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 Aromatic oils
are essential plant oils that have a strong scent and curative properties. The history
of the use of aromatic oils and plant extracts goes back for at least several
thousand years. Today, there are approximately 300 essential oils that are used
in different spheres of our life, including medicine, cosmetology and food
industry.
We know about
50 families of plants the representatives of which can be used in the
production of aromatic oils (say, Labiate family - mint, goose-tongue, thyme,
lavender). Aromatic ether is extracted from certain parts of the plant. Oil is
the source of virtually all of plants' active ingredients. Oils are accumulated
in different parts of the plant: root (ginger), stem (trunk) or woody tissue (sandalwood,
manuka), leaves (lemon, eucalyptus), inflorescence (rose) and fruit, where oil
can be found in peel, pulp or in seeds.
A plant can
give several types of oil, for example, bitter orange: the inflorescence gives Neroli
oil (named in honor of the Italian princess who discovered the oil), the fruit
peel contains Curacao oil and seed oil is extracted from the leaves, small
fruits and seeds.
The healing
properties of aromatic oils are absolutely different: some of them have soothing,
relaxing effect, others tone up and stimulate. Each oil has its own inimitable fragrance
and, therefore, its own, special effect and balm properties.
Chemical compounds
of any essential oil are highly volatile and the mechanism of their effect upon
the human body is the following: by affecting nasal lining (at the moment when one feels their
scent) they interact with transport proteins (G-proteins). These proteins distribute
oil molecules in the body, carrying them to the sensitive receptors (peripheral
sensors). As soon as aromatic substance is delivered to the receptor, stimulation
(biologic massage) begins, affecting nervous regulation and cerebral functions.
Functioning of every body system is gradually normalized, problems, if any, progressively
recede.
This effect
of aromatic oils created a basis to the therapeutic method that was named aromatherapy.
This approach is in some way similar to homeopathic medicine - a subtle action
of minimum amounts of balm substances, gradual onset rate, slow accumulation.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons contained in essential oils work more effectively if
used on a regular basis.
Aromatic polycyclic
hydrocarbons (compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen) are the basic
components of the aromatic oils. This group is subdivided into terpens and terpenoids.
In fact, most
of the aromatic oils contain terpens (limonene, pinene, camphene, cadinene, caryophyllene,
cedrene, dipentene, phellandrene, terebenthene, sabinene and myrcene, etc.), and
these compounds have anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic and antiseptic
properties.
A group of terpenoids
includes ethers, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, alcohols (spirits) and oxides.
Ethers (lenalene
acetate, geranyl acetate) have antifungal and relaxing properties.
Aldehydes (citral,
citronellal and neral) also effect as sedative and anti-inflammatory agents.
Ketones are
decongestants, they improve functioning of the mucous membranes, promote sputum
discharge. Aromatic oils containing ketones are used for treatment of respiratory
diseases.
Phenols (eugenol,
thymol, carvacrol) have antibacterial and toning properties and may cause skin irritation.
Alcohols (spirits).
The group includes linalool (found in lavender, aloe vera and rosewood), citronellol
(rose, lemon, eucalyptus and geranium), geraniol (palmarose), borneol, menthol,
nerol, terpineol, farnesol, vetiverol and cedrene. They act as antibacterial
and antiviral products.
Oxides (cineol
and eucalyptol) have a strong expectorative action.
Due to the fact
that scientists have managed to decompose essential oils, the production of synthetic
aromatic oils commenced. But the value of artificial products (in therapeutic and
material sense) is not very high if compared to natural ones.
Aromatic
oils: methods of application
Aromatic
oils are applied individually and in different compositions. Depending on the properties
of oils, there are various combinations: toning, relaxing, stimulating
(aphrodisiac) antibacterial, etc.
Pure aromatic
oils are not applied because they may cause dermal and mucosal irritation. Oils
are usually mixed with water, fragrance-free massage oil, glycerine.
Several drops
of aromatic oil may be added to the baths and nebulisers. Aromatic oils are
used in massage procedures and aromatic lamps.
When using aromatic
oils one should remember about intolerance and allergic diseases. Testing skin for
allergies must be performed prior to using any oil. Apply a drop of oil to the skin
of arm bend or behind the ear and watch the reaction in two hours. If there are
no signs of allergic reaction, hyperemia, itching or any other discomfort, oil can
be used.
Before application
of any oil, learn about its effect. If you want to relax and apply oil with toning
effect, the result would be converse.
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