Aromatherapy is an ancient healing art which uses distillation process of plant materials to extract powerful concentrated essential oils. These oils have been successfully used for centuries around the world for healing purposes such as fighting infections increasing immune system, reducing emotional and mental stress. Today, the sense of aroma is also used as a  therapy to treat a wide variety of ailments. Preventive treatments like aromatherapy are using blend of contemporary science and ancient understanding to produce curatives which also doubles cosmetic aids.
Plants and flower plays a very important role in human life, Aromatherapy is the important ingredient of ancient ayurveda. Flowers are also used in various religious rituals, because it has the properties of mind soothing, rose petals and incense sticks, made from juniper shrubs plays a dual role both in religious and therapeutic sector. The essential oils are not extracted from whole plant parts, but they are extracted from specific plant parts like flowers, roots, barks, leaves, resins, peels or grasses by a process known as steam distillation. In human body, Olfactory nerves conduct sensations to a part of brain which regulates our mood, emotions, memory and learning. Various studies with brain wave frequency have proved that smelling lavender increases alpha waves which are related with relaxation in the back of the head.. Aroma of jasmine Flowers increases beta waves which are associated with a more attentive state in forehead.
The aromatherapy treatment varies according to different conditions to which it is used. Many people have claimed that the aromatherapy treatments shows a drastic change in the human body both, physically and psychologically, and this has been supported by a number of theories. As per the theory on aromatherapy treatment there is a notion that when one smells an essential oil, it triggers limbic system…which is the part of the brain that controls emotions… stores and recovers learned memories. It is such an action in the human brain that relaxes in the end. The other part of the aromatherapy treatment theory holds that the essential oils are absorbed through the skin and hold medicinal properties that primarily act on the source of the problem. This action is much stronger when the aromatherapy treatment is applied straight to the skin in the form of massage. Now, with a growing demand for natural cures and remedies - aromatherapy is booming again, this time in good-looking tubes and bottles and with a promise to cure diabetes and psychological problems. Among the wide range of aroma yielding essential oils which are present in the retail market, there is a wide variety of oils that have soothing and relaxing properties.
Aromatherapy works best on mind and body simultaneously. There are various applications which help in removing physical and emotional symptoms of stress. Aroma Therapy also affects the physical signs of stress and pain, tension in the back, neck and shoulders, headache, migraine, constipation, fatigue and insomnia.
The Retail market is flourished with the essential oil, like Melissa, Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-ylang, Neroli etc. Melissa oil extracted from t Lemon Balm plant, has soothing affect to decrease depression, Neroli oil comes from the bitter orange tree. In cases of nervous tension and anxiety it encourages calmness, it is also used to encourage sleep. One can have a massage by mixing five drops with two Aromatherapy teaspoons of Soya oil. So every essential oil has dissimilar properties and they are as essential in Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is considered to be a holistic healing process for body and mind. The basis lies in the essential oils contained in plant materials. These can be around leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, bark and resin. These oils are highly concentrated and when extracted, can either be used in a pure form or diluted form or is blended with other oils to produce the required strength. Essential oils have stimulating fragrance and are medicinal in nature that travels through the bloodstream reacting with hormones and enzymes of our body.
There is also a wide range of toiletries and other items that contain essential oil. It is nice to know that these aromatherapy treatments were supported by certain studies and discoveries. There have been good quality trials studying the effects of aromatherapy treatments on groups of people which includes trials that make the aromatherapy treatments the best options out there. When fragrance is inhaled by nose, pleasure signals are transmitted to the brain which further reacts to the positive power of the aroma including the pleasant memories, emotional balances, and it encourages relaxation.
Aromatherapy has regained fame only two decades back, as various products based on essential oils and natural ingredients are available to enhance moods and treat a range of ailments from migraine and hyper arthritis, anxiety, digestive disorders and postnatal depletion. In short we can say that aromatherapy is a good approval to keep body, mind and soul in harmony. This science has a great importance and has come in this era where harmful side effects of allopath ruins the body system.. Hence, aromatherapy is a valuable resource which would surely influence human health if used with wisdom, sincerity and faith. |