AROMATHERAPY - Chapter
II What is Aromatherapy?
Excerpt How to Make Perfume and Aromatherapy Basics Copyright © Deborah Dolen 2011 This e-book is available in full version on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. by Deborah Dolen Mabel White
The word “Aromatherapy” is a compound Greek word made up by the words
fragrance (aroma) and treatment (therapy).
Aromatherapy means 'treatment using scents'. It is a holistic
treatment of caring for the body with scents that causes a
psychological reaction. An example of these scents are Lavender,
Lemon, Neroli and Peppermint.
Essential oils, the most potent of aromatics, are delivered in many
ways including but not limited to, the bath, massage, steam
inhalations, direct inhalations or are diffused to scent an entire
room.
Aromatherapy is used for relaxation, stimulation, depression, pain
(whether physical or psychological), for skin care, to alleviate
tension, combat fatigue, and/or to invigorate the entire body, as a
few primary examples. Essential oils can also affect mood, alleviate
fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they
work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the
olfactory nerves. Essential oils are not the only sources to deliver
'aroma', but they are the most common.
Essential oils are aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers,
trees, fruits, bark, grasses and seeds with distinctive therapeutic,
psychological, and physiological properties, which can improve and at
times prevent illness.
The story of the 'Toulouse Thieves' would be a good example of
prevention. “As the bubonic plague decimated Europe in the year 1413,
four thieves were captured and charged with robbing the dead and dying
victims of Toulouse. When the thieves were tried, the magistrate
offered leniency if they would reveal how they resisted contracting
the infection as they performed their gruesome acts. The four thieves
explained that they were perfumers and spice traders and told of a
special concoction of aromatic herbs, including cloves and rosemary,
that they rubbed on their hands, ears, and temples.” Like any good
tale, the story actually has another version, and probably the more
specifically true one! “During the gruesome days of the Black Death in
France in 1628, the homes of the dying were being ransacked. At first
the authorities did nothing, assuming that the foolish thieves would
die of the plague. However the robberies continued and people began to
wonder why the robbers had not become ill and died. It was then that
the authorities began to pursue the thieves...to discover the secret
of their immunity to the Plague. Four thieves were eventually caught
and were condemned to be burned at the stake for their crimes. However
the king of France offered to mitigate their sentence if they would
reveal their secret in how they had been avoiding death by the plague.
The thieves told all, revealing a secret blend of aromatic herbs
steeped in vinegar. All four thieves were then hung. Their lasting
legacy is this tonic which has powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial
properties and is still used in France today."
Excerpt How to Make Perfume and Aromatherapy Basics Copyright © Deborah Dolen 2011 This e-book is available in full version on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. by Deborah Dolen Mabel White
Excerpt How to Make Perfume and Aromatherapy Basics Copyright © Deborah Dolen 2011 This e-book is available in full version on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. by Deborah Dolen Mabel White
Deborah
Dolen is the
Editor in Chief for Mabel White DIY and author of
over 25 DIY books, 1,000 articles and several TV "how to" Films.
Deborah Dolen is also an environmental writer and has
her own content syndication. Deborah Dolen was widowed
when she was on her 30's and went on to raise three
great daughters in FL up against many obstacles. This
is the time period she generated her most fascinating DIY books.