Do you sometimes feel like the stress and fatigue in your mind are relieved by a sudden scent? Think of the smell of a ripe mango, the smell of incense burning in a temple, or the smell of fresh rain falling on the ground... these bring great comfort to our hearts, don't they? Today, we are going to talk about a treatment method that uses the scents obtained from plants to provide relief to our body and mind. This is called aromatherapy .
What exactly are 'Essential Oils'?
Simply put, in aromatherapy we use a special type of oil called 'Essential Oils'. These are highly concentrated plant extracts extracted from various parts of plants, such as flowers, leaves, bark, and roots.
Imagine, a plant has its own unique scent, right? The chemical components that cause that scent are called the "essence" of that plant. When this essence is extracted through special methods, an 'essential oil' is created.
This is not as easy as it sounds. These oils are very powerful, and they are also very valuable. For example, it takes over 100 kilos of lavender flowers to make one kilo of lavender oil . That's why even a few drops of these are so powerful.
The important thing is that not all fragrance oils on the market are essential oils. A true essential oil does not have any other artificial fragrances or chemicals added to it. They are made in a way that does not change the natural chemical composition of the plant. So you need to be a little careful when choosing these.
In Sri Lanka, oils such as lavender, sandalwood, lemon, tea tree oil, and bergamot are commonly used in aromatherapy.
How does this treatment affect our body?
Okay, now let's see how this scent affects our body and mind. There are two main ways in which this happens.
1. By inhaling: When you inhale the scent of an essential oil, the scent molecules stimulate a special system of cells (smell receptors) in the nose. These cells are directly connected to the brain through our nervous system. There is a special part of the brain that controls our emotions and memories, called the limbic system. Do you remember when old memories suddenly come to mind when you smell certain smells? For example, the smell of a special dish coming from the kitchen reminds you of your grandmother. In this way, these scent molecules directly affect this part of the brain. Scientists also believe that these smells also help the brain produce chemicals that make us happy, such as serotonin .
2. By applying it to the skin: The second method is to apply these oils directly to the skin. These are usually not applied alone, but are mixed with another type of oil (carrier oil) such as coconut oil. When applied to the skin in this way, the oil is believed to be absorbed into the body through the skin and can provide relief to areas such as joints. This method is often used during massage, or by adding a few drops to bath water.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
The first thing to remember is that aromatherapy is not a substitute for the medications your doctor prescribes . It is only a complementary, supportive treatment . However, research has even found that this method can provide relief for some conditions.
Let's look at it further in the table below.
| Benefit / relief received | Description |
|---|---|
| Reducing stress and anxiety | Scents like lavender and bergamot calm the mind and help reduce stress. |
| Improving sleep | Inhaling a scent like lavender or chamomile before going to bed can help you sleep better. |
| Pain relief | It can help relieve some of the pain caused by knee problems (especially osteoarthritis) and kidney stones. |
| Reducing side effects of cancer treatments | Some oils can help relieve side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and pain. (This should only be done under medical advice.) |
| Action against bacteria on the skin | Some oils, such as tea tree oil, have antibacterial properties, so applying it to the skin can help fight some infections. |
Is this really safe? Isn't there a risk?
This is the most important part. Aromatherapy is generally a safe treatment. However, there are a few things to be aware of.
- Allergies : Some essential oils can cause allergic reactions in some people. They can cause redness and itching when applied to the skin. Therefore, it is wise to test a small area of skin first and only use it if there is no allergy.
- Eye and nose discomfort: If the smell of these becomes too strong, some people may experience eye irritation and nasal discomfort.
- Pregnant and nursing mothers: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should definitely consult your doctor before using essential oils, as some oils may not be suitable during this time.
- Young children: Since young children's skin is very sensitive, you need to be very careful when using these on them. It's best to seek medical advice .
Very important: Do not ingest essential oils for any reason without your doctor's approval. They are very concentrated and can cause serious damage to your liver and kidneys if ingested. They are for external use only.
Finally, these essential oils are not regulated by an institution like the Drug Authority of our country. This means that there is no guarantee of their quality and safety. Therefore, it is your responsibility to choose good quality products from a trusted source.
If you are interested in aromatherapy, first discuss this with your family doctor . He or she will be best able to advise you on whether or not this is right for you, as he or she is familiar with your specific health condition.
Take-Home Message
- Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses concentrated plant extracts (essential oils) to soothe the mind and body.
- While this may help relieve stress, insomnia, and some pain, it should never be used as a substitute for medical treatment.
- Avoid ingesting essential oils without medical advice for any reason. It can be seriously harmful to the liver and kidneys.
- It is very important to test for allergies before applying to the skin.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, or suffering from other medical conditions, it is imperative to consult your doctor before starting aromatherapy.
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