Medical Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Medical aromatherapy treats specific diagnoses and must be administered by a licensed physician or naturopath who is trained specifically to practice aromatherapy. Treatment can be in the form of massage or even oral ingestion of essential oil capsules. Practitioners should have a minimum of four years of training. Inhalation is another way of introducing essential oils into the system.

Like many natural medicines, aromatherapy is not going to cure anyone of a disease or prevent cancer. It is more likely to ease symptoms and make the patient feel better. Since relaxation is one of its main benefits, treating a seriously ill person to a soothing aromatherapy essential oil massage can do wonders for their state of mind. Also some of the essential oils can help alleviate nausea and pain that has settled into the joints and tissues. Even though many have learned to practice aromatherapy at home, in the case of sickness or pain they should definitely consult an expert.

Two French doctors, Lapraz and Durrafourd, both from Paris have conducted clinical trials on the effects of taking essential oils internally. They have found that certain oils don't always work on the same type of infection, but that the patient's chemistry plays a big part in determining how best to treat him or her. Since it was Dr. René-Maurice Gattefossé who named aromatherapy, it only makes sense that his countrymen are continuing his work. For more information go to http://www.essentialoils.co.za/medical.htm.

Studies show that essential oils work mainly on our olfactory senses. Think of the times you get a whiff of something and it immediately triggers a memory or emotion. In simple terms, our entire senses link to our brains and smelling is no different. Even though research is still being done, it's pretty conclusive that the right essential oils can improve our moods by impacting the emotional parts of our brains. The mind is affected by aromatherapy via the sense of smell.

There is a complicated process at work as with most of our bodily functions. We will try to explain what happens as simply as possible. The aroma is inhaled via the nose and attaches to the fine nasal hairs which link to the olfactory nerve. Then it becomes and electrical signal to the brain. The part of the brain receiving the signal is called the limbic system and is the most primitive section of the human brain. It influences our mood, our emotions, and how alert or tuned in we feel. Well-trained aromatherapy specialists believe that since the essential oils are received by the brain, they are able to influence both physical and psychological selves.

There has also been research showing that aromatherapy can relieve pain. Some believe it to by a placebo effect, but even if this is true, if pain is eased then the result is positive. However, some believe results are due to the parts of the brain stimulated by essential oils. Chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine which make us feel good, are released when they interact with certain oils.

History proves that essential oils do help a number of health problems. That doesn't mean that they cure everything they touch, but they definitely help in making people more comfortable. They affect our physical, mental, and emotional health. You can study medicine and drugs to see that they have been using essential oils for years in some form or other. Just remember that pure oils are better than those that have been chemically altered.

Aromatherapy is a treatment in the holistic and/or naturopathic medical model. Some westerners are so ingrained with the use of traditional western style medicine that they think of anything else as some sort of quackery. As mentioned before, a lot of people are hoping to simplify their lives and get back to more basic ways of existing. These are some of the folks who question so-called modern medicine that employs so many harsh chemicals in its treatment plans. There are now a good, and growing, number of western doctors who are starting to include holistic treatments in their medical bags. Some have naturopaths available for consultation in their offices. Others refer patients to acupuncturists and aroma therapists. Ancient people survived very well using only what they found in nature, and there is a trend to get back to that way of thinking. The future of medicine in the western world will probably be a beneficial combination of a number of treatment modalities.

Some of the most common essential oils used in medicinal aromatherapy are:

* Clove - Used mainly as a topical treatment for dental pain but can also serve as a general antiseptic and to help subdue nausea
* Lavender - It is also an analgesic (pain killer) as well as an infection and bacteria fighter, enhance memory, relieves insomnia
* Tea tree - Another essential oil in the antiseptic family, that is it too fights infection and kills bacteria
* Yarrow - Reduces inflammation such as experienced in the joints and relieves cold and flu symptoms
* Eucalyptus - Acts as decongestant and treats other cold symptoms
* Bergamot - Helps depression

Scientific Views
Even with all the studies and research done to date, there is not much hard data to support the benefits of essential oils. However, in a number of independent studies conducted by nurses where some patients were treated with aromatherapy, some with a placebo, and some with no "medicine", the aromatherapy patients all noted a significant decrease in pain, nausea or an increase a feeling of well-being. There are also numerous accounts of healing therapies conducted by aromatherapy practitioners. Partly because it's an old science being made new again and partly because there are so many skeptics, it's difficult to find scientific studies that some individuals would find credible.

There is a world association, the International Federation of Professional Aroma therapists (IFPA). Gabriel Mojay was one of its principal founders. He holds degrees in a number of alternative medicinal disciplines, including aromatherapy. To learn more about some prominent names visit http://www.aromatherapy-studies.com/dip-faculty.html. Obviously there are a number of people in the world who are very serious about aromatherapy and essential oils.

In Europe, Vivian Nadya Lunny, MD is a well-educated physician with specialties in cardiology and pathology. She studied in Bolivia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom. Her post-graduate studies and degrees include holistic medicine and aromatherapy, among others. She has been studying and treating patients with arthritis and rheumatoid pain, both children and adults. She has been very successful in treating their pain and depression, using blends of essential oils to both calm their nerves and relieve their physical pain, mostly through light massage and infusion. She is a strong proponent of all physicians on a case working together in a holistic approach. http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Arthritis/lunny17.htm is the website where you can read about her credentials and her treatment of the sick. It would be difficult to find any practitioner more committed to her work with aromatherapy than she is.