Article by Anadi Taylor

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a holistic alternative medicine that uses plant extracts, known as essential oils, to alter a persons mind, mood, cognitive function or health. Aromatherapy literally means “treatment using scents”. The essential oils are aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological properties which improve health and prevent illness. There are about 150 essential oils. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. Other properties of the essential oils which are taken advantage of in aromatherapy are stimulation, relaxation, digestion improvement, and their diuretic properties. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils they should be made from natural, pure, raw materials. Synthetically made oils do not work.

How Does Aromatherapy Work?

We, as human beings, have the capacity to distinguish 10,000 different smells. These smells enter through cilia, the fine hairs lining the nose, to the limbic system which is the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning. It can be shown by measuring brain wave frequencies that different smells affect us in a multitude of ways. An example of this would be the smell of lavender that increases alpha waves in the back of the head associated with relaxation. Another example would be the fragrance of Jasmine that increases beta waves in the front of the head associated with a more alert state.

Where did Aromatherapy come from?

Aromatherapy has been practised since ancient times. The actual date aromatherapy was first introduced is much disputed. Most experts claim that the ancient Egyptians were the first to practice aromatherapy. The ancient Egyptians recognised the physical and spiritual properties of these oils and used them in their daily lives. Egyptians used oils in their mummification procedures and were aware of the healing properties of many of these oils. The priests became “healers” mixing and prescribing medicinal potions.

Aromatic plants and essential oils were used in biblical times. Think of the gifts brought to the new born. Plant oils are mentioned several times in the Bible.

During the fifteenth century people in Europe began using essential oils to disguise their body odours and to ward off sickness. The French chemist Dr. Ren

Aromatherapy can help stress, aches and pains, energy, PMS, and more! Learn more about the health benefits of aromatherapy in this free video from a professional aroma therapist. Expert: Malu Lujan Bio: Malu Lujan Filmmaker: Bing Hu