkling a few drops of your chosen oil(s) on a cotton-wool pad or hanky and tucking it under your pillow. Alternatively, scent your bedroom with an oil using a burner. However, the oils need to be varied every four or five days to maintain their beneficial effect, as your body and brain start to adapt to them.

Ways to use them effectively
Aromatherapy essential oils may be inhaled, massaged into the skin, added to bath water, or heated in a variety of ways to perfume the atmosphere. Oils that come into contact with skin should always be diluted with a carrier oil (eg, almond, avocado, jojoba, sunflower, wheatgerm oils). Dilution is important, as oils that are too concentrated may have an adverse effect or cause skin irritation.
Where possible, use natural rather than synthetic essential oils, as these have a greater therapeutic benefit. Similarly, 100% pure essential oils are preferable, as they are not mixed with alcohol or other additives.

Essential oils that help to relax the body and mind to relieve stress include:
Cedarwood
Chamomile roman
Clary sage
Geranium
Grapefruit
Jasmine
Lavender
Lemongrass
Neroli
Orange
Rose
Rosewood
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Vetiver
Ylang ylang

When making up a blend, choose oils whose aromas you like and experiment with different quantities of each. If a blend isn't quite to your liking, add more drops of one or more of the oils – or introduce another that you feel is missing. Keep a note of the total number of drops used so that you can ensure it is correctly diluted by adding extra carrier oil. Altogether, every five drops of essential oil should be balanced with 10ml of carrier oil.

Enjoy an aromatic bath
Aromatherapy is wonderfully relaxing when used in the bath. Choose a single favourite sensual oil, or a blend of up to three. Add five drops of essential oil to a tablespoon (30ml) carrier oil (eg almond, avocado) and mix. Draw your bath so that it is comfortably hot, but don't add the aromatic oil mix until the taps are turned off. Close the bathroom door to keep in the vapours and soak for 15–20 minutes, preferably in candlelight.

After cleansing your body, you can also dip a wet sponge in the oil mix and use it to gently massage your whole body before rinsing. Lie back comfortably, and close your eyes. Allow the scent to fill your entire body and imagine it coursing through your veins, bringing relaxation and a renewed sense of energy.

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