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Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils in holistic
treatments to improve physical well being. Essential Oils,
extracted from plants, possess distinctive therapeutic properties,
which can be utilised to improve health and prevent disease. Both
their physiological and psychological effects combine well to
promote positive health. These natural plant oils are applied in a
variety of ways, including massage, baths, and inhalations. These
are ready absorbed through the skin and have gentle physiological
effects. Aromatherapy is an especially effective treatment for
stress-related problems and a variety of chronic conditions.
Essential Oils
An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance extracted
from a single botanical source by distillation or expression.
Essential oils have been utilised in fragrances, flavours and
medicines for thousands of years.
There are some 400 essential oils extracted from plants all over
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world. Some of the popular oils used in aromatherapy today include
chamomile, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree. Aromatherapy in
India
Ayurveda embraced herbs and aromatics as an important part of
the philosophy of healing, using fresh herbs, dried herbs such s
tea, or herbs compounded into pills, using fresh plant juices. In
early times essential oil extraction involved pounding and
grinding of fresh or dried herb and subsequent extraction to the
essential oil.
Trade and wars brought many new herbs to India from the Far East,
the Middle East, Egypt and Africa. Distillation expertise from
Arabia allowed for the making of attars, using a co distillation
method in which a very light volatile essential component, such as
jasmine, could be distilled with a very heavy essential oil
component like sandalwood, where the heavier component trapped the
light flowery aroma. Today essential oil production continues to
be an important industry in many small villages where distillation
apparatus designs have not changed for 3,000 years.
Aromatherapy has regained popularity only two decades back.
Various products based on essential oils and natural ingredients
are available designed to alter or enhance moods and treat a range
of ailments from migraine to hypertension and arthritis. At
various beauty saloons a variety of creams, conditioners and
moisturizers made from essential oils are used in beauty
treatments. |
