By Sheryl Holland
Aromatherapy uses essential oils (the healing properties of aromatic plants) in many different ways. Many of us think of having a massage with a base oil and a personal blend of essential oils, but we can also blend oils into base creams, lotions, shampoos etc. for skin and hair care. Oils can also be carefully added to baths and vapourised in oil burners.
History of Aromatherapy
The real founders of aromatherapy were the Egyptians. They used aromatic preparations as offerings to gods. Having been translated from hieroglyphs and paintings we can still make “Kyphi”, a few of the ingredients being frankincense, benzoin, myrrh and juniper. Kyphi was always burnt after sunset to ensure the safe return of the sun god “Ra”. Essential oils were also extensively used for their antiseptic and antibacterial properties, in the process of mummification.
The Greeks and Romans used aromatics widely in rituals and ceremonies. The oils also played an important role in the rise in popularity of baths and massages. The Chinese also have a tradition for aromatherapy. An alchemist would ceremoniously burn incense and douse themselves before carrying out experiments. The belief being that the plants fragrance acted as a vehicle for magical forces and spirits which would unveil the mysteries of life.
Ibn Sina, an 11thC Arab doctor and philosopher (commonly known as Avicenna) perfected a process now known as distillation. So advanced were his methods, that little has altered over the years. At this time Arabia became the worlds centre for the production of perfume.
Records have shown that aromatics were used as a form of protection against the plague, there was a lower rate of deaths amongst perfumiers. This in turn led to a potion know as “Four Thieves Vinegar”. This was used by a quartet of robbers in Marseille, who would rub themselves all over before plundering the bodies of plague stricken victims. Ingrediants of the potion included a concentration of garlic, along with rosemary, camphor, lavender, nutmeg, sage and cinnamon blended in vinegar!
The term aromatherapy was not used until 1928 when a French chemist (Rene-Maurice Gattefosse) burnt his hand in an experiment. In an aim to relieve the pain he put his hand in a jar of lavender oil. He was then amazed to see how well the wound healed, barely leaving a scar, and causing very little pain. His work was taken up by Dr Jean Valnet who used the antiseptic and healing properties of oils to help heal the wounds of World War 2 soldiers. It was then a lady called Marguerite Maury who developed the method of applying the oils through massage and into beauty treatments of modern day life.
How do we get essential oils?
There are various methods of extraction as described below:
Distillation
The Egyptians stored their raw materials in large clay pots. Water was added and the pots heated, so that steam rose and was pushed through a cotton cloth in the neck of the jar. Having soaked up the essential oil, the cloth was then squeezed out into a collection jar. Today high pressure steam is passed over leaves/flowers, often using a vacuum, so that the essential oils vaporise. When the steam containing essential oils passes through a cooling system, the oil condenses and is separated from the water. The remaining water may be used as a flower water, as is the case for roses and oranges.
Maceration
Flowers are soaked in hot oil to break down cells, this releases the fragrance into the oil which is then purified and oils separated using alcohol, then evaporating off the alcohol, to leave the essential oils.
Enfleurage
This is effective for more delicate flowers (Jasmine or Rose) which can be spoilt by intense heat. The flowers are crushed between wooden framed glass trays smeared with a greasy fat until saturated. This is then purified, and the oils extracted in the same way as maceration.
Expression
This is the method used for obtaining citrus oils. The rinds and peels of fruits are quite literally squeezed to extract the essential oils. Machines using centrifugal force have now replaced the technique.
Important notes
Mixing oils
Essential oils can be mixed with a base oil to make a massage blend. The recommended level of essential oil dilution to base oil is half drops to amount of base oil, e.g.. 5 drops to every 10ml of base oil (either as a combination of oils or individual oil). Blended oils can be stored for a short time in plastic bottles, but always keep the blend cool and out of direct sunlight. Make sure you label the bottle with the contents and the date blended. There are lots of base oils available for all types of skin; amongst the most popular are sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil which are both natural and perfume-free. You can choose to add other base oils to make the blend slightly thicker, such as evening primrose oil or jojoba, both of which are good for helping to ease inflamed skin.
Remember to always carefully count drops of essential oils when making a blend. (When you buy an essential oil, the bottle should either have its own internal dropper, or a dropper should be available separately.)
Also make sure that the essential oil bottles are stored in a dark, cool place, upright and well out of the way of children, because some oils are toxic if swallowed. Most bottles will also have a ‘best before date’ on the label.
When using essential oils for burning in oil burners, you must remember that essential oils are volatile, and can burn easily. Never allow the flame to come into contact with the oil, and do not allow the bowl of the burner to run dry with the candle still alight.
Make sure that the burner is level and cannot be knocked over, and keep away from curtains, children and pets etc! Never leave a candle unattended.
Some essential oils are ideal used for inhalation, especially if you have a cold, sinus problems, hayfever etc. If you do not have a special inhaler, always make sure that the bowl containing the boiling water is on a firm level surface. Eyes should be kept shut and a towel draped over your head and bowl. Oils to use include eucalyptus, thyme, peppermint and chamomile.
You can put essential oils in the bath; add them once the bath has been run, but take care not to use more than about ten drops of oil (either in a combination or individually) and make sure you agitate the water to help disperse the oils. If bathing children, use only 1 or 2 drops. Oils will not harm iron or steel baths, but they can mark plastic baths if you are not careful. It is advisable to wipe down such baths immediately afterwards.
Contra indications (Important!)
The use of some essential oils is not recommended if you are suffering from any in the following list (remember, if you use a qualified aromatherapist they should always have a short consultation period to check your medical history):
Hypertension
Thrombosis
Varicose veins
During the first 3 months of pregnancy
Have any areas of septic foci
Epilepsy
This does not necessarily mean that you cannot have an aromatherapy treatment, it just ensures that you do not use any oils which could potentially aggravate your condition. For example, the following oils are generally the most safest and gentlest for use during pregnancy:
Lavender
Rose
Chamomile
Neroli
Frankincense
Tangerine
Ylang Ylang
(Oils should always be used at half normal amounts whilst pregnant.)
Always consult a qualified aromatherapist if in doubt.