| Aromatherapy: Scents that make Sense |
| HOME COMING EVENTS ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS FIND A PRACTITIONER DISTRIBUTION SITES GLOSSARY LINK PARTNERS TESTIMONIALS VIEW CURRENT ISSUE ~~~ ADVERTISING RATES SUBMIT AN AD PAY FOR AN AD ~~~ CONTACT US |
The art and science of aromatherapy is often found
confusing due to the advertising industries persis-
tence in using the term loosely to market their bath,
body, or cleaning products. Let me start by offering
you my definition of aromatherapy, “the holistic use
of essential oils from volatile or aromatic plant material
to initiate healing and promote wellness in people
and animals.” According to Bob Harris, editor of the
International Journal of Aromatherapy, “The
popularization, trivialization and sometimes sensationalism created by
the need to promote the therapy as a commercial product have masked and harmed
the true therapeutic potential of aromatherapy."
In my practice as a registered aromatherapist I custom blend essential oils chosen
for both their chemical constituents and known clinical actions to suit the individual
needs of my clients. The carrier oils and essential oils used in aromatherapy are
applied either through inhalation, hydrotherapy, massage, compress, or other skin
applications. Several things are taken into consideration when assessing the client’s
needs: physical health, emotional health, lifestyle, medications, allergies, age, and
desired results. It is a common misconception that aromatherapy is only used for
psychological reasons to calm those who are stressed.
There are three basic types of aromatherapy:
Most people are familiar with aesthic aromatherapy, but trained professionals are
more likely to practice therapeutic or psycho-aromatherapy.
My own client base consists of 75% therapeutic clients, 20% psycho-aromatherapy
clients, and 5% aesthic clients. However, most clients usually have more than one
issue that is being addressed. In the classes I teach at Parkland College we study all
three types of aromatherapy but most of my workshops focus more on the
therapeutic applications of essential oils.
Essential oils are adaptable and all of them can be used to help more than one
health concern. Let’s take peppermint as an example: physically it is helpful for
digestive and congestion complaints while emotionally it helps with focusing and is
generally uplifting. All essential oils have the ability to address multiple health
concerns. They are also more effective when you blend 2-3 oils together because
you create a synergy where the total effect is greater than any single oil. An
example of a synergistic blend that I might use for a digestive problem would be:
essential oils of peppermint, ginger and lemon. The number of drops used would
depend on who we were using it on and the method of application. For example you
could use one ounce of carrier oil (grape seed, apricot kernel, jojoba, etc.) and for a
healthy adult add a total of 12-15 drops of essential oil. It could be equally divided
into 4 drops of each essential oil for a total of 12 drops (less is more). Additional
factors that need to be considered are individual preference, skin integrity, patch
test results, heart health (peppermint can be a problem for those with certain heart
conditions), and use of UV light (lemon and other citrus oils can cause
photosensitivity if exposed to sunlight or any type of UV light). Method of use for the
above blend would probably be massage over the affected area. If an inhalation
treatment is desired, place the essential oils in a fan diffuser. Simply apply a few
drops of the blend to the diffuser pad and let it circulate. You can also apply it to a
tissue, cotton ball or handkerchief bringing it to your nose for inhalation if a diffuser
is not available.
Using essential oils on a daily basis is part of my passion. Sharing their precious
scents the oils enhance my health and quality of life. They provide an accessible
and convenient method for every individual to address their own health and
wellness. The goal of this article is to shed some light on aromatherapy and its many
uses. I hope you have found the examples and information helpful. Any readers who
have specific questions should feel free to contact me at
botanicalhealingarts@hotmail.com or SHolmes@parkland.edu.
confusing due to the advertising industries persis-
tence in using the term loosely to market their bath,
body, or cleaning products. Let me start by offering
you my definition of aromatherapy, “the holistic use
of essential oils from volatile or aromatic plant material
to initiate healing and promote wellness in people
and animals.” According to Bob Harris, editor of the
International Journal of Aromatherapy, “The
popularization, trivialization and sometimes sensationalism created by
the need to promote the therapy as a commercial product have masked and harmed
the true therapeutic potential of aromatherapy."
In my practice as a registered aromatherapist I custom blend essential oils chosen
for both their chemical constituents and known clinical actions to suit the individual
needs of my clients. The carrier oils and essential oils used in aromatherapy are
applied either through inhalation, hydrotherapy, massage, compress, or other skin
applications. Several things are taken into consideration when assessing the client’s
needs: physical health, emotional health, lifestyle, medications, allergies, age, and
desired results. It is a common misconception that aromatherapy is only used for
psychological reasons to calm those who are stressed.
There are three basic types of aromatherapy:
- Therapeutic aromatherapy which involves the treatment of physical ailments
(chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, etc.), - Psycho-aromatherapy which is used to address emotional issues(depression,
anxiety, etc.), and - Aesthic aromatherapy (acne, aging skin, etc.) which uses essential oils for
beauty purposes.
Most people are familiar with aesthic aromatherapy, but trained professionals are
more likely to practice therapeutic or psycho-aromatherapy.
My own client base consists of 75% therapeutic clients, 20% psycho-aromatherapy
clients, and 5% aesthic clients. However, most clients usually have more than one
issue that is being addressed. In the classes I teach at Parkland College we study all
three types of aromatherapy but most of my workshops focus more on the
therapeutic applications of essential oils.
Essential oils are adaptable and all of them can be used to help more than one
health concern. Let’s take peppermint as an example: physically it is helpful for
digestive and congestion complaints while emotionally it helps with focusing and is
generally uplifting. All essential oils have the ability to address multiple health
concerns. They are also more effective when you blend 2-3 oils together because
you create a synergy where the total effect is greater than any single oil. An
example of a synergistic blend that I might use for a digestive problem would be:
essential oils of peppermint, ginger and lemon. The number of drops used would
depend on who we were using it on and the method of application. For example you
could use one ounce of carrier oil (grape seed, apricot kernel, jojoba, etc.) and for a
healthy adult add a total of 12-15 drops of essential oil. It could be equally divided
into 4 drops of each essential oil for a total of 12 drops (less is more). Additional
factors that need to be considered are individual preference, skin integrity, patch
test results, heart health (peppermint can be a problem for those with certain heart
conditions), and use of UV light (lemon and other citrus oils can cause
photosensitivity if exposed to sunlight or any type of UV light). Method of use for the
above blend would probably be massage over the affected area. If an inhalation
treatment is desired, place the essential oils in a fan diffuser. Simply apply a few
drops of the blend to the diffuser pad and let it circulate. You can also apply it to a
tissue, cotton ball or handkerchief bringing it to your nose for inhalation if a diffuser
is not available.
Using essential oils on a daily basis is part of my passion. Sharing their precious
scents the oils enhance my health and quality of life. They provide an accessible
and convenient method for every individual to address their own health and
wellness. The goal of this article is to shed some light on aromatherapy and its many
uses. I hope you have found the examples and information helpful. Any readers who
have specific questions should feel free to contact me at
botanicalhealingarts@hotmail.com or SHolmes@parkland.edu.
by Sara Holmes
| Sara Holmes, B.S. (Greenville College) is a Registered Aromatherapist and the owner of Botanical Healing Arts www.botanicalhealingarts.com in Tuscola, IL. She is also an instructor at Parkland College and a contributing writer to The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy Journal. |