Aromatherapy and Oriental Medicine 

by Gabriel Mojay

Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils to maintain and promote physical and psychological well-being. In a modern context, it was identified as a form of complementary medicine in the 1920's. Yet the roots of Aromatherapy are ancient, and form part of the fragrance traditions and classical systems of medicine of many world cultures.

Aromatherapy today is based on the use of pure, diluted essential oils. Essential oils are volatile (easily evaporated) substances that occur naturally in aromatic plants. They can be synthesized and stored in many possible parts of the plant, and in several different kinds of glands. Oil of rose, for example, occurs in the petals of the flower, while plants that belong to the Umbelliferae family, including fennel and coriander, bear their oil in the seeds.

Each plant essence is extracted from a single botanical source through a number of possible methods. However, an aromatic essence cannot be considered a true essential oil unless it has been produced through a process of either distillation or cold expression.           

Highly aromatic, essential oils are the main traditional constituents of most perfumes. Indeed, a blend of essential oils (as a 2.5% dilution in jojoba oil) may be worn as a natural perfume - not only to create an attractive fragrance, but to relax or refresh the Qi (vital energy) of the wearer.          

The application of essential oils through massage is a method that is enhanced by the physiological benefits of massage itself. The ability of massage to promote the flow of blood and lymph, and to improve nervous conductivity, gives it the capacity to soothe tension and increase vital energy. When carried out by a well-trained therapist, massage with essential oils has the potential to transform and renew.          

Another pleasurable way to utilize essential oils is through bathing - a method that can both calm the mind and ease muscular aches and pains. For an adult, add 3-4 drops of pure essential oil to warm bath water, stirring it vigorously in order to fully disperse the essential oils.         

Essential oils should never be taken by mouth, nor should they be applied to the skin neat. They should always be diluted in a base such as olive oil at a dilution of 0.5-2.5%, which is about 1-4 drops per 5 ml teaspoon of carrier oil.* For specific safety guidelines, please consult a qualified professional Aromatherapist.