Myths and Realities of Aromatherapy

The origins of aromatherapy can be mapped back to prehistoric times, in ancient Egypt, the Far East as well as China. Aromatherapy focuses on the holistic therapy of the human body by taking advantage of essential oils obtained from plants. Essential oils are acquired from the various parts of certain plants drawn out by distillation and applied together with diluters known as carrier oils – such as argan oil, almond oil, coconut oil, moringa oil, etc. The oil material in these plants is so reduced that it takes significant amounts of plant parts to produce tiny amounts of essential oil. For example around 200 kilograms of fresh lavender flowers produce a meager 1kg of lavender essential oil. Such numbers make essential oils extremely valuable. The aromatic plants used to produce these essential oils were recognized and utilized since time immemorial. The field of ‘aromatherapy’ or ‘fragrance therapy’ is of relatively recent beginning – as recent as the early 1990s. Let us look into the use of these plants as an aroma to changes one’s mood, the general atmosphere in one’s environments and to have a feeling of wellness. Fake essential oils in Nigeria and elsewhere (adulterated with chemicals and vegetable oils) are used by some sellers to mimic the aroma of pure essential oils. However, the minute difference lies in the most natural scent of this nature packed oils that when used offers us a remarkable feeling. Some scientific studies have proven the efficacy of essential oils in treatments such as cancer tumours (usually lab tests on mice). However, a lot of these are still shrouded in mystery as extensive scientific research has not been established for these critical cases essential oils are supposed to treat or cure. Aromatherapy belongs to branches of standard medications or systems that are not subject to any kind of major study or research causing any standardization or qualification. This branch of natural science can be made use of in numerous applications like in boosting the elegance of skin as well as hair, as well as its uncontested impact on one’s feelings and also moods called aromacology. Between the hyped divinity attributed to this organic science by some, and also the sheer overlook of aromatherapy as an amplified traditional culture, lies the actual truth of this revitalized ancient healing practice that can be properly utilized to obtain the best out of plants, hitherto ignored by conventional medical science.