My First Opinion!! (Aromatherapy)

Member Name:

Product:	Aromatherapy
Date:	24/09/01 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: See Op.

Disadvantages: See Op.

Over the last few decades or so, these natural healing or complimentary methods of healing, or what most people refer to as alternative methods, have suddenly become popular and is now even approved by health agencies the world over. Medical herbalism, homeopathy, aromatherapy, shiatsu, acupuncture, osteopathy and reflexology are just some examples of natural healing methods. Calling these methods ‘alternative’ is certainly an underestimation of what these therapies can do for one’s health and well-being and not to mention the fact that these methods have been employed for centuries and has been proven effective. They are certainly not new, and there were even times when the therapeutic use of herbs and essential oils were frowned upon, officially banned or even branded as methods of witchcraft! Unlike any modern drugs, plant remedies have been tried and tested over the centuries with any side effects or environmental consequences carefully noted. With bacteria, or what is called superbugs, being more susceptible to stronger antibiotics, the public is beginning to resort to more natural ways of tackling illnesses as simple as a common cough or cold. People are also more concerned with ‘green’ issues and the effect of chemicals on the whole eco-system.

One such natural method that is gaining popularity in the past two decades or so is aromatherapy. At first impression, the name itself would suggest treatment of well-being only through inhalation of fragrant plant oils. This is a common misconception and in fact, aromatherapy targets the individual as a whole, which means, focussing on the person’s emotional and mental disposition. It has been proven that certain essential oils used in this form of treatment when applied topically can produce physiological effects as they are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Essential oils are now well presented in health books that it has become so easy to use that all kind
s of people can employ simple concoctions or blends to enhance their health without having to refer to health professionals. Obviously, for maximum results, it is best if a trained professional therapist is consulted especially for the treatment of serious medical conditions.

Essential oils are the essential part of aromatherapy. They are usually applied topically onto the skin in massages, used in steam inhalation preparations, some can even be taken internally, for example, a few drops of lemon oil can be mixed with mayonnaise to complement fish dishes, used in the bath, and traditionally, they were used in perfumery preparations. Because essential oils are concentrated and volatile, only a small amount will provide maximum results. Therefore, they are blended with base carrier oils. Some examples of the more commonly used base carrier oils are sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil. Some essential oils can be applied neat, ie. without the need to blend with base oils, but some are too strong and must be mixed. Taking essential oils internally can cause adverse reactions and can be lethal, so for novices, it is best if they do not ingest any essential oils.

Most health books would recommend five basic essential oils for general hair and skin use. These are:
1. Rose oil – the reason why so many brand at the high end of the market use this so much in their products is, apart from its rich, feminine smell, because it helps in the daily process of skin repair such as in wound-healing and treating broken veins. Rose absolute oil is also one of those that is particularly expensive. One can spend more than £14 just for a 2.5 ml bottle of rose absolute rose oil!
2. Lavender – this is an absolutely wonder oil that should always be kept on the medical cabinet because it is such a versatile product. If one has no idea what to use for any sorts of ailments such as cuts, bruises, acne, aches, ba
ld patches, etc., this oil is the hero product to use, either neat or mixed with base oils, as it is a cicatrizant (wound-healing) which promotes tissue regeneration and prevents scarring. This is also cheap.
3. Chamomile – this is a well-known soothing remedy and is great for sensitive skin conditions. This is relatively expensive.
4. Neroli (orange blossom) – this has bactericidal and antiseptic agents with cytophylactic properties (encouraging formation of new skin cells). They have a fresh, and citrus-like smell and as an absolute, it is the most expensive oil in the market. It is about £18 for a 2.5 ml of absolute neroli oil!
5. Tea Tree – this is most popular known as having antiseptic, fungicidal and antiviral properties and is now widely available in chemist stores. The oil can be applied neat on cuts, warts, blemishes and oily skins and can be used in steam inhalations to treat coughs and colds. This is a cheap oil and is a handy oil to be kept in the house.

To me, learning about aromatherapy is a fun way of channeling my creative side to concocting my own blends and beauty products safely, of course, with the help of the many health books in the market. It is very relaxing and if the right essential oils are used, headaches and emotional distress will slowly creep away! I am not a qualified as an aromatherapist but in my opinion, you don’t have to have a qualification to enjoy its benefits as long as you understand the use of each essential oils along with their individual precautionary tags. Don’t worry about lethality as long as you follow the guidelines closely given in health books. Often, as long as you know the amount of essential oils that can be safely used in a blend, you can start mixing your own oils without following the recipes. For example, to make a facial oil blend, one should always used 0.5 – 1 % of an essential oil relative to a base carrier oil. So, for 15 ml of sweet almond o
il, one should use 1-3 drops of essential oils of your choice. It is very easy to get a hang of blending. I usually find myself blending my own facial massage oils to use on my boyfriend as he suffers from rhinitis and often needs massages to clear the air passage. It helps him relax and therefore get a good night’s sleep.

Often you find salon brands such as Decleor have formulated their own facial oils called aromessence oils, to be used in conjunction with your normal moisturisers. They often come with a huge price tag. Many would agree that they can easily make their own blends, but the cost of those pure essential (such as neroli absolute) and base oils used in the aromessence range are often too high that it deters anyone from doing so. The extensive researches by companies such as Decleor has basically taken out the guesswork out of which oils are suitable for which skin types and the quantities that can be safely used on the skin to produce maximum results.

To learn about aromatherapy and massage techniques along with various skincare and bodycare preparations, one can try out these few books that I refer to time and again (shown below). I can assure anyone who is interested, that once you start gaining knowledge of this form of therapy, you will be hooked! It is so simple to use and I have even started to make my own lip balms and toners as presents for family members.

1. The complete illustrated guide to aromatherapy – a practical approach to the use of essential oils for health and well-being, Julia Lawless, 1997
2. Neal’s Yard Remedies – natural health and body care – a comprehensive and informative guide to natural remedies, recipes and routines for the whole body, Aurum, 2000.
3. Natural Healing: remedies and therapies – nature’s way to health, relaxation and vitality: a complete practical guide, Mark Evans, 2001.

By Derek.

Summary: