AROMATHERAPY
Humans have been using aromatherapy in some form or another for thousands of years. Aromatic plants have been burnt in fires; scented flowers have been used in rituals. Many civilizations used perfumes and scented oils in their secular and spiritual lives. The Egyptians imported plants for embalming, ceremonies, scented balms and the like. Aromatic plants also have played heavily in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for millennia. Developing on knowledge from the Egyptians, Greek and Roman cultures continued the extensive use of these plants in religious ceremonies and maintaining physical and emotional health. During the middles ages, the Arabs improved on the distillation process and their medical knowledge flourished. The Renaissance brought the rebirth of herbal medicine to Western Europe, and perfumery started evolving as a separate profession.
Modern aromatherapy has its roots in the work of Rene Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist who was the one to coin the term 'aromatherapy' in the 1930s. He researched the therapeutic properties of essential oils after an accident in his laboratory burned his arm and he mistakenly treated the wound with lavender resulting in a quick and healthy recovery. Dr. Jean Valnet, who researched the wound healing properties of essential oils, was the first to have an aromatherapy book published in English in 1964, "The Art of Aromatherapy" The French model of aromatherapy is very medical and doctors prescribe the external and internal use of essential oils. Marguerite Maury, a French biochemist, introduced aromatherapy to the beauty industry in England, with the focus on massage and skin care. Today research is being carried out throughout the world and more essential oils and essential oil constituents are making their way into medicines.
Many people are familiar with the topical use of essential oils. When applied to the skin, the fat-soluble chemicals that make up the essential oil are absorbed directly through the skin cells and pass into the blood and lymph vessels and are carried throughout the body. This route is good for skin and wound care, tight muscles, and managing pain. We also know of the profound effects of inhaling aromas. Essential oils can also trigger olfactory receptors which pass nerve signals on to the limbic system, an area of the brain responsible for instinct, mood, memory, and emotions. The limbic system interacts with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands and can influence the nervous and endocrine systems. This route affects hormone production, stress, and behaviour (e.g. aphrodisiacs!).
Essential oils may act on many levels. Their chemical components can be viewed as drugs, acting in a physical manner. They work on mental and emotional levels, either through physical action or associated memories. They also work on a spiritual or quantum physics level, with the vibrations of the molecules lifting those of their surroundings to a higher vibratory level.
A typical treatment will involve an interview about the client's health history and desired treatment outcomes. Each aromatherapy session will be individually tailored to suit the client's needs. Relaxing background music will set the stage while appropriate oils and blends are chosen and administered through various methods including foot baths, massages, compresses, inhalations, intensive (topical) doses, or ointments. Depending on the methods used, clients will either remain clothed or will be draped so as to only allow access to the areas to be worked.