| Aroma means 'scented smell', 'fragrance'. | | | | body massages and enthralling baths. It also finds its |
| Aromatherapy makes use of volatile scents derived | | | | extensive therapeutic use as an effective |
| from essential oils contained in various parts of the | | | | expectorant, decongestant, anti-septic and in general |
| plant such as flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, stems | | | | perfumery. |
| etc. They are known to imbue a feeling of physical, | | | | Aromatherapy works on the basis that volatile |
| physiological and psychological goodness when applied | | | | scented compounds from fragrant oils are capable of |
| on to the human body. | | | | triggering the emotional centers of the brain |
| A few drops of the concentrated and standardized | | | | collectively forming the limbic system. It does so by |
| ranges of essential oils are picked from varied plant | | | | way of inciting the olfactory receptors such as the |
| types depending upon the mood and need. These oils | | | | nose which in turn transmits the stimulus to the limbic |
| are very potent and there is a compulsory need to | | | | system of the brain. When these oils are massaged |
| their being added to vegetable oils such as the | | | | over the skin in well regulated movements they |
| coconut oil, sweet almond oil, groundnut oil, hazelnut | | | | inflame the thermal receptors placed in the dermis of |
| oil, rosehip seed oil or olive oil serving as the carrier | | | | the skin, and kill the microbes over the surface of |
| oils and are massaged over the body in regulated | | | | the skin. Besides this aroma oils have significant role in |
| steps. In the absence of carrier oils, the undiluted | | | | provoking the immune system of the body. Many |
| applications of essential oils have known to cause | | | | specific therapeutic uses are associated with essential |
| much damage. | | | | oils extracted from various plant sources.o Basil oil |
| The essence emanating from the blend soothes the | | | | helps to enhance concentration and provides relief |
| soul as it enlivens and energizes the fatigued cells. | | | | from migraines, headaches and depression.o Black |
| They are known to uplift the mood and induce | | | | pepper oil helps to stimulate local circulation of blood |
| naturally occurring 'feel good factors' to release from | | | | and provides respite from pains and muscular aches.o |
| the body. In fact so much is the impact of scents | | | | Essential oils of citronella, tea tree oil, eucalyptus |
| emitted from essential aroma oils on the healing | | | | contain insect repelling properties and can be used as |
| process that aromatherapy is accorded a respectable | | | | disinfectants.o Clove oil is used to relieve tooth pain.o |
| position in the list of classified alternative medical | | | | Yarrow oil lessens joint inflammation and is of much |
| treatments. | | | | help in easing influenza and symptoms of cold.o |
| The essential oils are extracted from flowers such as | | | | Lavender oil and lemon oil have relaxing and calming |
| lavender, rose, orange, eucalyptus, sandal wood, | | | | effect. It soothes the body from fatigue build up of |
| chamomile, grapefruit, lemon grass and many others | | | | the every day life. When massaged over the body it |
| using the process of distillation and condensation of | | | | serves as an effective antiseptic and an |
| the plant volatiles. The extraction of fragrant oil from | | | | anti-depressant.o Rose, jasmine and sandal wood oil |
| the plant material is also undertaken by way of any | | | | help to cure insomnia and have aphrodisiac properties. |
| of the solvent or supercritical fluid extraction method. | | | | Due to the many benefits of aromatherapy, essential |
| The most commonly used supercritical fluids are | | | | oils find much use in cosmetics, toiletries, and |
| water and carbon dioxide. The use of these essential | | | | perfumery and also as an integral part of many in |
| fragrant oils makes its use for not just a soothing | | | | medicated oils. |