Aromatherapy, The Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils

What is Aromatherapy?

(Please see the Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Article Index at the bottom of this page, and on the main Essential Oils page for more fun reading!)

What is Aromatherapy?

The term Aromatherapy is a bit misleading, as the aroma of an essential oil is only one facet of the oil's interaction with the human body. Aromatherapy is really the entire branch of botanical medicine using volatile aromatic plant compounds for treatment of various conditions. Many actions of essential oils don't even have to do with one's sense of smell. Beyond acting through the limbic system (the brain region immediately affected by the smell sense), many essential oils have proven antibiotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, antifungal or other actions. But, we'll start with the 'aroma' part - how essential oils interact with the body's olfactory system...

Affecting Your Gray Matter via Aromatherapy

The olfactory system, your 'smell' sense, is the only one of the five senses directly connected to the brain. All other senses are routed first through the thalamus, then directed to the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. Each 'scent-sensing' cell is a sort of chemical receiver - Each receptor in the nose reacts to some scents and not others. Each of these scent-cells is directly linked to the brain by one nerve fiber. In a way, it is difficult to sense a smell and first think about it before having a response - the signal does not travel first to the thought centers. Because each sensing cell is in direct contact with the chemical being sensed, and the cell is in direct contact with the brain, the physiological response to smell is quick and powerful.

The Body Response to Aromatherapy

The olfactory region of the brain is closely associated with the limbic region - that being the center of emotions, memory, sex drive and intuition. The limbic system is also connected to parts of the brain that control heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and stress levels. Further, the olfactory region connects to the hypothalamus, which controls the entire hormonal system by influencing the pituitary. This gives us a good ideas as to why the aromatic compounds of plants - essential oils - can have an 'aromatherapeutic' effect.

Beyond 'Aroma'-therapy: Ways of Using Essential Oils

Aromatherapy practice also very much includes topical (skin) application, and sometimes ingestion, of essential oils. Safe and effective use depends completely on the particular essential oil - some are absolutely not to be taken internally and others are strong skin irritants. Effects through topical application rely on the small-size of essential oil molecules - smaller oil-like compounds pass through the lipid bi-layers of skin cells and are absorbed into the bloodstream. Being absorbed this way, essential oils can also produce a profound physiological response. Topical application may be helpful in a variety of skin, joint, and muscle conditions, as well as for more general stress related states.

Other Diverse Applications of Aromatherapy

This brings us to the non-physiological actions in Aromatherapy. The actions of essential oils in Aromatherapy are as diverse as the plant species from which they come. Besides physiological responses, other 'external' factors are affected. Some essential oils have been show in laboratory experiments to be extremely powerful antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. They can provide therapeutic action by fending off invaders of our own system. Tea Tree, for example, is used in many dental formulations for its gentle yet effective antibacterial action.

Essential oils, when used properly, can be of fantastic benefit - we hope you enjoy your exploration of aromatherapy!