History of Aromatherapy  |   Methods of Use   |   Aroma Massage   |   Aromatherapy for Children

History of Aromatherapy

Plants have been employed for medicinal purposes since the dawn of mankind.  Primitive people relied very much on their instincts to keep them alive.  By following their sense of smell and by drawing on their experiences they were able to acquire knowledge of how certain plants had the capacity to heal and cure ailments and diseases.  When animals are sick, they instinctively search for plants which can heal and relieve their symptoms.

Some form of essential oils was used in almost every native culture.  The Egyptians used aromatics in embalming, the Greeks attributed sweet smells to Divinity, and the Babylonians even perfumed the mortar with which they built their temples.  However it wasn't until 1920 that Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, Ph.D. who was a French cosmetic chemist, coined the term "Aromatherapy."  While working in his lab he received a third degree burn on his hand and forearm.  He immediately plunged his arm into a vat of lavender oil, thinking that it was water.  To his astonishment, the pain subsided and was gone within a few minutes.  He decided to continue applying Lavender to his arm and noticed that over time the burn healed without any blistering or scarring.  This experience led him to analyze essential oils in greater depth and he discovered that they contained enormous healing properties.  He shared his work with a friend, Dr. Jean Valnet, a medical doctor working in Paris.  Dr. Valnet began using essential oils during World War 2 when he ran out of antibiotics.  He was stunned to discover that the oils were able to reduce, even stop infections, saving many soldiers lives.

From there, the word has spread into the multi billion dollar industry it is today.  Essential oils are used in many different ways by very different people - from soap makers and perfumers to hospitals and doctors and everybody in between.

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Methods of Using Essential Oils

There are many different ways of applying the essential oils depending on the effect you want to achieve.  In most cases, essential oils should not be used neat on the skin, as they can be too strong.  A neat oil is one that is used undiluted.  Below is a list of some of the different methods you may use aromatherapy.

• Inhalations:  These are used particularly in the case of upper respiratory issues, such as colds, coughs and sore throats.  Fill a basin with steaming hot water.  Place 2-5 drops of your chosen essential oil or blend in the water.  Lean over and cover your head and the basin with a towel.  Breathe in the aroma for 10 minutes or longer.

• Room Diffusion:  This method is used to diffuse a beautiful aroma through the house, disinfect the air if someone is sick and to boost immunity through inhalation.  Depending on type of diffuser, add 10-15 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend. 

• Bath:  Helpful for overall absorption into the body, boosting immunity, skin conditions and general relaxation.  ALWAYS DILUTE OILS BEFORE PLACING IN BATH!  Place 5-10 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend in 1 tbsp. of carrier oil or any vegetable oil you may have in your kitchen cupboard.  Pour the mixture in the bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.  Pat dry so as not to rub off the oils.

• Compresses:  These are effective for pain relief of a specific area.  Fill a basin with hot or cold water depending on you need.  Place 3-5 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend in the water.  Lay a washcloth over the surface of the water and then wring it out.  Place the washcloth over the painful area.

• Massage:  Great for stress relief, immunity, muscle aches, detoxifying, etc.  For a full body massage:  add 15 drops of your chosen essential oil or oil blend to 1 ounce of carrier oil or vegetable oil.  For targeting specific areas you can increase the dilution to 30 drops oil blend per ounce of carrier oil.  I cover Aroma Massage further down the page.

• Foot and Hand Bath:  Foot and Hand baths are highly beneficial in situations where it is impractical to enjoy a full aromatherapy bath - perhaps if you are elderly or have a disability.  Footbaths in particular, are incredibly relaxing at the end of a long, hard day.  They are excellent for foot conditions such as athlete's foot and pain and swelling in the feet.  Hand baths help to relieve the pain, stiffness and swelling of arthritis.  Add six drops of oil or oil blend to a bowl of hand-hot water just before you immerse your feet or hands and soak for about 10-15 minutes.

• Sitz Bath:  A sitz bath is invaluable in cases of cystitis, hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, stitches after childbirth, and so on.  Sprinkle about 4-6 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend into a bowl of hand-hot water and sit in the bowl for about 10 minutes.  If you are fortunate enough to have a bidet then use the same number of drops.  Ensure that the oil or oil blend and water are thoroughly mixed.

• Jug Douche:  This method is excellent for combating vaginal discharge and infections as well as anal problems.  Boil a kettle and allow the water to cool in a 1 liter jug ensuring that there is no lime scale.  Add 6 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend.  Lift both the seat as well as the lid of the toilet.  Stand over the toilet and pour the solution over the vaginal and anal area.  Dry the area gently.

• Gargles and mouthwashes:  Gargles are particularly beneficial for sore throats, respiratory problems and loss of voice.  After dental surgery gargling can help to relieve pains and inflammation, reduce blood flow and speed up the healing process.  Gargle twice daily, although if the problem is acute then you can garble every two hours.  Put 2 drops of essential oil into half a glass of water.  Stir well, gargle and spit it out.  DO NOT SWALLOW.  Stir again and repeat.  Antiseptic oils such as tea tree, sage, lemon and thyme are excellent for treating sore throats.  Roman chamomile, geranium and sandalwood will also soothe inflammation.  Myrrh and tea tree combined are invaluable for treating mouth ulcers.

• Room Spray:  A room spray is a excellent way to purifying the atmosphere.  Add 250 ml of water to a plant spray and add 10 drops of your chosen oil blend.  Shake the bottle well and spray the room.  You can even spray carpets and curtains.  Do not spray on to polished surfaces.  Sprays may also be used to relieve irritation and pain as in chicken pox, shingles, burns and infectious skin diseases.

• Light Bulb Ring:  Two drops of essential oil can be sprinkled on to a ceramic or metal ring which fits on to a light bulb.  Only apply your oils when the lamp is off and the ring is cool ensuring that you do not get any oil on the light bulb itself or on the fitting, as essential oils are flammable.

• Radiator Fragrancer:  Two to six drops of essential oil can be placed into a ceramic container which fits on to a radiator by means of a magnet.  Alternatively, moisten a cotton-wool ball slightly with water, sprinkle the drops of essential oil on to the ball and place it on the radiator, or even lodge it by the pipe to avoid staining the paint surface.  The heat from the radiator will evaporate the essential oil into the room.

• Fireplace:  Put one drop of essential oil on each log before lighting the fire.  As the logs heat up, the aroma will be released into the room.  Cypress, sandalwood and cedarwood are particularly effective.

• Candles:  Add one or two drops of your chosen oil or oil blend to the warm wax of a candle, taking care to avoid the wick since essential oils are flammable.

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Aroma Massage

Massage is a highly therapeutic tool in its own right.  When massage is used in combination with the healing qualities of essential oils it constitutes a powerful therapy effecting the physical, emotional and spiritual levels.  During an aromatherapy massage emotions are often released alongside the accumulated knots and nodules.  The tissues and the nervous system are able to 'remember' both physical and emotional trauma.

It is extremely important to pay particular attention to the environment in which the aroma massage is to be performed to derive maximum benefit for the treatment.  Careful preparation and the right setting will make a good massage even better.  Both the giver and the receiver should feel immediately relaxed.  Always ensure that towels, cushions and oils are on hand so that you do not lose contact and thus break the flow of massage.  An aroma massage should never be hurried.

Solitude and quiet are vital in an aroma massage.  Be sure to pick a time when you will not be disturbed for a minimum of one hour.  Take the phone off the hook, lock the door, light some candles, put on just the right music and RELAX.  Breathe deep and enjoy your aroma massage, YOU'VE EARNED IT!

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Aromatherapy for Children

Aromatherapy is a great way to bond with your child as well as provide them with relief for such things as colic, upset stomach, dry skin, etc..  Always use caution when using essential oils on small children as their skin is very sensitive and the oils are very strong.  We use oils that are safe for children in all of our "Aromatherapy for Kids" blends.  Jojoba is the best carrier oil for small children as it is soothing and extremely nourishing to the skin however you may use any vegetable oil in a pinch. 

Aromatherapy Massage Oil Blends  |  Pure Essential Oils  |   Aromatherapy Basics 
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