How

Aromatherapy

WORKS

??!!

Aromatherapy works in two interrelated ways. First there is the aroma of the oil and its effect on the emotions; secondly, there is the pharmacological action of the oil and its effect on the bodily systems.

As a bonus, when the aromatherapy massage is performed with sensitivity, empathy develops between the giver and the receiver, and the treatment becomes a powerful form of hands-on-healing.

To understand better how aromatherapy works, we need to look more closely at the essential oils and see how they interact to benefit body and mind.

What are Essential Oils ?

Essential oils are the fragrant liquid components of aromatic plants, trees and grasses. They are sometimes called 'ethereal oils', a Germanic term which sums up their elusive nature - if they are left in the open air they quickly evaporate.

The oils are contained in tiny oil glands or sacs, which are concentrated in different parts of the plant. They may be found in the petals (rose), the leaves (eucalyptus), the roots of grass (vetiver), the heart, or soft wood found under the bark (sandalwood), the fruit (lemon), the seeds (caraway), the rhizomes (ginger), the resin (pine). Sometimes the oil is yielded from more than one part of the plant. For instance, lavender yields oil from both its flowers and leaves; and the versatile orange tree produces three different essences, each with a specific therapeutic property: the heady bitter-sweet neroli (flowers), the similar, though less refined scent of petitgrain (leaves) and the outer orange scent (skin of the fruit).

The more oil glands or sacs present in the plant, the cheaper the oil is to buy and vice versa. A hundred kilos of lavender yields almost three litres of essential our, whereas one hundred kilos of rose petals produces only a half-litre of oil. Although some essential oils are very expensive, especially rose otto and neroli oils, they are highly concentrated substances and, if used correctly, as explained in this book, will last a long time.

Although essential oils may be technically classified as oils, they are, in fact, quite different from ordinary 'fixed oils' such as corn or sunflower. They are highly volatile (easily vaporized) and do not leave a permanent mark on paper. Unlike fatty vegetable oils, most essential oils have a consistency dozer to water or alcohol and are not at all greasy. However, some are viscous (vetiver, myrrh) and rose otto is semi-solid at low temperatures. Essential oils are also soluble in wax, such as melted beeswax or jojoba, egg yolk, alcohol and vegetable oils. Even though they are not entirely water soluble, they are successful as bath oils or for use in skin and hair tonics if the water is agitated to disperse the fine droplets.

How are Essential Oils Extracted ?

The classic method is by steam distillation. This is a sophisticated version of an ancient method that was first devised in Mesopotamia over 5,000 years ago. Plant material is piled into a still and subjected to concentrated steam, which releases the essential oils from the plant cells. The aromatic vapor is then sent on its travels along a series of glass tubes which act as a condenser, and the oil is separated from the water when siphoned through a narrow-necked container. The remaining water may form a fragrant by-product: for example, rosewater, orange flower water and lavender water.

The essences of citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, bergamot and mandarin, are found in the rind and are obtained by a simple process known as expression. Although this was once carried out by hand - by squeezing the rind - machines using centrifugal force have now replaced this technique.

Enfleurage was a once-common means of extraction. This entails using animal fat, usually lard, to absorb the essences, which are then separated out using alcohol. The evaporation of the alcohol leaves the essential oil. Enfleurage is still used by some perfumers to capture the fragrances of flowers such as jasmine, orange flower and tuberose whose delicate aromas can be spoiled by the intense heat of distillation. If you can actually find such an extraction, it will be labeled 'enfleurage absolute', not 'essential oil', and will be very expensive. Only a few enfleurage absolutes reach suppliers.

The high cost involved in this labour-intensive and time-consuming enfleurage method has led to the wide use of solvents such as hexane and petroleum ether, plus the occasional use of benzene, a carcinogenic substance. Quite apart from concern about the traces of solvent left behind in absolutes, there is also concern about these substances being discharged into the atmosphere. Although the extraction process itself is carried out in sealed containers and the solvent recycled, the discarded solvent-saturated plant matter is thrown on the rubbish heap and can be a pollutant. These solvent-produced oils are widely available from essential oil suppliers and are labeled 'absolute. With the exception of rose Otto, they are more expensive than most essential oils, but are not as costly as the enfleurage absolutes.

The most recent method of extraction uses low-temperature carbon dioxide which produces some exquisite aromas. Although an expensive process, it is ideal for people who are unhappy about solvent extraction. Certainly carbon dioxide extraction is thought to be a cleaner alternative to potentially toxic solvents. The only drawback, apart from cost, is availability. Few essential oil suppliers stock these oils. If you do find them, they will be labeled 'CO2'.

What are Organically Produced Oils?

Organically produced oils are those extracted from plants grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and sprays. Unfortunately not all oils are organically produced. Oils that are labeled 'organic' tend to be derived from herbs for example, lavender, rosemary, marjoram and camomile. Some oils, however, particularly frankincense and those extracted from other disease-resistant trees such as cypress, pine and myrrh come from unsprayed crops. Other essential oils such as ylang-ylang and sandalwood are imported from countries where chemical sprays and fertilizers are not in general use.

Of course, all essential oils are organic in the sense that they are extracted from living plants. To avoid being misled, always purchase from well-respected suppliers. For instance, you may be charged extra for an 'organic' ylang-ylang essence when, in reality, practically all the world's supply of Ylang-ylang is produced using nontoxic methods of cultivation. However, you may come across an exorbitantly priced bottle of 'organic' rose or jasmine - expensive oils in any case - when almost all rose and jasmine plantations are regularly sprayed and fertilized by laboratory produced chemicals.

If you wish to use only environmentally friendly products, avoid rosewood oil, also known as Bois de Rose. This is extracted from trees torn down in the threatened rainforests of South America and Africa.

What are the Properties of Essential Oils?

Essential oils are an aromatic plants survival kit. They serve many purposes - they influence growth and reproduction, attract pollinating insects, repel predators and ward off disease. It is a survival kit that can work well for people, too. For example, studies have shown that the essential oils of lavender and neroli promote the growth of healthy skin cells. Others, such as fennel, rose and cypress, influence hormonal secretions, thus benefiting the reproductive system. Many oils, notably rosemary, geranium and eucalyptus kill head lice, and oils such as tea tree, garlic and thyme actually help to strengthen the immune system.

As for 'attracting pollinating insects', essential oils such as sandalwood, rose Otto, Ylang-ylang and patchouli have been credited with aphrodisiac properties for centuries. Although it is possible that this is because they may have a direct hormonal influence, it is more likely that they work on a subtle level, influencing the mind and emotions through the sense of smell.

All essential oils are antiseptic. Some, such as eucalyptus, garlic and tea tree, have anti-viral properties as well. Unlike harsh chemical antiseptics, essential oils, if used correctly, act as powerful aggressors against germs without harming tissue.

When Dr Jean Valnet used essential oils to treat soldiers' wounds during the Second World War, not only did the fragrances mask the powerful odour of gangrenous wounds, the oils actively retarded putrefaction. Valnet also noticed that troops sleeping rough in pine forests suffered fewer respiratory complaints as a result of pine resin vapour saturating the air. For the same reason, Swiss sanatoriums are traditionally sited near pine forests to help patients suffering from chest conditions and tuberculosis.

What is the Chemistry of Essential Oils?

The chemistry of essential oils is complex. Unlike a synthetic drug which may contain a single, but very powerful active principle, an essential oil may consist of hundreds of components. For this reason, a single essence can help a wide variety of disorders (see References board 1 & board 2).

Valnet and other pioneers discovered that blends of certain essential oils act more powerfully than individual oils. This is especially noticeable with the anti-bacterial action of essences. For example, Valnet's blend of clove, thyme, lavender and peppermint produced a far more powerful effect than a chemist might expect from the combined chemical constituents of the oils. However, when one more oil was added to this blend, the effect was counter-productive because the anti-bacterial action becomes weaker.

Essential oils also act on the central nervous system. Some will relax (for example, chamomile and rose), others will stimulate (for example, rosemary and black pepper). A few are able to 'normalize', or balance.

For example, when taken in capsule form, garlic can raise low blood pressure and lower high blood pressure. Similarly, bergamot and geranium can either sedate or stimulate according b individual needs. This pattern of 'balancing healing is not achieved by synthetic drugs.

Studies have also shown that essential oils have a very small molecular structure, which enables them b pass through the skiffs hair follicles. These follicles contain sebum, an oily liquid with which essential oils have an affinity. From here the essential oils diffuse into the bloodstream or are taken up by the lymph and interstitial fluid, a liquid surrounding all body cells, b other parts of the body. If the skin is healthy, it takes about thirty minutes for the oil to be absorbed; if the skin is congested or if there is much subcutaneous fat, it takes much longer. At the same time, when inhaled, the aromatic molecules reach the lungs from where they diffuse across tiny air sacs into the surrounding blood capillaries and then into the bloodstream.

Whether the oil is absorbed through the skin or inhaled, once in the bloodstream and body fluids, it works therapeutically - however small the dose. The actual efficacy of the oils may be due to the frequency of aromatherapy treatments which can be given once or twice weekly over a four-week period. Each session gently stimulates the body's self healing ability and, once having triggered the healing process, the essential oils are rapidly eliminated, so if used correctly there is little danger of toxicity.

Sense of Smell

Researchers at Yale University, USA, have discovered that the aroma of apples and cinnamon has a powerful stabilizing effect on some people, especially those suffering from nervous anxiety. The smell has even been known to lower high blood pressure and to stave off panic attacks. How does this work?

The olfactory centre - the area of the brain associated with smell -merges with the limbic system which is concerned with basic drives such as hunger, thirst and sex and also with subtle responses such as emotion, memory, creativity and intuition. The olfactory area also connects to the hypothalamus, an important structure which influences the pituitary gland, and therefore controls the hormonal system.

From this it may be easier to understand how odours influence both the physical and emotional aspects of our being. Consider, for example, the aroma of your favorite food. The delicious vapor will stimulate your appetite by making your mouth water and at the same time cause the digestive juices to flow. If the aroma is associated with a happy occasion then memory comes into play as well, adding to the pleasurable rush.

Pleasing aromas, along with enjoyments such as eating, falling in love, listening to music and looking at beautiful things, cause the release of certain 'happiness chemicals', which form part of a family of opium-like substances broadly labeled enkephalins and endorphins. Such release is found in chocolate and rosewater in the form of phenlethylamine. These 'happiness' substances are also known to help strengthen the immune system.

The power of aroma to conjure up memories is perhaps the most familiar. A mere hint of a certain scent may remind you of a first love, a special event or a childhood visit. Likewise certain aromas, no matter how pleasing to others, will evoke distressing feelings in somebody who associates the odor with an unpleasant experience. A friend of mine cannot abide the scent of jasmine because it reminds her of funerals. Another loathes the scent of rose because it reminds her of an unhappy episode at school, in particular a harsh schoolmistress who always smelled of a rose-scented perfume.

Many people also have 'blind spots' to certain odours, such as musks, or nuances of individual smells - an odour rarely arises from a single odoriferous molecule and is usually an interaction of many. Some people, however, can detect the merest hint of a particular odour.

Although a healthy olfactory centre can pick up over 10,000 different odours, if it is subjected to the same odour for even a short while, the olfactory cells become saturated', exhausted and cease to detect the odour, even though we may, from time to time, experience a fleeting reminder of its presence.

Of the many aroma trials carried out at Warwick University, England, by researchers Dr Steve Van Toller and Dr George Dodd, one was particularly notable. They produced evidence that we can respond both emotionally and physically to odours that are so highly diluted they are imperceptible to the conscious mind.

In the Van Toller-Dodd experiments, volunteers were wired up to an EEG (electro-encephalograph) instrument which records the brain' s electrical activity along with subtle reactions of the skin. When they were exposed to low-level fragrance, very clear skin responses were noted. It appears that the skin acts like antennae, communicating the aroma to the body's central nervous system. Radiological scanning also confirm the brain's registration of low-level fragrance.

From this we can consider that even sufferers of anosmia (major loss techniques of the sense of smell) can benefit - albeit at a subtle level - from an aromatherapy treatment or perfume. Indeed, as mentioned earlier, whether we can continue to smell the oils or not during a treatment does not reduce the healing effect.

Personal Preferences

It was also discovered during the Van Tohler-Dodd experiment that if we dislike an aroma we are able to block its effect on the central nervous system. This supports the case for using the oils we hike best, especially for stress-related problems. Experience has also shown that we are instinctively drawn to the essential oil that is right for our needs at a given time. As our state of mind alters so may our preference.

Aroma choice is thought to be largely influenced by body odour which, in turn, is related to diet plus ethnic and genetic influences. Emotions, ill health, the Pill and other drugs, as well as hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy and the menopause, also influence body odour and preferences.

This explains why the same perfume smells different on each person and why our choice varies when we select oils. As we age, our bodies secrete different pheromones, subliminal scent-chemicals, and, as a result, a favorite perfume in youth may seem far less attractive in maturity.

Aroma fashions also come and go. Valerian, for instance, was an extremely popular perfume in the sixteenth century - certainly it would have harmonized with odour of the infrequently washed bodies of the time. Indeed, valerian is considered more reminiscent of sweaty socks. Nowadays, its most loyal 'fans' are she-cats for whom it is said to be a potent aphrodisiac !!

Aroma conditioning or fashion may also play a part in directing choice. Unfortunately this can be counter-productive when it inhibits personal needs and hinders the beneficial effects of essential oils. Essential oils are very different from synthetic perfumes and, for people not accustomed to them, may seem strange at first. However, once regularly used, the 'strangeness' wears off, revealing naturally beautiful aromas.

Natural Versus Synthetic

Although scientists have tried to duplicate essential oils in the laboratory, the results are not the same. A synthetic chemical is, in theory, identical to that found in nature, but in practice it is impossible to make a one hundred per cent pure chemical. Any synthetic chemical is bound to carry a small percentage of undesirable substances which are not found in the essential oil. Synthetic aromatic compounds also lack the vital enzymes and possibly a multitude of substances yet to be discovered in plants. In addition, aromatic chemicals smell differently from true essential oils and are more likely to cause allergies.

Buying Essential Oils

It is vital to use only pure, unadulterated essential oils in aromatherapy. Most aromatherapists obtain their oils from reputable mail order suppliers, not from shops concerned with beauty and perfumery. The advantages offered by mail order suppliers include a wider range of oils and lower prices on larger quantities. However, if you are new to aromatherapy, it may be best to buy your oils from a health shop or from a well-respected herbal supplier. This will give you the opportunity to smell the oils first, and buy only those that you like. But do check that an essential oil, labeled as such, is in fact one hundred per cent essential and bas not been diluted in almond oil. This is sometimes the case with expensive oils such as rose Otto or neroli.

Caring for Essential Oils

Storage is important. Essential oils should be sold in well-stoppered glass bottles and protected from heat and damp. Avoid essential oils in bottles with a rubber-tipped dropper (certain essential oils, cedarwood especially, can cause the rubber to dissolve). Despite this, essential oils are harmless to the skin when used in correct dilutions (see Chapter 4).

In theory, with the exception of citrus oils, most oils will keep for several years. However, although a citrus oil, bergamot essence will keep for up to two years. Some oils, such as sandalwood, frankincense, rose Otto and patchouli mature with age rather like fine wines. A twenty-year-old patchouli essence will be extremely mellow and fragrant. However, the more frequently a bottle of essential oil is opened, the greater the chance of oxidation and thus a reduction in the oil's therapeutic properties. If stored in a cool dark place, essential oils will keep for at least one year. However, if diluted in vegetable oil for use in massage, essential oils will hast for no more than two, possibly three months if stored correctly in a refrigerator.

Henrisch™ 2004