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How aromatic extracts from plants can affect us - The Good & The Bad |
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RISKS
It is important for you to appreciate that most essential oils can be hazardous if they are not used correctly. Most essential oils are perfectly safe for the general public, but there are a few with well-documented dangers. Regretfully, many essential oils suppliers do not provide adequate safety information with their oils. There are many around who will sell anyone anything to make a fast buck! Most adverse effects resulting from essential oil use are skin reactions rather than toxicological effects. Toxicity is only of much relevance if someone were foolish enough to consume certain oils to excess. However, the adverse effects on the skin should never be underrated as these can be severe and long lasting. Oils such as expressed bergamot can cause a lifelong condition known as photosensitisation. Oils like peppermint and cinnamon bark can actually burn the skin if they come in contact for too long. So the lesson to this is ensure you acquire sound information before using any essential oils, and never be tempted to use more than advised. Be wary of safety advice in the popular aromatherapy books, much of this is badly flawed. (Further details can be found in my Safety Data Publication. BENEFITS Various kinds of aromatic extracts from plants have been utilised for their health giving properties long before humans were around. Animals and insects can be powerfully affected by the smells from plants; just think of what catmint does to cats. For many insects and animals life revolves around smell. Fragrance is a key part of everyone's lives, whether that smell is good or bad, and even if we are not conscious of the smell. For example, a lot of research has been undertaken on pheromones (animal/human natural fragrances). These odiferous molecules seem to play a key role in our own biological functions - particularly where fertility and reproduction are concerned. Perhaps it is not unexpected that many of the fragrance molecules found in plants also occur in insect and human pheromones. So what's this got to do with essential oils and absolutes? Medical research has already proven that these fragrances can have effects on the human mind. Lavender oil producing relaxation without affecting motor skills is well confirmed. These oils are NOT the same as sedating drugs that tend to suppress motor function and dexterity. Rather, they seem to help reduce the interference of the mind on the body, and thereby allow our inbuilt self healing mechanisms to function normally. As well as relaxing essential oils, we also have those such as rosemary that in most people will act as a mental stimulant. However, when dealing with psychological matters we have to be careful about making broad generalisations. For example a powerful smell like rosemary will act as a stimulant in most people, but there are instances known where the opposite action has occurred. If an individual is anxious or hyperactive, and yet they love the smell of rosemary, then the mind will take over and it will relax them. (See Articles Archive for more on how aromatherapy works). Although essential oils are wonderful for psychological factors, they have many other uses. They are some of the finest healing agents available for severely damaged skin, but to use them effectively and safely for such conditions requires an in depth knowledge of the subject. On the other hand, anyone can dab a bit of tea tree oil, or german chamomile oil onto a mild burn or insect bite as a first aid measure. However, essential oils should never be used routinely on the skin in their undiluted state. Many essential oils have powerful antibacterial and antifungal actions, however, for major infections one must have a good knowledge because essential oils vary dramatically in these actions. That's not to say that if you have a secondary bacterial lung infection following flu, that you need a good knowledge to use essential oils, you don't. Several common oils like lavender and tea tree in some warm water and the vapours inhaled, are excellent simple home remedies for soothing bronchial tract infections. If the use of aromatic oils is combined with a good massage then both the physical and psychological/spiritual effects are greatly enhanced. Anyone that has a back ache from overwork should try getting a massage with essential oils. If that is not possible, then just use some essential oils in a nice long bath and see the difference it makes. This is just a very brief introduction to the subject, much greater detail can be found in my Articles Archive |