Tiran (2006), Tiran (2009), and Bizjak, Veljanovič and A.M.I.D.A.S. (2000) describe aromatherapy as a science that uses highly concentrated essential oils from various plants. Their potency has a therapeutic effect. Essential oils can be used on the skin through massage, inhalation, through mucous membranes, in a bath (oils are not water-soluble), or in the shower. In certain cases, they are used in the gastrointestinal tract, but such aromatherapy must be clinically tested. Bizjak, Veljanovič and A.M.I.D.A.S. (2000) state that the fifteen most effective essential oils include tea tree, lemon-scented eucalyptus, bay laurel, German chamomile, niaouli, round-leaved eucalyptus, palmarosa, tarragon, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, thyme, wild thyme, ylang-ylang, and sage. You should check in advance which health conditions a particular essential oil is used for, as not all are suitable for everyone.

Aromatic therapy comes from a Greek word meaning a pungent smell or taste, but today it is more commonly used to refer to fragrance. Therapei means treatment or care (Maxwell–Hudson, 1995). Essential oils have an intense scent; for example, a single drop of rose oil requires as many as thirty rose petals (Janicke and Grunwald, 2009). Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) note that, in addition to its distinctive scent, aromatherapy also has certain medicinal active compounds.

One advantage of aromatherapy is that using it helps us get to know our body better and, in doing so, notice irregularities. Through physical touch, we build a positive relationship with ourselves or with others we massage. It has many positive effects, including trust, relaxation, muscle release, and the release of endorphins that ease pain. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are found in different parts of plants. They protect the plant from various microorganisms, connect it with the external environment, and also act like hormones in humans, playing a key role in plant metabolism (Rončelj and Skoberne, 2002).

Tiran (2006) explains that essential oils are high-percentage concentrates of chemical substances in plants, sometimes found as tiny droplets in veins and in the roots of hair and fur. Their function in plants is hormone regulation, helping plants adapt, and similar roles. In other words, essential oils help plants adapt to external factors and protect them from disease. Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) describe a similar role of oils in plants.

HISTORY of aromatherapy

In her work, Tiran (2006) explains how and when aromatherapy first appeared. It is known that our ancestors used plants and their essences for therapeutic purposes as well as for perfumes thousands of years before us.

Our ancestors observed that wounded, sick, and injured animals treated themselves with the help of plants they ate. Some plants without medicinal properties worsened health or even caused death. All this knowledge enabled the development of herbal medicine (Farrer–Halls, 2007), (Maxwell–Hudson, 1995). The term aromatherapy developed only around the beginning of the twentieth century, when Gattefosse conducted experiments with essential oils to determine their healing properties. He burned his palms and fingers and then discovered lavender and its power by immersing his injured hand in lavender essential oil. He realized that lavender oil relieves pain, has anti-inflammatory effects, and helps wounds heal. He was also the first to use the term aromatherapy in 1928 in a scientific article about essential oils. Based on Gattefosse’s findings, the physician Jean Valnet treated wounds in military casualties and also used essential oils for emotional and psychological issues. Later, Marguerite Maury introduced beauty aromatherapy, in which essential oils were used to regenerate the skin, further confirming the positive effects of essential oils (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Farrer-Halls (2007) states that modern aromatherapy developed in the 1960s, when it was used together with massage techniques. The most important part of aromatherapy is massaging the whole body with diluted essential oils.

Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) describe that in ancient civilizations some plants were considered sacred. They were used as ritual offerings by burning them, as evidenced by the discovery of incense dating back to 1500 BC. Ancient peoples believed these plants had special power, so they associated them with healing. In the Neolithic period, in some parts of Europe as well as in the East, they discovered the extraction of fatty oils by pressing various plants. For many years they explored the effects of plants and their properties. Once they recognized the toxicity of certain plants, they avoided them, while using others very cautiously.

In the book Družinski zdravstveni vodnik (2009), oils from thuja, wormwood leaves, tansy, hyssop, and sage are described as poisonous. The oils of these plants are so toxic that ingestion can be fatal.

In ancient times, creams were used. An important lifestyle practice in Egypt was using oils for the body and for healing, as evidenced by the discovery of many vessels believed to have been intended for oil. This magical liquid was used for various purposes, such as healing, rituals, cosmetics, and even mummification. Some claim that bodies were better preserved when larger quantities of different oils were used. The Greeks learned from the Egyptians to use oils for perfuming as well. The Romans, drawing on Greek knowledge, used oils for clothing, beds, the body, and similar purposes. The Arab alchemist Avicenna invented distillation in the tenth century. The first extracted essential oil was made from roses. In the thirteenth century, people were most impressed by lavender essential oil (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

Tiran (2006) and Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) state in their works that the term aromatherapie was first used by the chemist Gattefosse, who was interested in cosmetic essential oils. In 1928, he published a book advising on essential oils in dermatology. He also contributed to preventing gangrene, wound healing and inflammation, lowering body temperature, and relieving pain during World War I. Today, the effects of plants are used in both pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. There is also opposition to the use of these substances, as even today we still do not fully understand their effects (Rončelj and Skoberne, 2002).

The use of aromatherapy

When practicing aromatherapy, the basic tools are essential oils, which are considered an effective, gentle remedy. Aromatherapy is most effective when used in combination with massage. The most common way to use aromatherapy at home is probably a bath. With essential oils, you can also prepare perfumes, inhalations, cold or warm compresses. They can be added to creams, eau de toilette, hair-care products, or even lotions (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

Aromatherapy is more commonly used by women than men, particularly during the reproductive years, which may indicate that women turn to it during pregnancy or childbirth (Smith et al., 2011).

Wagner (2008) describes aromatherapy as suitable for anyone to ease everyday issues. It is best used as prevention for various illnesses or as a complementary treatment for more serious conditions. When used according to instructions, it can positively affect quality of life. Because essential oils are highly concentrated, dosing requires care; in short, you should follow the instructions for use as with other medicines. A pregnant woman should consult her gynecologist or midwife about using essential oils. Some women are very sensitive to scents during pregnancy and after birth, and they can be bothered by them. For such people, the use of aromatic oil is not recommended (Wagner, 2008).

During pregnancy, many medications pass through the placenta to the baby. Many women do not want to take medication for this reason, so in such cases alternative treatment methods are especially recommended (Glossler, 2010). Similar guidance applies to infants and young children (Janicke and Grunwald, 2009). Essential oils must not be used on a child or newborn as long as their absorption is unknown (Tiran, 2009).

Farrer-Halls (2007) states that ingesting essential oils is prohibited; they must not come into contact with delicate mucous membrane skin, and they should also be avoided around the eyes. Skin irritation can sometimes occur, so occasional use together with other selected oils is advised. Follow dilution instructions for essential oils and do not increase the concentration unless prescribed. If the skin becomes irritated and red, relieve this by applying a base cream or oil to the affected area, covering it with a cold cloth, and leaving it until the unwanted effects disappear. If oil comes into contact with the eye, rinse it immediately with a small amount of base oil, blot with a soft cloth, and then rinse with water. Essential oils are added to base oils, so base oils can also be called carrier oils, which we mix with essential oils (Konte, 2009). If more severe reactions occur, medical help should be sought.

Effects of aromatherapy

The essential oils used in aromatherapy are highly volatile substances that begin to evaporate as soon as they come into contact with air. Therefore, with every method of using essential oils, inhalation also occurs, even if only in small amounts. Aromatherapy is most often combined with massage, which allows essential oils to enter through the skin, where—along with the lungs—they act most strongly and first. Oils enter the body through the skin because the skin is permeable to certain substances. When we inhale particles of essential oils, they first travel from the trachea to the bronchi and then to the lungs. In the lungs there are alveoli surrounded by blood vessels. Through the blood vessels and alveoli, gas exchange takes place, where essential oils are also present. When essential oils enter the blood, they travel through the body via the bloodstream to certain organs. Rose oil acts primarily on the uterus, as it regulates its function, cleanses it, and strengthens it. Essential oils also have a strong effect on the emotional, mental, and psychological aspects (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

ESSENTIAL OILS

Postič (2013) describes essential oils as volatile substances with a strong scent. They are obtained from plants. Most often, such oils are produced by distillation, and the substance is named after the plant, for example lavender oil. They are used in the cosmetic and food industries as well as in medicine. Dimitrov (2008) explains that essential oils are a component of plants and animals and contain an aromatic component. They contain carbohydrates, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, phenols, and other compounds, as also described by Tiran (2006). No essential oil can be assumed to be fully understood, as the authors mentioned above also note. The quality of an essential oil can be checked by placing a drop on white filter paper and waiting twenty-four hours. If the oil is of good quality, no greasy or any visible trace will remain on the paper. It is also known that oils are not soluble in water, yet they still have a characteristic smell and taste. Water certainly takes on the scent because the alcohols present in essential oils are soluble. Most essential oils evaporate quickly at room temperature. Some solidify quickly when cooled or release solid particles. These properties make it possible to use cooling to obtain menthol and other stereoisomers from essential oils (Dimitrov, 2008).

Farrer-Halls (2007) states that essential oils are natural substances that, through photosynthesis, enable the plant to feed itself and produce other substances needed for survival. They are composed of water, carbon dioxide, and mineral substances that make photosynthesis possible. The term essential oils is most often used for all types of aromatic oils used in aromatherapy, but some oils obtained by pressing remain unchanged.

Characteristics of essential oils

In practice, you may encounter non-greasy, clear, thin, colored, or thick oils, but what they all have in common is that they dissolve in fats or alcohol. It is known that oils do not dissolve in water, so their method of use is important (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Because essential oils are highly volatile, it is recommended to store them in tightly closed, dark-colored bottles. As already mentioned, they are highly concentrated, so before use you must follow dilution instructions, as undiluted use is rare.

Using essential oils

A bath with essential oils is the second most pleasant and effective aromatherapy method, which—along with massage—is used for the whole body. Oils turn bathing into a special experience, as they enhance and complement the positive effects of water. A scented bath can be used for various purposes, whether for relaxation, stimulation, sexual arousal, or refreshment. They can help with skin problems, muscle pain, stress, and tension (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Once the tub is filled with water, add 4–8 drops of essential oil, which will remain on the surface. Because of this, the water needs to be stirred so the oil disperses. Add the essential oil to the tub just before bathing, because if you wait too long, most of the volatile oil will evaporate.

Living spaces can be scented by dispersing essential oils into the air. If you want to vaporize an essential oil and speed up its evaporation, use burners or aromatherapy lamps. In practice, stands are most commonly used: a candle is placed on the lower shelf, and on the upper part there is a small bowl into which you pour water and essential oils. It is also possible to buy automatic diffusers and ring-shaped bulbs that work similarly to the described burners. Rapid evaporation of essential oil can also be achieved with a bowl of hot water placed on a radiator (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Place a tealight on the lower shelf of the aromatherapy lamp; on the upper part intended for liquid, add half water and drip in 8–10 drops of essential oil.

Anyone who does not want to use aromatherapy lamps or electric diffusers can scent rooms using hand sprayers filled with water and essential oils. This method is recommended especially for people who do not want intense scents but want an immediate effect. The use of plastic containers is not recommended, as essential oils can chemically react with plastic. Because essential oils are not soluble in water, the bottle must be shaken well before each use. Fill the bottle almost to the top with water; for each teaspoon of water (5 ml), add three drops of essential oil. In 100 ml of water, you would therefore need to use 60 drops of essential oil (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

If you are scenting objects, add one drop of essential oil to the center and corners of five paper napkins. Place these napkins between sheets of paper and close them together in a box. After two days, the paper will be gently scented, without any greasy traces of essential oil. To scent bed linen, you can place paper tissues scented with essential oils in the linen closet (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

AROMATHERAPY METHODS

Methods used to introduce essential oils into the body include inhalation, massage through the skin, and similar approaches. It is very important to know that oils are never applied undiluted, except for lavender oil. They are diluted with cold-pressed olive oil (normal or dry skin), while for oily skin we use natural sunflower oil. Sometimes alcohol, fat, or wax can also be used. For inhalations, hot water is used. A suitable blend for each individual treatment plays an important role. It is known that we must not mix more than five oils together, as they do not act synergistically (in the same direction). We must consider the evaporation rate of oils: the first group includes oils that evaporate quickly, followed by oils of medium speed, and then oils that evaporate slowly (Dimitrov, 2008).

Essential oils are often used in aroma lamps, compresses, baths, mouth rinses, inhalation, massage skin care—cosmetics, and for burns (Janicke and Grunwald, 2009).

Source: Erika Cuznar’s thesis – Aromatherapy in different stages of a woman’s life and the perinatal period (2015), supervised by: Senior Lecturer Teja Škodič Zakšek, BSc Radiology Eng., Grad. Midwife, MSc UK

Photo