Aromatherapy comes from the Greek word for a spicy scent or taste, but today it is more commonly used to mean fragrance. Therapeia, on the other hand, means treatment or care (Maxwell–Hudson, 1995). Essential oils have an intense scent; for example, as many as thirty rose petals are used for a single drop of rose oil (Janicke and Grunwald, 2009). Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) state that, in addition to a specific scent, aromatherapy also has certain medicinal active ingredients.

One advantage of aromatherapy is that its use helps us get to know our bodies better and thus discover irregularities. Through physical contact, we establish positive relationships with ourselves or others we massage. It has many positive effects, including trust, relaxation, muscle relief, and the release of endorphins, which ease pain. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are found in various parts of plants. They protect the plant from various microorganisms and establish contact with the external environment, while also acting like hormones in humans and 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 in tiny droplets of vessels and the roots of hairs. Their function in plants is hormone regulation, helping the plant adapt, and so on. Thus, essential oils help plants adapt to external factors and protect them from disease. Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) also describe a similar role for 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 noticed that wounded, sick, and injured animals healed themselves with the help of plants they consumed. Some plants that did not have medicinal properties worsened health conditions or even caused death. All this knowledge allowed herbal medicine to develop (Farrer–Halls, 2007), (Maxwell–Hudson, 1995). The term aromatherapy only developed around the beginning of the twentieth century when Gattefossé conducted an experiment with essential oils to determine their healing properties. He burned his hands and fingers, then discovered lavender and its power after dipping his injured hand into lavender essential oil. He realized that lavender oil acts as a painkiller, is anti-inflammatory, and helps with wound healing. He was also the first to use the term aromatherapy in 1928 in a scientific article on essential oils. Using Gattefossé’s discovery, Dr. Jean Valnet treated the wounds of injured soldiers and also used essential oils for emotional and psychological issues. Later, Marguerite Maury introduced beauty aromatherapy, where essential oils were used for skin regeneration, further confirming the positive effects of essential oils (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Farrer-Halls (2007) states that the modern use of aromatherapy developed in the 1960s, where it was used together with massage techniques. The most important aspect of aromatherapy is massaging the whole body with the help of diluted essential oils.

Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) describe how certain plants were considered sacred in ancient civilizations. They were used for ritual offerings by burning them, as evidenced by the discovery of incense dating back to before 1500 BC. Ancient peoples believed these plants had special powers, so they associated them with healing. During the Neolithic period, the extraction of fatty oils by pressing various plants was discovered in parts of Europe and the East. For many years, people discovered the effects and properties of plants. Once they realized the toxicity of certain plants, they avoided them, while using others very carefully.

In the book Family Health Guide (2009), oils from thuja, wormwood leaves, tansy, hyssop, and sage are described as toxic. The oils of these plants are so poisonous that they can be life-threatening if ingested.

In ancient times, creams were used. An important lifestyle element in Egypt was the use of oils for the body and healing, as evidenced by the discovery of numerous vessels believed to be intended for oil use. This magical liquid was used for various purposes, such as healing, rituals, cosmetics, and even mummification. Some state that bodies where larger quantities of various oils were used are better preserved. The Greeks learned from the Egyptians to use oils for perfuming as well. With the help of Greek knowledge, the Romans used oils for clothes, beds, the body, and so on. 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 fascinated by lavender essential oil (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

Tiran (2006) and Rončelj and Skoberne (2002) state in their literature that the term aromatherapie was first used by the chemist Gattefossé, 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, healing and treating wound inflammation, lowering body temperature, and relieving pain during World War I. Today, the effects of plants are used in both pharmacy and cosmetics. There is also opposition to the use of these substances, as even today we do not fully understand all their effects (Rončelj and Skoberne, 2002).

Use of aromatherapy

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

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

Wagner (2008) describes aromatherapy as being for everyone to relieve everyday problems. It is best used as a preventative measure for various illnesses or as a complementary treatment for more serious conditions. Its action can positively affect quality of life if instructions are followed. They are very concentrated, so we must be careful with dosing; in short, we must follow the instructions for use just like with other medications. Pregnant women should consult a gynecologist or midwife about using essential oils. Some women are very sensitive to and bothered by scents during pregnancy and also after childbirth. For such individuals, the use of aromatic oils is not recommended (Wagner, 2008).

During pregnancy, many medications pass through the placenta to the baby. For this very reason, many women do not want to take medication, so in such cases, alternative healing methods are especially recommended (Glossler, 2010). Similar guidelines apply to infants and young children (Janicke and Grunwald, 2009). Essential oils should not be used on children and newborns as long as their absorption remains unknown (Tiran, 2009).

Farrer-Halls (2007) states that ingesting essential oils is forbidden; they must not come into contact with the delicate skin of mucous membranes, and we must also avoid the eye area. Sometimes skin irritation can occur, so occasional use together with other selected oils is advised. Follow the instructions for diluting essential oils and do not increase the concentration unless prescribed. If irritated and red skin occurs, resolve this discomfort by applying a base cream or oil to the 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 carrier oil, then dab with a soft cloth, and then rinse with water. Essential oils are added to a carrier oil, so we can say that carrier oils can also be called base oils, which we mix together with essential oils (Konte, 2009). If severe reactions occur, medical help must 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, every method of using essential oils also involves inhaling them, even if in small amounts. Aromatherapy is most often combined with massage, which allows essential oils to enter through the skin, where they have the greatest and most immediate effect alongside the lungs. 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 into the lungs. In the lungs are alveoli surrounded by blood vessels. Through the blood vessels and alveoli, gas exchange occurs, where the essential oils are also located. Once essential oils enter the blood, they travel through the body via the bloodstream to certain organs. Rose oil has the greatest effect on the uterus, as it regulates its function, cleanses it, and strengthens it. Essential oils also have a strong influence on the emotional, mental, and psychological side (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

ESSENTIAL OILS

Postič (2013) describes essential oils as volatile substances with a strong scent. We find them in plants. Most often, such oils are obtained through distillation, and the substance itself is named after the plant, e.g., lavender oil. They are used in the cosmetic and food industries as well as in medicine. Dimitrov (2008) explains that essential oils are an integral part of plants and animals and that they contain a fragrant component. They contain carbohydrates, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, phenols, and other compounds, as also described by Tiran (2006). It cannot be assumed that any essential oil is fully understood, as mentioned by the previously cited authors. You can check the quality of an essential oil by placing a drop of it on white filter paper and waiting twenty-four hours. If the oil is of high quality, no greasy or visible trace will remain on the paper. It is also known that oils are not soluble in water, but they still have a characteristic scent 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 during cooling or precipitate solid particles. These properties allow us to use cooling to obtain menthol and other stereotypes from essential oils (Dimitrov, 2008).

Farrer-Halls (2007) states that essential oils are natural substances that, through photosynthesis, allow the plant to feed and obtain other substances necessary for existence. They are composed of water, carbon dioxide, and minerals, which facilitate photosynthesis. We most often use the term essential oils for all types of aromatic oils used in aromatherapy, but some oils obtained by pressing remain unchanged.

Characteristics of essential oils

In practice, we can find non-greasy, clear, thin, colored, or thick oils, but they all have in common that they dissolve in fats or alcohol. It is known that oils do not dissolve in water, so the method of use is important (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Because essential oils are highly volatile, it is recommended to store them in tightly sealed, dark-colored glass bottles. As already mentioned, they are highly concentrated, so dilution instructions must be followed before use, as they are rarely used undiluted.

Use of essential oils

A bath with essential oils is the second most pleasant and effective aromatherapy method, used for the whole body alongside massage. Oils turn bathing into a special experience, as they strengthen and complement the positive effects of water. A fragrant 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). When the tub is filled with water, add 4–8 drops of essential oil, which will stay on the surface. Because of this, the water needs to be stirred to disperse the oil. Add the essential oil to the tub just before bathing, because if you wait too long, most of the volatile oil would go to waste.

Living spaces can be scented by spraying essential oils into the air. If we want to vaporize the essential oil and speed up its evaporation, we use burners or aromatherapy lamps. In practice, stands are most often used where a candle is placed on the bottom shelf, and a bowl sits on the top part where water and essential oils are poured. It is also possible to buy automatic diffusers and ring bulbs that work similarly to the described burners. Rapid evaporation of essential oil can be achieved with a bowl of hot water placed on a radiator (Farrer-Halls, 2007). Place a candle on the bottom shelf of the aromatherapy lamp, add half water to the top part intended for liquid, and add 8–10 drops of essential oil.

Those who do not wish to use aromatherapy lamps or electric diffusers can scent rooms using hand sprays filled with water and essential oils. This method of use is especially recommended for people who do not want intense scents but want an immediate effect. The use of plastic containers is discouraged, as essential oils can chemically react in combination with plastic. Since 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, and for every teaspoon of water (5 ml), add three drops of essential oil. In 100 ml of water, you would thus need to use 60 drops of essential oil (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

If scenting objects, one drop of essential oil should be added to the center and corners of five paper napkins. Arrange these napkins between sheets of paper and seal them together in a box. After two days, the paper will be gently scented without greasy traces of essential oil. To scent linens, paper tissues scented with essential oils can be added to the linen closet (Farrer-Halls, 2007).

AROMATHERAPY METHODS

The methods used for introducing essential oils into the body include inhalations, massage through the skin, and similar. It is very important to know that oils are never applied undiluted, except for lavender oil. Dilute with cold-pressed olive oil (for normal or dry skin), while for oily skin, use natural sunflower oil. Sometimes alcohol, fat, or wax can also be used. For inhalations, use hot water. An appropriate mixture for each specific treatment plays an important role. It is known that no more than five oils should be mixed together, as they do not act synergistically (in the same direction). We must consider the evaporation rate of the oils, as the first group contains oils that evaporate quickly, followed by medium-rate oils and oils that evaporate slowly (Dimitrov, 2008).

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

Source: Thesis by Erika Cuznar – Aromatherapy in different life stages of women and the perinatal period (2015) under the mentorship of: Senior Lecturer Teja Škodič Zakšek, BSc Rad., BSc Mid., MSc UK

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