Aromatherapy is a holistic healing practice that uses natural oils to treat both mind and body. It was first introduced as a distinct practice by French perfumer and chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1937.
When inhaled, essential oils send signals to your brain through special cells in your nose. Some of these signals trigger reactions like boosting your mood or relaxing you.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are natural plant extracts that can be inhaled or rubbed into the skin for aromatherapy. The scents of these oils can help ease anxiety, promote sleep and relieve pain. They can also be used as natural cleaners and as part of integrative complementary therapies for some health conditions.
The scents of plants can stimulate parts of your brain that control emotions, behavior and long-term memory. There are more than 90 different types of essential oils, and each one has its own smell.
These extracts come from plant parts like bark, roots, peels, flowers and seeds. They’re usually added to a carrier oil like almond or coconut. They can be inhaled, applied to the skin during a massage or used as a household cleaner. It’s rare to take them by mouth, and you should only do so under the supervision of a trained specialist. They can be toxic if you drink them and can harm a developing fetus if you are pregnant.
How do you use essential oils?
Aromatherapy is often used in massage, acupuncture and other health care treatments. It’s also done at home with the help of a diffuser or by placing drops on the skin. These oils are said to improve mental and physical well-being. But research on essential oil benefits is limited, and some people can be allergic to them.
Inhaling the scents of the oils can calm your mind, and some studies have shown they may help with irritable bowel syndrome or other stomach conditions. But most of these tests were in test tubes and don’t prove that they work in people.
If you try aromatherapy at home, choose pure essential oils from a trusted source. Look for the botanical name, batch number and GC/MS reports. Avoid fragrance oils, which contain a combination of essential and synthetic oils. Always dilute the oils with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin. And use caution when using them on children.
Do you need a doctor’s permission to use essential oils?
Aromatherapy is a practice of using extracts from flowers, herbs, and trees to improve a person’s emotional or physical health. It can be used to reduce stress, boost mood, or relieve aches and pains.
The most common way to use essential oils is by inhaling them. You can do this by placing a few drops of oil in a diffuser or putting the oils on your skin in a massage.
You can also use a spray bottle to mist the air with essential oils or add them to a carrier oil to rub onto your body. However, it is important to note that some oils can be toxic if ingested and should never be applied directly to your skin without a carrier oil.
While many medical doctors do not know much about aromatherapy, they may still be able to offer advice about specific essential oils and how they can be used safely. Cohen Healthcare Law Group advises medical businesses and practices on FDA regulatory matters.
Can you drink essential oils?
As the name suggests, essential oils are the aromatic chemicals in various parts of plants. These chemicals can be extracted and distilled to produce oily formulas that can be used in aromatherapy and in some cases combined with other ingredients, like soaps or ointments, for absorption through the skin.
Aromatherapy can reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and boost mood, concentration, sex drive and energy. The energizing scent of peppermint, for example, can increase mental activity and sharpen focus. It can also ease pain and nausea and improve sleep.
Aromatherapy can be used in a variety of settings, including hospitals and nursing homes. It’s sometimes used to make needle sticks less painful for people receiving dialysis and help them fall asleep during hospital stays. It’s also known to ease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. However, there’s not enough evidence to support other claims for its use, such as its ability to ease nausea caused by chemotherapy or reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
