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Essential Oils, Aromatherapy and Science: An Alliance is Forming

By: Erica Allen

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Modern Laboratory Research is Validating The Practices of Aromatherapy

For years, aromatherapy had a bad rap as complete New Age balderdash. Still does, really, but now scientific inquiry is validating the medicinal effects of essential oils.

Historical Aromatherapy Use

Aromatherapy, or more fittingly named "aroma-medicine", seeks to treat or prevent diseases using potent, aromatic essential oils. Since ancient times, aromatherapy has been used for prevention as well as cure. Hippocrates himself thought that aromatic baths and massage were a way to remain healthy. Today, aromatherapy and its holistic approach is one of the fastest growing therapies in the world.

Methods of Aromatherapy Application

The application of aromatherapy is most widely recognized through means of inhalation, yet topical applications as well as ingestion are also part of this practice. When inhaled, the various aromatic molecules pass through the olfactory centers, infiltrating the bloodstream via the lungs causing physiologic changes. Molecules of essential oils also stimulate nerve centers that in turn affect the limbic system, which controls our emotions and memories. It is known that aromatic compounds can influence mood, perceived health, and states of alertness.

Research in Science Studies

The current paradigm of western culture is based upon a certain set of science criteria- repeatable means of validating an occurrence in the natural world. This paradigm extends to medicine and thus to aromatherapy. Below are a few recent peer-reviewed studies that tested the efficacy of aromatherapy.

Cancer: Aromatherapy is used as mainly a supportive care for people with cancer, specifically for increased sense of well-being and to offset nausea associated with standard cancer treatments. According to the National Cancer Institute, few peer-reviewed studies show a significant difference helping patients with cancer despite an increase in its use by patients. Reviewed studies call for more in-depth research to be conducted.

Immune Booster: At the Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Italy (2008), researchers looked at the influence of eucalyptus essential oil on the monocytic/macrophagic system - one of the primary defenses of the immune system against pathogen attacks. Results indicated that eucalyptus is able to stimulate a cell-mediated immune response, prompting the possibility of developing a new group of immuno-regulatory agents.

Alzheimer Agitation: Behavioral agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease can often be a risk to the patient as well as to others. In a review by King’s College London,UK (2009), researchers found increasing evidence (from science literature) to support alternative interventions (such as aromatherapy) being used as a primary management strategy for agitation. Due to growing concerns over adverse effects of conventional treatments, researchers stated that it is imperative to implement alternative treatments for agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Pathogens: Due to rising concern over antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, much investigative work has been done on the efficacy of essential oils to counter these mutating microbes. Most published studies have found that topical applications of essential oils have significant antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions

The empirical evidence for the use of aromatherapy for various illnesses is still in its infancy. Despite a lack of foundational studies within the field, popularity of aromatherapy among western population continues to grow. It is acknowledge by researchers and hospitals alike that less intrusive forms of treatment are needed and thus more research into the benefits of essential oils is warranted. As research continues, the science of aromatherapy will broaden and refine. It is certain that the reputed effectiveness in traditional medicine will see a broader validation by science research in the years to come.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The author is the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for world-class Lavender and other essential oils, therapeutic essential oil blends and aromatherapy supplies.

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