Download ACP Level 1 Lesson One

Lesson One
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a branch of alternative medicine that uses specific “aromas” from essential oils that
have curative effects. The healing art of aromatherapy traces back to 4,000-5,000 BC when the Egyptians,
Greeks, Hebrews, Romans, and Persians burned herbs and flowers for medicinal purposes. Today, many
are rediscovering those ancient healing practices as a path back to divine health.
The truth regarding the healing properties of essential oils has long been neglected and misunderstood
by most in Western society. While most Aromatherapists in the US still relegate essential oils to the
support of the psyche, studies continue to uphold the antibacterial and antiviral effects of essential oils.
True Medical and Clinical Aromatherapists around the globe are saying, “The most effective use of
essential oils for health is the combating of infectious illness.”
Within each plant’s oil is the complex makeup of 200-800 chemical constituents. Because of the
variability and unpredictability of these constituents, pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and
viruses are unable to build up a resistance in their efforts of mutation against essential oils. Synthetic
drugs that are made by isolating one or two constituents are no match for bacteria or a virus which can
easily adapt and mutate against rendering a drug useless. There are simply too many constituents within
an essential oil for a virus to adapt to.
In addition, many essential oils prove to be more effective than antibiotics and possess the intelligence
to leave the beneficial bacteria untouched. Chemist and Aromatherapy Practitioner Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt
states, essential oils have a 95% success potential against infections.
Essential oils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us
naturally microbe-free to readying our immune system for defense and to destroying the microbes once
they’ve entered our bodies.
Simply by diffusing essential oils into the atmosphere, the oils eliminate microbes in the air, thus reducing
the concentration of live pathogens you may inhale or touch at any time lessening the load on your
immune system. Second, most essential oils, especially the strong antimicrobial ones, have an uplifting
effect on the psyche and a sharpening effect on the mind. And finally, essential oils can fortify your own
immune system to prevent you from catching an illness in the first place – with some studies that have
shown mammalian cells having increased resistance to microbial invaders after exposure to essential oils.
While essential oils’ powerful weapon of antimicrobial compounds equips us against viral pathogens that
attempt to invade the body, most aromatherapists agree essential oils are not “wonder drugs.”
Conventional medicine has its place and should certainly be employed when it will provide the best
results. Alternative medicine such as aromatherapy offers a suitable resolution in relation to its
therapeutic value and can be effective if used sensibly and with sound judgment.
So, what exactly is an Essential Oil?
Essential oils are a fragrant, vital fluid distilled from flowers, shrubs, leaves, trees, roots, and seeds.
Because they are necessary for the life of the plant and play a vital role in the biological processes of
the vegetation, these substances are called “essential” and carry the life-blood, intelligence, and
vibrational energy that endow them with the healing power to sustain their own life—and help the people
who use them.
Plant Parts Yielding Essential Oil
Trees (sap, gums, resins) Grasses
Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin
Lemongrass, Citronella
Fruit (peels, rind)
Leaves (twigs)
Bergamot, Orange, Lemon, Lime
Eucalyptus, Tea Tree
Flowers
Leaves, Flowering Tops,
Stalks
Rose, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine
Chamomile, Clary Sage, Thyme,
Basil, Marjoram, Geranium
Bark
Cinnamon,
Cedarwood
Needles
Rosewood,
Cassia,
Roots
Flowering Tops
Rosemary,
Lavender,
Ormenis, Yarrow
Pine, Spruce, Fir, Thuja
Lavandin,
Ginger, Angelica
Plant (whole)
Peppermint, Spearmint
Leaves
Bay Laurel, Cajeput, Citronella,
Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lemon
Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Marjoram,
Myrtle, Niaouli, Rosalina,
Rosemary, Rosemary Verbena,
Tarragon, Tea Tree, Wintergreen
Leaves and Flowers
Blue Tansy, Catnip, Thyme, Wild
Tansy, Melissa, Oregano, Patchouli,
Sage, Marjoram
Leaves, Flowers and
Stems
Clary Sage, Fleabane, Goldenrod,
Winter Savory, Palmarosa,
Peppermint, Thyme
Fruit Rind
Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Grapefruit,
Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Orange,
Tangerine
Flowers
Davana, German Chamomile,
Helichrysum, Jasmine, Neroli,
Roman Chamomile, Rose, Ylang
Ylang
Leaves and Stems
Hyssop, Marijuana, Parsley,
Spearmint
Needles and Twigs
Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Silver Fir,
Spruce, Tsuga, White Fir
Roots
Gum Resins
Angelica, Ginger, Spikenard, Valerian,
Vetiver
Elemi, Frankincense, Myrrh,
Onycha
Branches
Fruit and Seeds
Cistus Labdanum, Cypress
Anise, Cardamom, Nutmeg
Wood
Leaves, Wood and Bark
Rosewood, Sandalwood
Blue Cypress, White Camphor
Wood and Bark
Wood, Twigs and
Branches
Cedar Bark
Birch
Stems and Buds
Berries
Clove
Black Pepper
Berries and Branches
Gum, Stems, Berries
and Branches
Juniper Berry
Juniper Berry
Stems and Branches
Whole Plant
Galbanum
Dill
Seeds
Leaves, Twigs, Branches
Celery Seed, Caraway Seed,
Coriander, Cumin, Carrot Seed,
Fennel, Aniseed
Cedar Leaf, Petitgrain, Ravensara
In some cases, one plant may provide multiple oils such as the Orange tree. From its leaves and twigs,
the oil of Petitgrain is extracted, while Sweet Orange essential oil comes from the rind of its fruit and
Neroli, a rich floral essence is extracted from its flower blossoms. Amazingly, all three essential oils,
though they come from the same plant, are all unique with differences in odor and therapeutic properties.
All essential oils have their own unique medicinal properties, characteristics and therapeutic benefits
which will differ depending on the soil, climate, and altitude of the countries where the plants were
grown.
Plant substances that have been extracted into essential oils are used in aromatherapy to promote wellbeing and good health. While the term aromatherapy can seem ambiguous, “scent” is only one aspect of
aromatherapy as you will discover many more dramatic benefits for healing the body, mind and spirit.