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What Is Aromatherapy? Beyond ‘Just Smelling Nice’
Posted by Haley Morton at Mar 3rd, 2009 in Nutrition
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Aromatherapy’? For many folks, it conjures an image of plastic Glade Plug-In air fresheners; for others, a bottle of flowery dish soap. For a fortunate few, a pleasing bath with natural soothing scents comes to mind; for even fewer, a cold-air diffuser releasing a fine mist of pure Rose petal oil throughout their home. The rarest concept of Aromatherapy in these United States is one of highly potent medicines, effective against a broad range of bacteria and viruses, with further uses including relief of arthritis pain, stomach discomfort, sleeplessness, and a host of other conditions. If this is a new idea, read-on and enter the wonderful world of medicinal aromatherapy and therapeutic use of essential oils.
At it’s heart, Aromatherapy encompasses the entire branch of botanical medicine using volatile aromatic plant compounds for treatment of various medical conditions. The term was coined by a French scientist after his discovery of Lavender oil’s healing effects on burns he had sustained in the laboratory. The practice of ‘aroma’ therapy - or the inhalation of essential oils to make one ‘feel good’ - is more a delightful side-note than the primary healing benefit essential oils can provide. Many important actions of essential oils don’t even have to do with one’s sense of smell. Beyond acting on the psyche through the limbic system (the ‘emotional’ center of the brain, immediately affected by the smell sense), many essential oils have proven antibiotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, tissue-regenerative and other actions.
Effects of essential oils on the psyche, along with some biologic effects through the olfactory system, are an important aspect of their use; this should certainly not be discounted relative to the direct effects on the physiology. Many scientifically designed studies have confirmed the effects of aromatic oils on the mind and emotions. Your smell sense is the only one of the five senses directly connected to the brain - all other senses are routed first through the thalamus, then directed to the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. Each ’scent-sensing’ cell is a sort of chemical receiver - every receptor in the nose reacts to some scents and not others. Each of these scent-cells is directly linked to the brain by one nerve fiber. It is difficult to sense an aroma and ‘think’ about it before having a response - the signal does not travel first to the thought centers. Because each sensing cell is in direct contact with the chemical being sensed, and the cell is in directly wired to the brain, the nervous system’s response to smell is quick and powerful.
The olfactory sense is also closely tied to the limbic system, the center of emotions, sexual response, and the formation of many memories. Aroma receptor cells, when stimulated, respond in-kind by stimulating this important brain region. With such close ties continually being revealed between one’s emotional state and one’s physical well-being, it is no surprise that aromas can have such strong influences. Human studies have show the inhalation of natural aromatic oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting, relaxing, and/or clarifying, depending on the oil being inhaled (as opposed to synthetic ones, which do not have such effects).
Though we shouldn’t get distracted by the wonderful possibilities of aromas! The physiologic effects of essential oils are far more extensive than if used through the smell sense alone. Medical aromatherapy includes topical application, oral ingestion and natural suppository use of aromatic oils as well. Due to their molecular shapes and sizes, essential oils are remarkably compatible with human physiology. They are easily absorbed and well tolerated, for the most part, in small amounts. Essential oils are not cure-alls however, or placebo-effect-inducing nice smells - they are potent plant medicines, each with significantly different actions. Oregano oil is one of the most broad spectrum antimicrobials known; at the same time, it takes knowledge and skill to employ it properly as it is a strong skin irritant. Melissa oil has been hailed as a cure for Herpes Simplex virus infections by German researchers. Ginger oil has brought relief to sufferer’s of motion sickness, rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal parasites - but not to those with the Herpes virus. The list goes on; the take-home message is that oils CAN be effective if used properly, and improper use can not only be ineffective but even dangerous. That doesn’t mean essential oils are something to be afraid of - they deserve the respect given to any powerful medicine. Consult a qualified professional for ANY serious condition, and consider using essential oils if and when appropriate.
As the acceptance of healing with natural means continues to grow in the US, the concept of aromatherapy for many individuals will expand to include these important and exciting facets. More certified practitioners will be available to utilize essential oils to their true potential, and more ‘end users’ will aquire the knowledge to heal themselves with these incredible gifts from nature. Or should we simply push to change the name? Phyto-medicine Therapy? It does have a ring to it.
Tags: Nutrition
Any middleman, including Medicare, is interfering with health care. There’s no reason that people shouldn’t be paying directly unless they can’t afford it or it’s too expensive. The former group can be offered welfare, like they are for food and housing; in the case of unaffordable services like surgery and the treatment of serious diseases, we can use insurance, which works perfectly well when a minority of the clients need it.
I'm not sure if you are asking for opinions about whether one is better than the other or what the forms of these are. I'll give it my best shot.
There are medications one can take for stress. Sometimes that is the only way people will let themselves be treated. I have read in some of the medical literature that people get antsy and upset when their doctor suggests that maybe they need to seek out the services of a psychiatrist or therapist. They'll take the pills over talk therapy.
Therapy has been shown to be just as helpful as medication in dealing with stress and depression. Sometimes people need the extra help from medication, but when used in conjunction with therapy, people seem to do better long-term.
Therapy, esp. for stress, involves a person learning what things cause stress, determining how the body reacts, and learning ways to not get so stressed. Since that doesn't involve medication, that might be alternative health, but the two are happening more in tandem all the time.
As for alternative medicine, even herbs and remedies that people take are medicines of some kind. Food is a medicine. Acupuncture can be great for stress. Yoga is very effective as well. Physical exercise is a good remedy for stress. Alternative medicine also requires a person to relearn ways to live…how to eat and drink, what to eat and drink, examining one's life to see what needs to change.
I think it can be very difficult to choose one approach over the other. They both have their place and can be very helpful when applied judiciously.
I hope this makes sense.
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I have worked out my whole life and taking some supplements that I probably should not have and as you implied it is certainly;y playing a toll on my tendons.If I only new at a younger age to take natural supplements like the opens found at this Cheers!Joshua Meyer
Aloha! Nutrition Kills | Cooking For All Ages
A vegetarian diet is easier to keep weight under control, as well as keeping your cholesterol lower, but a vegetarian needs to make sure that he/she is getting their protein (abundant in meat) from other sources. Beans for example have almost the same amount of protein as red meat, but with little fat content and is also a great source of fiber.
Here are a few interesting links on the subject:
Paula