Known for its aromatic healing abilities, aromatherapy is a natural approach to healing that compliments the body's capacity for self-healing. Used for centuries, aromatherapy is believed to have been employed by the Egyptian physician, Imhotep; and by ancient Greek's physician, Hippocrates. The first person to dub the term aromatherapy was French chemist, Rene-Mauric Gattefosse during the 1930s
From what is aromatherapy derived? Aroma-generating oils are extracted from specific plants to be used in natural health therapies like aroma treatment, or in aromatherapy massage. While carrier oils must be blended with essential oils to prevent coming into direct contact with the skin, other solutions like alcohol or lotion may be used in combination with these blended oils to achieve the appropriate aromatherapy effect.
These formulated essential oils are typically used in combination with a variety of massage modalities including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and other specialty bodywork techniques. These carefully blended essential oils are massaged into the skin, and inhaled through the nasal passages.
Aromatherapy is typically employed for a wide variety of therapeutic reasons including emotional, physical, and mental conditions; mild burns, infections, depression, sleep deprivation, and high blood pressure.
What are some of the essential oils used in aromatherapy?
Eucalyptus essential oil has medicinal qualities that have been used to treat a number of conditions like insect bites, migraines, chicken pox, and several other health issues. Tea tree oil is another essential oil that is used in aromatherapy. This particular oil blend has a lot of natural healing attributes. For instance, it is therapeutically used to treat tonsillitis, acne, athlete's foot, and other physical conditions. In addition to being employed in body work, some aromatherapy solutions are especially made to be poured into bath water for soothing, calming, stress relief.
Although there is not a wealth of scientific evidence to sustain claims that aromatherapy is 100 percent effective in the prevention or remedy of illness, supporters of aromatherapy believe these special oils encourage stress relief and promote self-healing. However, individuals with chronic illnesses or diseases should first consult their professional health care provider before using aromatherapy as some side effects may occur.
In addition to massage schools, aromatherapy is broadly taught in holistic health academies, alternative medicine colleges, and other natural health institutes.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about this and other alternative health options, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore training programs in aromatherapy near you.
Aromatherapy Schools