Aromatherapy:
An Overview
- by KissMeGoodnight.com
Literally,
aromatherapy means “a treatment using scents.” You have probably heard the word and had a vague
idea of what it means, but do you really know what aromatherapy
it is? It is actually a holistic treatment. It is usually used
to take care of the human body through the use of scents and
fragrances. These scents are made into a part of baths, are
inhaled directly, or made to engulf an entire room in the smell.
Holistic healers use it to treat pain, skin disorders, stress
and even fatigue. It is true that it is often effective as
the brain is stimulated through the fragrances via the nerves
in the olfactory system, which gives you the ability to smell.
Of all the alternative
medicines out there, aromatherapy is
the fastest growing. That is because it can easily be used
at home, in hospitals, in offices, or virtually anywhere. It
is used to help labor pains, migraines, and any number of other
discomforts. It has even been used to alleviate the pain and
discomfort associated with chemotherapy.
Where did aroma therapy come from, though? It has actually
been around a long time, 6000 years in fact. Aromatherapy was
used by ancient Greeks, the pyramid building Egyptians, and
through out the Roman Empire. Scents and fragrances were even
used in the burial of the dead and embalmment. It regained
popularity in 1930 when the term was coined by a chemist, Frenchman
Rene Maurice Gattefosse.
So
how does the whole aromatherapy thing work? Basically the
idea is to stimulate your sense of smell, which is powerful.
Scientists know that the odors we smell often times can have
a big impact on how we feel emotionally. IN fact, doctors have
found that patients who lose their sense of smell can often
end up with psychiatric problems like depression or anxiety.
Many experts believe that scents travel through the cilia in
our noses and into the limbic system. The limbic system is
the part of the brain that controls our mood, memory, emotions,
and ability to learn new things. As a result, there are a number
of ways that aromatherapy can help. There is evidence that
it can help with behavior, sleep problems, postpartum discomfort,
colds, stress, and even male sexual response. The point is
that aromatherapy has a number of uses that range greatly.
For the most part, aromatherapy
is completely safe. There
are, though, some safety issues to keep in mind when working
with it, especially on your own. Remember, first of all, that
the oils used are often very potent, don’t use too much. If
you use too much it actually loses its effect and can actually
become a negative. You should also be aware of allergies you
or others around you may have in response to certain scents
and oils. Do not consume any essential scented oils as some
are very toxic. Keep these things in mind and you can have
a successful aromatherapy experience.
If you are thinking of getting into aromatherapy, there are
some beginner ways to do so. First of all, it is best to start
with easy aromatherapies like candles and bath oils. You may
want to look at some lotions in your local holistic shop as
well. Start with some of the more basic scents and oils as
well. For instance, Clary Sage is a good one to start with.
It I used to treat everything from menstrual problems, to high
blood pressure, to stress. It is easy to get and easy to use.
Also, you may want to get your hands on some Eucalyptus, which
is good for muscle soreness, skin infection, and is used as
an insect repellant.
So you may be into holistic medicine and not even know it.
Aromatherapy is a fantastic first step into that world, or
simply an accent to traditional medicines. With roots in some
of the great ancient civilizations, aromatherapy has survived
the test of time and doesn’t look to be going anywhere any
time soon. It is something you can use easily in many places
and can get started in easy. There are a number of books and
websites that can help you get your aromatherapy started with
very little baseline knowledge.
Click here for the largest selection (over 15,000) and best prices (up to 80% off) for perfumes and colognes. It's my KissMegoodnight recommendation.
# # # # #
KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
>
Home > Fragrances,
Perfumes & Colognes: Main Page
|
