Posted on January 29, 2009 - by Leslie Billera

Aromatherapy 101: What the Nose Knows

It’s time to delve deeper into aromatherapy.

We already introduced you to chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé, the father of modern day aromatherapy. But what can aromatherapy do for you?

For starters, here’s a definition we  like:

Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of

utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants

to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.

-The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy

Scents and Sensibility

Pure essential oils – the building blocks of aromatherapy – are taken from flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots. Aromatherapy, or as it is sometimes called, essential oil therapy, is applied either:

1. Topically: applied to the skin either via massage or baths
2. Directly Inhaled: breathed in deeply
3. Aerial Diffusion: oils evaporate into the air for pleasantly scented air or for disinfection

Scent immediately goes to the brain and elicits a response. A signal is sent to your brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions and retrieves learned memories. This then causes chemicals to be released which makes you feel relaxed, calm or even stimulated.

Popular essential oils and their related aromatherapeutic benefits include:

• Basil - Sharpens concentration; alleviate some depression symptoms; headache and migraine reliever.
• Bergamot - Useful for urinary tract and digestive tract; good for the skin when combined with eucalyptus oil.
• Black pepper – Stimulates circulation; aids muscular aches, pains and bruises.
• Eucalyptus – Relieves cold or flue by opening airways; commonly combined with peppermint.
• Jasmin – Offers aphrodisiac qualities.
• Lavender – Heals minor cuts and burns as an antiseptic; relaxer; relieves headache and migraine symptoms; sleep enhancer
• Lemon – Lifts  moods, relieves stress and depression.
• Tea tree – Provides antimicrobial, antiseptic, and disinfectant qualities. Commonly used in mouth rinses.
• Thyme – Helps with fatigue, nervousness and stress.

There are about 150 essential oils to choose from. Whichever one you choose for aromatherapy, make sure it’s made from natural, pure, raw and ideally organic materials. Synthetic oils are never an acceptable substitute.