The term “aromatherapy” may confuse anyone unfamiliar with the healing technique. After all, the word itself implies scent-only applications. In fact, aromatherapy encompasses any healing technique that uses essential oils. Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, roots, petals, seeds, bark or branch of a plant—from the smallest herb to the mightiest tree. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, aromatherapy has the potential to treat physical conditions as well as emotional ills.
Inhalation
While essential oils themselves have been used for thousands of years, the science of understanding how they work is somewhat in its infancy. “When you breathe in essential oil molecules, some researchers believe that they stimulate [the amygdala and hippocampus] of your brain and influence physical, emotional, and mental health,” UMMC notes on the university’s online fact sheet on aromatherapy. “Other researchers think that some molecules from essential oils may interact in the blood with hormones or enzymes.”
Methods of inhaling essential oils include adding them to electric vaporizers and diffusers. Aromatherapist Jeanne Rose, for example, shares two of her favorite relaxing diffuser blends. The first combination contains 5 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot and 1 drop clary sage oil. The second consists of 6 drops clary sage, 2 drops lavender and 1 drop ylang-ylang. If you’re unwilling to invest in a diffuser, buy a few bottles of essential oil and add them to a pot of simmering water or even to a clean cloth which can be inhaled from time to time. Quality aroma candles and scent wands are also available.
Massage
Using essential oils in massage combines the powers of inhalation therapy with the healing properties absorbed by the skin. A study conducted at London’s Marie Curie Cancer Care examined the effects of cancer patients massaged with Roman chamomile oil compared to those receiving regular massage. “The addition of an essential oil seems to enhance the effect of massage and to improve physical and psychological symptoms as well as overall quality of life,” researchers concluded.
Add 15 drops of an essential oil blend to 1 oz. carrier oil, including olive, jojoba or sweet almond oils.For treating tense or sore muscles, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)’s top choices of essential oils includes peppermint, rosemary, clary sage, ylang ylang and Roman chamomile.
Bath
With a bath, you not only breathe the healing vapors of your chosen essential oils, but add the benefits of heat to loosen and soothe sore muscles and other aches. For example, a warm bath provides relief from menstrual cramps, according to the New York Times.
Five drops of essential oil added to bathwater may provide relief from cramps, stress, fatigue or illness, depending on the oils you use. Healing essential oils recommended by NAHA include eucalyptus for colds and cough, tea tree oil for fungal infections and peppermint for headache and indigestion. A good bedtime bath blend combines Roman chamomile, clary sage and ylang ylang for relaxation. A rejuvenating morning bath or alcohol rub might contain rosemary and lemon.
Additional Methods
Other forms of aromatherapy include specially-formulated perfumes and scented bath salts containing essential oils. Make a simple disinfecting spray by adding a few drops tea tree, thyme, lavender or eucalyptus oil to a spray bottle filled with water. These sprays work well in rooms occupied by people with colds, coughs or the flu.
About this Author
Melissa Jordan-Reilly has been a writer for 20 years, both as a newspaper reporter and as an editor of nonprofit newsletters. Among the publications in which she has published are, “The Winsted Journal,” “Taconic” and “Compass Magazine.” A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Jordan-Reilly also pursues sustainable agriculture techniques and tends a market garden at her Northwestern Connecticut home.
