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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.