Essential Oils The popularity of essential oils is growing rapidly. Numerous consumers declare their effectiveness. Conversely, others question whether they are effective at all. We will look at a brief description and history of essential oils, followed by an introduction of benefits and problems associated with the oils to have a better understanding of the debate. According to Reader’s Digest Oxford Complete Wordfinder, an essential oil is “a volatile oil derived from a plant, etc., with its characteristic odor” (492). As defined by Turek and Stintzing, it is “a product obtained from vegetable raw material.” The oil is extracted through distillation by steam or water, dry distillation, or “from the epicarp of citrus fruits by a mechanical …show more content…
In an article by Ellen Rowland from Natural Life Magazine, she states that Mesopotamians distilled essential oils from plants over 5000 years ago. Ancient civilizations of Rome, Egypt, India, and Greece used oils for perfume; India used oils for massage health treatments (Rowland 17). Pharmacists Manon and Widder in their article, “Essentials of Essential Oils”, state that therapeutic use of essential oils became popular in 1910 when books such as chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse’s, “Aromatherapie”, and Marguerite Maury’s “Guide to Aromatherapy: The Secret of Life and Youth” were published. Reports are that Gattefossie healed the burns he received in a laboratory explosion with lavender oil. Maury centered on personalized blends to aid in emotional and physical balance (e154). The use of essential oils is also documented throughout the Bible; “And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices…with pure frankincense…and thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy” (King James Version, Exodus 30: 34-35). Gifts of frankincense and myrrh were presented to the Christ child by the Wise Men (Matt 2:11); myrrh and cloves were used to anoint the body of the beloved Savoir after His crucifixion (John 19:39-40). These are just a few examples of how essential oils were utilized throughout …show more content…
Hospital patients are especially at risk for these problems. “Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality and anxiety of patients” from Nursing in Critical Care describes a study conducted in Turkey with ICU cardiac patients. Sixty patients were divided into two groups. Both groups were given a questionnaire, measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory scale. For 15 days one group received a 2% lavender solution by inhalation while the other group had none. After 15 days the PSQI and the BAI were given to all patients again. In comparing the scores, the lavender group showed improved quality of sleep and lower anxiety rates compared to the control
I have been given the task of writing an essay about Aromatherapy. In this essay I will talk about the history of aromatherapy and its pioneers. I will also talk about oils and the different methods that are used to extract oils from a wide range of sources, the ways that we pick oils for specific needs and how we prepare the oils before we use them on a client during massage treatments. I will then go on to talk about the different types of massage and how we can incorporate different oils into them for the certain needs and circumstances of each individual client. I will also discuss other ways of using oils other than during aromatherapy massage. I will talk about contraindications of aromatherapy treatments and conditions
Mathews, Holly F. "Introduction: A Regional Approach and Multidisciplinary Persepctive." Herbal and Magical Medicine: Traditional Healing Today. Ed. James Kirkland, Holly F. Mathews, C. W. Sullivan, III, and Karen Baldwin. Durham: Duke UP, 1992. 1-13. Print.
- A blend of 5 oils that are each known to be very beneficial for your health on their own, never-mind combined together
Historically, valerian has been a non-scientific resource for relief from anxiety and insomnia.1 Detrimental effects of FDA approved medications for these symptoms have many professionals questioning whether the most effective and safe resource is available through a supplemental approach. This has led to the investigation of the true effectiveness of the valerian root and its impact on its subjects.
Herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years. “The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Babylonians, and Native Americans were all herbalists”(Herbs Friends of Physicians). The ancient Greeks and Romans were also herbalists (Herbs Friends of Physicians). Traditional medicine was the dominant medical system used in both rural and urban areas until the arrival of Europeans changed the medical
Medieval medicine was made from herbs, spices, and resins. It was applied in drinks, pills, rubs, baths, washes, ointments, purges, and poultices. Head pains were treated with sweet-smelling herbs. Mixtures of henbane and hemlock were applied to aching joints. Coriander was used to reduce fever. Stomach pains were treated with wormwood, mint, and balm. Lung illnesses were given medical treatment of a medicine which was made up of liquorice and comfrey. Horehound cough syrups and drinks were used for head-colds, cough, and chest congestion. Wounds were cleaned with vinegar as it was bel...
The first group of chemical compounds to be discussed are terpenes. Terpenes are a very comprehensive group of metabolites which are known to contain essential oils that produces well-known scents in herbs belonging to the Lamiaceae plant family (Scott 2008). These scented compounds are usually found in the trichomes of basil, rosemary, lavender, etc. (Scott 2008). Electron micrograph images of these trichomes can be seen below. According to Keeling & Boltmann (2006), there are about 30 000 known types of terpenes which originated from structures created from terpene synthases. These terpene synthases can be broken up into three groups, monoterpene synthases, sesquiterpene synthases, and diterpene synthases (Keeling &...
As nurses frequently interact with the patients, they are the ones exploring evidence-based practice to identify ways to modify the hospital environment and use more nonpharmacological methods to promote sleep to help the body repair itself (Robinson et al., 2005). Florence Nightingale noted patients require proper nutrition, sleep, quiet, and “unnecessary noise harms the patient” (Robinson et al., 2005, p. 263). Nurses have identified many ways to help patients get rest, including relaxation techniques, music, warm blankets, warm drinks, massage, and aromatherapy (Robinson et al., 2005).
Peppermint is said to believe to have many benefits regarding health of the human body. Although many people relate peppermint to the extract we put in foods to give it flavor around the holidays, peppermint oil is used in aroma therapy. Some of its usage is for helping irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, relieves headaches, and improves mental focus. Due to the many health advantages of peppermint oil, it has become a common essential oil used in modern day aroma therapy.
Essential oils were used by the ancient Egyptians’ to produce perfumes. They spent hundreds’ of years’ trying to perfect beautiful smel...
Traditional herbal medicine comes from many different areas of the world (Indian, Chinese, African, Western, Native American herbs, Ayurvedic and other indigenous medicines) and in most all of them they are still b...
Besides the use of essential oils in fragrances, there are approximately 3000 chemicals that are used in making of fragrance. It is used in many body care products and as well as perfumes, colons, and deodorants. As the studies have shown, such chemicals can trigger many different feelings hunger, nostalgia, happiness, or disgust. It is also used in many home products such as candles, cleaning products, laundry detergents, fabric care, and air fresheners. Fragrances are made with essential oils, which consists of extract of a plant. However, about 95 percent of the ing...
Oshita, D., Hattori, K., & Iwakuma, M. (2013). A Buddhist-based meditation practice for care and healing: An introduction and its application. International Journal Of Nursing Practice, 15-23. doi:10.1111/ijn.12040
Today people are becoming more aware of the advantages of using natural health products. Apart from it being a cost-efficient solution to maintain and attain healthier body, the products made from herbal and natural ingredients offer a myriad of benefits compared to those made from chemical and artificial ingredients. The followi...
1580-1085 BC: The Egyptians create perfumes for daily consumer use and ultimately, use in religious ceremonies. Egyptian women used perfumed creams and oils as toiletries, cosmetics and aids to lovemaking. Queen Cleopatra was reported to use opiates and perfumes to seduce her many lovers and she may be the first to invent pomades from bear grease. Perfumes, especially those developed from resins, were originally used to appease the gods but in time they became more important in the embalming process for chemical reasons. Materials with drying agents like asphal...