Aromatherapy is an increasingly popular and accessible form of treatment based on the use of highly concentrated essential oils obtained from plants. Its application has an extraordinarily high potential, since essential oils can be used to improve the quality and feeling of health and well-being on a physical, emotional and mental level.
Aromatherapy and aromatherapists
Aromatherapists are prepared not only on essential oils and their action, but also on how the body works; therefore, the study of anatomy and physiology is an essential element of the aromatherapy specialization.
Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment: the expert will therefore seek to improve the patient's overall health, rather than treat specific symptoms. For this reason, the expert will spend a lot of time on the initial consultation, exploring the general lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, sleep habits and the quality of sleep. For example, it is likely that an aromatherapist will cure muscular pains, and the suffering that results from the relative muscular tension, by prescribing a mixture of oils that act specifically on the tense muscle tissue, but which may be equally appropriate for relieving stress. It is also possible that the aromatherapist gives advice on general methods to reduce stress, such as an increase in physical activity, the use of a relaxation technique and the reduction of the consumption of foods and drinks that contribute negatively to the stress accumulated in the mind and in the body.
Aromatherapists are mainly experienced in their art, a preparation supplemented by knowledge of anatomy and physiology, or they can practice conventional medicine first with an additional qualification in aromatherapy. As interest in complementary medicine grows, a growing number of health personnel are becoming increasingly familiar with aromatherapy as a valuable aid in the care of patients who want to recover perfect health as soon as possible.
Definition of orientation
The therapeutic use of odorous inhalations from aromatic plants goes back to the origins of humanity. Today, aromatherapy is starting to arouse interest. While awaiting a coherent theory, the effective influence of fragrant fragrances on mood and their relationship with human physiology are evident.
What is evident is the actual influence of fragrance fragrances on mood, and their relationship with human physiology, even if there is still no consistent theory in this regard. The observations are above all of an empirical nature and, at times, in conflict with each other, so much so that within the aromatherapy literature itself, there are quite a few contradictions.
Definition of value
Much of aromatherapy is based on the following considerations:
- The use of essences at low dosages, for example through odorous inhalations, requires the synergistic help of external factors that facilitate a relaxed state of mind. For example, a massage or a bath are moments of relaxation in which the perfumed essences can be introduced with good results. On the contrary, a product based on essential oils sprayed on the skin before a busy working day will not induce the same beneficial effects.
Excellent results are obtained using essential oils for therapeutic massages. During the massage, the essential oils are absorbed both by the skin and by olfactory inhalation, thus adding levels of physiological response to the olfactory / emotional response.
- The essences with an unpleasant scent do not seem to have the same possibilities of access to the nervous system which, on the other hand, have essences with a "good smell", since the brain tries to exclude "bad smells", for example, through a reduction of inspiration. Therefore, essential oils such as valerian or asafetida (notoriously unpleasant) are not suitable for an anti-stress perfume or a relaxing massage oil, even if, taken orally, they have sedative effects (see the use of valerian for those who have problems in taking sleep). In the case of prayer, the aesthetic quality (pleasant or unpleasant) of the inhaled essence becomes very important.
- Absorption of essential oils through the skin has been amply demonstrated. To be used during the massage, the essential oils are diluted in a quantity that varies from one to 5% in vegetable oil (such as almond oil, jojoba oil, etc.). The amount of essence that is absorbed through the skin during a massage over the whole body is approximately 0.1 ml; ie the same dose used for oral administration.
- The effectiveness of the dosages and dilutions used in aromatherapy is currently the subject of extensive research, as it has been experimented that low dosages of essential oils can give opposite effects to those obtained with higher dosages, so an oil can be stimulating at low dosages and sedative with higher dosages, or vice versa. This aspect of aromatherapy is reminiscent of homeopathic medicines, for which the more diluted a substance is, the more powerful its effect.
