Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Essential oils may be mixed or blended together to provide a very pleasing aroma. Oils that are mixed and blended together also provide a specific therapeutic need or action. A synergistic essential oil blend of the correct oils in proper proportions is considered to be greater in the total benefit than singularly using the oil independently. There are many “recipes” for different symptoms and a variety of combinations of these recipes and synergies to bring us the full benefit of using essential oils.

Aromatherapy Products

Not all aromatherapy essential oil products labeled with the word “aromatherapy” are natural and pure. Products with artificial ingredients do not provide the best aromatherapy benefits. At best, these artificial products provide only a fraction of the benefit that a natural oil product will supply. The worst an artificial product will provide is no benefit at all by using the product. People that are seeking pure and true aromatherapy products need to make sure they look at the ingredients within a product to ensure that the product does not contain un-pure (chemical) or fragrance oil components. A good guideline to go by is to be wary of products that do not list their ingredients and those that do not advertise of having pure essential oils (avoid those that have words like fragrance, or do not claim 100% pure essential oils). Some sellers will not list their blends because they are afraid of other companies trying to copy these blends and ingredients. If you simply ask the seller more about the blend, and listening to what they tell you about their products, you should have a better idea about the quality of the blend being sold. Suppliers that sell good grades of essential oils are generally happy to tell you the ingredients when asked. Some customers that have health concerns when using oils should feel comfortable in getting a straight answer about the ingredients when asking a seller about their products.

Even though the term aromatherapy was not used until the 20th Century, the foundations and use of aromatherapy date back thousands of years. The Chinese culture may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for well-being. Their practices involved burning incense to help create balance and harmony.

Later on, the Egyptians created a rudimentary distillation machine that allowed for the extraction of cedar wood oil. It is also believed by some, that Persia and India may have also invented crude distillation machines, but very little is known.

Oils of cedar wood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians to embalm the dead. When tombs were opened in the early 20th century, traces of the oils and herbs were discovered with intact portions of the entombed bodies. The faint smell of these oils used in the entombing process, was still apparent. Although the cedar wood the Egyptians used was distilled by a crude distillation process, the other oils the Egyptians used were to be believed as most likely infused oils.

The Egyptians also used infused oils and herbal preparations for spiritual, medicinal, fragrant and cosmetic use. It is thought that the Egyptians coined the term perfume, from the Latin “per fumum” which, when translated means “as through the smoke”. It is believed that Egyptian men of the time used fragrance as readily as the women. The method that the men used to fragrance themselves was to place a solid cone of perfume on their heads. Gradually this cone would melt and cover them in fragrance.

The Greeks learned many things about oils and herbs from the Egyptians, however, Greek mythology apparently credits the gift and knowledge of perfumes to the gods. The Greeks also recognized the medicinal and aromatic benefits of plants. Hippocrates, commonly called the “father of medicine” practiced fumigations for both aromatic and medicinal benefit.

The Roman Empire built upon both the knowledge of the Egyptians and the Greeks. Discorides compiled a book called De Materia Medica. This book described the properties of approximately five hundred plants. It is also reported that Discorides studied the distillation process. However, distillation during this period focused primarily on extracting aromatic floral waters and not essential oils.

A major event for the distillation of essential oils came with the invention of a coiled cooling pipe in the 11th century. A Persian, by the name of Avicenna, invented a coiled pipe which allowed the plant vapor and steam to cool down more effectively than the previous distillers that commonly used a straight cooling pipe. Avicenna’s discovery and contribution led to more focus on essential oils and their benefits.

Within the 12th century, in Germany, a woman named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. She was the female head of a convent of nuns.

Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born. This event encourages great distillation of essential oils.

During the 14th century, the Black Death Plague hit and millions of people succumbed to this disease. This plague was the result of an insect known as the Oriental Rat Flea. It lay on the backs of black rats and would infect humans that came in contact with it. Herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer. It is also believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by their constant contact with the natural aromatics.

Within the 15th century, more plants were distilled to create essential oils including frankincense, juniper, rose, sage and rosemary. A growth in the amount of books on herbs and their properties also began later in this century. Paracelcus, an alchemist, medical doctor and radical thinker is credited with coining the term “Essence”, and his studies radically challenged the nature of alchemy and he focused upon using plants as medicines.

During the 16th century, one could begin purchasing oils at an “apothecary,” and many more essential oils were introduced. An apothecary was more than a simple druggist or pharmacist. Apothecaries were like doctors form that era. They made house calls and would use essential oils to treat illnesses and other maladies for that time period. During the 16th and 17th centuries, various perfumes started to be considered an art form, and it was more clearly defined as its own field. During the 19th century, perfumery remained a very prosperous industry. Women would have their jeweler create special bottles to hold their treasured perfume. The 19th century also was important scientifically as major constituents of essential oils became isolated. During the 20th century, the knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was used to create synthetic chemicals and drugs. It had been believed that by separating the major constituents and then using the constituents alone or in synthetic form would be beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries helped lead to “modern medicine” and synthetic fragrances. This actually weakened the use of essential oils for medicinal and aromatic benefit.

During the early part of the 20th century, a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé, became interested in the various use of essential oils for their medicinal use. Previously, he focused on the aromatic use of essential oils, but his interest in their medicinal use grew after an accident heightened his curiosity.

While working, he had badly burned his arm. By reflex, he plunged his burned arm into the closest liquid, which happened to be a large container of lavender essential oil. The burn he suffered healed quickly and left no scar. Gattefossé is credited with coining the term aromatherapy in 1928 within an article where he supported the use of using essential oils, in their whole, without breaking them down into their primary constituents.

In 1937, Gattefossé wrote a book called “Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales” that was later translated into English and named “Gattefossé’s Aromatherapy”. It is widely read and is still in print.

Other highly respected 20th century aromatherapists include Jean Valnet, Madam Marguerite Maury, and Robert B. Tisserand. Jean Valnet is most remembered for his work using essential oils to treat injured soldiers during the war and for his book, “The Practice of Aromatherapy”, which was originally entitled “Aromathérapie” in French. Austrian Madam Marguerite Maury is remembered as a biochemist, which had avidly studied, practiced, and taught the use of aromatherapy for primarily cosmetic benefit. Robert B. Tisserand is an English aromatherapist who is responsible for being one of the first individuals to bring the knowledge and education of aromatherapy to the English speaking nations. He has written books and articles including the highly respected 1977 publication “The Art of Aromatherapy”. The Art of Aromatherapy was the first aromatherapy book published in English.

From the late 20th century and on into the 21st century, there is a growing resurgence to utilize and use more natural products, including essential oils for therapeutic, cosmetic, and aromatic benefit. The use of essential oils has never ceased, but the scientific revolution minimized the popularity and use of essential oils in one’s everyday life. Today’s heightened awareness regarding the use of therapeutic grade essential oils, coupled with the increased availability of aromatherapy information within books and the internet has refueled the use of essential oils for therapeutic use.

Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that fragrances in the oils stimulate the nerves in the nose. Those nerves send impulses to the part of the brain that controls emotion and memory. Depending on the type of oil, the result on the body may be calming or stimulating.

Essential oils are thought to interact with the body’s hormones and enzymes to cause changes in blood pressure, pulse, and other body functions. Another theory suggests that the fragrance of certain oils may stimulate the body to produce pain-fighting substances.

What is aromatherapy used for?

Aromatherapy may promote relaxation and help relieve stress. It has also been used to help treat a wide range of physical and mental conditions, including burns, infections, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

Is aromatherapy safe?

Practitioners of aromatherapy are not specially licensed in the United States. A wide range of licensed health professionals (such as massage therapists, nurses, and counselors) may have experience and training in aromatherapy. It is important to talk with your medical doctor to see whether aromatherapy may be helpful and safe for your specific health conditions.

It is always best to tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Most aromatherapy dispersed through a diffuser which allows small mists of essential oils into the air. Other way to use aromatherapy include certain places on your body that will allow your body to absorb oils, or to be able to be placed in an area of your body where you can breath these oils.