Aromatic plants have been linked to religion, mysticism, magic and healing throughout history. Use of aromatic plant essences have been traced back approximately 4000 years to the Ancient Sumerians, later the Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Greeks, Romans, the Arabian empire, monks of the Dark Ages and physicians of the Renaissance.

The term aromatherapy was coined in 1937 by a French chemist and perfumer, René Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950). He was not an advocate of the natural health movement but was interested in the medicinal properties which essential oils exhibit.

In 1910 Gattefossé burnt his hand badly in a laboratory explosion and the first available compound he could access was pure undiluted lavender essential oil, which not only immediately eased the pain and inflammation but helped heal his hand without any sign of infection or scarring.

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances extracted from various parts of aromatic plants; leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, resins and wood. They are extracted via five methods; steam and water distillation, expression, solvent extraction, enfleurage and maceration. A Persian physician Avicenna (980 - 1037 CE) is credited for perfecting the distillation process.

The term essential oil is in fact a misnomer and should perhaps rather be referred to as plant essence or extract since unlike ordinary vegetable oils, like sunflower and olive, plant essences are highly volatile and will evaporate if left in the open air or exposed to heat. They do not have an oily consistency.

Aromatherapy is a fragrant healing art, which utilises selected plant essences for therapeutic purposes. Aromatherapy promotes health of body, inspiration of mind, calming of emotion and serenity of spirit.

Although the starting point of this therapy is ancient, the basic principles are no less valid today. The effects are direct and intense, the art practical and intuitive. Many holistic practitioners rely on essential oils for their restorative and beneficial results.

Methods of use for aromatherapy include; inhalation, massage, bathing, foot soaks, body wraps, compresses, lotions and potions.

Popular applications include; skin and hair care, topical treatment for minor internal and external ailments and for accelerating the healing process after illness, injury or surgery, preventative measures for infection and improving the home and work environment, uplifting mood or triggering mental stimulation.

Essential plant essences are highly concentrated substances and their chemistry is complex. Most consist of hundreds of constituents, such as terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. For this reason a single oil can help a wide variety of disorders. Lavender for instance, has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, analgesic, decongestant and sedative properties.

Due to the tiny molecular structure of essential oils they are easily absorbed by the skin via massage, baths, skin preparations or compresses and are then absorbed into the bloodstream. They also reach the blood through inhalation, from the lungs they pass through the air sacs to the surrounding capillaries by a process called diffusion.

Once in the bloodstream the molecules interact with the body’s natural chemistry to regulate, heal, balance and maintain the natural rhythm of one’s entire being. Aromatherapy addresses the whole individual and not just isolated symptoms.

The use of essential oils should not be taken lightly since they are extremely potent. Certain essences promote hormonal stimulation and that is why they cannot be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Other oils increase or reduce blood pressure, are phototoxic or toxic while others can induce epileptic seizures. Always consult a qualified practitioner before attempting self treatment and only after medical attention or diagnosis in serious cases.

Only use blends as advised by a qualified practitioner on children and the elderly as their systems are more sensitive to the essences and may not cope with the metabolic processes. Animals are also sensitive to essential oils and cats and birds especially have difficulty metabolising them. Allow for a well ventilated area if using essences in their vicinity.

In the 1950's Marguerite Maury (1895-1968) who was an Austrian born biochemist started diluting the pure essential oils in vegetable carrier oils and massaging them into the skin by means of what is called “Rain Drop Therapy” a Tibetan technique of administering drops directly onto the spine along the nerve endings of the spinal column.

Using light strokes of the “Vita Flex” technique, Maury stimulated energy impulses which facilitated dispersal of the oils throughout the entire body via the nervous system and cerebral spinal fluid. Maury was also the first person to start the use of prescribed combinations of essences to suit the unique requirements of the person being massaged.

Essential oils are obtained from plants from all over the world thus they each have specific characteristics and properties. Essences should be stored in amber or cobalt blue glass bottles.  Ensure they are labelled correctly and make a note of combinations and quantities that have been used in blends.

Aromatherapy products should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and out of reach from children.  Ensure that lids are closed properly to prevent evaporation. Never ingest pure essential oils or aromatherapeutic blends internally.

Most essential oils will retain their therapeutic properties for up to two years once opened.  However the citrus essential oils are more volatile and so have a shorter shelf life. Others, such as Sandalwood and Frankincense, will mature with age.

Essential oils in an undiluted state are too highly concentrated to be used directly on the skin, with the exception of lavender, chamomile roman and ti-tree essential oils which can be applied undiluted to the skin however some people may have an allergic reaction to one of them.

Essential oils are diluted in a base or carrier oil so that they can be applied to the skin without causing irritation. Whenever using a blend containing essential oils that you have not tried before do a patch test first. Put a small amount of the blend on the back of your wrist or on the inside of your forearm, leave it on for fifteen minutes.

If irritation, itching or redness occurs, bathe the area with olive oil or another vegetable oil. This will dilute the essential oil even more whereas water will not be as effective. Discontinue use and make a note of which essences you react to.

Base or carrier oils are vegetable, nut or seed oils which themselves have therapeutic properties and are also obtained from plants all over the world. People with nut allergies cannot use nut oils! Similarly, adverse effects have been reported among those with allergies to other plants in the daisy family when chamomile essential oil has been used.

Carrier oils should always be cold pressed so as to maintain the inherent vitamins and minerals. They should also be stored in tinted glass bottles and it is advisable to keep them in the refrigerator until shortly before they are to be used since these oils turn rancid after a period of time and should be used within six to eight months.

Essential oils are expensive because of the volume of plant material required to make them and the type of method required to obtain the plant extracts. To make one kilogram of lavender essential oil, two hundred kilograms of fresh lavender flowers are required.  

Between two and five metric tonnes of rose petals are used for one kilogram of rose essential oil and three thousand lemons are needed to produce one kilogram of lemon essential oil. In contrast, chamomile essential oil is said to exhibit one hundred and twenty times more antiseptic properties than that of seawater.

Always ensure that you are purchasing therapeutic grade pure essential oils and not synthetic oils or fragrances which have no beneficial properties and are chemical duplications of the natural plant extracts. Purchase essential oils from a reputable supplier or those under a trusted label.

A simple way to tell if a bottle of essential oil is genuine or not is to check the price tag, expect to spend thirty to over a hundred rand for ten millilitres depending on which oils you fancy.

Copyright 2010 Stella Seaspirit. All rights reserved.