| What is aromatherapy and does it really work? | | | | Many people mistakenly thing this includes perfumes. |
| Aromatherapy is classified as an alternative medicine | | | | It does not. Perfumes involve the use of chemicals |
| form. There is mounting evidence that it truly can | | | | and have no benefits; these are perfume oils not |
| help. There is some veracity in the healing ability of | | | | essential oils. Please note that there is no FDA |
| some oils. One of these oils is Tea Tree Oil. This oil | | | | regulation on aromatherapy so items that are labeled |
| has an antibacterial effect. It has been known to be | | | | that way may not actually contain therapeutic |
| effective in the treatment of skin infections, bug | | | | ingredients. |
| bites, and ant stings. Scientists even think it could be | | | | So, what is the benefit of aromatherapy if it hasn't |
| used to fight infectious disease; it probably has been | | | | been scientifically proven to have any value? Oils |
| in the past. | | | | scents are inhaled and the aroma triggers a positive |
| We know that aromatherapy was used in Egypt | | | | response in the brain. The oils can be rubbed on the |
| during the time of the pharaohs. There are drawings | | | | skin but they should always be premixed with oil that |
| on walls and scrolls that depict certain flowers and | | | | will "carry" the essential oil. Essential oils are extremely |
| trees that produce significant scents and how that | | | | strong and should not be used on the skin right out |
| scent is used. Once distillation was invented, the | | | | of the bottle. So, the oils are good for physical and |
| scents of these plants and flowers could be captured | | | | mental well being. Did you know that they can also |
| and kept fresh. | | | | be used in household items such as candles? Citronella |
| Aromatherapy is delivered in several different | | | | keeps bugs away; Eucalyptus cleans your lungs and |
| methods. An infuser is an item used over a flame to | | | | sinuses. |
| disburse the scent into the air. Inhalation is used in | | | | Information on aromatherapy cannot be concluded |
| treatments of allergies and sinus issues. Topically, the | | | | until there is a list of those oils that are harmful. |
| scent is daubed onto the skin, compresses of the | | | | Among the 23 that I have been able to easily find, |
| face and eye or placed in bath water. | | | | an interested person can find Arnica, Birch, Mugwort, |
| Can aromatherapy be used to treat disease? Can it | | | | Sassafras, and camphor. These items are well known |
| be used to prevent it? Scientifically, this is unproven | | | | and can be used but should not be used unless the |
| but even as lately as World War II a physician was | | | | aroma therapist is knowledgeable about them. There |
| using essential oils as antibiotic and antibacterial lotion | | | | are several other items that fall in this category. It is |
| during surgery and treatment when the regular | | | | a reminder that the plants can heal but also may |
| medications were no longer available. | | | | harm. |
| Aromatherapy is based on the use of essential oils. | | | | |