Aromatherapy is one of the most vigorously growing forms of alternative medicines that use essential oils and aromatic plant compounds combining massage together with counselling and nice odour. Aromatherapy using essential oils can help to relieve stress and anxiety symptoms, which may help improve sleep ultimately. A study conducted by one of the top cosmetology colleges in Maharashtra found aromatherapy improved both misery and anxiety in a group of postpartum women. Stress can affect our body, by disturbing both our mental and physical health. Without accurate stress management, the stress of day-to-day life can throw our entire life with a lot of undesirable side effects.
About Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is another form of holistic remedy that uses essential oils to improve and balance both emotionally as well as physically. The fragrances qualified through aromatherapy and essential oils have a vibrant effect on the mind and body both. Aromatherapy can be well-defined as the precise use of essential oils to sustain and encourage physical, psychological, and spiritual comfort. Also referred to as “essential oil therapy”, which can be defined as the art and science of applying naturally extracted aromatic substances from plants to balance, blend and boost the health of body, mind, and spirit. It seeks to combine physiological, psychological, and spiritual developments to enhance an individual’s characteristic curing process.
History of Aromatherapy
The role of Greeks is also important in aromatherapy. Megallus, a Greek perfumer, developed a fragrance he called megaleion, which consisted of myrrh. The “father of medicine” Hippocrates is said to have practiced aromatherapy for healing purposes. Greek mythology entitlements the gods were gifted with the knowledge of fragrance and perfume. It was invented specifically, but the Egyptians are attributed with emerging one of the first distillation machines to extract oils from certain plants cedar wood, clove, cinnamon etc. which were used to conserve the dead. The practice of using infused aromatic oils as a mood enhancer.
The traditional Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda, has been including essential oils into their health-giving traditions for at least 3000 years. Ancient Ayurvedic literature includes over 700 medicinal plants including cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, and sandalwood for healing. The purpose of aromatic plants and oils were not only for curative purposes, but were privileged as a part of nature and played role to the spiritual and logical in this part of the world.
How Does Aromatherapy Work?
1) Inhalation
Essential oils stimulate the powerful sense of aroma, as human beings, we have the competency to discriminate 10,000 different aromas. As aromas float into the nostrils and make direct contact with the nerves, they stimulate a response to the brain. At the time of inhalation, the olfactory system sends a signal to the limbic system of the brain which is the storage of memories and emotions. Through the limbic system, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands are stimulated. This causes reactions in the autonomic nervous system, affecting nerves, hormones, body temperature, appetite, thirst, digestion, insulin production, stress, repulsion, and sexual arousal. Interestingly, doctors have found that, when dealing with patients who have lost their sense of smell, a life without fragrance can lead to high incidence of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression.
2) Topical Application
When the essential oils are applied topically, they enter the body by absorption through the skin. Massage is one of the most popular ways to enjoy aromatherapy because it stimulates all of the organs in the body, revitalises, and soothes the skin, muscles, nerves, and glands. It also increases blood circulation and lymph flow, which in turn assists with the clearing away of body toxins. During massage, the recipient receives the pleasing therapeutic properties of essential oils both topically and via passive inhalation.
Classification of Aromatherapy
1) Cosmetic Aromatherapy
The cosmetic industry is currently utilising the benefits of aromatherapy to revitalise and rejuvenate the body besides catering to the essential cleaning, toning, moisturising, and protective properties of essential oils for various skin and hair types.
2) Aromatherapy Using Massage or Topical Application
Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin by massage or topical application. This promotes a holistic healing of the whole body by traveling through the bloodstream and affecting various organs of the body. Some of these oils are also potent anti-viral, antifungal and antiseptic in nature. This, coupled with the sense of touch is a completely natural and safe way of detoxifying and making use of nature’s bounty.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
- Relieves Stress
- Acts as Antidepressant
- Boosts Memory
- Increases Energy Levels
- Speeds up Healing
- Reduces Headaches
- Regulates Sleep
- Strengthens Immune System
- Relieves Pain
- Improves Digestion
Safety Precaution
Aromatherapy essential oils are concentrated liquids. If not used carefully they can be harmful.
1) Do Not Use Undiluted Essential Oils on the Skin
Aromatherapy says that Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils, if you want to use them undiluted firstly ask or consult an aromatherapy practitioner or at least do a patch test on your skin. But, the safest is to never use any essential oil undiluted. Some oils can be allergic or cause allergic reactions to some people. So it is very important to test before using any new oil on skin. Put only a small amount of diluted essential oil (never use pure essential on the skin) on the skin and see if there is a reaction or not. Wait at least for 24 hrs. before deciding that there is no reaction.
2) Not Every Essential Oil is Suited for Use in Aromatherapy
Wintergreen, Pennyroyal, Onion, Bitter Almond, Camphor, etc. are some examples of essential oils that should only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners. Children should not use essential oils. They should only use essential oils only with the presence of an adult who is knowledgeable about their use. Most essential oils smell countless, which may attract one to consume or drink them, especially children. Keep essential oils out of reach from children. Treat the oils like medicines that are poison in unaware hands.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy is a unique branch of beauty cosmetology that has numerous benefits to the human mind and body. There is a research-based science behind the impact of aromatherapy on human beings. Pursuing B.Sc. Beauty Cosmetology can help further understand the science behind aromatherapy. All in all, the beauty industry is a thriving sector with excellent career prospects for well-trained and qualified professionals.