D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
January 2012
The Aroma of Healing
Essential oil therapy, popularly called aromatherapy, offers natural aid for body, mind and spirit.
Katy Martino
Aromatherapy, what is that? How did this term come about? Where did the term originate? Why do I even need to care?
Aromatherapy is the English translation of the French word aromathérapie, which was coined by French chemist René Gattefosse in 1937 while working with essential oils in his chemistry laboratory. Unfortunately, today this term has become used in reference to inconsequential products such as candles and household cleaners.
Until the 1960s most people outside of France were unaware of aromatherapy. This is ironic considering that the healing capability of essential oils has been around for over 5,000 years starting in Egypt. Hieroglyphics on the walls of Egyptian temples indicate they may have been the first to discover the potential of plants. Egyptians were known for using essential oils in the embalming process as well at rituals and in temples, in astrology and medicine. The physicians of Ionia, Attica and Crete came to the cities of the Nile to increase their knowledge. The Romans used essential oils to purify temples, political buildings and steam baths.
The alembic still for distillation was invented by Avicenna (980-1037 AD), an Arab alchemist, philosopher and physician. This type of equipment continues to be used today.
Essential oil use moved rapidly from France to England to the United States in the 1970s. As the demand grew, more and more books were written, and schools for teaching essential oil practice were founded.
What are essential oils? They are aromatic volatile liquids that are steam-distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes and seeds. These essential oils are chemically complex and much more highly concentrated than dried herbs and are therefore much more potent.
"Essential oil" is actually a misnomer; this is the immune system of the plant. It is considered the "life blood" of the plant and is not oily or greasy. Mother Nature is very clever: Some scents of plants keep them from being eaten by insects, while the scent of other plants attracts insects for pollination.
What are the characteristics of essential oils and why are they of use? All essential oils have antibacterial properties. They are lipophillic (fat soluble, attracted to humans due to fats in our bodies), chemically complex (50-400 chemical components), volatile (if left open to the air, they will evaporate), lighter than water, and also insoluble in water.
"Essential oil therapy" is a more appropriate term than aromatherapy. The term aromatherapy can also apply to synthetically created scents. Essential oil practitioners choose only pure essential oils. Essential oils influence both the mind and body, which is what makes them such a unique natural therapeutic source.
They are used by:
- Essential oil practitioners
- Medical practitioners
- Nurses
- Counselors and psychologists
- Massage therapists
- Hospitals
Essential oils can be used for chronic conditions without the severe side effects often seen with pharmaceutical products. This is due to their chemical complexity, synergetic balance, multifaceted actions (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal), and subtle action. Essential oils are excellent for balancing mind, body and spirit.
Essential Oil Room Spritzer
Using an eight-ounce spray bottle, fill with seven ounces of distilled water and add 60 drops of peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita). Shake the bottle before spraying a room. (Be careful to not get on furniture or spray in eyes.) Keep bottle away from small children to prevent ingestion of ingredients. Never take essential oils internally. |
My curiosity about essential oils began in 2003 when I attended an open house at the College of Botanical Healing Arts in Santa Cruz, Calif. I fell in love with the subtlety of the aromas of plants and their gentle healing abilities. I enrolled in the two-year program. There I learned how to stop an allergy attack by simply placing a drop of chamomile, roman (Chamaemelum nobile) on my upper lip under my nose. A pounding headache was eased by drops of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) on my temples and the back of my neck. A cold can be stopped by inhaling steams using tea tree (Melaluca alternifolia), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and peppermint (Mentha piperita).
Peppermint is a wonderful essential oil to use in your home. Feeling stressed? Peppermint helps your concentration while eliminating mental fatigue. It lifts your spirits and has a cooling effect on anger.
I use essential oils in my personal life. I used a blend to heal surgical scars on both sides of my left ankle (the scars are almost invisible now). I made a blend for a friend recovering from knee replacement surgery. The blend was so effective at reducing the swelling that the home health care nurses asked if they could use it to help their other patients.
I create custom blends for clients to help them bring balance back into their lives. Uses include sore muscles, hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness and stress.
Essential oils are a way to bring nature back into your home and medicine cabinet.
Katy Martino, CEOP BS, owns Kavé Essence and Wellness Center, 601 W. Market St. in Silver City, (575) 519-9083. She received her certification from College of Botanical Healing Arts, Santa Cruz, Calif., and has been working with essential oils for eight years. She also works with flower essences as well as being a Level II Reiki practitioner.
Body, Mind & Spirit is a forum for sharing ideas and experiences on all aspects of physical, mental and spiritual health and on how these intersect. Readers, especially those with expertise in one or more of these disciplines, are invited to contribute and to respond. Write PO Box 191, Silver City, NM 88062, fax 534-4134 or email editor@desertexposure.com.
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Desert Exposure or its advertisers, and are not intended to offer specific or prescriptive medical advice. You should always consult your own health professional before adopting any treatment or beginning any new regimen. |