The practice of aromatherapy is mainly based on the use of pure essential oils, which are plant-derivatives containing the essence or the aroma. Each aroma or oil has a specific effect on mind and body. Essential oils are used for both aromatherapy and massage. Since different types of oils have different effects on mind and body, one may be mixed with two or more to develop a special fragrance for a special purpose.

The production of essential oils is an intricate and a delicate process. To produce a small bottle of an essential oil, many hundred kilograms of the parent plant or flower are needed. For example 2000 kilograms of rose petals may be needed to produce a liter of its essential oil.

Currently there is much demand for pure essential oils. Purity may come from a number of factors including the manner in which the parent plant has been cultivated. Organic and non-organic essential oils are found in the markets. Organic essential oils come from plants cultivated without use of pesticides, herbicides, irradiation, or any form of unnatural treatment. Non-organic oils come from plants that have passed through all these. There is all likelihood that these will contain toxic and unnatural substances that one may be allergic to, or which may do more harm than good to the user. There is nothing as good as using a 100% pure essential oil. Since excessive use of essential oils can be dangerous and since they are very concentrated, these are diluted at the time of use by another oil, which is called carrier oil. Almond oil, jajoba oil, apricot Oil, and olive oil etc are all carrier oils. Read the rest of this entry »

The art and science of using volatile oils for the psychological and physical well-being is called aromatherapy. These volatile oils are derived from plants. Essential oils are used the most in aromatherapy on account of their innumerable benefits they have on the mind-body system of human beings. There are many types of essential oils that are used in aromatherapy to fetch different therapeutic results.

Aromatherapy is said to trigger certain biochemical responses in the brain that in turn activate certain dormant function of the body and mind to impart a sense of well-being. Since aromatherapy is widely practiced, there is an array of products in the market that are sold as aromatherapy products, but actually are not. Sometimes even certain types of perfumes are passed on as aromatherapy oils.

The fakes do not get the desired results that one would expect from a real aromatherapy product. The fakes normally use fragrance oils in place of true aromatherapy oils. So while buying an aromatherapy product it should be ensured that the brand belongs to a reputed company and the ingredients are clearly listed on the container.

Aromatherapy has been in use for thousands of years now, even if it came to be known as aromatherapy somewhere after 20th century. Aromatherapy is said to be of Chinese origin. Egyptians have used aromatherapy by drawing distilled oils from cinnamon, nutmeg, cedar wood, clove, and myrrh. From Egyptians it is said to have passed on to Greek. Aromatherapy has also been used by Persians and Indians thousands of years ago.

Backed by a rich history, it is only in 19th century that the perfumery industry woke up to the benefits of using aromatherapy for financial gains. This was also the time when aromatherapy began to be tested in scientific laboratories for understanding the important mechanisms of aromatherapy products on mind and body. Read the rest of this entry »