Aromatherapy and Essential Oils: What It Is and how to use it

Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine method used for massages and treating human diseases through the sense of smell. The use of essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, and mint has benefits as taught in Egyptian methodology courses, family courses, and according to the leaflet of many products.

Aromatherapy: What it is and what it is for

It is a therapeutic branch considered an alternative medicine. Aromatherapy is a method that uses essential oils to heal. For this, natural plant scents can be used or oils can be applied to the skin through massages.

Essential Oils for Aromatherapy

They are volatile products with a strong fragrance that oxidize when exposed to air. The principle behind the functioning of essential oils is that the scent, when released into the air, can cure various conditions.

Currently, there are essential oils for aromatherapy of several types:

Each of these essential oils for aromatherapy serves a purpose due to its composition and chemical structure. For example, you can use the bergamot oil to improve certain skin symptoms or sandalwood oil to improve mental state and relieve stress or even use turpentine essence to relax muscles.

An important fact is that these are insoluble, meaning they cannot mix with water, and if you add it, it will not blend well. Each part remains separate. However, they can be diluted with acetic acid, alcohol, and animal or vegetable fats.

But to use them properly, it is necessary to have some gadgets or devices that facilitate their application. Let’s see what you need to do aromatherapy correctly.

Aromatherapy Diffuser

Its function is to evaporate the essence of the previously prepared oil. There are many models, and you can buy an aromatherapy diffuser at various prices.

The characteristics of diffusers differ, as does their cost. Some only diffuse the scent around the room, while others are designed to perform relaxing or family aromatherapy.

The way a diffuser works in aromatherapy is by producing small vibrations with ultrasound. This vibration causes the particles with properties and benefits to be dispersed into the air of the room where it is used. This causes the room or office to fill with healing scent.

What is the Humidifier used for in Aromatherapy?

Another necessary device is the humidifier. In the essence therapy, the humidifier is very similar to the diffuser, except it adds humidity to the environment.

In many online stores and aromatherapy centers, they are often referred to under the same name, so there is sometimes confusion in practice.

The aromatherapy humidifier releases small particles of essential oil along with a fine mist of water. This creates a much healthier environment. It’s similar to traditional humidifiers but with the added feature of being an aromatherapy product.

Types of Aromatherapy

• Egyptian
• With massages
• Family
• Scientific
• For sleep
• For relaxation
• Energetic
• For dogs
• For children and babies, called infant aromatherapy
• For studying
• With benefits for pregnancy and breastfeeding
• With principles of Alchemy
• For jacuzzis and relaxing baths

Although all these types of aromatherapy fall under one category, it is true that depending on the substances used, they provide different benefits. And this is where we need to focus to obtain the necessary properties of each essential oil. It’s not the same to seek relaxation as it is to aim for greater physical and mental energy. So it’s crucial to buy the right essential oils.

Egyptian Aromatherapy

It is based on the knowledge and theories of ancient Egypt. There is a belief that this culture possessed extraordinary skills to extract the primary essence from plants.

Priests and priestesses used Egyptian aromatherapy in temples. It is based on the following essential oils:

• Red Amber
• Musk
• Jasmine
• Rose
• Cashmere Amber
• Sandalwood
• Lotus flower

There are additional essential oils used in Egyptian culture in aromatherapy, but the ones listed are the essential ones. With them, you have the ability to treat many human disorders and ailments.

Massages

This involves applying a few drops of oil to the skin so it can be absorbed both dermally and through the respiratory pathways.

Unlike a typical massage where you lie on the table and relax, aromatherapy massages are more intense on the psychological level.

Once you lie down on the table, you need to pay attention to the scent, focus, and inhale, allowing yourself to be carried away by the sensations that the volatilized active ingredients provoke inside you.

To practice this technique correctly, training is necessary. Aromatherapy courses vary. Some teach relaxation techniques, while others focus on healing.

Family Aromatherapy

This type of aromatherapy focuses on improving the health of the family and the group of people living in the same household. For this, it is necessary to use essential oils at home. It is for adults, the elderly, and children, and is focused on preventing colds, winter flu, and improving some digestive issues using mint, clove oil, and tarragon oil among other products.

Scientific Aromatherapy

It is called so because it seeks the properties of essential oils for the benefit of people. In reality, “aromatherapy” can be interchangeably called “scientific aromatherapy” as they are the same and serve the same purpose.

Aromatherapy for Sleep

The principles are the same, but the active ingredients in each oil differ. Aromatherapy for sleep uses the following products:

• Lavender: Helps with rest and has properties to improve the quality of sleep. It relaxes.
• Chamomile: Reduces tension and stress.
• Marjoram: Natural sedative. Acts on the central nervous system by lowering blood pressure and providing relaxation.
• Lemon balm: For people with nervousness and anxiety.

Other Alternative Therapies

There are other branches that study the properties and benefits of plants and their active ingredients. Some have scientific backing, while others are controversial. But if you still don’t know what phytotherapy is for, we encourage you to learn about it. It is a science supported by doctors and health specialists, with deep foundations, including trials and scientific studies.

Aromatherapy Courses

As with most sciences and alternative medicine techniques, it is ideal to undergo training to develop the necessary knowledge and skills. For this purpose, there are a series of aromatherapy courses available.

In each training session, the syllabus will be divided into stages, where you will learn the basic principles of this alternative science and develop your skills until you complete all the classes.

Some centers offer one-day seminars — usually a morning or afternoon — while others offer more extensive training lasting weeks or months.

How to Find a Professional in Aromatherapy

If you want to find a good professional, it is not that simple. Ideally, you should ask about their type of training and whether they have taken an aromatherapy course, although currently there is no formal training for this.

In many centers and alternative medicine clinics, therapy is combined with reiki, music therapy, meditation, and acupuncture. But as we said, it’s not as simple as going to the first therapist you find. It’s best to always go to a place with a reference from someone you know.