Let’s break it down from a terminology perspective first.
According to the Oxford Dictionary:
the word AROMA means a distinctive fragrance, an agreeable odour, a sweet smell; and
the word THERAPY means the medical treatment of disease; curative medical or psychiatric treatment.
Therefore, the term aromatherapy (which includes the use of essential oils) implies that a treatment or curative value is attributed to the aroma.
Essential oils are volatile liquids essences derived from plants that possess an aroma. When these liquids are exposed they begin to evaporate, producing scented air which can be detected by our olfactory system.
An aromatherapy treatment typically involves using a single essential oil or a combination thereof (known as a synergy) which have been blended into an unscented vegetable medium such as coconut oil and the aromatherapist (in a spa-like setting) applies the blended solution to a client’s body using relaxation massage techniques.
Massage in itself has renowned benefits supported by an enormous amount of scientific research. However, the problem lies with the fact that many aromatherapists claim that it is the aroma during the treatment that provides the benefit.
Many aromatherapists and essential oil sales persons purport that essential oils are capable of supporting the body (when applied to the skin) with the same curative values related to the properties of whole herbs used in herbology and traditional medicine. This theory is absolute nonsense – given the fact that essential oils contain only the aromatic molecules from the plant.
Essential oils begin to evaporate as soon as you open the bottle, their volatile properties evaporate even more so while mixing them into an unscented medium and furthermore upon application to the body. Essentially (pun intended) the vapours are really only affecting the olfactory system. There is virtually no evidence to support the theory that essential oil constituents are absorbed by the skin, and are then capable of travelling to specific organs in order to support or mitigate health issues.
An essential oil or mixture of oils is considered a solution and as mentioned previously essential oils produce an aroma, a fragrance, or an odour. An aroma cannot be massaged into the body, because an aroma is not something that we can hold in hands, because it is a sensory perception.
Therefore, a massage using an aroma ought to be called essence-therapy, essence-massage or essential oil therapy rather than aromatherapy.
As you continue to read this article you will discover why I am in more favour of the term aromachology.
Essential oils contain hundreds of different aromatic molecules, however only a small percentage of those constituents are capable of crossing into the blood stream via topical and inhalation applications. Mammals have very sophisticated excretory systems which are capable of metabolizing and removing most substances when they are either applied to the skin or inhaled.
In fact, there have been only a few investigations that have detected just trace levels of a few components in the blood by way of topical application and those levels were so minute that they would not produce any beneficial physiological effect.
On the other hand, inhalation of an essential oil can influence the brain by stimulating the thalamus to create a sense of euphoria and at the same time provide pain relief. As well, the pituitary gland may release neurochemicals such as endorphins or serotonin in order to have a calming effect on fear, stress, aggravation and insomnia when we are exposed to an odour.
However, these responses are referred to as secondary physiological responses and are related to the complex relationship between the brain and body during the course of inhaling aromatic molecules from essential oils. It must be noted though, that this complex relationship occurs regardless if the odour arises from an essential oil, a synthetic fragrance or from some other odour, such as freshly baked bread.
“The effects of inhalation of essential oils are somewhat more direct and are mostly attributed to the primary effect of the odour via the brain, with secondary physiological action directed from there.” (Lis-Balchin, pg. 50)
Reference: Maria Lis-Balchin, Aromatherapy Science, Pharmaceutical Press 2008.
The information and statements on this site are intended for educational purposes only and not intended to prescribe, cure, prevent, treat or diagnose any disease or condition.
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