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This article is from the Alternative Medicine Therapies guide.

What to Expect from AromaTherapy?

Aromatherapy can be a very useful addition to many treatment plans, but it is seldom the primary mode of therapy. Therefore, a consultation with an aromatherapist will usually take place in the context of other medical treatment. The practitioner may also be a massage therapist, an herbalist, or a homeopath. Aromatherapy is also often practiced at home, because the essential oils are easy and pleasant to use.

If you do seek out a professional, the therapist will want to know your general medical history, the level of stress in your life, and the reasons you are seeking treatment. Then the two of you will work together to choose the oil or oils that will most effectively address your complaint.

Be sure to tell the aromatherapist if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, because there are certain oils that you should avoid (see "Cautions," below). The therapist also needs to know if you are using any homeopathic remedies, because the oils' strong smells can offset the effects of some homeopathic treatments.

Because reactions to smells can be idiosyncratic, it's important to let the aromatherapist know if you can't stand the smell of oranges or if the scent of pine brings back harrowing memories of summer camp.

Whether your treatment takes place in a practitioner's office or in your own home, the benefits of aromatherapy can be obtained in a number of ways:

• By direct application of the oils to the skin. Massage with aromatherapy oils allows the substances to be readily absorbed into the skin. To make an aromatherapy massage oil, simply add a few drops of an essential oil to a small amount of an unscented carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil or safflower oil. Certain oils, such as rosemary, are also used topically to help soothe joint and muscle pain. Always avoid the eyes when applying essential oils to the skin.
• By inhaling the scents. Breathing in the intense aromas of essential oils is often recommended for easing congestion due to colds, flu, or chronic sinusitis or bronchitis. For this purpose, an aromatherapist might suggest that you fill a basin with steaming water, add a few drops of eucalyptus or pine oil, and breathe in the fragrant fumes. You can also inhale essential oils by sprinkling a few drops on a handkerchief and breathing in the fumes (keep your eyes closed), or by simply removing the cap from the bottle and taking in the scent. For a less intense but still pleasant effect, some people like to use a special electrical device called a diffuser to disperse microparticles of an essential oil throughout a room.
• By adding the oils to a bath. Adding eight to 15 drops of an essential oil to your bath after the water has finished running creates a relaxing atmosphere and allows the oil to seep into your skin. It's best not to use soap in an aromatherapy bath, because it may interfere with the absorption of the oil.

 

Continue to:

• prev: How Does AromaTherapy Work?
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• next: AromaTherapy: Health Benefits

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alternative medicine, alternative therapy, healing, modalities, practioner, side-effects, cautions, what to expect, reference