Aromatherapy is a gentle healing art that bases itself around the use of essential oils for the treatment and / or prevention of disease. It has evolved over thousands of years, and is an recognized form of medicine, going all the way back to biblical times. It can be a supplementary treatment, used along with conventional, treating the actual problem rather than covering it up, as more conventional methods of treatment tend to do.
Aromatherapy doesn’t come with the, sometimes, unavoidable symptoms that are often associated with conventional treatments.
It is the systematic use of essential oils (volatile plant oils), consisting of tiny aromatic molecules that are readily absorbed into the skin. The use of incense is popular among aroma therapists.
Basic and herbal are the two types of Aromatherapy, the major difference between the two is herbal is based more on the use of herbs than on essential oils. The limbic system and emotional centre of the brain are activated by the use of herbs, killing microbes and fungi. Varying results can be achieved with the use of incense.
Many herbs are used in herbal aromatherapy, some of which are thyme, ylang ylang, rosemary, sandalwood, patchouli, birch, mandarin, jojoba, lavender, jasmine, grapefruit, nutmeg, citronella, cajeput, clove, fir, gardenia, ginger, basil, lemon grass, lime, pine, rose, marjoram, sage, sassafras, and spearmint, all of the above are available in the form of incense as well.
Of all of the herbs used in aromatherapy the most commonly used is Chamomile, and with its distinctive smell of apple it helps to soothe tired muscles and improves sleep. It also encourages calmness and emotional peace within. Fears and mood swings are eased with the use of Geranium, which also refreshes and relaxes the body.
Lavender is used in herbal aromatherapy, helping enhance self-expression and sensitivity, particularly for the introverted. It helps in the treatment of a variety of ailments and illnesses, arthritis, aches in the joints and chest, to the common cold and flu to name but a few.
One of the major benefits of aromatherapy is that it helps to treat the actual problem rather than just cover up the symptoms associated with it. This form of aromatherapy is popular throughout the world. This means that recipients will experience more long-term effects rather than short-term satisfaction.
Aromatherapy in general is normally incredibly, if not completely, effective and without the usual symptoms and side effects of conventional measures. The use of incense is recommended in conjunction with aromatherapy.