from growing older or from eventually reaching
the end of his or her lifetime.
Healthy AgingIn the mid-1990s researchers at the Tufts Univer-
sity Center for Aging compared two groups of
women ages 50 to 70. At the start of the study, the
women in both groups were all sedentary. One
group stayed that way. The other group partici-
pated in progressively intense physical STRENGTH
training. At the end of 1 year the women in the
strength training group looked, felt, and acted 20
years younger than the women in the sedentary
group. Other studies involving other groups have
shown, too, that people who stay physically and
mentally active experience fewer illnesses and
injuries, and maintain cognitive ability and mem-
ory function.
Many health experts believe the true “fountain
of youth” is within each individual and the
lifestyle choices he or she makes. Of course no
one chooses to be sick. In fact, illness 40 years
down the road is not what most people think
about when making choices about eating, exer-
cise, and smoking. Yet many of the choices people
make lead to the chronic health conditions that
have come to characterize growing older in Amer-
ica. Though not as glamorous as pills that promise
to turn back the calendar, doing what is possible
to contain the risks for these conditions, many
health experts say, is the one anti-aging approach
in which anyone and everyone can participate.
See also ESTROGENS; HEALTH RISK FACTORS; HOR-
MONE; HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE(HGH) SUPPLEMENT;
LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH; QUALITY OF LIFE.
aromatherapy The therapeutic use of essential
oils of plants delivered via the sense of smell.
Essential oils are highly concentrated liquid
extracts from the stems, leaves, flowers, and other
parts of plants that contain the energy essence of
the plant. Aromatherapy is a form of energy HEAL-
INGalways done to complement or accompany
other therapeutic forms. A qualified aromathera-
pist can mix personalized blends as recipes to meet
a person’s individual needs. In the United States
essential oils are available in health food stores,
and many major grocery stores and drugstores
carry common oils that anyone can buy.
COMMON ESSENTIAL OILS FOR AROMATHERAPY
Essential Oil Therapeutic Use
anise upper respiratory INFECTION
basil focus and concentration
cedarwood arthritis
citrus mental clarity and alertness
eucalyptus congestion
jasmine DEPRESSION
lavender anxiety, insomnia
peppermint NAUSEArelief
rose relaxation, gastrointestinal upset, dry SKIN
rosemary MUSCLErelaxation
sandalwood stress
thyme circulation
vanilla confidence, relaxation
ylang-ylang anxiety, PALPITATIONS, stressThe most common method for dispensing an
essential oil is diffusion, in which a heat source
such as a candle or low-watt light bulb warms a
solution of water and the essential oil. Often the
essential oil also carries the fragrance of the plant,
giving off a pleasant smell. However, according to
the principles of aromatherapy, it is the energy
nature of the essential oil, not necessarily its fra-
grance, that provides therapeutic benefit. Fra-
granced solutions that are not essential oils may
smell no different but aromatherapists contend
they have no therapeutic value.
Many alternative and complementary practices
integrate aromatherapy, which health experts
consider to be mostly safe. Some essential oils can
stimulate physiologic changes in the body that
may be hazardous during PREGNANCY; pregnant
women should discuss using aromatherapy with
their obstetricians or midwives. The essential oils
for aromatherapy are for external use only. Most
are harmful, and some can be fatal, if ingested.
Many essential oils are irritating to the SKINunless
significantly diluted with neutral carrier oils (such
as almond oil) before application.
See also FLOWER ESSENCES; HOMEOPATHY; MEDITA-
TION; PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITY; VISUALIZATION.art therapy A HEALING approach that uses the
creative arts to help people, especially children,
express suppressed emotions. Art therapy may
employ drawing, writing, dancing, singing, drama,
painting, storytelling, sculpting with clay, and58 Alternative and Complementary Approaches