aromatherapy is a holistic therapy, which seeks to achieve an integrated physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance through the use of essential oils.
The word "aromatherapy" comes from the Greek terms "aroma” = pleasant odor + “therapy” = treatment. It literally means "treatment with pleasant odors".
Aromatherapy takes into account many individual aspects of each individual and can be combined with many types of conventional or alternative treatments.
It is indicated for the most varied types of problems, from muscle aches, headaches and poor digestion, to anxiety, going through indisposition, sleep disturbances, low mood, among others.
Aromatherapy, through essential oils, can be administered through massages, compresses, creams, body oils, baths or through aromatizers.
History of Aromatherapy
Aromatic herbs were already used for religious, curative or aesthetic purposes in Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome. the distillation of essencial oils in a more refined and efficient way occurred in 1000 AD, through
Avicenna, an Arab physician and philosopher. Alchemists in the 16th century believed that essential oil was the part of the plant responsible for healing.The term "Aromatherapy" was used initially by René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist whose family owned a perfume industry. One day while working in his laboratory, Gattefossé accidentally burned his hand and dipped it in a container containing lavender essential oil.
The burn healed quickly, did not become infected, did not blister, and healed. Gattefossé was fascinated by the feat and sought to further study the therapeutic properties of essential oils. In 1928 he published the book “Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétables” (Aromatherapy: Essential oils, plant hormones).
Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Essential oils are pure compounds extracted from aromatic plants through methods such as distillation, cold expression or flowering, and can be extracted from roots, trunk; branches, resins, leaves and flowers.
They have the following characteristics:
- 100% natural concentration;
- Oily, liquid consistency;
- Highly volatile;
- Dressings.
The therapeutic properties of essential oils vary according to the parts of the plant, and can be relaxing, stimulating or balancing. As for volatility, essential oils can be:
- Highly volatile essential oils: Stimulate the mind;
- Low Volatility Essential Oils: Are more calming;
- Medium volatility essential oils: Concentrate their balancing effects on the physical system.