Do you sometimes feel very tired, stressed, or anxious? Sometimes you can't sleep at night? Today we are talking about a wonderful treatment method that is said to be helpful for many health problems. That is aromatherapy, or as we say in Sinhala, "aromatherapy". This involves using extracts obtained from plants, that is, ' essential oils ', and inhaling them through the nose or applying them to the skin to provide relief. Some people add these oils to a massage or bath water.
What exactly are Essential Oils?
Simply put, 'Essential oils' are extracts made from various parts of flowers, plants, and trees, such as bark, roots, husks, and petals. Think of it this way: the cells that give a plant its unique scent are the 'essence' of that plant. So, when this essence is extracted from the plant, we call it 'essential oil'.
Making these is not easy. For example, it takes more than 90 kilos of lavender flowers to make one kilo of lavender oil. This means it is very concentrated.
But remember, not all products made from plant extracts are 'essential oils'. A true essential oil is one that is made through a special process that does not alter the chemical nature of the plant, without being mixed with other chemicals or artificial fragrances.
Some of the most commonly used essential oils in aromatherapy are lemon, chamomile, lavender, cedarwood, and bergamot.
How does this aromatherapy work?
This works in a very strange way. Experts believe that when we inhale these oils, the scent stimulates the smell receptors in our nose. These receptors then send messages directly to our brain through our nervous system.
These messages can activate certain parts of our brain. For example, the limbic system, which controls our emotions and memories. Also, this smell stimulates the hypothalamus , a part of the brain that signals the brain to produce chemicals like serotonin, which makes us feel happy and relaxed.
Some experts believe that when we rub these oils on the skin, they are absorbed through the skin and cause a reaction in other parts of the body, such as the skin and joints.
What is aromatherapy used for?
There is one very important thing to note here. This treatment is not a substitute for the medical treatment your doctor has prescribed. It should be used as an additional adjunct treatment. Research has shown that aromatherapy can have health benefits for some conditions.
Let's look at it in the table below.
| Benefits of aromatherapy | Description |
|---|---|
| Reducing stress | It helps relieve conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. |
| Relaxing the mind | It helps to relax the mind and create a sense of lightness. |
| Improving sleep | It helps those who suffer from insomnia and poor sleep quality to get good sleep. |
| Relief for long-term patients | It can help improve the quality of life of people suffering from long-term illnesses such as dementia. |
| Pain relief | It helps reduce some types of pain, such as pain caused by kidney stones and knee osteoarthritis. |
| Antibacterial properties | When applied to the skin, it can fight against some types of bacteria. |
| Side effects of cancer treatment | It may help relieve some of the side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and pain. |
Is this treatment safe? What are the risks?
Aromatherapy is generally a safe treatment. However, like everything else, it can cause some side effects .
- Some oils can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, or mucous membranes inside the nose.
- Some people may experience minor allergic reactions .
Here's a very important thing to remember: Some essential oils can cause serious damage to your kidneys or liver if taken orally . Never take these oils by mouth without your doctor's approval and advice. This is something that should only be done under medical advice .
If you are new to this treatment, it is best to talk to a qualified aromatherapist or, even better, your family doctor.
Another thing is that, like drugs, these essential oils are not strictly regulated by the government. This means that their safety or efficacy has not been confirmed like a drug. Therefore, when purchasing, it is important to choose a good quality product from a trusted source.
Take-Home Message
- Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that improves mental and physical well-being by inhaling or applying essential oils to the skin.
- This can help relieve stress, insomnia, and some pain conditions. However, it is never a substitute for the main treatments prescribed by your doctor.
- Never take essential oils by mouth without medical advice for any reason. It can pose serious health risks.
- Be sure to talk to your doctor before trying this treatment, especially if you have other medical conditions, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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