Aromatherapy • A therapy that uses aroma, or essential oils, to improve your quality of life.
History • Aromatherapy is thought to be at least 6,000 years old. • The Egyptians where discovered to use it. • A medical papyri from around 1555BC contained remedies for various types of illnesses.
Changes • The technique to extract oil from plants have changes since that time. • They uses to squeeze the oils from the plants with their hands Which was known as Expression. • We now have more modern techniques.
Hysterical Applications • The Egyptians were fond of the perfumes made from these oils. • Traces have been found in perfume bottles in their burial tombs. • Paintings on the walls show ladies with elaborate head wear that was thought to be perfume distributors.
Other People • Indians of North America also used Aromatherapy. • Aromatic oils where used to produce herbal remedies.
More History • A French chemist, Rene Maurice Gattefosse found that lavender oil when applied to a burn had healing properties. • In 1937 he published a book about anti-microbial effects of oils and coined the term “Aromatherapy”. • He went on to set up a business selling essential oils.
Opinions • Many doctors say that Aromatherapy has no significant effect on health. • Relief stems from emotional response to the pleasing scents, rather than any physiological effects.
Uses for Aromatherapy • Reduction of stress • Enhance relaxation • Relive anxiety • Improving well-being • Relieving psychosomatic symptoms • Relieves emotionally related disorders
In some cases it helped • Insomnia • Impotence • Pain of arthritis • Postpartum discomfort • However, medical science can find no physical reasons for these effects.
Common Essential Oils and Uses • Lavender- heals burns and cuts, destroys bacteria • Peppermint- alleviates digestive problems; relieves headaches, and muscle pain • Eucalyptus- lowers fever • Tea Tree- Fights fungal, yeast, and bacterial infections • Thyme- relieves pain in joints
Warning • High concentrated oils, when taken internally can cause toxic overdoses. • Do Not ingest even the tiniest amount without your doctor’s approval.
Ways of Treatment for Aromatherapy • Inhalation- add essential oils to bowl of steaming water, place towel over head and bowl, and breath deeply the scented vapors • Diffusion- spraying oil- containing compounds into the air • Message- Rubbing aromatic oil into the skin • Bathing- Add oil to a tub of water. Full bath, hand, foot, or sponge bath.
More • Hot & Cold Compresses- for muscle aches and pains, bruises, or headaches
Aromatherapy Recipes • Acne Blend • Air Freshener • Bath Oil • Carpet Deodorizer • Dry Hand Lotion • Facial Scrub • Shampoo
Licensing • There is no formal licensing procedure for Aromatherapy in the United States. • Aromatherapy is usually combined in other licensed fields of practice • Chiropractors • Psychologists • Message Therapists