Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse in the 1920's.
It describes the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc.
, for their benefits.
Aromatherapy is said to restore or enhance mental, emotional, physical or spiritual health.
The essential oil derived from the plants is the basis of aromatherapy.
Each oil has its own medicinal and other properties.
There are about three hundred essential oils in general use today by practitioners, but the average household could fulfill all its likely needs with about ten.
The aromatic chemicals found in essential oils are derived from phenyl propane, the precursor of amino acids, which link to make the proteins which provide the building blocks for just about everything in the human body from the smallest enzyme to the skeleton.
In Aromatherapy it is held that when essential oils are applied to one's body, like in a massage, they are carried by the skin to specific organs and systems of the body where they enhance the natural functions of these organs.
Unlike chemical drugs essential oils do not, as far as we know, remain in the body and are excreted out the body.
In other words, essential oils enter and leave the body with great efficiency, leaving no toxins behind.
Each oil has its own medicinal and other properties.
It is the "essence" of the oil--its chemical properties--that gives it whatever therapeutic value the oil might have.
Essential oils may have anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal or anti-viral properties, or a blend of two or more.
Many have heard of tea-tree oil, it is one that is widely known and used for it's antiseptic properties.
You must be wary though, as essential oils can be dangerous if mishandled.
When it comes to essential oils, as in so many other things in life, knowledge is power.
Also note that many products on the market are misleading.
While labeled 'Aromatherapy', they can contain synthetic ingredients that will not provide the benefits of natural oils, and can even be harmful.
For instance, products on the market that contain mineral oil are bad, it is the #2 cause of the visible signs of aging.
The Swiss have banned their skin care and cosmetic companies from using mineral oil.
Look for items that state 'pure essential oil'.
Labels such as 'perfume' are bad as well.
When you consider that there are over 900 toxic products in about 98% of the skin care products on US shelves today, you want to be extra cautious! We are bombarded with synthetics and fakes everywhere we look, from our skincare to our medicines, even most of the food we eat really isn't 'real'.
Give up the excuse of not having time to treat yourself to a truly natural break...
pencil it in your date book as a 'wholeness' treatment for your body, mind, and soul, one that you need on a regular basis, too!