Different Forms and Uses of Aromatherapy

Even though in this dominance age of allopathy, some alternative forms of medicine are emerging slowly one by one. One such form of medicine is Aromatherapy. This mode of treatment mainly employs essential oils, to heal the disease. These essential oils when treated with other herbal oils can produce better healing performances like effective in pain relieving, Alzheimer’s disease and hypertension.

Aromatherapy is mainly carried out in three different forms, they are:
1) Essential oils are sprayed into the air in order to disinfect the fragrance and the surrounding. This method is known as ‘Aerial Spray’.
2) One more mode of aromatherapy treatment is inhaling the vapors of aromatic oils. This method is normally employed when an individual suffers from respiratory and other breathing congestions. It provides a broad nasal passage and a good psychological relaxation soon after the treatment. This mode of treatment is known as ‘Vapor Inhalation’.
3) Third mode of Aromatherapy is ‘External Application’. In this mode, the infected parts are massaged and applied with the essential and other herbal oils. This is best suited to relieve from the sprains, skin infections and to enhance one’s beauty. This can involve taking bath with the oil mixed in the water.

Main types of oils used in Aromatherapy

Essential Oils: These oils have wonderful fragrances that are extracted from the plants through various processes. For example: grapefruit oil, eucalyptus oil and so on.

Absolutes: These are the oils taken from the flowers and also sometimes from the tissues of the tender plant.

Phytoncides: These oils are mainly based on sulfuric based compounds and the terpene compounds that are taken from the herbal plants. Since they have certain potential side effects they are not much popular and not in use.

Herbal Oils: These oils are basically taken from distilling the herbs. They are aqueous in nature. Some of them are chamomile, lemon balm and rose.

Infusions: These are basically the water based extracts from different plant substances. Eg: Rose infusions.

Carrier Oils: Carrier oils are also the essential oils but they are mixed and diluted with the plant’s base materials.

However, these aromatic and essential oils are also employed in many industries while preparing cosmetics and herbal products. They are highly advisable for the regular use since they are the natural harmless extracts. The pure herbal extracts may cost little bit more than the synthetic substitutes since they have high healing powers and wonderful fragrance than any other products. The most commonly used aromatic oils are Eucalyptus oil that is used for flu and common colds, Black Pepper oil which is used for relieving the muscular pains and for stimulating the blood circulation and Basil oil which is effective in treating depression related disorders and to increase sexual power. Along with these, one needs to have knowledge about the herbs and its side effects when they are used at high concentrations and due to adulterations.