Aromatherapy is derived from two words. Aroma- meaning fragrance or smell and Therapy- meaning treatment. Aromatherapy was used by ancient civilizations and is approximately 6000 years old. It is widely thought that Aromatherapy began in Egypt. A medical papyri thought to date back to around 1555 BC contains remedies for all types of illnesses and the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy and Herbal medicine today.
Aromatherapy is an ancient form of healing. It has been used as a natural healing therapy throughout the ages. The uniqueness of Aromatherapy lies in its use of pure essential oils derived from plants, flowers, fruits, trees, herbs and resins, to balance the body mind and spirit in the form of massage, inhalations, and other methods. These essential oils are very complex powerful and effective because it is believed the actual "life force" of the plant is present.
Essential oils are very expensive to produce, some more so than others, due to the labour intensive process and the quantity of the plant required to produce the oil, Approximately 400 kg of thyme would produce 1 kg of essential oil , 2000 kg of rose petals to make 1 kg of oil , 6 tonnes of orange blossom to produce 1 kg of neroli , and 4 million jasmine flowers to produce 1 kg of jasmine absolute.
These oils are readily absorbed in the body through the skin and that is why it is so effective. It takes about two hours for the oils to be absorbed into the body and they remain in the system for several hours before being eliminated. As the aroma of the oils is inhaled, the healing power stimulates the brain and alters emotional and mental behaviours.
Many people today suffer from stress related ailments caused by their job, financial problems and/or personal difficulties. Through Aromatherapy people are finding not only physical relief, but also mental and spiritual relief.
Some of these disorders have shown marked beneficial results after being treated with a form of Aromatherapy - stress related problems, arthritis, back problems, muscle aches and pains, headaches, colds and sinuses, skin disorders, depression, asthma and digestive problems.
Aromatherapy massage is an ideal complement to conventional medicine. It does not replace the family physician or the necessary medications or surgery one may need, but it does allow for more responsibility for our own bodies, health and well-being.