Essential oils - Therapeutic applications

Through clinical aromatherapy, wellbeing in salons and spas, natural perfumery, environmental fragrancing and lending flavour to food and drink the aroma of essential oils like lavender, lemon, peppermint whether faint or overpowering are everywhere.

Modern aromatherapy books began as slim books based on the work of scientists, Gattefosse and Valnet in evaluating the therapeutic effects of essentials oils with the aim of allocating therapeutic properties to each oil and gaining a better understanding of their safe and effective use in a clinical setting.  This set the scene for an aromatherapy profession and an aromatherapy trade. 

It became rapidly established that an aromatherapy based on using the synthetic constituents of essential oils was neither safe or effective.  Such chemicals however do find use in pharmaceutical preparations and capsules.

Today therapists study for a national vocational qualification in the UK and belong to the principal member organisations for qualified aromatherapists the FHT, IFA and IFPA.

Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.  It is to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process.  As a holistic medicine, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness.

While essential oil science has been well established there was a renewal in the 1960s in spiritual enquiry, something rather put on hold by the fast advancing materialism of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Man has evolved as a social animal and 'does not live by bread alone'.  With sufficient to meet material needs man's curiosity again turns to the bigger questions in life and to a more traditional holistic approach to life.  While aromatherapy can claim its spectacular successes its greatest claim is to be able to enhance the wellbeing of all.

Essential oils are used in Aromatherapy for therapeutic effect in the following areas in particular.  Skincare, Circulation, Muscles, Joints, Respiratory system, Digestive system, Genito-urinary and endocrine, Immune system, Nervous system

SKIN CARE USES

Acne

Allergies

Athletes foot

Baldness and hair care

Boils, abcesses, blisters

Bruises

Burns

Chapped and cracked skin

Chillblains

Cold sores/herpes

Congested and dull skin

Cuts/sores

Dandruff

Dermatitis

Dry and sensitive skin

Eczema

Excessive persiration

Oily skin or scalp

Haemorrhoids

Insect bites

Insect repellant

Irritated and inflamed skin

Lice

mouth and gum infections/ulcers

Psoriasis

Rashes

Ringworm

Scabies

Scars and stretch marks

Slack tissue

Spots

Ticks

Toothache and teething pain

Varicose veins

Veruccae

Warts and corns

Wounds

Wrinkles and mature skin