Aromatherapy practices

Basil essential oil contains the compound methyl chavicol (also called estragole) which has been a cause for concern. However, this should be viewed in the context of good safe aromatherapy practice. 

Aromatherapy Practice in the United Kingdom and the United States.620... 

There is a vogue for many scientifically nonqualified aromatherapists to practice clinical aromatherapy, in which they prescribe the internal usage of essential oils. Internal prescribing involves oral, rectal, and vaginal intake however, the use of tampons soaked in various potentially toxic essential oils, such as the various tea tree oils, with variable biological potential could have a possible harmful effect on the delicate internal mucosal membranes. The possibility of misdiagnosis of a urogenital condition by medically unqualified aromatherapists or by the patients themselves could also result in serious consequences. 

The quality and composition of essential oils are of paramount importance to the aromatherapist when choosing oils. We all expect to see products such as foods and cosmetics properly labelled, giving names and amounts of ingredients along with instructions for use and associated possible hazards. This is not yet the situation with aromatherapy oils, but it is likely to develop. It will be a considerable task as essential oils may contain up to three hundred different compounds, albeit many in minuscule amounts, and criteria would have to be set to decide a convention for such labelling. Good working practices, as currently advised, are outlined in this area. 

The book sets out to make the scientific aspects of aromatherapy understandable and relevant by use of situations and examples found in the practice of aromatherapy. Data from oil suppliers, which are theoretically available to aromatherapists, are used to illustrate ideas and examples. Although these data can be obtained, this is not usually a financially viable option to the average aromatherapist. A basic analysis will often cost more than the oil. This, again, is a situation that may change in the course of time with ever-increasing legislation. 

Courses for aromatherapy vary from short leisure course to degree level in institutions of higher education and entry qualifications are inconsistent. The background and experience of those delivering the courses is also variable. Currently there is only one chair of Complementary Medicine in the UK. This is at the Peninsula Medical School at the University of Exeter and Plymouth where they conduct scientific research and publish peer-reviewed articles. Many complementary therapists are self-employed and work in sole practice. 

A practically odourless clear oil with a faint yellow tinge. Inexpensive, thin and non-oily it is especially suitable for blending with other carriers. Extracted from the seeds, which have a long tradition in culinary applications. The oil is available in a range of qualities and is also a favourite for cooking but this is the highly refined oil, which is not usually recommended for aromatherapy. External use is believed to be beneficial for skin problems such as ulcers, bruises, acne and seborrhoea. Fatty acid composition linoleic acid (up to 74%), oleic acid (up to 15%), palmitic acid (up to 6.4%), stearic acid (4.2%), linolenic acid (0.2%) and palmitoleic acid (0.1%). It is also high in vitamins A, B-com-plex, D and E, with minerals calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and phosphorus. Considered to be a safe oil with no reported contraindications. 

Details of labelling will be covered in the aspects of Professional Practice on an aromatherapy course. For practical purposes the label for an essential oil should indicate the following ... 

In general, for the commonly used essential oils the percentage dilution is within the range 1-5%. Most aromatherapy books will describe blend compositions in terms of drops of oil, whereas a clearly defined measure such as a ml (millilitre) would be more scientific. However, this would not be very practical in practice. 

Buckle J 2004 Clinical aromatherapy, essential oils in practice. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh Crowe J, Bradshaw T, Monk P 2006 Chemistry for the biosciences. Oxford University Press, Oxford... 

The material presented does not claim to be original in any way. It merely represents a selection, organization and an approach to a subject that is covered in a number of other sources. It aims to bring together those topics relevant to the science of aromatherapy, and couple these with its application to the understanding of the practice of aromatherapy. It is hoped that it will demystify the chemistry, making it more understandable and enjoyable. 

Enjoy a relaxed evening. Go for a walk, read, hang out with friends or family. Evening is also a good time for a spiritual practice, meditation or aromatherapy. 

Late evening is a good time for a spiritual practice, meditation, or aromatherapy. 

In recent years, Americans and others have tended to rely less and less on modern, scientific medical practices and remedies for treating many medical conditions. Popular magazines, television shows, and newspapers routinely include stories about alternative medical treatments, aromatherapy, herbal and natural remedies, magnet therapy, touch therapy, psychic healing, acupuncture, and homeopathy. The debate over the efficacy of such treatments continues. It is safe to say, however, that most, if not all, of these treatment methods have not been subjected to the same rigorous scientific standards as most modern medical practices and treatments. 

From these scarce data, it is clear the most practices in aromatherapy are not based on science, and to make a clear distinction, several experts have proposed that experimentally proven methods should be called aromachology. 

B. Cooke, E. Ernst (2000) Aromatherapy a systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 50, 493 96. 

Valnet, J. 1980, The Practice of Aromatherapy, Destiny Books, New York. 

Magic was often used as part of the treatment and gave the patient the expectation of a cure and thus, provided a placebo effect (Pinch, 1994). The term placing the hand appears frequently in a large number of medical papyri this probably alludes to the manual examination in order to reach a diagnosis but could also imply cure by the laying on of hands, or even both (Nunn, 1997). This could be the basis of modern massage (with or without aromatherapy). It is certainly the basis of many alternative medicine practices at present (Lis-Balchin, 1997). 

Egyptians also practiced inhalation by using a double-pot arrangement whereby a heated stone was placed in one of the pots and a liquid herbal remedy poured over it. The second pot, with a hole in the bottom through which a straw was inserted, was placed on top of the rst pot, allowing the patient to breathe in the steaming remedy (Manniche, 1989), that is, aromatherapy by inhalation. 

It is hoped that aromatherapists do not try to convince their patients of a cure, especially in the case of serious ailments such as cancer, which often recede naturally for a time on their own. Conventional treatment should always be advised in the rst instance and retained during aromatherapy treatment with the consent of the patient s primary health care physician or consultant. Aromatherapy can provide a useful complementary medical service both in healthcare settings and in private practice and should not be allowed to become listed as a bogus cure in alternative medicine. 

Burns, E. et al., 2000. An investigation into the use of aromatherapy in intrapartum midwifery practice. 

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