What to Expect from AromaTherapy?
Description
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.
 
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