ST201904

A

n aroma

massag

scented

oils – is

more re

Aromat

has become synonymous

spa and beauty treatmen

don’t be deceived by its s

scents and soft focus ima

can be powerful medicin

Essential oils can mitiga

complaints, from high bl

to chronic migraines. Th

stop at the physiological;

can help us know ourselves better,

gently balancing our emotions.

Pretty much every ancient culture

understood the power of plant oils.

Scented unguents were found in King

Tutankhamun’s tomb. And the Greek

physician Hippocrates, writing in the

fourth century BCE, said, “The way to

health is to have an aromatic bath and

scented massage every day.”

However, modern aromatherapy

originated in France in the early part

the 20th century. When a chemist

called René-Maurice Gattefossé burn

himself while working in his family’s

perfume factory, he plunged his hand

into the nearest liquid – a jar of pure

lavender oil. The burn healed more

swiftly than he expected, without

scarring or infection. Intrigued, he

experimented with a range of oils and

uncovered an entire fragrant pharmacy.

Around 300 essential oils are in use

today. Gone are the days when we were

taken in by high-street unguents

dubbed ‘aromatherapy’ but containing

barely any active ingredients. Instead

there’s an upsurge of interest in ‘real’

clinical) aromatherapy and also

sycho-aromatherapy, where scent

meets psyche. We’re also opting to scen

ur homes naturally – using them to

hift our mood and energy. Some

romatherapists even insist essential

ils can help soothe our souls.

HOW IT WORKS

An essential oil contains, on average,

round 100 chemical components –

erpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones

and phenols. They can pack a powerful

punch: for example, oregano essential

oil is 26 times more powerful an

antiseptic than the active ingredients in

many commercial cleaning materials.

Chemists have found that many

essential oils act as potent antiseptics,

antifungals and antibacterials.

Some are natural anti-inf lammatories

and can help with joint pain; some

have pain-relieving properties. Others

affect blood pressure, circulation and

digestion. Several act as adaptogens,

natural balancers of the body. Hyssop,

for example, can help normalise blood

pressure, regardless of whether it is

too high or too low. Peppermint can

stimulate or relax, depending on what

your body needs.

Alongside their physiological effect,

the oils have powerful psychological

benefits. Some oils are natural anti-

depressants while others are nature’s

sedatives or uplifters. Scent affects

mood as olfactory nerves connect to the

ry

eA highly concentrated,

lid or solid perfume

d by enfleurage (see

or solvent extraction

concrete.

The resinous liquid or

lid extract taken from

or base oil Essential oils

ally too concentrated to

on the skin undiluted

are blended with an

med vegetable oil such

t almond.

ypeChemical variations

in an essential oil, even though

they are obtained from the same

botanical type of plant.

Concrete The waxy solid or

semi-solid material prepared

from plant matter.

Distillation In which the plant

is heated (either directly in water

or via steam) so its essence is

released as vapour.

Enfleurage A traditional method

of extracting oils from delicate

flowers. Petals are sprinkled over

a layer of fat, so their essence is

absorbed. It takes 60,000 rose

petals to produce one ounce

of rose oil.

Essential oil The aromatic

extraction distilled from plants

to be used therapeutically.

Essence The characteristic

perfume of a plant before

distillation.

Expression Some oils are

obtained by simple pressure (for

example, most citrus fruits).

Extraction A liquid solvent

(usually liquid butane or carbon

dioxide) flows over flowers in

racks, dissolving essential oils.

Maceration The long soaking of

flowers and herbs in water or oil.

Nature identical oils

Synthetically produced oils that

mimic the scent of natural

essential oils. They are not used

in aromatherapy.

Psychoaromatherapy The use

of essential oils to affect mood.

Resin A solid or semi-solid

residue taken from trees or

bushes. Another common

term for a resin is a gum.

“The effects don’t stop at

the physiological. Essential

oils can help us know

ourselves better, gently

balancing our emotions”

nt

l

atherapy

e,adeepbath

dwith heady

there anythi

elaxing?

therapy

swith

nts, but

weet

age – it

ne.

teserious

oodpressure

heeffectsdon

;essentialoils

ves better

sa

bsolut

semi-so

obtained

below)o

from ac

Balsam

semi-so

aplant.

Carriero

are usua

beused

so they

unperfu

as sweet

Chemot

in aness

h

ing

Gl

Ab

s

g

o

d

of

ed

(c

ps

m

ou

sh

ar

oi

H

A

ar

te

’t

s