Alternative Medicine

Aromatherapy is a healing and magical practice that has been used for thousands of years. It’s recorded in the hieroglyphs of Egypt, but certainly has a much longer history. The oldest known medical text for working with aromas and oils was found in the Orient and is around 5000 years old. One has to assume that if medical texts were written this long ago, that the fledging practice or aromatherapy is much, much older. In order to write a medical text there had to be a history to use as a beginning.

The ancient cultures developed their practices based on what plants were available to them. As contact began to increase between Asia, Africa and Europe, the oldest spice routes, sailing explorations and later trade routes led to cross-culture contact. This, in turn, created some similarities in practice and form. In the Americas, separated by thousands of miles of oceans to the East and the West, an aromatherapy practice developed based on different species of plants and some differences in ritual. Until tobacco became a recreational drug, the Americas had little crossing of their practices with other continents.

While the other cultures of the world searched near and far, from continent to continent for special woods and flowers to create their products, native cultures in The Americas lived more in harmony with the land, using native plants. Of course it was far more difficult for them to trade with the oceans to cross, but the relative isolation from outside sources created an evolutionary difference in their choices and practices.

The Shamans of The Southern Americas used hallucinogens like mescaline for their spiritual journeys and Machis drove off evil spirits with herbs. In the Northern climes of the Americas, the hallucinogen of choice was peyote and evil spirits were driven off with the smoke of sage.

While the Egyptians used olive oil as a base for their essential oils, there is no evidence that the cultures of the Americas used oil as a base in the same way. Herbs were dried for digestion (medical purposes) and for smudging to clear the body and spaces of any unwanted energies. It would be logical though for them to be making salves and unguents from rendered fats. With a large supply of native nuts, oil may have been extracted from them. The tribes who had settlements probably had more variety in how they combined herbs and woods than the tribes who were primarily nomadic.

If you want information about specific plants that were used in the Americas, read my article Ten Native American Herbs and Their Uses.

Aromatherapy is one of the most in-demand services you can get from a day spa. The therapy is exceptional because it makes use of the scent of essential oils and herbs to relax both the mind and the body. It usually comes in a form of hydrosoluble oil or in a form of lotion which is massaged over the entire body.

The Senses of Touch and Smell

Aromatherapy is a proven and effective way to get rid of stress. Spa-goers often opt for this treatment because they claim that it offers deeper relaxation when compared to a regular massage alone. Although this claim is subjective, it also has a good basis. Aromatherapy is a combination of both the sense of touch and the sense of smell to achieve stress relief and relaxation.

The Limbic System and How it Works

Some people discount aromatherapy as a mere placebo that doesn’t really have any effect on the body. Other experts dispute this, stating that the olfactory nerves are wired to a part of the brain called the limbic system which is in charge of our emotions as well as our nervous system and hormones. When a scent is smelled by an individual, it can influence that person’s mood in a way dependent upon the scent being smelled.

Common Aromatherapy Scents

Here are some of the common scents used during an aromatherapy session. Depending on your therapist or your preference, these scents can be used alone or can be combined with other essential oils.

• Lemon – Most people who have tried the scent of lemon say it has an energizing effect on their body as well as a disinfectant whenever applied to the skin.
• Lavender – Lavender is primarily used as a stress reliever which is why it’s a common offering at spas.
• Jasmine – This scent has an aphrodisiac effect but is used more for its relaxing and soothing effect.
• Chamomile – An aroma used widely for its relaxing scent and also to help promote better sleep.
• Basil – Known to improve focus and concentration.
• Sandalwood – The scent of burned sandalwood can be described as a sweet woody scent known to promote relaxation and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Rose – Rose is popularly known to have a soothing and calming aroma.
• Peppermint – Like lemon, most people who have tried peppermint say that it helps increase their energy.

Use Scents Alone or Combined

Once you opt for aromatherapy, you can choose between one individual scent or for a combination of these scents. The scents come in a form of hydrosoluble oil or lotion and will be used to massage over your entire body. During the treatment, all you have to do is empty your mind and be carried away by the soothing aroma that fills the room along with the relaxing massage.

Not Appropriate with Certain Skin Conditions

Since aromatherapy involves essence from various herbs and plants and is rubbed directly onto the skin, it is inappropriate for individuals with skin allergies, those with fresh sunburns, and people with sensitive skin. Application on body areas with bruises, open wounds, and skin rashes should also be avoided. If you have any of these conditions, inform your therapist ahead of time, or better yet ask for your doctor’s consent first.

Patchouli oil is known widely for its relaxing and tension relieving properties. There are many wonders of this amazing plant and the various sensation therapeutic properties that this oil offers.

These fragrant plants grow in tropical region in many parts of the world. The oil gets distilled from its leaves and its shoot has a very rich and spicy odor, which improves with the age. The major components of patchouli oil are henzaldehyde, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. This oil is also known to have excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has been used for nausea, pain, headache etc. Apart from medicinal products, it is used in cosmetics and perfumes.

If you are suffering from anxiety or fighting odds against depression then you should try this oil. It is also effective in insect prone areas, as it helps in treating insect bites. Many people use patchouli oil for water retention or for breaking up the cellulite. The great deodorizing action helps in dealing with inflammations and gives you a soothing effect. Oil is among the most active and generator of tissue, which promotes new skin cell regulator.

With its excellent diuretic properties, it is effective in fighting water retention and to break up cellulite. You should try the one which is pure undiluted and is ready to use. There are many types of patchouli oils out for sale in the market. This essential oil is used to control use of essential oils so as to promote your spiritual as well as physical well being. This oil also finds its use in aromatherapy. A hot and relaxing bath in aromatherapy no doubt adds an entirely different experience in your life. This is why these types of oils are called Oils of life. You need to add this oil in bathtub and that’s it. The aromatherapy benefit is mainly a result of the herbal properties of natural patchouli oil.

There are many products in the market that claim to themselves to be made up of patchouli oil. However, not all of them are true for their claims. You need to make sure that you use pure and genuine patchouli oil.

The earthy scent of these oils is one of its most scintillating features. The rich scent of this oil boasts of having an aphrodisiac effect and is perfect for those who are looking for a romantic environment. The unique blend of stimulating as well as relaxing effect will surely impress you to a high degree. If you are experiencing lack of sexual drive then also you can use this oil. It is known for treating impotence in men and frigidity in women. It makes you feel relaxed and then paves the way for sexual stimulation. The strong and heavy smell of the plant might not appeal to you very much but it can yield a distinguish aroma which can be used as an important fixative in manufactures of various cosmetics.