Mind-Body Interventions: Aromatherapy
Mind-Body Interventions:
Aromatherapy
Amanda Watson
Alternative Approaches to Disease
HSC 3189
Brett Lieberman
August 5, 2012
Mind-Body Interventions:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils and to know what aromatherapy is, one must know that essential oils are the steam distillates derived from the aromatic plants (Freeman, 2009). Aromatherapy dates back to the era in which medicine was first discovered and can be labeled as preventative care. It is said that Hippocrates stated that “the way to health is an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day”. This wordage indicates that preventative care was also meant to go hand in hand with the medical field, in other words, there should not be a gap, as we are greatly seeing in today’s Western Medicine. The beginning of modern day aromatherapy was studied by a French chemist whose name was Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, PhD and dates back to the 1920’s. His approach to findings included studies on burns that he sustained in his laboratory in which he treated successfully with lavender oil (Horowitz, 2011). These findings led to today’s studies of aromatherapy.
This invigorating form of mind-body intervention can be administered by means of inhalants, topically, compresses, and digested if directed by a licensed professional. Essential oils must be diluted due to their high levels of concentration. Because dilution must ensue, aromatherapy is deemed a safe therapy. As a matter of fact, nurses in the United Kingdom at the College of Nursing have had no incidences of malpractice to date that have been reported. In comparison to Western Medicine, this fact is very promising for this type of therapy to thrive in the future (Horowitz, 2011).
Clinical studies indicate that certain oils can aid in treatment of certain types of ailments. Sage has shown to improve the mind by aiding with memory and mood states. Eucalyptus carries elements that contribute to
Aromatherapy
Amanda Watson
Alternative Approaches to Disease
HSC 3189
Brett Lieberman
August 5, 2012
Mind-Body Interventions:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils and to know what aromatherapy is, one must know that essential oils are the steam distillates derived from the aromatic plants (Freeman, 2009). Aromatherapy dates back to the era in which medicine was first discovered and can be labeled as preventative care. It is said that Hippocrates stated that “the way to health is an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day”. This wordage indicates that preventative care was also meant to go hand in hand with the medical field, in other words, there should not be a gap, as we are greatly seeing in today’s Western Medicine. The beginning of modern day aromatherapy was studied by a French chemist whose name was Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, PhD and dates back to the 1920’s. His approach to findings included studies on burns that he sustained in his laboratory in which he treated successfully with lavender oil (Horowitz, 2011). These findings led to today’s studies of aromatherapy.
This invigorating form of mind-body intervention can be administered by means of inhalants, topically, compresses, and digested if directed by a licensed professional. Essential oils must be diluted due to their high levels of concentration. Because dilution must ensue, aromatherapy is deemed a safe therapy. As a matter of fact, nurses in the United Kingdom at the College of Nursing have had no incidences of malpractice to date that have been reported. In comparison to Western Medicine, this fact is very promising for this type of therapy to thrive in the future (Horowitz, 2011).
Clinical studies indicate that certain oils can aid in treatment of certain types of ailments. Sage has shown to improve the mind by aiding with memory and mood states. Eucalyptus carries elements that contribute to
References: Freeman, Lyn. (2009) Mosby’s Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach (3rd Edition). United States: Mosby, Inc. Horowitz, S. (2011) Aromatherapy: Current and Emerging Applications. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 17(1), 26-31. doi:10.1089/act.2011.17103