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What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using botanical essential oils to create and maintain physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. It is also the use of pure, natural essential oils (all of which have scents) in health and beauty treatments. Aromatherapy is holistic and enjoyable. Real aromatherapy uses only the highest quality essential oils, and it works not only from the scent but also from applying the oils through massage, bathing and skin care products. Artificial oils, poorly distilled oils, or oils that have had other ingredients added to them are not healthful.
Professional aromatherapists, massage therapists, estheticians and physicians who have been trained in aromatherapy know the biochemical effect of each oil. Aromatherapy is used in hospitals, clinics and home care to augment the treatment of a wide range of illnesses. At home, aromatherapy can prevent the spread of flu and other infections; create a peaceful or festive atmosphere; enhance romance; repel mosquitoes and lice; perform first-aid for cuts, burns and bruises; and much more.
History of Aromatherapy
The art and science of aromatic medicine is more than six thousand years old. Egyptians used some of the oldest known oils, like Myrrh and Juniper, for embalming, healing preparations, massage, perfumes and skin care. In ancient India, Ayurvedic medicine included massage with Sandalwood oil. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates recommended aromatic baths and massage with oils of Marjoram, Cypress and Myrrh. In China, essential oils of Rose, Jasmine and Chamomile were used as tonics.
Aromatic herbal extracts and essential oils continued to be used throughout Europe and the East, as more plants were discovered to be beneficial and methods of extraction became more sophisticated. Thyme, Rosemary and Lavender were used as antiseptics in Europe during the Middle Ages. Tea TreeThyme were used as antiseptics during World War II. and
For centuries, essential oils were accepted for their medicinal value. But with the advent of modern medicine and the scientific laboratory, natural remedies were pushed aside in favor of synthetically produced chemicals. Essential oils became useful only to the flavor and fragrance industries. Here too the cheaper synthetic chemicals often replaced essential oils.
The therapeutic use of essential oils began its revival in 1910 when Rene-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist, coined the word "aromatherapy." He had already begun to study the effects of essential oils, when he burned his hand in a laboratory explosion. He immersed it in Lavender oil and continued to treat it this way. He was amazed at how the pain was relieved. Gangrene was prevented and the hand healed without undue scarring.
Today in France, as well as in many other countries, many doctors practice aromatherapy, and essential oils are easily available in pharmacies. In the United States, aromatherapy is widely used by massage therapists and is gaining recognition among estheticians, nurses, therapists, and doctors.
Excerpt from "Aromatherapy for Every Day" by Christoph Streicher and Karla Christensen.
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