Altruistic Aromas: The Basics of Aromatherapy

It is not secret that medical science have improved exponentially over the past century, yet some people swear by the healing methods that were prominent in the ancient times for a speedy recovery.  Enter aromatherapy.  Aromatherapy a type of therapy done with the use of essential oils from plants, and uses a combination of nature and science to help the healing process.  While we cannot condone that aromatherapy is the end-all and be-all, it is quite an interesting concept.  Read on to learn more! The practice of aromatherapy has been around for millennia, but it was recently documented by a French chemist in 1937.  This chemist found that the use of essential oils taken from plants can help balance the body and mind, promote healing, and give the recipient a better feel about themselves.  Essentially, aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils for holistic healing, as it is not a wholly accepted form of healing in the medical world.  For some it works, and for some it does not. While aromatherapy may seem like a great idea to you, its name can be a little misleading.  The recipient does not need to inhale the oils, as they can be massaged into the skin or taken by the mouth.  However, we must stress that you should never take essential oils by the mouth unless instructed by a health care professional. In a common aromatherapy session, the staff will ask your symptoms, and then ask for smells that you like.  Feel free to pick anything under the rainbow, as they are sure to have the scent that you are looking for on hand.  Then, the staff may massage the oils into your skin, or ask you to breathe in the vapor of some oils.  Each session can be different depending on who you see and what your symptoms are. Speaking of symptoms, aromatherapy can be used for a wide array of symptoms, from the common cold to anxiety and even to child birth, and recipients have noted that the therapy has had a positive impact on their symptoms.  Despite this, the scientific community is still a little skeptical on the results and methods. Aromatherapy may not be an accredited treatment method, but it may not be a bad idea if you need some relaxation time, or if everything you have thrown at your cold does not seem to work.  Essential oils are all-natural and non-invasive, and smell absolutely wonderful.  So, the next time you are thinking of ways to relax or to get over a little health spurt, consider aromatherapy!