Aroma Therapy And Its History - Essay Example

Aroma Therapy Aroma therapy entails the use of plant oils usually by means of inhalation, in the bath or by massage with the intent to benefit physically or emotionally from its healing effects. This growing therapeutic practice is commonly reported to address various types of afflictions ranging from strengthening the immune system to reliving stress, controlling hair loss and reducing flatulence among many others. This fascinating treatment is an alternative to conventional medical techniques but its use as a healing agent has been known for more than a thousand years prior to the emergence of modern medicine. This discussion briefly examines the history of aroma therapy then details the benefits and potential risks. It also provides scientific evidence for its power to heal, its applications and delivery methods and describes numerous conditions that would potentially improve from aroma therapy in addition to its prevalent use. Aromatics and herbs have been used for treating a number of ailments and the preservation of food since the earliest beginnings of humankind. The Egyptians are credited with originating the method of Aromatherapy that people today would likely recognize. They were the first to record using the infusion method to extract aromatic plant oils to use for medicinal purposes. At about this same time, 2700 BC, the Chinese are known to use a form of aroma therapy. India has also used aromatherapy for centuries. Western societies knew little of aroma therapy until the 1800’s. The term aroma therapy was coined in 1937 when a scientist published the healing affects of lavender oil after he accidentally burned his hand and used the oil he was experimenting with at the time (Ancient Times, 2007). People use specific therapeutic, or essential, oils for specific needs such as a mood enhancer, to relax or for an energy boost. “Not all oils are used to calm the body. Some, such as rosemary in the bath, can be used to stimulate the body” (Urbick, 2006). Users of therapeutic oils also receive the added bonus of the inherent healing effects of aromatic oils which many do not realize is a side-benefit of the therapy. Many types of oils contain similar health-enhancing properties found in domestic cleaning agents such as anti-viral, anti-septic and anti-fungal agents. Oils are extracted from many types of plants by utilizing an assortment of methods such as cold expression, alcohol extraction or steam distillation. Therapeutic oils are usually used externally and can be used in combination, or synergizing, to treat multiple ailments and for an enhanced effect. Oils can also be diluted with non-therapeutic, or carrier, oils. Typical applications of essential oils are in the bath, through massage, compresses, either hot or cold and using diluted oil as a topical treatment where oil is absorbed by the skin entering the body and affecting physiological changes. When aromas are inhaled the brain’s limbic area, which controls memory and emotion, is immediately impacted. Among those professions practicing aromatherapy are physicians, nurses, osteopaths, massage and aroma-therapists. “Aromatherapy is one of the most popular forms of complementary therapy and is widely used by people buying over-the-counter oils, and by health professionals in a range of settings” (Urbick, 2006). Another useful application of aromatherapy is promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety reduction and generally increasing the level of health and well-being among palliative or intensive care patients, persons suffering the effects from post-partum, abortion, hemodialysis, etc. Recent reports have provided some evidence that aromatherapy massage has a positive effect on the immune system of AIDS patients. Most studies, such as one conducted by Cooke and Ernst who scientifically evaluated aromatherapy massage conclude that for the vast majority, aromatherapy proved to reduce stress and anxiety on a temporary basis. Although it is widely accepted that there are no lasting benefits to aromatherapy, the short-term advantages are evident. “Based on these studies, we hypothesize that aromatherapy massage may influence the cellular and humoral compartments of the immune function in both normal and pathological states” (Cooke & Earnst, 2000). Oils used in aromatherapy are used to promote health but even many of those who have been helped by this treatment do not understand just how. The oils themselves do not contain magical healing powers; rather, it is naturally occurring chemicals produced and stored within the body that are unleashed when the various oils are introduced.  These chemicals are among the most powerful known to medical science. The body produces Metabolites, hormones, and other neurohumors such as endorphins which can reduce and/or eradicate pain. The word endorphin, for example, is an amalgamation of the terms endogenous and morphine. Other neurohumors are known to encourage pleasurable feelings and sleep. “Both physiological and emotional well-being is affected by the body’s own pharmacy. Nearly every event in the body is preceded by the production of a chemical that stimulates or enhances the effect” (Braunstein, 1999). Research has determined that the body releases a variety of neurohumors and hormones instantaneously when aromatic oils are introduced to the senses. “Autonomic functions are greatly influenced by these neurohumors. The immune system is affected drastically by neurohumors, emotions as well” (Braunstein, 1999). Aromatherapy uses essential oils to affect the sense of smell, the most direct method by which to impact the brain. The senses of taste, hearing, sight and touch are connected to by nerves to specific processing areas located in the brain. The sense of smell has no such connection with the brain. Rather, it is an extension of the brain. “There is physiological architecture that makes the sense of smell completely different from the other five senses. The part of our body that detects aromas, fragrances, smells and odors is the olfactory bulbs located high in the nasal passage. These are not sense organs. They are actually extensions of our brain” (Braunstein, 1999). The sense of smell is the most primal, potent and important of all senses with regards to means of survival. The limbic system is part of the base of the brain, the most primordial section and is connected directly to the nose therefore the brain is impacted more by the sense of smell than the other senses. “Research has shown that memory centers in the brain are more stimulated by smell than any other sense and it is the sense that is most evocative of memory and emotion” (Braunstein, 1999). When essential oil aromas enter the brain’s limbic system, when through the skin or nose, they stimulate a bodily hormonal and chemical release. “The mechanism appears to be that the aroma initiates the real healing powers that are innate” (Braunstein, 1999). Generally, aromatherapy is applied by two methods, inhalation the most prevalent and massage therapy the least. It has been found, however, that the combination of inhaling aromas with an oil massage is a very effective means of healing. Massage is an efficient way to gain maximum benefit of aromatherapy because the oils can be spread over the skin which of course covers the entire body and the oils are promptly absorbed into the bloodstream. Bathing in essential oils is equally effective for similar reasons as is soaking ones feet. Other effective uses of essential oils include compresses, shampoos, face creams and incorporated into linens. Steam has been used for centuries to ease respiratory problems and inhalation is an extremely effective method to deliver oils into the body. “A vaporizer is excellent for room refreshing or to create a soothing atmosphere for relaxing or meditation by simply using an essential oil for its particular quality. Use during illnesses to kill airborne bacteria and help prevent the spread of infections” (“Methods”, 2007). Oil burners, or aroma lamps, use a small, ‘tea light’ candle at the base of the lamp to heat the essential oils located in a reservoir above it and as the oils warm, its aroma is diffused in the air.  People have used this method, the simmering of essential oils, for many centuries. Electric Diffusers are a modern version of the oil lamp. A small electric fan within the unit diffuses the oil’s aroma into the air. Candles soaked in oils are used but are not an efficient means to distribute the aroma. Perfumes and colognes containing essential oils are popular, a method used for untold centuries (Methods, 2007). Aromatherapy has been demonstrated to effectively treat various ailments. Oils such as Chamomile, Marjoram and Sandalwood are used as an alternative to drugs for insomnia. Sandalwood is also used to treat headaches in addition to Peppermint, Lavender and Eucalyptus, all of which, in addition to Lemon and Rosemary in the form of a shampoo are used for hair loss. Ginger treats headaches and nausea; Chamomile, Orange and Peppermint oils soothe digestive problems and reduce flatulence. Basil, Jasmine, Sage, Rose, and Chamomile treat depression and fatigue. Colds and the flu are combated by inhaling aromatic oils such as Rosewood, Niaouli and Ravensare with Lemon, Eucalyptus, Fir and Pine (“Facts”, 2006). The advantages of aromatherapy are many and far outweigh any risks associated with the practice. If it is used in an appropriate manner, essential oils have been shown throughout the history of mankind to be not only beneficial but safe. However, those that employ the therapeutic technique should be cognizant of its potential hazards. Aromatherapy is a term that is too often applied to products that may contain oils but provide little actual health benefits. It is largely an unregulated industry which should be taken into account when purchasing and using essential oils. Essential oils can result in death if swallowed. The pleasant aroma could attract the curiosity of children whose first thought likely would be to taste it. Bottles of oils, even very small ones, should be treated as any other poison in the home, out of the reach and sight of children. A statistically minute few suffer an allergic response from the use of essential oils, a condition referred to as sensitization. The initial exposure to oils generally produces little perceptible negative effects even to those allergic. It’s the subsequent applications of a similar type of oil that produce acute inflammation for those allergic to oils. Reactions can range from hardly noticeable and mildly irritating to extremely severe after using a very small amount. “The effect of the components that cause sensitization can vary from person to person. Sensitization occurs when a compound is absorbed by the skin and binds to a protein in the dermis” (“About Aromatherapy” 2007). Non-allergic irritation of the skin occurs more frequently. Skin irritations whether caused by allergies or not may not be alleviated by diluting the oils. Pregnancy requires special precautions being taken with regard to many substances and essential oils are no exception. Oils such as rosemary, sage and camphor have been known to trigger an epileptic episode for those susceptible to seizure and those with high blood pressure should avoid the use of essential oils. A small number of essential oils contain low levels of carcinogens, a substance that is known to cause cancer. Basil, in high concentrations, poses an unacceptable risk for carcinogens but lower doses do not. Photo-toxicity is a risk for some who use oils. Photo-toxicity describes a skin reaction that occurs when sunlight contacts a part of the skin that has been chemically treated. “Very few essential oils contain phototoxic compounds and then normally under 2 percent. If these oils are used undiluted and/or if the skin is exposed to the concentrated UV light, severe reactions can occur” (“About Aromatherapy” 2007). Utilizing essential oils safely helps to assure that the benefits are not outweighed by the possible detriments. Aromatherapy is generally very safe, with a risk factor of nearly zero but as with any therapeutic technique, it is better to err on the side of caution. Aromatherapy is an ancient, effective and safe method by which to relieve stress, ease the symptoms of colds, reduce pain, increase energy and bolster the immune system as well as a number of other health benefits. The exact way by which oils interact with the brain has been demonstrated by scientific means which has also proven that aromatherapy positively impacts the mind and body. Of course, about 3500 years ago people did not need science to establish a specific link with essential oils and health benefits, they knew. Modern science has only confirmed what was known at a time when people thought the Earth was flat. Aromatherapy is a proven, time-tested method to cure many common afflictions and is therefore growing in popularity. What still is largely considered an alternative therapy is progressively becoming a mainstream treatment, as it was for thousands of years prior to modern medicine. References “About Aromatherapy” (2007). Oils4Life. Available September 12, 2007 from “Aromatherapy in Ancient Times.” (January 18, 2007). A World of Aromatherapy. Available September 12, 2007 from Braunstein, Michael. (1999). “Aromatherapy – The Nose Knows!” Heartland Healing: The Reader Archives. Available September 12, 2007 from Cooke B & Ernst E. (2000). “Aromatherapy: A Systematic Review.” British Journal of General Practitioners. Vol. 50: 493–6. Available September 12, 2007 from “Facts on Healing Ailments with Aromatherapy.” (2006). Aromacures. Available September 12, 2007 from “Methods of Use.” (2007). Quintessence Aromatherapy. Available September 12, 2007 from Urbick, Steve. (2006). “Aroma Therapy - Alternative Medicine of the Future!” Buzzle. Available September 12, 2007 from Read More