Body Mind Healing: Why Aromatherapy for Therapeutic Use?
Posted by admin on Mar 17, 2009
Turning to Aromatherapy for the use in attaining full body mind healing is an option many persons overlook. Concerning the role it plays, or of its benefits, many simply do not understand aromatherapy’s scope of importance and the place it holds for aiding in the healing process.
What is Aromatherapy exactly? Is it safe?
Coined in the 1920’s by French perfumer Rene Gattfosse, Aromatherapy is a therapeutic practice that engages in the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.
Aromatherapy is considered to be a form of alternative, complementary, and or holistic medicine, using flowers, plants, and their essences for healing, relaxation and energizing. The extracted essential oils coming from these plants are used in a variety of things such as perfume and bath oils. These oils can be inhaled or used as a topical solution, such as the case with massage. However, the choice of the method used is often depending on the intended goal.
For the most part, most topical and inhaled essential oils are considered safe. However, Aromatherapy can induce side effects, such as rash, headache, liver and nerve damage, as well as harm to the fetus, (which is why unless you are specifically instructed by a physician, this therapy should be avoided during pregnancy). Never take essential oils by mouth, because again, you must have a trained professional advise you to do so first. Some oils are toxic, and taking them by mouth could be fatal. Never self prescribe and diagnose. It’s important that we all be responsible where our health is concerned.
How long has Aromatherapy been around?
Reputed to be at least 6000 years old, Aromatherapy was used by most ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, and India, all of whom still practice this form of healing. Some will say that Aromatherapy actually dates back as far as 18,000 B.C.E.
According to the website “How Stuff Works”, the history of aromatherapy is believed to have begun with the burning of fragrant woods, leaves, needles, and tree gums in ancient times. This practice probably arose from the discovery that some fire woods, such as cypress and cedar, filled the air with scent when they burned. In fact, our modern word perfume is derived from the Latin per fumum, which means “through smoke.”
Which essence is the most popular and commonly used?
One of the most widely used and versatile therapeutic essences is Lavender. Lavender’s essential oil is fantastic when used for soothing dry and inflamed skin. In fact the list is amazingly long for its skin uses. To name just a few, Lavender can be applied for abscesses, acne, athlete’s foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, insect bites and stings, insect repellant, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, sunburn and wounds! This goes for all skin types.
I could go on and on with a massive supply of information on the world of Aromatherapy and its major influence on a person’s road to body mind healing. Try doing a search on the internet for a wide array of resources to further your education and understanding of this powerful therapeutic practice. Aromatherapy’s unique form of healing just might be the very additive you need to push your body into a state of total wellness.
Your welcome to enjoy a demonstration and some valuable information concerning Lavendar and some of its uses by YouTube’s “AromaExpert”.
