Aromatherapy, also known as essential oils therapy, is a healing technique that uses aromatic plant oils to treat various diseases and conditions such as depression, stress and fatigue.
It's a very old therapy that was used by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. In fact, Hippocrates, the Athenian father of modern medicine incorporated scented baths and massages into his healing regimens. However the actual term 'aromatherapy' dates back to the 1920s when French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé burnt his arm in his perfume laboratory. Plunging the afflicted limb into the nearest liquid, which happened to be lavender oil, he found immediate relief from the pain.
Essential oils are extracted from the flowers, leaves, bark, branches, rind or roots of certain plants. As the essential oils are highly concentrated, they need to be diluted with carrier oil before being applied to the body. These carrier oils are usually soybean or almond oil but can also include avocado, olive, peanut, sesame and sunflower oils.
Another method involves diluting the oils with alcohol or water and then applying the mixture to the skin, spraying it in the air, or inhaling it.
Popular essential oils include lavender which has a sweet, floral, slightly fruity smell. It's administered in the case of allergies, anxiety, cystitis, depression, and rheumatism, among many others. Eucalyptus is another favourite. It's woody, earthy aroma is advocated for arthritis, bronchitis, flu, poor circulation, and sinusitis. Lemongrass, extracted from a tropical herb has a lemony scent which other than working on acne and excess sweating, also works as an insect repellent.
It's a very old therapy that was used by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. In fact, Hippocrates, the Athenian father of modern medicine incorporated scented baths and massages into his healing regimens. However the actual term 'aromatherapy' dates back to the 1920s when French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé burnt his arm in his perfume laboratory. Plunging the afflicted limb into the nearest liquid, which happened to be lavender oil, he found immediate relief from the pain.
Essential oils are extracted from the flowers, leaves, bark, branches, rind or roots of certain plants. As the essential oils are highly concentrated, they need to be diluted with carrier oil before being applied to the body. These carrier oils are usually soybean or almond oil but can also include avocado, olive, peanut, sesame and sunflower oils.
Another method involves diluting the oils with alcohol or water and then applying the mixture to the skin, spraying it in the air, or inhaling it.
Popular essential oils include lavender which has a sweet, floral, slightly fruity smell. It's administered in the case of allergies, anxiety, cystitis, depression, and rheumatism, among many others. Eucalyptus is another favourite. It's woody, earthy aroma is advocated for arthritis, bronchitis, flu, poor circulation, and sinusitis. Lemongrass, extracted from a tropical herb has a lemony scent which other than working on acne and excess sweating, also works as an insect repellent.