Complementary Aroma Therapy

Aromatherapy is a form of complementary medicine that utilizes natural essential oils as a holistic form of medicine. It has been used for centuries as a form of treatment and healing in traditional medicine. Aromatherapy involves applying essential oils either through inhalation or topical application, and it is believed to have both physical and psychological benefits. The practice of aromatherapy is rooted in traditional medicine all over the world. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Indian cultures all used essential oils as part of their traditional medicines. Essential oils have been historically used to help heal physical ailments, promote emotional stability, and provide overall balance in the body and mind. Essential oils penetrate the skin and travel through the bloodstream. This allows the oil, and its associated therapeutic properties, to be carried directly to the site of an injury. Inhalation of essential oils can also affect the nervous system, activating the area of the brain most associated with emotion. As the scent enters the nose, the brain detects the smell and sends messages to the limbic system which can have a calming effect on the body physically as well as emotionally. The therapeutic properties of essential oils can also be used to prevent or lessen allergic responses. Natural oils like lavender, geranium, and chamomile have antihistamine properties which can be used to reduce inflammation and irritation caused by allergies. These essential oils also possess antimicrobial properties, which give them the ability to act as a natural disinfectant against bacterial and viral infections. In recent years, aromatherapy has gained traction due to the increasing popularity of holistic health. People are beginning to understand the healing power of natural oils, and more research has been conducted on the effects of essential oils. Aromatherapy can be used as an alternative form of medication, to aid in physical and emotional ailments, or to simply just provide overall balance. Traditional medical practitioners suggest that aromatherapy should be used as an additional option to conventional medicine depending on diagnosis and how the patient is responding to treatment. In some cases, aromatherapy can be used as a stand-alone treatment, while with other conditions it should be used in conjunction with more traditional therapy.