Aromatherapy Uses: at Home, Holistic, in Medicine, in Skincare & Aromachology
Aromatherapy refers to the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and cosmetic purposes. We can actually divide aromatherapy into the following different areas or types of uses:
At-Home Aromatherapy
This type of aromatherapy includes treating common ailments with remedies we can easily make at home. These include inhalations (i.e. when we have a cold), taking a relaxing bath or giving a member of our family a massage. Obviously this type of at-home aromatherapy is limited to external use of the essential oils.
At-home aromatherapy is a lovely way for people to pamper themselves in a way that’s pleasant and easy. Everyone should give this a try in fact.
Holistic Aromatherapy
This is the type of aromatherapy that’s used for therapeutic purposes and it is usually performed by an expert in the field or a naturopath.
The way in which aromatherapy is performed here is by looking at each person in a holistic way; which means that the approach takes into account the physical, emotional (and sometimes even the energetic) levels.
Let’s say that the therapist makes a complete aromatherapy health assessment by looking at all the different aspects that can influence the individual’s health: diet, habits, emotional states, etc etc.
Aromatherapy and Medicine
Sometimes qualified doctors or health professionals can use aromatherapy for therapeutic or medicinal purposes.
This is usually limited to using essential oils which have shown to possess medicinal properties when these have been scientifically proven. An example would be some essential oils which can be used to treat urinary tract infections.
Aromatherapy in Skincare
This type of aromatherapy is usually performed by cosmetologists, beauticians or masseurs. They use the essential oils in their skincare products, as part of beauty treatments, etc.
Aromachology
The word ‘aromachology‘ was coined in 1982 by the Olfactory Research Fund, now known as the Sense of Smell Institute. It is the study of the temporary effect of the aroma on the mind as well as the behaviour of the individual.
Sometimes synthetic ingredients or fragrances are used, which can be a little deceiving at times as they are the result of mixing chemicals that create similar aromas to those of essential oils.
Interesting to See What the Future Brings
It would be interesting to see what the future brings in the world of aromatherapy. There’s no doubt that every year there seems to be more and more interest in natural health and wellbeing.
I foresee that within the next 20 years everyone will have at least a couple of essential oil bottles at home to treat common ailments with the use of some form of aromatherapy.
I’m also sure many people will start distilling plant material themselves from crops they grow near their homes: sustainability has become a serious issue and we simply have to take responsibility for our green needs, one person at a time.
Resources
– What is Aromatherapy? By webMD
– At-Home Aromatherapy
– Holistic Aromatherapy
– On Medical Aromatherapy
– The Benefits of Aromatherapy in Skincare
– Aromachology vs Aromatherapy: What’s the Difference?
