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When you hear the word "Aromatherapy" what comes to your mind? Perhaps it is your favorite fragranced candle, or a wonderful aromatic herbal bath. Maybe it is a soothing Lavender eye pillow, or a steaming cup of Chamomile tea.
We have utilized essences for countless thousands of years because of their medicinal, psycho-emotional and spiritual values. In the past 10 years however, we have seen an explosion of interest both within the public scientific community in the therapeutic values of essential oils and aromatherapy based products.
Understandably so. In aromatherapy, we find one of nature’s most powerful gifts––aromatic liquid substances––essential oils. Liquids that invoke sleep, soothe tired muscles, improve circulation, and reduce scar tissue formation. These concentrated liquids are the flavoring to many commercially prepared foods and drinks, the active ingredients in numerous cosmetic products––and most interestingly, the scientific basis of countless pharmaceuticals.
Today, the major emphasis of aromatherapy is directed to its psycho-emotional benefits.The reduction and management of stresses in our life is key to optimal physical and emotional well-being. When we expose our body to prolonged periods of mental, environmental, and physical stress our bodies suffer. Our Immune System becomes severely compromised, which has a profound effect on our physical health. Our bodies first line of defense against infectious intruders such as viruses and bacteria’s is what? Our immune system.
Let us explore the mind /body connection of the effects of stress. In response to stress, a complex process begins in the hypothalamus area of the brain, causing the release of the stress hormone named cortisol. Initially, cortisol release during stress has several good purposes. It suppresses the immune system––which if you are in a fight or running from a predator, keeps a small injury from swelling up––it also causes the level of blood sugar to rise for more muscle energy. And when cortisol reaches the brain, it acts as a stimulant, heightening your sense of awareness and aiding in quick mental action.
In the long term however, the release of cortisol in severe or chronic stress will take an undesirable toll on the brain and the body. Long term suppression of the immune system leads to the development of infections, auto-immune disorders, cancer, mental depression, high blood pressure, stroke, respiratory ailments, digestive disorders, and even heart disease.
In order to understand how essences can play a powerful role in the management of physical and emotional stress, we must first understand how essences work. Essential oils enter the body in two methods––through the nose and the skin. The olfactory system, the connection between the nose and the brain, is our most powerful and direct method to our environment. Our sense of smell is a defensive mechanism; a way to protect us from dangerous elements, ranging from gas leaks, to poisons foods. Our sense of smell is also directly tied to our limbic system, the portion of our brain responsible for governing our emotions, memories and certain regulatory bodily functions.
To demonstrate this, have you ever walked into a room, and smelled a familiar yet distant scent that immediately brought back a memory?It could be the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg in your grandmother’s famous pumpkin pie, or the musky scent of patchouli that brought back a memory of a love from long past. This is the effect of aroma.
Not only do essences enter the body thru inhalation, they enter the blood system thru skin absorption. Essential oils are organic in nature, which allows them to be easily absorbed thru the pores and hair follicles of the skin. This aspect makes aromatherapy an invaluable tool in physical well-being. Essences have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant , sedative, anti-fungal, diuretic, anti-convulsive, decongestive, anti-rheumatic, and anti-septic properties.
In Aromatherapy, we utilize these therapeutic properties of nature’s essences to help increase circulation, reduce muscle inflammation, reduce localized bacteria, relieve symptoms associated with asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, flu, and arthritis. Realizing essences have a sedating effect on the nervous system we utilize the antidepressant, anxiety inhibiting, stress relieving properties of essences to provide the body and mind a simultaneous break from harmful stress stimuli.
I invite you to experience first hand the benefits of Aromatherapy. Nature has given each of us the wonderful gift of the sense of smell, from which we can connect us with feelings of joy, peace, exhilaration, or tranquility. From these same aromas which invoke powerful positive emotional responses, we are able to manage the physical effects of stress on the body as well, namely dis-ease and imbalance. Start today. Make it a point to search out an aroma that brings a slow smile to your face in the midst of your chaotic day. Tuberoses are in bloom, a sweet intoxicating white floral, and truly one of my personal favorites. Ah, I am smiling just thinking of it!
©2002 Carrie-Anne Tapia, L.M.T.
Carrie-Anne Tapia, owner of Redlands Aromatherapy––Specializes in personalized Essential Oil Therapy, Reflexology and Holistic Health. By Appointment. 930 Monterey Street. Redlands, Ca. (909) 534-3656
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