| - By Deepti Singh and Santosh Kumar, Department of Horticulture, G.B.P.U.A.&T., Pantnagar Vijay Kumar Dhaundiyal, IAS, Additional Secretary, Technical and Medicinal Education, Uttarakhand |
| Aromatherapy is an ancient healing art utilizing the distillation process of plant materials to extract powerful concentrated essential oils. These oils have been effectively used for centuries around the world for therapeutic purposes such as fighting infections strengthening immune system, reducing emotional and mental stress. Aromatherapy is an emerging medicinal field that requires a comprehensive educational background in the scientific history and clinical internship. The rising popularity of this holistic therapy can be gauged from the fact that today the sense of smell is also being used as a therapy to treat a wide variety of ailments. Preventive treatments like aromatherapy are using blend of modern science and ancient wisdom to produce curatives which also doubles cosmetic aids. |
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In fact, the recuperative and soothing effect of flowers, plants and herbs have been known for centuries.Incense use in religious rituals possessed the properties to soothe the mind e.g., rose petals and Dhoop made from juniper shrubs plays a dual role both in religious and therapeutic sector. The essential oils are not concentrated from whole plant parts, but they are extracted from specific plant parts like flowers, roots, barks, leaves, resins, peels or grasses by a process known as steam distillation. Flowers, plants, herbs and spices and everyday items in our garden or even our food are natural antidote to different diseases. Aroma of flowers herbs, shrubs or spices has a tendency to control our senses at subconscious level. Olfactory nerves conduct small sensations to a part of brain which regulates our mood, emotions, memory and learning. Studies with brain wave frequency have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves which are associated with relaxation in the back of the head. Fragrance of jasmine increases beta waves which are associated with a more alert state in forehead.
In India, Ayurveda embraced herbs and aromatics as an important part of the philosophy of healing, using fresh herbs, dried herbs such as tea or herbs compounded into powder and often hand rolled into pills, using fresh plant juices. Aromatherapy has been around for over 6000 years. The Chinese are thought to be one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for good health. Later, the Egyptians invented a fundamental machine that allowed for the crude extraction of cedar wood oil. Their practices involved burning incense to create harmony and a sense of balance. In India and other ancient civilizations of theeast, plant essences were used for their fragrance to purify the air. Agarbatti and Dhoop are still in use as they were in ancient times in India.
Evolution of aromatherapy in the world took place when the Roman Empire built upon the knowledge of the Egyptian and Greeks. Discorides wrote a book called De Material that described the properties about 500 plants. He also studied distillation focusing the extraction of aromatic floral waters and not essential oils. In the 11th century, an Abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born. During the 14th century, it was believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by their constant contact with the natural aromaties. Within the 15th century, more plants were distilled to create essential oils including rose, juniper, sage, rosemary and frankincense. During the 16th century, purchasing oil for aromatherapy started. During the 16th and 17th centuries, perfume starting being considered an art, and was clearly defined as its own field. During the 19th century, perfumery remained as affluent industry. Women had their jewelers with special bottle to hold their treasured perfume. The modern era of aromatherapy dawned in 1930 when the French chemist René Maurice Gattefosse coined the term 'aromatherapy' for the therapeutic use of essential oils. He was fascinated by the benefits of lavender oil in healing his burnt hand without leaving any scars. He started investigating the effect of other essential oils for healing and for their psychotherapeutic benefits.
In 1937, Gattefosse wrote a book called Aromatherapy : les Huiles esentialles hormones vegetables that was translated into English and named Gattefosse's Aromatherapy. Other highly respected 20th century aromatherapist includes Jean Valnet, Madam Marguerite Maury and Robert B. Tisserand. The French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet is most remembered for his work using essential oils for treating injured soldiers during the war and for his book. During the World War II, he used essential oils as antiseptics. Later, Madame Marguerite Maury elevated aromatherapy as a holistic approach. She is also credited with the modern use of the essential oils in massage and prescribing them as remedy for her patients.
In early times, essential oil extraction involved pounding and subsequent extraction of the essential oil. Each essential oil contains as much as 100 chemical components, which together exert a strong effect on the whole person. Depending on which component is predominating in oil, action occurs differently. For example, some oils are relaxing, some soothing and some pain relieving. They have no harmful residues. The process of stem distillation, using ceramic or poultry stills was perfected three to four thousand years ago and is used till today. Trade and wars brought many new herbs to India from the Far East, the middle East, Egypt and Africa. Distillation expertise from Arabia allowed for the making of attars, using a codistillator method in which a very light volatile essential component like jasmine could be distilled with a very heavy essential oil component like sandalwood, where the heavier component trapped the light flowery aroma. Today essential oil production continues to be an important industry in many small villages where distillation apparatus designs have not yet changed since 3,000 years.
The aromatherapy treatment greatly varies according to different conditions to which it is used. Many people have claimed that the aromatherapy treatments work on people physically and psychologically, and this has been supported by a number of theories. The first portion of the theory on aromatherapy treatment explains the notion that when one smells an essential oil, it triggers limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls emotions, stores and recovers learned memories. It is such action in the brain that relaxes in the end. The other part of the aromatherapy treatment theory holds that the essential oils are absorbed through the skin and possess medicinal properties that primarily act on the cause of the problem. This action is much stronger when the aromatherapy treatment is applied directly to the skin in the form of massage. Now with a growing demand for natural cures and remedies, aromatherapy is flourishing again, this time in attractive tubes and bottles and promising to cure everything from rheumatism to diabetes and psychological problems. Among the wide range of aroma yielding essential oils in the market, there are a many of them that have soothing and relaxing properties.
Melissa :
The essential oil from the Lemon Balm plant is generally known to aromatherapists as Melissa. They use the soothing properties to decrease depression and black thoughts by adding five or six drops of Melissa to bath.
Chamomile:
The oil from German Chamomile is frequently used as aromatherapy to calm nerves. Chamomile is one of the sedative oils are used as tea before going to bed. One can use it in bath (adding five or six drops), or make massage oil by adding two drops of chamomile oil to five teaspoons of Soya oil. Bergamot: It is know as Bee Balm. Aromatherapy has found that this oil is particularly good for depression as well as being effective in helping body to fight infections. Lavender: It is known for its ability to heal burns and for wounds lavender is an excellent relaxant.
Rose:
This oil comes from the damascena, centfolia and gallica species of rose. Aromatherapy values it for tension women, particularly or postnatal depression and the stress that follows the break-up of a relationship.
Sandalwood :
The properties of sandalwood are anti-depressing relaxing, disinfecting, calming, and soothing. This luxurious oil is used for tension and anxiety. It also has a folk reputation as a sexual stimulant. It blends well with bergamot, clove, geranium, jasmine, lavender and rose oil. Geranium: A balancing oil for mind and body due to its sedative and uplifting properties. It has beneficial effect during the times of depression and anxiety. Dilute two teaspoons of Soya oil in small quantities, it makes good massage oil.
Ylang-ylang :
It is good for any skin as it balances the natural oil production. The calming effect of this oil may be due to its aphrodisiac, sedative and antidepressant properties. It is said to calm anger, release tension, lift depression and immobilize mood swings. It is also good for shock and pain.
Frankincense :
It is relaxing, uplifting, calming and mildly antiseptic. Outstanding and unusual aromas can be created by blending the oil with citrus oils, lemon balm and bergamot and works well with frankincense. It also mixes well with basil, black pepper, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, orange and sandalwood oil.
Neroli :
This oil comes from the bitter orange tree. In cases of nervous tension and anxiety it induce calmness, it is also used to encourage sleep. One can have a massage by mixing five drops with two Aromatherapy teaspoons of Soya oil.
Eucalyptus :
It is a great pain reliever and should be used in the bath followed by massage.
Other common plants used in aromatherapy :
Salvia sclarea, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris, Cocos nucifera. Anethum graveolens, Pseudotsuga menziesil Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus, Foeniculum vulgare, Allium sativum, Pelargonium graveolens, Zingiber officinale, Almonds, Aloevera, Arnica montana Persea americana, Pimenta racemosa, Betula alba, Borago officinalis, Piper nigrum, Calendula officinalis, Daucus carota, Nepeta cataria, Cedrus atlantica etc. Aromatherapy works best when it works on the mind and body simultaneously. There are various applications which help in removing various physical and emotional symptoms of stress. Physical signs of stress and pain, tension in the back, neck and shoulders, headache, migraine, constipation, fatigue and insomnia. In the same way emotional symptoms are associated with physical stresses like anxiety, depression irritability, aggressiveness and lack of concentration and confidence. Some stress can be productive but too much stress is always detrimental. This is where one can turn to gentle healing of aromatherapy and would avoid quick preventive measures like taking alcohol, tea, agarbatti, chocolate, anti-depressants and sleeping pills.
Role of oils in curing various diseases and their method of application:
Anxiety :
For this lavender, neroli, jasmine, clarysage and marigold oil (10 drops of any oil) along with 12 drops of carrier oil can be massage into oils plexus (in between the ribs) in an anti-clockwise direction.
Depression :
For this, clarysage, chamomile, sandalwood, lavender, frankincense oil (12 drops of any oil) can be used in bath. One can also apply them through massage or inhale them directly.
Irritability lack of concentration : For this, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, neroli, rose, vetiver, rosemary oil (12 drops of any oil) can be used. One can also apply them thorough massage or can do steam inhalation for quick effect.
Lack of confidence : For this, rosemary, neroli can be used in bath. One can also inhale them directly for a quick uplift.
Aggressiveness :
For this, lemon, chamomile and juniper are beneficial via solar plexus and abdomen massage application or even adding to the bath.
Muscle pain :
For this, eucalyptus, lavender, juniper, rosemary, black pepper oils are used. The best way to treat pain and tension is with massage.
Fatigue :
For this, lavender, juniper, rosemary, neroli and gremial application are best. Use 6 drops of any oil as foot bath for quick effect. One should rub it briskly into solar plexus to uplift and boost energy levels. Insomnia: For this, chamomile, sandalwood, Ylang ylang, majoram oils (10 drops of any oil) are added in the bath or via massage applications.
Shaving rashes :
Add 3 drops of clay sage oil and 3 drops of lavender oil to 300 ml of rose water or orange flower water and pat twice a day on face.
Dandruff :
Massage 6 droops of rosemary oil 100 ml avocado or jojoba oil twice a week before shampooing the hairs.
Migraine/Headache :
For this lavender, pepper mint, chamomileand rosemary oil massage is effective. Apply 12 drops of any oil in 100 ml of carrier oil and massage into neck and at the back of the scull and scalp. One also inhales them for quick effect. If nausea is also associated with the headache then peppermint application would be most effective. For general aches and pains eucalyptus black pepper, rosemary and chamomile are most effective.
Constipation :
For this add 12 drops of any of the oil (rosemary, black pepper, juniper or fennel) to 100ml of carrier oil and massage the abdomen. One can also use them in bath or as a foot bath.
Sunburn :
Apply few drops of oil to the affected area. It also helps in preventing the infection.
Sprains and cramps :
Add 10 drops of juniper, 10 drops of rose many and 5 drops of lemon grass oil to 150 ml of carrier oil and massage the affected area.
In digestion :
Peppermint and mint oil are very beneficial after taking the meal. Aromatherapy is a holistic healing process for body and mind. The basis lies in the essential oils contained in plant materials. These can be around leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, bark and resin. These oils are highly concentrated and when extracted, can either be used in a pure form or diluted/blended with other oils to produce the required strength. Essential oils are medicinal, fragrant and travel through the bloodstream reacting with hormones and enzymes. Physiologically, the oils sedate or stimulate the system. The aromatherapy treatment typically applied by way of adding them to bath or by inhaling. There is also a wide range of toiletries and other items containing essential oil. Out of them, many of then also to boost to boost well-being, while others possess a number of healing properties. It is also nice to know that these claims on aromatherapy treatments were supported by certain studies and discoveries. In fact, there have been good quality trials studying the effects of aromatherapy treatments on groups of people, including trials that make the aromatherapy treatments the best options out there. When fragrance is inhaled by nose, transmit pleasurable signals to the brain which reacts to the positive power of the fragrant aroma including pleasant memories storing, emotional balance, encouraging relaxation and exercitation. Many of the fragrant oils have antiseptic and antitoxic qualities and often act as an antidote to viral infection, inflammation aches and pains. At various beauty saloons, a variety of creams, conditioner and moisturizers made from essential oils are used in beauty treatments. Aromatherapy has regained popularity only two decade back. Various products based on essential oils and natural ingredients are available, designed to alter or enhance moods and treat a range of ailments from migraine and hyper arthritis, anxiety, digestive disorders and postnatal depletion. In conclusion, aromatherapy is a good approval to keep body, mind and soul in harmony. This science has a great importance and come in this era where harmful side effects of allopathy ruin the body system and treats a path for new diseases. With these conditions, one have the option be treated by an aromatherapist or can purchase certain aromatherapic oils from reliable pharmacies or health shops. It is basically with the availability of the aromatherapy treatment that one has the chance to treat oneself. Hence, aromatherapy is a valuable resource which would surely influence human health if used with wisdom, peace and faith. |
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