What's all the fuss all of a sudden.  It's only been around for 6000 years.  Just go into any department store or drug store and you will find coordinated sets of Aromatherapy products, most for a greal deal of money.  Most products you can make yourself with essential oils.  This page will give you the facts about Aromatherapy.
What is Aromatherapy? What are Essential Oils?
How can They be Used Safety Issues to Consider
What it Can and Can't Do Medical Disclaimer
Additional Resources Exit this Page
WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY?
     Aromatherapy has been used for over 6000 years.  The term derives from two words: aroma - frangrance or smell and therapy - treatment.  The Egyptians are given credit for being the first to use essential oils and aromatherapy.  They were first used as gifts to the gods, then for embalming.  Medicinal and cosmetic uses were found for the oils and the Greeks began to use them for massage, ointments, perfumes and other methods of treatment.  The first written book on aromatherapy was used as the standard for over 1200 years.  Many uses are still part of herbal medicine.
     The Romans adopted Greek medicine and improved it for personal use in the bath and massage.  Arabic and East Indian oils were adopted as the Romans spread in their conquest of the world.
     The crusades brought essential oils to the Far East and Arabia.  Avicenna was the first to distill the plants (980 A.D - 1037 A.D.).  The Chinese used aromatics as burnt offerings to please their gods.  Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine over 3000 years old, uses massage with essential oil as part of the treament.  American Indians also used aromatics. 
     It wasn't until the early 1900's that Western civilizations began to find the curative and restorative powers of essential oils.  French doctors and botonists were the first to publish books and sell essential oils for massage.  Their production techniques are now used world-wide.
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WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
All parts of the plant or tree can be used to get the distilled (by steam as an infusion) oil.  Each oil requires different elements of the plant.  Essential oils are not truly oils at all but are distillates which contain the true essence of the plants used.  Essential oils are expensive to produce because of the distillation process used to obtain pure essences.  An example is jasmine oil.  It takes four million flowers to produce 1 KG of oil.  Pure rose oil is the most expensive (2000 kg of petals to make 1 kg of oil).  They are extremely concentrated, thus have to be diluted to use.  Essential oils should be kept in a cool, dark place in amber or brown bottles, tighly closed.  Ruber droppers can contaminate the oils, therefore most oils are kept in what is called "boston bottles".  These bottles contain a glass diaphragm with a small hole in it that allows the oil to be expelled in drops.  The prices vary dependant on the availability of the plants, the number of plants needed to make the amount wanted, and the purity of the oil.  Know the person or place you are purchasing from on your first order.  Then you can do price comparisons.
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HOW CAN YOU USE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential oils can be used in a number of ways, but they almost always require dilution with something.  They can be diluted with water or carrier oils such as almond oil, apricot oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil.  Essential Oils can be used for:
  • Inhalation therapy - this can either be by steam or ambient.  For steam inhalation, add 3-7 drops of oil to 1-2 cups of boiling water.  Inhale the vapors with your head about a foot away from the solution.  Alternate breathing in the vapors and fresh air.  For ambient inhalation, add 1-3 drops of oil to a tissue or coton ball and place the item about 1-2 feet from your nose.  Again alternately inhale the vapors.
  • Massage - add 10-20 drops of essential oil to one ounce or more of carrier oil.  Massage onto yourself or have someone massage you.  DO NOT GET INTO EYES OR GENITAL AREAS.
  • Perfumes - add 10-20 drops of essential oil to a carrier oil and dab on skin.  Please be sure that the oil is safe for skin use.
  • Bathing - add 5-7 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil.  Add to your bath water, making sure that it is mixed into the water well before climbing into the tub.  Lie back and relax.
  • House hold uses include room freshening, general freshening, and as an insect repellent. 
    • For use as a room freshener, add 10 drops of essential oil to 1-2 cups of bowling water and place around the room.  BE CAREFUL TO KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF PETS.  You can also use lamp rings and atomizers found at aroma therapy shops or general household stores.
    • General household freshening is easy.  Just add a few drops of oil to the trash containers, vacuum bags, drains, or on a cotton ball to place in drawers and closets.

      • Citronella, lavender, and peppermint are natural insect repellents.  Place a few drops on window sills and doorways.  Again please be careful of pets.
List of Essential Oils
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SAFETY ISSUES TO CONSIDER
  • Never use undiluted oils on your skin
  • Do not take essential oils internally
  • Keep oils out of the reach of children
  • Allergic reactions can occur, therefore when first using a new oil, put a small amount of DILUTED oil on the skin (unless otherwise cautioned) and wait twenty-four hours before using it.
  • Certain oils should be avoided during pregnancy and in people with specific medical conditions.  ALWAYS check with your aromatherapist and doctor before using a new oil.
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    WHAT AROMATHERAPY CAN AND CAN'T DO
    Aromatherapy can't cure a serious or major illness, nor can it cure a major depression.  But it can relieve tension, sore muscles, daily stress, and help with minor ailments such as colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, and the flu.  It will uplift your mood and sense of well-being.  It may help your meditations and clarify your visualizations.
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    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:
    American Alliance of Aromatherapy AromaWeb
    Essential Oils Introduction to Aromatherapy
    Guide to Aromatherapy Newsletter and Listings of Oils
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    MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: The information on these pages are by no means a diagnosis or treatment prescription for you to use these medications or methods without supervision. You should seek out a good alternative therapist or check with your physician before using any of the means presented here.  Please see ENTIRE MEDICAL DISCLAIMER. by clicking the LINK.  A seperate Window will open.  When you are finished reading, just close the window.
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