Do you agree Aromatherapy has suffered from it's New Age stigma long enough? It's time to tell the masses what these little bottles of liquid jewels are all about! Here in the United States, common use of the term 'aromatherapy' has been skewed so much that only that 'touchy-feely' aspect of 'feeling good from smelling something nice' is it's complete definition to most folks. If you happen to know better, this article may just be a refresher in the science of therapeutic essential oil usage, but one that may help you teach others the 'why' of 'medical aromatherapy' - if this concept is new, however, read on and learn - this may be important to you someday!
At it's heart, Aromatherapy encompasses the entire branch of botanical medicine using volatile aromatic plant compounds for treatment of various medical conditions. The term was coined by a French scientist after his discovery of Lavender oil's healing effects on burns he had sustained in the laboratory. The practice of 'aroma' therapy - or the inhalation of essential oils to make one 'feel good' - is more a delightful side-note than the primary healing benefit essential oils can provide. Many important actions of essential oils don't even have to do with one's sense of smell. Beyond acting on the psyche through the limbic system (the 'emotional' center of the brain, immediately affected by the smell sense), many essential oils have proven antibiotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, tissue-regenerative and other actions.
The well-known effects of genuine essential oils on the nervous system and psyche through the smell sense is certainly not to be ignored. Important, useful actions have been documented through university studies. Lavender oil, for example, has been noted to help many individuals who suffer from insomnia; even better than pharmaceutical sedatives in many cases, without side effects and development of tolerance. Other studies have shown improvement of test scores of students who have inhaled Lemon or Rosemary oils during study sessions. The list continues - and with little surprise. The 'aromatic' effects of essential oils rely on the olfactory sense's direct connection with primary control centers of the brain. It is the only one of the five senses with such a direct connection - the others are first routed through the Thalamus before interacting with the bulk of the gray matter.
The olfactory region of the brain is closely associated with the limbic region - that being the center of emotions, memory, sex drive and intuition. The limbic system is also connected to parts of the brain that control heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and hormone levels. The olfactory region also connects to the hypothalamus, which controls the entire hormonal system by influencing the pituitary. This gives us a good ideas as to why essential oils can have an 'aromatherapeutic' effect - human studies have shown the inhalation of essential oils can be calming, stimulating, uplifting, relaxing, and/or clarifying, depending on the oil being inhaled.
The beneficial effects of essential oils reach far beyond that of the olfactory sense and limbic system - bringing into view the true potential of Aromatherapy. The most promising use of oils is in the treatment of infectious illness, notes Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, America's leading medical aromatherapist. Modern medicine is falling short in this area; overuse of antibiotics has lead to chemically-resistant 'super bugs', and a series of antibiotics tends to throw the delicate symbiotic natural balance of microorganisms in the human digestive system out-of-whack for some time. Oregano and Cinnamon oils are some of the most broad-spectrum antibacterial known - and while their use demands practical knowledge due to their powerful nature, they do not seem to create resistant bacterial strains or upset our own system's balance. Other oils (which are generally less sensitizing) work very well on some strains of bacteria and not as well on others - here, the practitioner's ability to match the proper oil with the patient's symptoms plays a critical role in the therapy's efficacy, as with any medical treatment. The proven effects of essential oils also goes beyond these illnesses - essential oils have
Broad acceptance of true 'medical aromatherapy' is a ways-off in the US. There is a lack of knowledge within the established medical community, and qualified aromatherapists are fairly rare, as of yet. With the growing body of evidence validating the efficacy of natural medicines, however, and the failing confidence in our allopathic medical institutions, it may not be long until essential oils find their rightful place in our medicine chests. In the meantime, be cautious, have fun, and do stop and smell the roses, and lavenders, patchoulis, sandalwoods, and all the other great aromatherapies available to you!
Article Source: http://www.alltopinfo.com
The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy, found at www.anandaapothecary.com. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy and essential oil blends through the website.
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