Aromatherapy is a healing therapy that utilizes the properties and aromas of essential plant oils. When we take time to smell the roses, then there may be more to it than we think. Rose essential oil itself has many properties it is an antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericide, laxative, sedative and heart tonic, to mention a few.

Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils skillfully and in a controlled manner to influence mind, body and soul for physical and emotional health and wellbeing. The modern usage of the word 'aromatherapy' originated with the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse. In the 1920s he suffered burns on his arm and hand in a laboratory accident. He plunged his arm into a container of pure lavender essential oil, mistaking it for water. Despite third degree burns he made a speedy recovery with no scarring. He subsequently researched the properties of lavender that caused this recovery and passed his findings on to the medical profession. During World War II, lavender oil was used to help save soldiers limbs that were being lost to gangrene.

The History of Aromatherapy

However, the use of plants, aromas and natural ingredients for healing and improving health dates back thousands of years. Essential oils were used by the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, the Middle East, India and Greece.

In Egypt, exotic perfumes were used in abundance by the Pharaohs and their families. Oils were used for embalming. In the temples they were used as offerings to the gods. The Greeks and the Romans were famous for the use of aromatic oils and massage in their bath houses. In the Middle East plants were used widely for their medicinal and therapeutic properties. Oils and aromatic medicines were brought to Europe from the Middle East by the crusaders. Aromatherapy developed during the middle Ages in Europe into one of the most sought after forms of natural healing.

In India, the use of essential oils has been part of Ayurveda. Ancient Indian texts contain records of essential oils, their medicinal usage and even their cosmetic benefits. The ancient India, women used many of these oils to beautify and perfume themselves. Essential oils form the ingredients of many Ayurvedic prescriptions and formulations, along with herbal extracts. Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, in fact, contains vast information on the properties of thousands of plants, their methods of extraction and their practical applications.

It must be mentioned that essential oils have to be used with caution, as their action can be highly potent when applied directly on the skin. For massage and treatments, they are diluted with other oils, like almond, olive or sesame seed oils, which are called carrier oils. Two or three essential oils can be used in combination with such carrier oils, to achieve specific cures or benefits. They can also be added to bath water and water for inhalation. Many varieties of flowers are used to extract essential oils.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils occur widely in the plant kingdom and are sometimes referred to as the plants' life force. They are minute drops of liquid occurring in glands, hairs or veins of flowers, leaves, seeds, bark and wood, resin, roots or fruit peel of the plant. They give the plant its very specific scent. These droplets are a mixture of complex, organic compounds. When extracted they are highly concentrated and volatile (which means that they turn quickly from liquid to gas at room temperature and higher). In lavender, they occur in the flowering tops of lavender, in oranges in the peel and in rosemary in the leaves. The most common form of extraction is by steam distillation.

Popular Aromatherapy Oils

Essential oils are derived from leaves, flowers, roots, the peel of certain fruits and other parts of aromatic plants. Hundreds of plants have been used over the centuries for medicinal and therapeutic purposes and for general wellbeing. Modern aromatherapy uses a more limited selection, though their effects are wide-ranging.

Here is a selection of some of the most popular and safest oils for home use. This is not a complete reference for all essential oils. Study the guide and refer to it before using your essential oils. In particular, be aware of any special cautions advises.

Basil

Plant part used: Flowering sweet basil tops and leaves.

Main benefits: used for nervous insomnia, anxiety and tiredness. Helpful for insect bites, headaches, muscular aches and pains.

Blending suggestions: Blends well with eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemon, rosemary, peppermint, pine, thyme and tea tree.

Cautions: Avoid during pregnancy. Use with caution on sensitive skin as it can be an irritant.

Bergamot

Plant part used: Peel of the bitter orange.

Main benefits: Good for relaxing tight, aching muscles.

Blending suggestions: For massage, bergamot is extremely versatile and can lift any blend. Try it with marjoram, jasmine and rose or sandalwood.

Cautions: Do not use when going in the sun.