In the late 1920s, this therapy was discovered. In 1928, French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefoss was working in his family-owned perfumery. There was a sudden explosion which burnt his hand. He quickly plunged it into a container of lavender oil. He was surprised to see it healing completely.
Aromatherapy
It is the practice of using volatile plant oils (including essential oils ) for psychological and physical well-being.
There are about 90 essential oils. There are Absolutes, Co2s and Hydrosols.Essential oil is a blanket term used for all of these. There are other complementary natural ingredients such as cold-pressed vegetable oils, jojoba ( a liquid wax ), hydrosols, herbs, milk powder, sea salts, sugars, clays and muds.
Perfume oils (fragrance oils) are not the same as essential oils. They have synthetic chemicals.
The US does not regulate aromatherapy.
When essential oils are inhaled into lungs, they stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction.Eucalyptus oil removes congestion.It is physically applied on the skin but should not be applied undiluted. It should be diluted in a carrier oil.
Oil blends can be used. It is to get synergy.
Jean Valnet, a French surgeon pioneered the medicinal uses of essential oils.The applications are three-fold — Aerial diffusion, direct inhalation andtopical application.
Absolutes are the fragrant oils extracted from flowers or delicate plant tissues. Carrier oil is oil such as sweet almond oil.
Herbal distillates or hydrosols are acqueous by-products of distillation process, e.g. rose water.
Aromatherapy is avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy and for those who are allergic to these substances or are asthmatic.It is avoided in people who get seizures. In those with B.P., we have to avoid stimulating oils such as rosemary and spite lavender. In estrogen-dependent tumours such as breast and ovarian cancer, we have to avoid estrogen like compounds such as fennel, aniseed, sage and clary-sage. We have to use this theray with caution in cancer patients on chemotherapy.
It is a complementary therapy. It is not to be used as major treatment.