How can you use Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a natural form of healing treatment that uses essential oils to address physical and emotional health issues. It is a holistic treatment that utilises aromatic compounds of different parts of plants i.e. flower, bark, leaf, roots and stem. Essential oils are extracted from the plant material using steam distillation. The oils are used through inhalation or topical application and assist with circulation, pain relief, anxiety, skin disorders and many other ailments. It is important to note that essential oils should never be applied to the skin without being pre-blended with a cold pressed ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oil such as grapeseed, baobab, marula or similar oils. It is even more important to note that pure essential oils should NEVER be ingested. Ingestible oils are extracted by a very different process.
It’s very important to consult with a qualified and experienced Aromatherapist because a lot can go wrong if everything is not handled professionally. Here is a list of some things that can occur if proper consultations and pre-tests are not carried out;
- Skin irritation: Some people may experience allergic reactions to certain essential oils or contact dermatitis.
- Photo toxicity: Certain essential oils such as bergamot, lemon and other citrus can cause skin reactions if skin is exposed to the sun after application.
- Essential oils like rosemary, sage and others, can trigger seizures in epileptics.
- Essential oils such as clary sage, chamomile, lavender or jasmine can stimulate the womb in pregnant women or affect milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
- Certain hormone-sensitive conditions such as cancer and endometriosis can be affected by essential oils such as lavender, rose and geranium.
Factors to consider before using essential oils
- Underlying health conditions – As outlined above, some conditions are affected by essential oils and precautions needs to be taken accordingly.
- Individual sensitivities – You need to be aware of what your skin or body is allergic to or at least have a qualified professional assist you to figure that out.
- Age and general health status – Very young and older patients usually require milder treatments. And those with generally poor health are very sensitive and some essential oils might have adverse effects to their condition.
- Quality of the oils and dosages – The advantage of engaging with a qualified professional Aromatherapist is that they know the difference between good quality products and dangerous ones. They also know what dosages to use for individual patients. One of the best things you can do once you find one is to give them all your health information so that they make informed decisions on prescribing what would be best for you at the time of treatment.
If you are in Zimbabwe and would like to be directed to qualified, registered and licensed Aromatherapists, you can contact Natural Therapists Council of Zimbabwe and we would be glad to connect you. It’s imperative that you don’t put your health in the wrong hands because your health is your wealth.
Aromatherapy works through the sense of smell and skin absorption using products such as these:
- diffusers and humidifiers
- tea light candle oil burners
- aromatic spritzers
- inhalations
- bathing salts
- body oils, creams, or lotions for massage or topical application
- facial steamers
- hot and cold compresses
- clay masks
You can use these alone or in any combination.
For more information and qualified, registered and licensed #Aromatherapy in Zimbabwe contact NTCZ on 0780450049 or ntcz.marketing@gmail.com.
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