About Aromatherapy
Of all holistic therapies, Aromatherapy connects us to the Earth, the Sun and Moon, the elements of wind and rain, the ebb and flow of the tides and, of course, the plants that grow upon the earth. Medicinal use of naturally extracted plant aromas has been used over thousands of years in the rites and rituals of earliest mankind.
Did you know? The earliest evidence of essential oils usage occured in the period of 3000-2500 B.C? Since ancient times, the plant kingdom has provided rare and powerful extracts and essences that have long been prized for their beauty-enhancing medicinal, spiritual, aromatic, and therapeutic value.
Medicinal properties of common plants were used by Ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. Manuscripts detailing aromatic oil use has been found in ancient Africa, Mesopotamia, Babylon and China. The Aztecs, Incas and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in daily life.
Hippocrates, the Greek physician (known as the ‘father of medicine’) studied and documented the medicinal influence of over 300 plants, and he is reported to have advised that the way to good health and wellness is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day. Wow!
His fundamental principle of aromatherapy was that essential oils applied externally affect the internal organs and tissues of the body. Studies also revealed that he believed in the medicinal benefit of fumigation with aromatics, and he used fumigation in the city of Athens to combat the plague. He also prescribed aromatic treatments for fallen soldiers on the battlefields.
I find it fascinating and inspiring that Hippocrates also recommended aromatherapy for the treatment of female health conditions, and Cleopatra used oils for their aphrodisiac potency! Famously, Cleopatra is said to have covered the floors of her palace chamber with thousands of rose petals to seduce Marc Antony.
As early as 2000 BC, the ancient Egyptians were using essential oils for medicinal benefits, beauty care, spiritual enhancement, and in all aspects of their daily life.
Pure essential oils are extracted from stems, stalks, leaves, flowers and petals. This essence gives the plant (and essential oils) its individual and unique fragrance. Aromatherapy is an ancient, yet timely modern approach to women's health and total well-being in tune with nature.
Today, in France, Germany and England, it is common for doctors to offer a choice when prescribing remedies for a specific health condition. Patients can choose either prescription medicines or natural essential oils. Both are distributed through pharmacies across Europe.
What are we waiting for? C'mon Aussie!
Embrace your Scents of Self – naturally!
Glossary of Terms
ABSOLUTES: Absolutes are obtained through solvent extraction. A solvent can be a chemical or alcohol. In solvent extraction, a solvent is combined with plant material. The solvent attracts the oil from the plant material, and the solvent and oil are then separated. Solvent extraction is used on plant material that is more delicate and not easily distilled (e.g. Jasmine & Rose).
ANTIOXIDANTS: Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body.
ANTIVIRAL: Protecting against viruses that attack the body. Antivirals work by reducing the ability of the virus to reproduce.
ANTIBACTERIAL: Destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth i.e. keeping a wound clean and free from infection.
ANTIMICROBIAL: Prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and some viruses.
AROMATHERAPY: A holistic healing treatment, or alternative medicine, that employs natural plant extracts to promote and support health and well-being. It uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit.
ASTRINGENT: A liquid-based (usually water) formula used to remove irritants from the skin's surface and even out skin tone. While astringents are typically used for oily, acne-prone skin, it can be used on sensitive, dry, and combination skin.
CARRIER OILS: A term given to base oils (derived from vegetables, pressed seeds, nuts or kernels) that dilute essential oils before topical application.
CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Certified organic produce means grown and made without the use of genetic modification, synthetic pesticides, herbicides, hormones and antibiotics (while providing a high level of animal welfare as animals are never used for testing). Certified Organic is a registered trademark which has its own strict standard to meet approval.
COLD PRESSED: Cold-pressed extraction is a mechanical process to recover essential oil contained in the skin (or epicarp) of citrus fruits. It is important to note that both solvent extracted, and cold pressed oils can be used in skin care, but cold pressed oils retain all their flavour, aroma, and nutritional value to deliver goodness to the skin.
COLLAGEN: Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for about a third of its protein composition. It's one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is the substance that holds the body together. Collagen forms a scaffold to provide strength and structure (Greek word 'kolla' which means glue).
CONTRAINDICATIONS: A condition or symptom that makes a particular treatment inadvisable, as it may be harmful i.e. for conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure. Or during early pregnancy and for newborn babies.
DYSMENORRHEA refers to painful cramps during menstruation.
EMOLLIENT: The term emollient refers to a product, such as a moisturiser, or an ingredient in a product. The key active ingredients in a moisturising product are humectant and occlusive agents. Emollients are a liquid or cream, for your skin to reduce pain, alleviate dryness and irritation or make skin soft, supple & soothing.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS: An unsaturated fatty acid that is essential to human health but cannot be manufactured in the body. EFAs are a special type of “good fat”. They increase the absorption of vitamins and minerals; nourish the skin, hair and nails; promote proper nerve functioning; help produce hormones; ensure normal growth and development; and prevent and treat disease.
ESSENTIAL OILS: An oil derived from a natural substance; a natural product extracted from a single plant species used either for its healing properties or as a perfume.
HOLISTIC: Characterised by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected. Treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental, physical, spiritual and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.
GAMMA LINOLEIC ACID (GLA): Gamma linolenic acid is a fatty substance found in various plant seed oils such as evening primrose oil. People use it as medicine. GLA is used for conditions that affect the skin including systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, and eczema.
HUMECTANTS: Humectants increase and enhance the water holding capacity of the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the skin).
LINOLEIC ACID: Linoleic acid is commonly found in cold-pressed oils, Evening Primrose, Sunflower oil, nuts and seeds. It helps makes the skin's barrier stronger, so it can effectively keep water in and irritants out. Naturally occurring, polyunsaturated fatty acid liquid that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and skin-restorative ingredient. Also known as alpha-linolenic acid, this ingredient is a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.
MENORRHAGIA is heavy bleeding, including prolonged menstrual periods or excessive bleeding during a normal-length period.
OCCLUSIVES: Occlusives provide a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to reduce and slow water loss from the stratum corneum.
OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS: Omega-3 fatty acids are powerful anti-inflammatories. Omega-3 fatty acids fortify cell membranes, allowing them to protect skin cells against harmful free radicals. When pollution, stress and an unhealthy diet trigger inflammation, your skin’s collagen suffers, making it harder for skin to bounce back. Omega-3 fatty acids, helps support your skin’s structure, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Omega-3s are a crucial part of your skin’s lipid (fat) content and help bolster its barrier function.
ORGANIC: For a product to be organic, it must be grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, genetically modified organisms or ionising radiation.
PHARMACOLOGICAL: The effects of chemical changes which take place when an essential oil enters the bloodstream and reacts with hormones, enzymes etc (their effects on cells, organs and systems). Essential oil constituents inhibit the function of the proteins they bind to, and therefore inhibit or slow down associated biological processes i.e. how lavender can induce calming and sedative effects in the brain.
PHOTO-TOXIC: Chemically induced skin irritation, requiring light, that does not involve the immune system. It is a type of photosensitivity (i.e. some particular citrus oils may cause skin irritation when exposed to direct sunlight).
PHYSIOLOGICAL: Physiological effects of aromas can be divided into two types: those which act via the stimulation of the nervous system and those which act directly on an organ or tissue via an effector-receptor-mechanism. The way an essential oil affects the systems of the body, whether sedated, stimulated etc.
PLANT STEROLS: Plant sterols are a group of substances made in plants. They are found in the highest amounts in foods like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. Plant sterols are used as medicine, and help lower cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease
POLYPHENOLS: Polyphenols are a category of compounds naturally found in plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices & tea.
They can act as antioxidants, meaning they can neutralise harmful free radicals that would otherwise damage your cells.
PROSTAGLANDINS: Prostaglandins are involved in dealing with tissue damage, infection, injury and illness. They control processes such as inflammation, blood flow, the formation of blood clots and the induction of labour.
PSYCHOLOGICAL: Psychological effects emerge from the cognitive processes initiated in the olfactory system (sense of smell) and improve psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, mood-swings etc.
REFINED: Refined oils undergo methods of processing and mechanical extraction using high and low temperatures, solvents & sometimes bleaching.
SEBUM: Sebum is an oily, waxy substance produced by your body’s sebaceous glands. It coats, moisturises, and protects your skin.
It’s also the main ingredient in what you might think of as your body’s natural oils.
STEAM DISTILLED: method used to extract and isolate essential oils from plants for use in natural products. This happens when the steam vaporises the plant material’s volatile compounds, which eventually go through a condensation and collection process.
SYNERGY: the working together of two essential oils that result in an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. More powerful therapeutic results are often obtained when essential oils are blended together than when used individually.
THERAPEUTIC: In short therapeutic means a therapy that helps to heal or restore health. Essential oils definitely have therapeutic potential, therapeutic effects and therapeutic properties (but cannot be therapeutically graded, as such).
UMF RATING: The UMF rating, guarantees the presence of unique signature compounds and the attributes and values of honey, which ensures purity and quality. It relates to the number of antibacterial components in the honey. The higher the UMF, the more powerful the antibacterial abilities of the Manuka honey. To be considered potent enough to be therapeutic, Manuka honey needs a minimum rating of 10 UMF.
UNREFINED: Unrefined (Virgin) oils have been extracted by cold pressing (minimal processing by mechanical extraction) which ensures high quality, nutrient rich authentic oil.