Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Essential oils are plant extracts made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant, such as flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit, to capture the compounds that produce fragrance. They are used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, food additives, soaps, plastic resins, perfumes, and more. Aromatherapy applications include massage, topical applications, and inhalation.
Positive aspects of aromatherapy:
- A range of essential oils have been found to have various degrees of antimicrobial activity and are believed to have antiviral, nematicidal, antifungal, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties.
- Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain. Apart from providing a pleasant smell, aromatherapy oils can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits.
- Aromatherapy is a non-regulated health care practice that incorporates essential oils into a variety of activities such as massage, baths, meditation, and more to promote and improve human health.
Negative aspects of aromatherapy:
- Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be hazardous if used in the wrong way. Consumers should be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates essential oils as cosmetics, and all cosmetic products and ingredients must meet the same safety requirements, regardless of whether they are natural or synthetic.
- Some essential oils are toxic, and taking them by mouth could be fatal. Rarely, aromatherapy can induce side effects, such as rash, asthma, headache, liver, and nerve damage.
- Animal studies suggest that active ingredients in certain essential oils may interact with some medications. Researchers do not know if they have the same effect in humans.
Ingredients or materials:
- Essential oils are plant extracts made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant, such as flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit, to capture the compounds that produce fragrance.
- Oil for a massage will be mixed with a “carrier oil” that dilutes the oil and provides lubrication.
- Consumers should purchase products from a well-known and reputable aromatherapy company thats been around for several years. Pure essential oils are highly concentrated, and they can dissolve plastic bottles over time, tainting the oil. Most companies package essential oils in small brown or blue glass bottles to protect the quality.
