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AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing. Aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine adulteration, and to stir the memory, but not to directly bring about a cure or healing. It is the "essence" of the oil--its chemical properties--that gives it whatever therapeutic value the oil has. Furthermore, vapors are used in some but not all cases of aromatherapy. In most cases, the oil is rubbed onto the skin or ingested in a tea or other liquid. Some aromatherapists even consider cooking with herbs a type of aromatherapy. The healing power of essential oils is the main reason people use aromatherapy. Most of the support for these healing powers come from stories about such substances as tea tree oil in the following: On the plane on my way to India a few years ago, my index finger began throbbing violently. A rose thorn had lodged in it two days before, as I pruned my roses. It was now becoming infected. I applied tea tree oil, undiluted, to the finger. By the time I arrived in Bangalore, the swelling had almost gone and the throbbing had stopped (Daniele Ryman, Aromatherapy).
Marguerite Maury prescribed rose for frigidity, ascribing aphrodisiac properties to it. She also considered rose a great tonic for women who were suffering from depression (Daniele Ryman, Aromatherapy, page 205). Efficacy of aromatherapy treatments are not necessarily universal. Just like other forms of alternative medicine, it is not a "one size fits all." Treatments are individualized based on health information obtained by a qualified practitioner. DO NOT experiment yourself with different essential oils without either doing research or consulting a qualified practitioner. If you get a reaction that seems strange, seek out medical assistance.
* Basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) * Benzoin ( Styrax tonkinensis ) * Bergamot ( Citrus bergamia ) * Cajuput ( Melaleuca leucodendron ) * Camphor ( Cinnamomum camphora ) * Caraway ( Carum carvi ) * Cedarwood ( Cedrus atlantica ) * Chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile, chamomilla/recutita ) * Cinnamon ( Cinnamomum zelanicum ) * Clary Sage ( Salvia sclarea ) * Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) * Cypress ( Cupressus sempervirens ) * Eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ) * Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) * Frankincense ( Boswellia carteri ) * Geranium ( Pelargonium odorantissium ) * Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) * Hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis ) * Jasmine Absolute ( Jasminum officinale ) * Juniper ( Juniperus communis ) * Lavender ( Lavandula officinalis ) * Lemon ( Citrus limonum ) * Lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ) * Marjoram ( Orinanum majorana ) * Melissa ( Melissa officinalis ) * Myrrh ( Commiphora myrrha ) * Neroli ( Citrus aurantium ) * Niaouli ( Melaleuca viridiflora ) * Orange, Sweet ( Citrus aurantium ) * Patchouli ( Pogostemon patchouli ) * Pepper ( Piper nigrum ) * Peppermint ( Menta piperita ) * Petitgrain ( Citrus aurantium ) * Rose ( Rosa gallica, Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia ) * Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) * Sandalwood ( Santalum album ) * Tea Tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia ) * Thyme ( Thymus spp ) * Ylang - Ylang ( Cananga odorata )
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