Aromatherapy uses extracts from plants to help heal the mind, body, and spirit. It is an alternative treatment that can be used with conventional medical care.
Essential oils are distilled from flower, herb, or tree parts like bark, roots, peels, or leaves. They can be inhaled or put on the skin during a massage.
How it works
Aromatherapy uses extracts of flowers, herbs, roots and seeds to promote healing and enhance relaxation. Essential oils are highly concentrated, making just a small amount go a long way. They can be used to scent rooms or inhaled through reed and diffusers, or mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the skin during massage or in baths.
Studies of aromatherapy are mixed, but the technique is widely used by nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and beauticians. It’s also become popular with consumers who use essential oil-based cosmetics and toiletries.
Some people are sensitive to certain oils, and they should only be inhaled or applied to the skin under a doctor’s supervision. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid hyssop and rose oils. Essential oils can interfere with the function of some medications, so they shouldn’t be taken by mouth. Some can cause a rash or other side effects. It’s also important to avoid certain oils if you have high blood pressure or are taking chemotherapy drugs.
Breathing the oil
Aromatherapy uses the scent of plant oils to promote healing and enhance well-being. It involves inhaling essential oil molecules through a diffuser or a spray, or adding them to bath and body products like lotions and candles. Oils can also be applied to the skin during massage or in a steam bath.
Studies of aromatherapy’s effectiveness are limited, but the few that have been done suggest that the practice may help improve quality of life for cancer patients. However, it is important to note that aromatherapy is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Only use reputable aromatherapy products, and keep all oils away from heat and sunlight. Because these oils are highly volatile, they can easily burn. Never take essential oils by mouth or put them into your eyes, and consult with a trained aromatherapist, nurse, doctor, physical therapist, or massage therapist before using them for therapeutic purposes. They can cause a variety of side effects, including rashes, asthma, and liver and kidney damage.
Using the oil
When applied to the skin, essential oils enter through the pores and reach the bloodstream. From there they travel to the tissues and other parts of the body. Some of the molecules can also pass into the air, where they can be inhaled.
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine. It is not a substitute for any doctor-approved treatment plan. If you are unsure whether this form of therapy is right for you, discuss it with your doctor.
Only specially trained aromatherapists, nurses, doctors, physical therapists and massage therapists should use oils for therapeutic purposes. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate essential oils, so it is difficult to know which products are pure. If you purchase a product, look at the label for information about the oil’s purity and to determine how it was harvested. Avoid any oil that is sold in a perfume bottle or as a fragrance, as it may contain chemicals. aromathérapie pour chien
