Aromatherapy

Origins and historical development :

‘Aroma’, meaning ‘pleasant scent’ refers to this specific branch of herbal medicine. Aromatherapy heals the body and mind with highly aromatic essential oils extracted from flowers, leaves, herbs, bark and roots. The most common form of extraction is through distillation, by boiling or steaming the plant until it vapourises. Maceration is another traditional process where the plant material is immersed in hot oil, releasing its essence and scenting the oil. Other methods include crushing and pressing. Interestingly, oils with different properties can be found in the one plant, such as an orange; which produces different oils in its flowers, fruits and leaves.

The use of plant essences has a long tradition, with healers, physicians and Priests from many ancient cultures all practicing the art. Chinese medical texts and the ancient Indian Vedic literature document how scented oils improve health; and the Egyptians 4,000 years ago used fragrant oils in their embalming process, as well as for religious and medicinal purposes. Similarly, the ancient cultures of Greece, Persia and Rome all used plant perfumes for both pleasure and medicinal benefits.
However, it was the French who embraced the practice in later years, with Ambroise Pare, a French military surgeon, using Rose oil as a successful medication for gun shot wounds during the mid 1500’s. In more recent times, synthetic drugs have been developing at the expense of traditional plant medicine; but in 1910 Rene Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist, discovered the analgesic and antiseptic qualities of lavender oil that proved effective for treating burns. It was Gattefosse that coined the phrase ‘aromatherapie’. Then, in the 1960’s, Dr Jean Valnet, another French military surgeon wrote and published his work under Gattefosse’s title of Aromatherapie, after success with treating both wounded soldiers and psychiatric patients with essential oils.

From the 1950’s onwards it has been the work of Marguerite Maury who has helped bring aromatherapy as we know it today into the mainstream of complementary therapy, by first introducing its practice within beauty clinics in England. Interest is also continuing to grow in Australia and New Zealand.

Being one of the most gentle and versatile complementary therapies, there are several ways of harnessing the therapeutic properties of essential oils, although the 2 most common methods are massage (where the essential oil is diluted with a base oil before being rubbed into the skin); and bathing with the addition of a few drops of essential oil to the water. The essential oils, which can be broken down into chemicals such as alcohols, ketones and phenols, possess different therapeutic qualities, enabling them to act as an antiseptic, fungicidal, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, sedative or stimulant; which act in harmony with the body’s natural defences, particularly the immune system.

What to expect during a treatment :

A practitioner will initially ask about a patient’s general health, lifestyle, medical history and reasons for wanting aromatherapy treatment. Typically, the patient and practitioner will then discuss, smell and choose suitable oils to help with specific conditions. Many oils can be used together for an enhanced effect, known as a synergised blend. The practitioner can then massage the oils into the skin after diluting them in vegetable based carrier oil, such as grape seed or almond. The practitioner will also be able to advise on aromatherapy use at home, for example with bathing, inhalation or blending oils into a cream or lotion for external application. If possible, it is advisable to always use high quality oils free from synthetic additives that may adversely affect the properties of the oils.

Sessions, including a massage, can last up to 60 minutes; and aromatherapy treatment can be used as often as you like.

Conditions suitable for treatment :

Being an holistic therapy, essential oils can be used for everyday stress relief and a feeling of general well being. However, specific conditions that have responded well to aromatherapy include nervous tension, digestive disorders, respiratory problems, gynaecological complaints (including PMS), skin conditions, allergies, depression, fatigue and insomnia.