Aromatherapy
Essential oils have been used since the time of Discorides Pedanius (40-90 AD), and were used by several chemists and doctors in the Second World War to clean soldiers' wounds and as anti-inflammatories.
There is still no accurate data to say that essential oils are curative or prevent diseases, but rather they are used as complementary therapy in standard evidence-based treatments. Aromatherapists use these essential oils for massage, inhalation or immersion in water to stimulate a response.
Application methods of aromatic oils
1. Diffusion - with the help of a diffuser, you can mix several aromas that are diffused into the air for perfuming and even disinfection
2. Direct inhalation - in this way inhalations can be made by adding oils to hot water and inhaling the steam with the aim of unblocking the nasal passages in case of colds, coughs and even fever, having a decongestant, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effect
3. Diluted or concentrated topical applications for therapeutic massages, each oil having the specific properties of the plant from which it is extracted. (anti-stress, revulsive, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-emetic, etc.)
How essential oils are extracted
Essential oils can be extracted with the help of solvents, by diffusion and boiling. The most common extraction is boiling, where the parts of the plant (usually the flower) are put in a device called a distiller.
The distiller, through the boiling process, forms steam particles that drip onto the refrigerant, which condense the vapors, ultimately resulting in the essential oil as well as the perfume water.
How to use essential oils correctly
The oils are used for external as well as internal use. They are often used in massage therapy with relaxing, anti-stress, purifying, lymphatic drainage, etc., and internally only on the recommendations of the attending physician!
