What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a natural treatment which uses the concentrated herbal energies in essential oils from plants in association with massage, friction, inhalation, compresses and baths. An enjoyable experience in itself, it also improves and maintains well-being, health and beauty.

Aromatherapy is a holistic form of healing which works with the body to promote health. Like other forms of holistic treatment, such as homoeopathy, Classical Aromatherapy does not work on the 'magic bullet' principle favoured by orthodox medicine, in which one chemical or drug is aimed at a specific disease. In fact, all essential oils have a wide range of applications.

Aromatherapy can be used to help combat a wide range of physical and emotional problems. It has been shown to be successful not only in the treatment of stress-related conditions but also with muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and skin problems and ailments. It can also be used at home for relaxation, health and beauty care, as an adjunct to other treatment in illness, for first aid, or simply to enhance the atmosphere at home or work.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils, or 'essences', are the most potent form of a plant's aromatic and fragrant materials. They are obtained, usually by distillation, from the flowers, leaves, stems, bark or wood of aromatic plants and trees.

Essential oils are not oils in the everyday sense; they are not greasy or fatty. They are volatile, highly concentrated and extremely complex substances, which evaporate quickly leaving little or no stain. Individual essential oils may contain many hundreds of chemical components, some infinitesimal quantities, which all react together in a way impossible to reproduce synthetically. Essential oils are far more than pleasant-smelling perfume oils: they have specific actions, many of them medical.

The importance of quality.

To gain the best results only the best quality oils should be used, and they should be bought from a reputable source. Some oils are easier to obtain than others, so they vary in price; the rarest oils can be quite expensive. Since quality oils are highly concentrated, a small bottle goes a long way.

Sometimes cheaper oils are added to more expensive ones, or oils are 'extended' by adding alcohol or a vegetable oil; these will produce a cheaper product, but will not give the real benefits of the essential oils used in Classical Aromatherapy.

Organic oils, because of their absolute purity, are usually the best. They may come from naturally growing wild plants, or from wild crafted crops whose seeds have been sown in areas where the plant grows naturally. Other oils come from systems of biological or organic farming, and are often referred to as 'natural' rather than organic.

Carrier oils: Essential oils are highly concentrated and as a rule should not be applied neat. For massage, Aromatherapists blend them with vegetable oils called ' carrier oils'. The best carrier oils are virgin cold-pressed oils which contain active vitamins and fatty acids; they do not have a powerful aroma of their own. Those used by Aromatherapists include Sweet Almond, Walnut, Wheatgerm, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Apricot Kernal and Hazelnut. It is also possible, and preferable, to buy carrier oils specially per-blended for the purpose.

Ready-blended oils can be bought ready mixed in a carrier oil, made up for specific purposes such as relaxation, baths, massaging aching muscles, and so on.

Storing oils.

Always keep oils in the dark bottles in which they are supplied, in a cool, dry place, away from any substance, such as homoepathic medicines, which might be affected by the aroma. Keep the caps tightly closed to avoid evaporation.

When you make up your own blends, also store them in dark glass bottles (never plastic), and keep the caps tightly screwed on. They should keep for three months, stored in a cool place.

For more information on the uses and guides for individual oils then we suggest Aromatherapy, an introduction and guide: Wigmore Publications. Available here for £2.99