How Aromatherapy Works by Rilsto Mathe Aromatherapy Products

The practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds etc. for healing in called Aromatherapy. French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse coined the term in the 1920s. According to Robert Todd Carroll's The Skeptics Dictionary, the term is incorrect as aromas of oils, whether natural or synthetic, are generally not therapeutic. Carroll states that aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine adulteration, to stir the memory, but not for healing purpose. It is the essence of the oil its chemical properties that gives it whatever therapeutic value the oil might have. Vapors are used in some but not for all the cases of aromatherapy. In some cases oil is rubbed onto the skin or ingested into tea or any other liquid. Some consider cooking with herbs a type of aromatherapy. Over at QuackWatch.org, Stephen Barrett, M.D., has researched these claims aromatherapies. He has studied into is Aroma Vera, Inc., of Los Angeles, which states that essential oils have the power to purify the air we breathe while they relax, stimulate, soothe or sharpen our senses . . . a wonderful antidote to the air pollution and sensory imbalance of modern life. It also claims that inhaling the scents balances the biological background, revitalizes the cells, and produces a strong energizing effect on the sympathetic nervous system. Joint Adventure, of Rogers, Arkansas, suggests that essential oils can be used for many different purposes from athletes foot to enlightenment and almost every point between! Still part of Dr. Barrettes growing dossier is a practitioner claiming that the technique "addresses the nervous system and the energy fields of the body. It soothes the body, cleans the body, clears the body, and tones the body." The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood, states that there are about 300 essential oils and that they constitute an extremely effective medical system. In the Skeptics Dictionary, Carroll concludes: I would not reject aromatherapy out of hand, however. When I have a cold and a stuffy nose, Ill use Vicks VapoRub, a mixture of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil. Strictly speaking, I suppose I am a practicing aromatherapist. However, when I look at what people who call themselves aromatherapists claim, I have to conclude that aromatherapy is a mostly a pseudoscientific alternative medical therapy. It is a mixture of folklore, trial and error, anecdote, testimonial, New Age spiritualism and fantasy. What aromatherapy lacks is a knack for sniffing out nonsense. I find that Carroll is right in his findings. I bought a Marjoram scent from Aromas Naturales, a company based in Spain and with ISO 9001 certification. To tests its claim on eliminating snoring, I had my dad use it at night. It had a 40day guarantee. Guess what? At first I was very skeptical about it, but in the end I did not return it. In fact, I bought another jar for myself. The question is whether it was able to eliminate snoring? As far I know from my family members it sure has eliminated a major portion of it. My mom attests to that, as she now sleeps in my dads room! Back to Free Articles Page