Introduction To Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an alternative health science that is based on a more holistic approach to dealing with health problems and complaints.

It is a totally natural, non-invasive (which means it does not require surgery etc) treatment and looks at the person as a whole as opposed to just isolating the
disease or illness and dealing with that only. In fact, on the whole Western medicine tends to isolate problem areas and health concerns of their patients and deal with them in isolation. Whereas in Eastern medicine, which tends to be usually alternative medicine, there is a more holistic approach which looks at the body as a whole system working together so that when there is a medical problem in one area - the alternative medicine practitioner will determine the best method to get the body functioning as a whole once again.

Aromatherapy is both an art and a science and involves the use of naturally extracted aromatic plant extracts in aiding the health of the mind, body and spirit.
Aromatherapy essential oils and essences seek to harmonize and rebalance the body with a view to enhancing the body's own healing process so that the body
is capable of regulating, maintaining and healing itself. Aromatherapy also works on many different levels, including emotional and physical levels, to bring relief.

There are a vast array of conditions for which Aromatherapy has provided relief and beneficial results. These include:

Treating skincare complaints such as dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, cellulite, varicose veins and stretch marks, to name but a few.

Aromatherapy can also provide benefits to emotional problems such as: depression, hysteria, lack of concentration, irritability, panic attacks, Insomnia and moodiness, amongst others.

Aromatherapy has been known to treat: burns, bruises, sprains and strains, asthma, bronchitis, flu, muscular aches and pains, skin inflammation and digestive problems such as constipation.

So, exactly what does Aromatherapy involve?

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils and essences. In fact it is an art which has to be properly learnt.
If you are seeking aromatherapy treatments, you must ensure you are dealing with a qualified aromatherapy practitioner as using essential oils is a precise and learned science.

Further, if used incorrectly, they can do more harm than good as essential oils tend to be highly concentrated extracts which are obtained by distilling a variety of plant materials such as flowers, leaves, fruit peel, wood, grasses etc.

An essential oil is one which is made by distilling it with either water or steam or by processing it mechanically (especially in the case of citrus rinds) or by dry distillation of natural materials. After the distillation process, the essential oil becomes physically separated from the water phase.

Essential oils are not greasy and many of them do not leave oily marks behind. These oils are very easily penetrated through the skin and get absorbed into the bloodstream where they will be absorbed at different rates throughout the body.