aromatherapy
by Audrey Thompson
Aromatherapy was once considered New Age and kooky. These days it is often seen as a natural way of maintaining a healthy equilibrium using soothing natural aromas and oils. Indeed, aromatherapy has become so popular for relieving stress and related health problems that it can now be found in many healthcare settings, including the NHS, especially in cancer care and midwifery.
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Many health professionals are still sceptical over its true medical properties but will admit that it does appear to have some benefit, however short-lived, on stress and anxiety.
the basics
Aromatherapy uses concentrated essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers, trees and other plants. Most commonly these are massaged into the body but they may also be placed in hot baths, candles or burners to diffuse scents throughout a room.
The technique is thought to derive from ancient customs of using herbs as medicines, practised for thousands of years in countries such as Egypt, China and India. The term, however, was first coined in 1937 by a French chemist Rene Gattefosse who burned his hand while working in a perfume laboratory and immediately doused it in the lavender oil that stood nearby. The burn healed quickly and without scarring, leading him to study and write a book about the healing powers of essential oils.
how does it work?
The oils are believed to have an effect at both a psychological and physiological level. Depending on the mix and blend, this effect may be either to stimulate or relax. Advocates say that the scents from the oils activate the olfactory senses in the nose. This triggers the limbic system which governs our emotions and also involves the creation and retrieval of memories associated with smells. During massage, oils rubbed into the skin sink through the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous fat directly into the blood stream.
According to Karl Watson, an aromatherapist and counsellor with the Tisserand Institute, the powerful effect of essential oils can be seen by studying how plants use their scents to both repel and attract birds and insects and also repair themselves when damaged.
how does it relieve stress?
Treatment from an aromatherapist usually involves talking to the client first in order to understand their symptoms, how they feel, and what they want from the consultation. The aim is to treat the client holistically.
To treat stress, sedative essential oils will be used to calm the client. These may include Roman camomile, lavender, melissa, lemon balm or frankincense. Oils known as 'nervines' may then be used to nourish and support the nervous system, and antispasmodics, such as sweet marjoram, to relax the muscles and allow the blood to circulate properly. Finally, tonics are included to strengthen the systems of the body, including the immune system which is one of the first to falter when someone is stressed and run down. Tonic oils include cardamom, bergamot, tea tree, lemon and black pepper. The exact recipe for stress depends on the individual.
Oils are never applied neat. They are diluted, commonly in almond oil, at a 2.5% ratio for the average person or 1% for children, elderly people or pregnant women.
where's the evidence?
A review of aromatherapy studies published in the British Journal of General Practice in June 2000 concluded that while research does not show that aromatherapy has any legitimate clinical benefit, neither does it disprove that aromatherapy massage is 'pleasant, slightly anxiolytic (stress-relieving), and often enjoyable for patients in stressful situations'. Five studies which compared massage with and without the addition of essential oils all found aromatherapy massage slightly more effective than massage alone.
risks to watch out for
There are three main risks, according to Jennie Harding, author of the book Secrets of Aromatherapy.
- Essential oils should never be drunk. They are poisonous in large doses.
- People with very sensitive skin should avoid it as the oils could aggravate their condition.
- Pregnant women in their first three months should also avoid it as the oils' chemicals can affect the foetus. After the first trimester a low (1%) dilution of oils should be safe.
Studies have also found that aromatherapy can cause photosensitive or allergic reactions. If in doubt it is always wise to consult a doctor first.
we test the therapy
I visited aromatherapist Karl Watson at an exhibition designed for novices to try out the therapy. On a sofa he asked me several questions to do with my stress levels, my work, whether I was suffering any physical symptoms, and so on. He also checked if I had any allergic reactions to the oils and what smells I knew I didn't like.
He then mixed a blend of balancing and regulating oils to massage into my hands. They included four drops of patchouli, 14 of mandarin, three of cedar wood and two of geranium. I knelt face forward onto a chair designed to hold my head gently in place while my arms relaxed on a rest in front of me. He rubbed the oil onto my hands while he manipulated my joints and massaged the muscles.
verdict: The repetitive rhythm of the massage alone made me relax and I felt comfortable and soothed by the smells. Within 10 minutes I was almost dozing.
practitioners: Aromatherapy is largely unregulated although various associations offer training courses. Hours of training vary from between 180 and 500. Many nurses and other health professionals now seek aromatherapy qualifications.
costs: The cost of an aromatherapy massage can range from £25 to £40 for a one hour session. Buying the oils to do aromatherapy on yourself needs to be handled with care as some oils on sale are not the true essence while real essential oils can be very expensive.
it works for me
Louise Voss, a writer from Twickenham, London, who is about to publish her first novel, believes that aromatherapy really does benefit her health.
'Both the massage and the oils help me relax. There was one particular weekend when I was really stressed, more than ever, and the aromatherapy completely saved me. When I have difficulty sleeping, aromatherapy allows me to get a good night's sleep. There is something quite euphoric in feeling that relaxed and light and the oils make a simple massage more pleasurable.'
Pauline Kelly, a part-time credit controller living in Brighton with two small children, finds aromatherapy a calming experience.
'It's a sensation of feeling totally relaxed and feeling this overwhelming sense of release. When you're bringing up two young children, negotiating the school runs, and juggling with work, it is something to look forward to. I am not a pill-taking person. So to really relax and feel calm, this is perfect for me. I would recommend it to anyone.'
help and info
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.
Channel 4's complementary medicine site has a section on aromatherapy.
general organisations
Aromatherapy Consortium
PO Box 6522
Desborough
Kettering NN14 2YX
Tel: 0870 7743477 (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm)
E-mail: info@aromatherapy-regulation.org.uk
Website: www.aromatherapy-regulation.org.uk
The governing body for the aromatherapy profession in the UK.
International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
82 Ashby Road
Hinckley LE10 1SN
Tel: 01455 637987
Website: www.ifparoma.org
Works to raise and maintain high standards of professional training, expertise and conduct, and to raise public awareness of the benefits of aromatherapy.
The British Complementary Medicine Association
P.O. Box 5122
Bournemouth BH8 0WG
Tel : 0845 345 5977
Website: www.bcma.co.uk
Umbrella organisation that promotes complementary medicine and represents over 40 associations, 30 schools and 20,000 practitioners across the UK, with a common code of conduct.
websites
There are numerous websites where you can gain information about aromatherapy. You should be careful, however, about buying oils this way.
Aroma Web
www.aromaweb.com
Aromatherapy and essential oil information including articles and essential oil profiles.
Snooze Shop – A Guide to Aromatherapy
www.snoozeshop.com/acatalog/Products_Guide_to_Aromatherapy_103.html
Describes different types of oils and how to use them.
products
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Anti Anxiety Massage Oil 30ml |
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Cedarwood Pure Essential Oil 10ml |
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Hyssop Pure Essential Oil 10ml |
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reading
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Secrets of Aromatherapy by Jennie Harding and Simon Fielding (Dorling Kindersley, 2001) |
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375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols by Jeanne Rose (Frog Ltd, 1999) |
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Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Shirley Price and Len Price (Churchill Livingstone, 1999) |
'Aromatherapy: A systematic review' by B Cooke and E Ernst in British Journal of General Practice, 50, (2000), 493-496 |
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(updated November 2002, resources updated May 2005)
