What Is Aromatherapy?

What is aromatherapy? When we hear this term many of us have a preconceived idea. The majority of us believe it to be the burning of fragrant candles. What is the true purpose of aromatherapy?
The definition of aromatherapy given by Shirley Price, a prominent authority on aromatherapy, states:   “Aromatherapy is the controlled use of essential oils to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit by inhalation, baths, compresses, topical application and full body massage. The definition of aromatology (i.e., complete aromatic medicine) is the controlled use of essential oils to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit by inhalation, baths, compresses, topical application (as above) and selected area massage, plus external intensive use of undiluted oils and internal use via rectum, any body orifice and vagina”. With this clarification it easy to see that aromatherapy has a place in complimentary health care.
Complimentary health care is exactly what it means. It is to compliment routine health care not to replace it. You should use a reputable aroma therapist and consult your physician before initiating a program, especially if you have severe health issues.    

A Little History

Since the beginning of written history the use of aromatherapy can be found. Of coarse it was not referred to aromatherapy.
According to the orthodox view of history, civilization began with the ancient Egyptians some 5300 years ago. The oldest pyramid was built in the third dynasty, around 3000 BC, by King Zoser’s chief architect, Imtohep, who was also astronomer and physician to the king. He certainly did much to advance medical knowledge and since infused oils and aromatic unguent were so often in Egyptian medicine, we could probably justifiably label him the grandfather of aromatherapy. (www.tissarand.com/history )
The Greeks and Romans used aromatic plants and essential oils. The Greeks spread herbal plant and perfume in their living space to disinfect and control odor.
With the movement of the Roman Empire west the use of aromatic, medicinal and household plants were introduced to the European countries.
 During the middle Ages the plague ran rampant, so they employed fumigation to destroy the disease using a variety of aromatic (herbs, wood and resins). Every aromatic substance was in use to combat the Black Death. Aromatics were the best antiseptics available at the time, and the people knew it. (The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert B. Tisserand )  
In the 1900’s a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse whose research was the use of essences in cosmetics, was involved in an explosion during and experiment, being burned badly he plunged his hand in a vat lavender oil. To his interest the hand healed at a rapid rate with no infection or scaring. The word aromatherapy was coined by Gattefosse.  

Essential Oils

Paracelsus (1493-1541) created the word essence, which equates to spirit. The term essential is applied to these oils because they contain the essence, or fragrant part of the plant. In alchemy, spirit is the personality or extract of something that retains the qualities of the origin substance.
 Essential oils are very volatile, which means they evaporate at a relatively low temperature. With this in mind care should be taken in storage of essential oils. Oxygen, heat, light and moisture have a detrimental effect it is best to keep your oils in amber bottles in a cool low light area.
 When using essential oils it is best to extract what is needed and replace the cap quickly, this will not allow oxygen to enter the bottle. As the oil contents decrease it is advisable to transfer to a smaller bottle to eliminate unwanted air.

“God of His infinite goodness and bounty hath by the medium of Plants, bestowed almost all food, clothing and medicine upon man.”
Gerarde’s Herbal (1636)

                          Factors Affecting the Skin

There are many factors that effect our skin today; heredity, nutrition, emotional and physical well being and environment.

Heredity plays a part in determining your skin thickness, pigmentation and hormone levels. With God’s engineering and a pinch of this, a pinch of that from each parent along with the previous generations, Hello, there you are.

Nutrition is one of the fundamental determinations of the condition of your skin. In today’s Western societies the high sugar, salt and processed foods lack the nutritional value and clogs your internal elimination organs. Thus, (skin is an elimination organ), your skin is affected as well and cannot successfully remove toxins. Changing one’s eating habits to a healthy fruit, vegetable, low in red meat and processed food diet will do much to improve the appearance of your skin. Using herbs rich in vitamins and micronutrients in your daily preparation of meals will enhance the flavor plus give your body and skin what it needs.
  Vitamins and micronutrients in supplement form can also be added to your diet. As we age our bodies cannot produce and absorb some nutrients.

Here are some examples of vitamins and herbs for over all better health, also for the skin.

HERBS                                                                                   
Rich in vitamin C
Parsley – Petroselinum crispum
Strawberry
Garlic – Allium sativum
Cayenne – Capsicum annum

Rich in vitamin E
Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
Red Raspberry – Rubus idaeus
Watercress – Nasturtium officiale

Rich in vitamin F or Essential Fatty Acids
Evening primrose - Oenothera biennis oil
Pumpkin seeds
Nuts and seeds

Rich in Silica
Dandelion – Taraxacum officiale
Red Raspberry – Rubus idaeus
Sunflower seeds
Burdock root – Artium lappa

Rich in sulfur
Burdock root – arctium lappa
Calendula – Calendula officinalis flowers
Garlic – Allium sativum

This is not a complete list. There are many wonderful herbs available. You may also notice that some herbs over lap one another. I want to show you that by adding one or two herbs the benefit you will receive.

VITAMINS (2)
C – Helps to reduce the damage from free radicals
E – Same as C
A – To maintain and repair skin
B complex – To retain moisture
F or Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3) – For production of skins natural oil barrier

Always remember to consult a professional Homeopath or Herbalist before you start a regime and advice from your family doctor.

It is surprising how our state of mind will influence our physical health. Excessive stress is another factor that manifests itself in our skin; in fact it is one of the first places to appear. I know stress is hard to avoid in this day and time. But, prayerfully the next paragraph will help in this matter.

Rest, relaxation and exercise, (I do believe the last in this list is a word a lot of us do not like to hear), are additionally important.
  Getting a true restful sleep is crucial for our bodies to repair themselves. Interrupted sleep will leave you tired and stressed (there is that word again); and it will show in your face with dry skin and fine wrinkles. So make sure you get adequate sleep.
   Take a moment out of your day to relax. Even if it is only five minutes, sit outside, close your eyes and breathe in some fresh air.
   Exercise gives benefit to the whole body, it also stimulates your circulation, thus bringing oxygenated blood that carries nutrients to replenish the new cells and remove waste products from dead and dying cells. All of these activities will help with our stress levels.

Our environment today is perilous at best, polluted air, water and food, central air and heat, wind and sun all take its toll on our bodies and skin. We can take some precautions. Wearing a sun hat and applying sunscreen when we are out and about. Also applying moisturizing crèmes and lotions has needed.

There is much we can do to live happy healthy lives, but we must consider the whole person; Mind, Body and Spirit.

References:

1. www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/skin-nutrition