Holistic Health Corner

Aromatherapy

By: Kristen A. Oberle

Posted: 1/27/10

You walk into your favorite spa for a massage and the massage therapist gives you a basket of small glass bottles and says, "Pick a scented oil for your massage." You look at the different bottles and choose lavender, the one you know, and wonder what the other oils are for and why your massage therapist offers these oils? Your massage therapist explains they are aromatherapy oils and you wonder, what is aromatherapy? Why do you use aromatherapy? How is aromatherapy used? Is aromatherapy safe?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for physical and emotional benefits. Essential oils can be inhaled (candles/heated oil), sprayed on fabrics or rubbed on the body for therapeutic effects. If smelled, the molecules enter the lungs and the bloodstream where it stimulates the brain's limbic system. The molecule will cause a calming or stimulating effect. If rubed on the skin, the oil is absorbed in the skin and then is carried by the blood to the various organs for the benefit. It can also work on the skin itself for an antiseptic or antibacterial effect for burns, infections and athlete's foot. Regular use of essential oils can create dramatic and lasting positive effects on a person's health. These oils can not only lift a person's mood but help with headaches, stress, anxiety, back pain, insomnia, and arthritis.

These essential oils have been used for centuries dating back to the bible era. Cleopatra, the ancient Greeks, and the Romans used these oils for medical treatments. A French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse named this practice of using oils for health purposes "aromatherapie." He claimed that these oils can be used for therapeutic effects. Today in the year 2010 there are numerous aromatherapy products on the market. You can find lavender oils in candles, bath salts, body soap, room sprays and so on. However most of these products over the counter have small amounts of the therapeutic oil in them and more additives and impurities for a long shelf life. They may have a nice fragrance, but what is missing is the therapeutic effect of the particular oil. So how do we get the best benefit from these oils and how do you use them?

Essential oils are liquids that are extracted from flowers, plants, seeds, and roots. These liquids are found in the glands, sacs, and veins of the different plants. These liquids are very delicate and can be destroyed by heat, sunlight, and long exposure to air (oxygen). This is why the best oils are stored in small dark colored bottles. The darker and smaller the bottles the better! Synthetic oils are chemicals derived from coal tar and not plants. Pure essential oils are derived from the plants. Synthetic oils can smell like the real thing and have a longer shelf life but have no therapeutic value.

You should be careful how you buy and store your essential oil. First you should keep them out of the sunlight and only buy oils in dark colored bottles. Second you should store them in a box or cabinet away from heat or changes in temperature, no bathrooms. Make sure they are not in bottles with rubber tipped droppers where air can get in the bottle. Most of your essential oils will last for two to three years except for citrus oils which only last for six months or less. The oils can be refrigerated to extend their life a bit if desired. My favorite sites for information about essential oils are www.lizgardenaromatherapy.com (who is my wholesaler), http://nature-helps.com/agora.html, and www.naha.org. They are packed with information on aromatherapy and can help you find an aroma therapist near you.

Are they safe? Well, essential oils have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic values. However, just because they are natural does not mean they are completely harmless. Just as with certain foods and medicine, not every person can use these oils. You should keep these essential oils away from children and pets. Do not use them on or near your eyes or mucous membranes. If you have high blood pressure or epilepsy, do not use Rosemary, Thyme, or Basil oils. Do not use essential oils if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not use essential oils if you are going out into the sun, especially bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, tangerine, orange, and verbena.

Have your massage therapist or aroma therapist do a skin patch test to see if you have an allergy to a specific oil. It is always best to consult an aroma therapist or doctor before you use any essential oil to make sure you are using them safely and it is not interacting with any medications you may be taking. Two oils that should ONLY be used by an aroma therapist are Birch and Wintergreen. It is not safe to use them on your own. Two oils banned from use because they are found to be carcinogenic are calamus and sassafras, so stay away from those oils. Other oils that should only be used by an aroma therapist are horseradish, mugwort, mustard, rue, bitter almond, yellow camphor, southernwood, tansy and wormwood.
What effect can these oils have? Lavender, Marjoram, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, and Chamomile can have a relaxing effect. Basil, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Rosemary, and Lemon can have a stimulating effect. Sandalwood, Cedar, and Vetivert can have a grounding effect. Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot can have a balancing effect on the body. When you go for a massage, the massage therapist may blend these oils into a carrier oil like coconut oil (my favorite for massages). Pure essential oils are so highly concentrated that they need to be diluted in a refined oil.

The three oils that I use regularly are lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils. Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) can be used in massage oils for relaxation. A drop of Lavender oil on a pillowcase before you go to bed can help relax you and lull you to sleep. Lavender on the temples or back of the neck can help relieve a headache. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a powerful anti fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial oil. I use this oil during a foot reflexology session or if a client has athletes foot. Tea tree oil is great for Atheletes foot, toenail fungus, other fungal infections, or acne treatments. Tea tree is great to use in steam inhalation machines to fight sinus infections. Tea Tree oil can also help with mosquito bites and bee stings. The third oil is Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiate) which is a powerful bactericidal and antiviral. It is great for respiratory infections and allergies. Put a drop of eucalyptus oil in your box of tissues to help clear you nose every time you blow. Eucalyptus is used in the popular brand called Vicks and is widely used in sinus facials in spas.