Therapy Vs Aroma: Essential Oil Differences Explained

Aromatherapy and essential oils are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Aromatherapy is a practice that uses essential oils, which are plant extracts, to improve health and mood. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy but also have properties beyond this, such as boosting immunity, improving skin inflammation, and repelling insects. Aromatherapy, meanwhile, is a holistic healing treatment that can be inhaled or applied to the skin to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and provide other benefits.

Essential oils are used in aromatherapy to improve health and mood

Aromatherapy is a practice that uses essential oils for therapeutic benefits. Essential oils are plant extracts, made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant, such as flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit, to capture the compounds that produce their fragrance.

Essential oils have been used for nearly 6,000 years to improve health and mood. They are used in aromatherapy to improve health and mood in the following ways:

Inhalation

Inhalation is one of the most common methods of using essential oils in aromatherapy. The scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, particularly the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Inhaling essential oils can stimulate the limbic system, which is linked to emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance. This can result in improved mood, reduced stress, and increased relaxation.

Topical Application

Essential oils can also be applied to the skin, usually diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil, to avoid skin irritation. Topical application of essential oils can help with various conditions such as acne, athlete's foot, insect bites, and pain relief.

Massage and Bath

Adding a few drops of essential oils to massage oil or bathwater can help relax tight muscles, improve sleep, and promote relaxation.

Steam Inhalation

Placing a few drops of essential oil in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam is another method of aromatherapy.

Direct Application

In some cases, essential oils can be applied directly to the skin without dilution. For example, tea tree oil can be applied directly to acne to help resolve it faster.

Aromatherapy Accessories

Essential oils can also be used in necklaces, bracelets, and keychains made with absorbent materials that you can sniff throughout the day.

While essential oils have been found to have various benefits, it is important to use them safely and follow the advice of trained professionals. They should not be ingested, and it is recommended to consult with a doctor or aromatherapist before using them, especially for those with medical conditions, children, elderly individuals, and pregnant or nursing women.

Aromatherapy can be used for inhalation or topical application

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Essential oils can be used for aromatherapy through inhalation or topical application.

Inhalation

Inhalation is one of the simplest ways to use essential oils. It involves inhaling an essential oil or essential oil blend directly from a tissue, cotton ball, bottle, or palm. Inhalation can also be done through aromatherapy steam inhalation or by using an aromatherapy diffuser.

During inhalation, odor molecules travel through the nose and affect the brain through a variety of receptor sites, including the limbic system, which is linked to emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. This helps explain why certain smells often trigger emotions.

Topical Application

Essential oils can also be applied topically to the skin, always diluted with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or olive oil. Common examples include applying a blend containing black pepper or ginger essential oil to reduce arthritis pain and improve flexibility, or using German chamomile essential oil to treat eczema.

Massaging the area where the oil is to be applied can boost circulation and increase absorption. Areas with greater concentrations of sweat glands and hair follicles, such as the head, soles, palms, and armpits, may absorb the oils more effectively.

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. They are hydrophobic liquids containing volatile chemical compounds that are easily evaporated at normal temperatures. These oils capture the compounds that produce a plant's fragrance and can be extracted by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant, such as flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit.

The process of extracting essential oils is more complex than that of plant extracts. Essential oils must be obtained through distillation, typically using steam, while plant extracts are created by soaking plant materials in liquids such as water or aqueous solutions to isolate their flavour, medicinal properties, and aroma.

Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine that ascribes healing effects to aromatic compounds. Aromatherapy can be useful for inducing relaxation and improving health and mood. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that essential oils can effectively treat any specific condition.

It is important to note that essential oils should not be ingested or applied directly to the skin without dilution, as they can cause allergic reactions, inflammation, and skin irritation.

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment

Aromatherapy is considered a form of complementary or alternative medicine, often used alongside conventional medical treatment. It is believed to affect both the mind and body, working through the sense of smell and skin absorption. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, particularly the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin during massages or baths.

Aromatherapy is used to address a range of physical and emotional concerns, including pain management, improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced relaxation, and better mood. It is also believed to have antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it is important to note that essential oils should always be diluted before use and should not be ingested unless advised by a trained professional.

Aromatherapy has gained recognition in the fields of science and medicine, with ongoing research exploring its potential benefits. While it has shown promise in some areas, scientific evidence for its effectiveness in certain conditions, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and heart disease, is still lacking.

In conclusion, aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. It is a complementary therapy that can be tailored to an individual's physical and mental needs, often used in conjunction with conventional medical care.

Essential oils should not be ingested

While essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, they should not be ingested orally. Here are several reasons why:

Potential Toxicity

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, and as such, they can be toxic if ingested in high amounts. For example, swallowing wintergreen oil is roughly equivalent to swallowing a large number of adult aspirin tablets. Even a small amount of camphor oil can be dangerous if swallowed, potentially causing seizures within a few minutes.

Irritation of the Digestive Tract

Some sources claim that essential oils can irritate the mucosa, the coating that protects the digestive tract. While the mucosa does have protective mechanisms, such as secreting more mucus, the initial sensation may be stronger than applying oils topically to the skin.

Drug Interactions and Unpredictable Effects

Essential oils may interact with other drugs and medications, leading to unpredictable effects on the body. Furthermore, they can undergo unexpected changes while in the gut, making their impact on the body difficult to predict.

Lack of Regulation and Standardization

The essential oil market is largely unregulated, and there is no standardized grading system or certification for essential oils. This means that the quality and purity of essential oils can vary significantly between brands and products. Without proper guidance from a trained professional, it is difficult for consumers to know which essential oils are safe for ingestion and which are not.

Potential for Misuse and Poisoning

Misuse of essential oils, especially in children, can lead to serious poisoning. Children have thinner skin and less developed livers and immune systems, making them more vulnerable to the potential toxicity associated with essential oil ingestion. Even lavender extract, when swallowed, can cause extreme drowsiness and confusion in young children.

In summary, while essential oils have a variety of beneficial applications, ingestion is not recommended due to the potential risks involved. It is important to consult a trained healthcare professional or herbalist for guidance on the safe use of essential oils.

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