Aromatherapy has been around for some time now, manifesting itself in different forms in different civilizations. The Chinese and Indians used it as incense in temples while Egyptians used oils for embalming and other rituals. However, it was in the past few years that aromatherapy has started being seen as a science, and ancient art.



Most people are of the impression that aromatherapy is the therapy from aromas. However, there is more to this than just that. In aromatherapy, essential oils from plant parts like flowers, leaves, roots, stems and rinds of fruits are used. Though these oils are not 'oily' to touch, they are miscible in oil, to produce their oily nature.

As they are very volatile, they emit a strong aroma with many chemical compounds.

There are many uses and benefits of aromatherapy ranging from mental to physical ailments. It is most often used to control stress where lavender oil is usually used. There are some essential oils that are antibacterial and antifungal in nature, and are used on the skin.

Such a form of oil is tea tree oil. How essential oils really affects the body is not known, but it should be related to the complex chemical structure of its essential oils. The body is capable of absorbing these oils through inhalation or massage.

Aromatherapy is utilized through direct inhalation, in personal products like soaps and creams, steam inhalation with the help of a vaporizer and in a clay pot diffuser.

It is also effectively used through massage with carrier oil and a lamp ring diffuser. You can also find many aromatherapy candles in the market that release essential oils when burned; thus acting similarly to a diffuser. Essential oils are also used while bathing where a few drops of essential oil are added to bath water to be mixed vigorously. While bathing, the skin both inhales the aromas and absorbs its compounds through the skin.

Though aromatherapy can be easily stuck to, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe. As essential oils have powerful and toxic ingredients, they have to be used with care. This is why most of the essential oils should not be used directly on the skin; it has to be diluted else it irritates the skin. Moreover, under no circumstances should a majority of the essential oils be swallowed.

So when handling essential oils, remember that less of it is more than enough. Only a few drops are sufficient; for more drops may increase the strength of the essential oil and at the same time produce deleterious effects. You also end up only wasting these beautiful, expensive essential oils.