Aromatherapy is used to affect the emotions of a person and to relieve physical ailments. Essential oils are thought to relieve stress, improve sluggish circulation, ease pain, reduce swelling, or cleanse the body of impurities. Aromatherapists believe that some essential oils can help relieve viral or bacterial infections, burns, hypertension, respiratory conditions, insomnia, depression and many other illnesses. However, it is wise to always see a doctor for a diagnosis before using aromatherapy, and to keep your doctor informed about all complementary therapies that you use.
The most common ailments where aromatherapy may be used as an adjunct to mainstream medical treatment are:
bladder infections;
bronchitis;
common colds and flu;
migraine and headaches;
depression, stress related conditions, anxiety;
flatulence and digestive problems, such as indigestion;
skin conditions, such as acne and eczema;
insomnia;
laryngitis and tonsillitis;
menopausal symptoms;
muscle strains and sprains;
nausea and motion sickness;
toothache and gum disease; and
yeast and fungal infections.
How are essential oils used?
Essential oils enter the body in 2 ways — by inhalation and through absorption. They can be used in a variety of ways.
Inhalation — by direct inhalation or steam inhalation.
Diffusers and vaporisers — either electrical, burners that use candles or a ceramic ring that is warmed by a light bulb.
Massage — this is the most common form of treatment used by aromatherapists because of its effectiveness.
Baths — these can be scented with chosen oils. Footbaths can also be used for conditions such as chilblains.
Compresses — these can be applied to relieve bruising, skin conditions and muscle and period pain.
Neat — a very few oils can be used by applying them directly to the skin, however, most oils should not be used undiluted on the skin as they can cause irritation.
NEVER take aromatherapy oils internally. They are extremely potent and many can be poisonous.
Popular oils used in aromatherapy practice
Bay laurel — used to help digestive problems and appetite loss, and assist with colds, flu, tonsillitis and other respiratory conditions. It is also used to help treat lice and scabies and is useful with rheumatic pain and to reduce swollen lymph nodes. Do not use if pregnant.
Clary sage — this oil is used to ease anxiety and stress and is helpful with menstrual and menopausal symptoms. Aromatherapists believe it relieves burns and eczema. It should be avoided if pregnant.
Eucalyptus — this oil is thought to reduce fever and fight colds, flu, sinusitis and accompanying coughs. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis and is commonly used to help relieve skin conditions such as boils and pimples. It must never be taken internally.
German chamomile — a popular and versatile oil that is used to relieve digestive problems, menstrual and menopausal problems, inflamed or damaged skin, burns, (including sunburn), acne and boils.
Lavender — one of the most popular and well-known of the essential oils, it is used to ease headaches, depression, insomnia and any form of nervous stress and tension. It is also used to relieve muscular aches, sprains and strains and menstrual pain and cramping. It can be used for nausea and is regularly used for skin conditions including cuts, wounds, insect bites and burns.
Peppermint — this well-known oil is used to relieve indigestion, nausea and headache. It can also be used in cases of neuralgia and muscle pain and can help with bronchitis, sinusitis and motion sickness. However, this oil should be used in moderation and should not be used with children under the age of 3.
Rosemary — the essential oil from this popular culinary herb is thought to alleviate indigestion, flatulence and liver problems. It is also used to assist with the symptoms of bronchitis. It is also thought to reduce fluid retention and relieve the symptoms of depression. It should be avoided during pregnancy or in cases of epilepsy or high blood pressure.
Tarragon — again a culinary herb that is an extremely useful essential oil, helping with menstrual and menopausal symptoms, digestive ailments including indigestion, flatulence, hiccups, and anorexia (loss of appetite). It is also used in stress-related conditions and in cases of shock. It should not be used in pregnancy.
Tea tree — a popular Australian essential oil gaining popularity worldwide for respiratory conditions such as colds, flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis. It is also recognised for its healing properties for skin conditions such as abscess, acne and burns. It can also be used to ease the symptoms of vaginal thrush, vaginitis and bladder infections.
Thyme — another culinary herb that is used in aromatherapy practice to assist in the treatment of laryngitis and coughs. It is also thought to alleviate infections affecting the skin and bladder, joint pain, infectious diarrhoea and flatulence. It should be avoided in pregnancy and in cases of high blood pressure.
Ylang-ylang — an exotic essential oil that aromatherapists believe can alleviate acne and other oily skin problems. It may also aid depression, insomnia, impotence and some stress-related conditions. However, it should be used in moderation or it may cause headache or nausea.
Special note of caution
Because the essential oils used in aromatherapy are now freely available from many sources, such as chemists, health food stores and even some supermarkets, and because they are ‘natural’ and come from plants, some people assume that they are all safe. However, many oils can have potentially serious side effects, including neurotoxicity and effects on menstruation, as well as cause skin reactions, allergies, liver damage and induce uterine contractions. Overexposure by inhalation can produce headache and fatigue.
The following are basic guidelines for care when using oils. If in doubt, always contact a trained aromatherapist.
Never ingest essential oils or use them internally unless under the guidance of a trained professional aromatherapist.
Do not use the same oils for weeks without a break as constant use can cause irritation, and toxic constituents can build up in the body.
Before using any oil a patch test should be done. This is done by applying a small amount of diluted oil on a small part of the skin and, 24 hours later, checking to see if there has been any type of allergic reaction.
Don’t use undiluted oils on the skin — there are some exceptions, such as lavender, but these should be administered only under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist.
Essential oils can have strong properties and may assist some people, but they may cause a negative reaction in others, so care must be taken when using any oils.
Some oils can trigger menstruation and uterine contractions and therefore should not be used by pregnant women. If pregnant, women should always check with a professional aromatherapist before using any essential oils.
People with asthma, epilepsy or high blood pressure should consult a trained aromatherapist before using essential oils.
Care should be taken with some oils if you have hypertension (high blood pressure), epilepsy, highly sensitive skin or allergies. In these cases, always consult a trained aromatherapist.
Some oils can reduce or change the effectiveness of some types of medications and should not be used if undergoing chemotherapy. Always check with a trained aromatherapist.
The most common ailments where aromatherapy may be used as an adjunct to mainstream medical treatment are:
bladder infections;
bronchitis;
common colds and flu;
migraine and headaches;
depression, stress related conditions, anxiety;
flatulence and digestive problems, such as indigestion;
skin conditions, such as acne and eczema;
insomnia;
laryngitis and tonsillitis;
menopausal symptoms;
muscle strains and sprains;
nausea and motion sickness;
toothache and gum disease; and
yeast and fungal infections.
How are essential oils used?
Essential oils enter the body in 2 ways — by inhalation and through absorption. They can be used in a variety of ways.
Inhalation — by direct inhalation or steam inhalation.
Diffusers and vaporisers — either electrical, burners that use candles or a ceramic ring that is warmed by a light bulb.
Massage — this is the most common form of treatment used by aromatherapists because of its effectiveness.
Baths — these can be scented with chosen oils. Footbaths can also be used for conditions such as chilblains.
Compresses — these can be applied to relieve bruising, skin conditions and muscle and period pain.
Neat — a very few oils can be used by applying them directly to the skin, however, most oils should not be used undiluted on the skin as they can cause irritation.
NEVER take aromatherapy oils internally. They are extremely potent and many can be poisonous.
Popular oils used in aromatherapy practice
Bay laurel — used to help digestive problems and appetite loss, and assist with colds, flu, tonsillitis and other respiratory conditions. It is also used to help treat lice and scabies and is useful with rheumatic pain and to reduce swollen lymph nodes. Do not use if pregnant.
Clary sage — this oil is used to ease anxiety and stress and is helpful with menstrual and menopausal symptoms. Aromatherapists believe it relieves burns and eczema. It should be avoided if pregnant.
Eucalyptus — this oil is thought to reduce fever and fight colds, flu, sinusitis and accompanying coughs. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis and is commonly used to help relieve skin conditions such as boils and pimples. It must never be taken internally.
German chamomile — a popular and versatile oil that is used to relieve digestive problems, menstrual and menopausal problems, inflamed or damaged skin, burns, (including sunburn), acne and boils.
Lavender — one of the most popular and well-known of the essential oils, it is used to ease headaches, depression, insomnia and any form of nervous stress and tension. It is also used to relieve muscular aches, sprains and strains and menstrual pain and cramping. It can be used for nausea and is regularly used for skin conditions including cuts, wounds, insect bites and burns.
Peppermint — this well-known oil is used to relieve indigestion, nausea and headache. It can also be used in cases of neuralgia and muscle pain and can help with bronchitis, sinusitis and motion sickness. However, this oil should be used in moderation and should not be used with children under the age of 3.
Rosemary — the essential oil from this popular culinary herb is thought to alleviate indigestion, flatulence and liver problems. It is also used to assist with the symptoms of bronchitis. It is also thought to reduce fluid retention and relieve the symptoms of depression. It should be avoided during pregnancy or in cases of epilepsy or high blood pressure.
Tarragon — again a culinary herb that is an extremely useful essential oil, helping with menstrual and menopausal symptoms, digestive ailments including indigestion, flatulence, hiccups, and anorexia (loss of appetite). It is also used in stress-related conditions and in cases of shock. It should not be used in pregnancy.
Tea tree — a popular Australian essential oil gaining popularity worldwide for respiratory conditions such as colds, flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis. It is also recognised for its healing properties for skin conditions such as abscess, acne and burns. It can also be used to ease the symptoms of vaginal thrush, vaginitis and bladder infections.
Thyme — another culinary herb that is used in aromatherapy practice to assist in the treatment of laryngitis and coughs. It is also thought to alleviate infections affecting the skin and bladder, joint pain, infectious diarrhoea and flatulence. It should be avoided in pregnancy and in cases of high blood pressure.
Ylang-ylang — an exotic essential oil that aromatherapists believe can alleviate acne and other oily skin problems. It may also aid depression, insomnia, impotence and some stress-related conditions. However, it should be used in moderation or it may cause headache or nausea.
Special note of caution
Because the essential oils used in aromatherapy are now freely available from many sources, such as chemists, health food stores and even some supermarkets, and because they are ‘natural’ and come from plants, some people assume that they are all safe. However, many oils can have potentially serious side effects, including neurotoxicity and effects on menstruation, as well as cause skin reactions, allergies, liver damage and induce uterine contractions. Overexposure by inhalation can produce headache and fatigue.
The following are basic guidelines for care when using oils. If in doubt, always contact a trained aromatherapist.
Never ingest essential oils or use them internally unless under the guidance of a trained professional aromatherapist.
Do not use the same oils for weeks without a break as constant use can cause irritation, and toxic constituents can build up in the body.
Before using any oil a patch test should be done. This is done by applying a small amount of diluted oil on a small part of the skin and, 24 hours later, checking to see if there has been any type of allergic reaction.
Don’t use undiluted oils on the skin — there are some exceptions, such as lavender, but these should be administered only under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist.
Essential oils can have strong properties and may assist some people, but they may cause a negative reaction in others, so care must be taken when using any oils.
Some oils can trigger menstruation and uterine contractions and therefore should not be used by pregnant women. If pregnant, women should always check with a professional aromatherapist before using any essential oils.
People with asthma, epilepsy or high blood pressure should consult a trained aromatherapist before using essential oils.
Care should be taken with some oils if you have hypertension (high blood pressure), epilepsy, highly sensitive skin or allergies. In these cases, always consult a trained aromatherapist.
Some oils can reduce or change the effectiveness of some types of medications and should not be used if undergoing chemotherapy. Always check with a trained aromatherapist.
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