| Unless you've been asleep for the past few years, | | | | these components (whether through inhalation, or |
| you've probably heard something about aromatherapy. | | | | through direct application through massage or the like). |
| In fact, you might even be interested in learning more | | | | There are a number of ways aromatherapy is utilized, |
| about aromatherapy, and the benefits it possesses. | | | | including: direct inhalation, steam inhalation (using a |
| Aromatherapy has actually been around for at least | | | | vaporizer or similar), in personal care products (added |
| six thousand years. It was used in China in the form of | | | | to creams, soaps, lotions etc), in a clay pot diffuser, a |
| incense burned in temples, and in the oils the ancient | | | | lamp ring diffuser or a nebulizing electric diffuser, or |
| Egyptians used in embalming and other rituals. In some | | | | through massage with a carrier oil. There are also |
| form or another, aromatherapy has been utilized in | | | | aromatherapy candles on the market, which when |
| human civilization ever since. | | | | burned release the essential oils into the atmosphere in |
| However, it's only in recent years that aromatherapy | | | | a similar way to a diffuser. Another common use of |
| has really come into its own. In fact, only now is it being | | | | essential oils is in bathing, where a few drops of an |
| seen as a genuine science, as well as an ancient art. | | | | essential oil are added to bath water, and mixed in |
| To many people, the idea of aromatherapy is just that: | | | | vigorously. This is an excellent way for the user to |
| therapy derived from aromas. But in actual fact, it's | | | | both inhale the aromas, as well as absorb the |
| much more. Aromatherapy involves the utilization of | | | | compounds through the skin. |
| essential oils, which are oils derived from plant matter | | | | However, before you get stuck straight into the use of |
| (these oils are generally extracted by distillation, | | | | aromatherapy, remember that natural does not |
| although other methods are often employed to do so). | | | | necessarily equal safe! Essential oils contain powerful - |
| The plant parts used include leaves, flowers, stems, | | | | often toxic - ingredients, and must be used with care. |
| bark, roots, even the rinds of fruits. These essential oils | | | | Many essential oils can not be applied directly to the |
| don't actually feel "oily" as such, but they are miscible in | | | | skin (as they are highly irritating) and the majority |
| oil, which gives them their oily nature. They're very | | | | should not be ingested on any circumstances. |
| volatile, which accounts for their strong aroma, and | | | | Remember also that when it comes to essential oils, |
| contain a multitude of chemical compounds. | | | | less really is more. A few drops of any essential oil is |
| Aromatherapy has been shown to be beneficial for a | | | | all you need. Adding more will not increase the power |
| number of conditions, ranging from physical to mental | | | | of the essential oil, and may instead produce |
| ailments. Aromatherapy is particularly beneficial for | | | | deleterious effects (not to mention wasting the |
| stress (lavender oil is commonly used as a | | | | essential oil, many of which are quite expensive). |
| de-stressor), and many essential oils have an | | | | Before using essential oils, it's a good idea to read |
| antibacterial or antifungal action, and can be applied | | | | more about them. You'll find several great resources |
| directly to the skin (tea tree oil is an excellent example | | | | both online and offline detailing the effects and uses of |
| of this). It's not widely understood why essential oils | | | | the most common essential oils. You'll also learn more |
| have the effects on the body they do, but it's most | | | | about blending essential oils for maximum effect, and |
| likely to do with the complex chemical structure of the | | | | any safety considerations you have to be aware of. |
| essential oils, and the fact that the body can absorb | | | | |