Aromatherapy is one of those treatments that has and still continues to receive a lot of negative and skeptical coverage in the press but what is it? Is it really something that people are going to turn to because they feel like it does have the power to heal all manner of ailments or is it some thing that most people look upon to be as medical as a Dermalogica facial?
Officially speaking aromatherapy is a form of or a branch or alternative medicine That term strikes fear and immediate scepticism and protest into many a mind. I think the term in itself does not convey the most reassuring of messages - most people when they are ill or suffering from some sort of malady usually want to find a medical cure. Surely the centuries of research and innovations that have gone into and shape our health care systems are going to be more meaningful that some oils?
The main component parts of aromatherapy and the claimed active ingredients of this branch of alternative therapy is what are known as volatile plant materials. Immediately when I read that I became suspicious, volatile? According to theasaurus.com the word volatile is defined as meaning explosive and changeable?! But wait volatile plant materials are one term, the official term for what is more commonly known as essential oils.
Essential oils are according to the font of all knowledge Wikipedia "hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants" they also thankfully provide again a more palatable definition of oils derived from plants.
Another questionable thought I came across while researching this introduction to aromatherapy was as part of the potential uses of aromatherapy which included - altering a person's mood, cognitive function, health or the one that cause some alarm...mind. Generally when something is described as being mind altering it is not something that is widely accepted as a form of alternative medicine.
Many of these essential oils which form this branch of alternative medicines or therapies are for instance oil of clove renowned for having a milk anesthetic relief on those with toothache. Another essential oil that is widely recognised is tea tree oil which is used in a variety of skin products used for its antiseptic, refreshing and brightening properties.
All in all there is little evidence towards the efficacy and evidence of aromatherapy when used in place of traditional medicinal techniques to cure and alleviate illness. Although it is recognised that aromatherapy when used as part of a therapeutic course of treatment can have some cognitive benefits of the individuals being treated in terms of mood. If someone uses it to relax them as part of the now popular aromatherapy massages and facials then I personally see no problem with that and as demonstrated oils such as clove and tea tree can offer some tangible benefits.
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