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About Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy refers to the skilled use of essential oils extracted from aromatic plant material to maintain health and well being, and to prevent imbalances and illnesses on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.

Essential Oils are extracted from aromatic plant material of many types, including flowers (jasmine), leaves (eucalyptus), roots (ginger), berries (pepper), and wood (sandalwood). The most common method of extraction is steam distillation. Essential oils are highly concentrated and, with few exceptions, are used in dilution with a suitable carrier oil or lotion. Essential oils are comprised of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules.

True Essential Oils are 100% complete and pure, without any chemical components removed. Aromatherapists believe that all naturally occurring essential oil components, even in small amounts, contribute to the overall properties and uses of the oil.

Major points to keep in mind when working with essential oils:
• Use only genuine 100% essential oils (avoid synthetic fragrance oils)
• Be aware of individual sensitivities or allergies
• Keep out of reach of children
• Use diluted in a carrier such as a lotion or vegetable oil
• Avoid using photo-sensitive essential oils prior to sun exposure: bergamot, lemon, lime, bitter orange, angelica root
• In the case of skin irritation, apply a vegetable oil to wick essential oils from the skin.

Aromatherapy as Complementary Medicine
There are many terms used to describe approaches to health care that are outside the realm of conventional medicine as practiced in the United States. Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), refers to diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's anxiety before surgery.

Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.

Integrative Aromatherapy refers to the uses of essential oils with other healing therapies, practices and products and, as such, is a part of Complementary medicine.

"Integrative aromatherapy embraces the art, science and bio-energetics of the skilled use of essential oils for their positive effects in all aspects of life."
- Laraine Kyle and Valerie Cooksley, Co-directors of the Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy