This document provides an introduction to aromatherapy, including definitions, types of oils used, methods of extraction, historical uses, applications for common ailments, and examples of essential oils. Aromatherapy is defined as the holistic treatment of diseases or disorders using aromatic essential oils from plants. The document outlines the healing properties of essential oils, their effects on the body and mind, and how they are derived from plants through various extraction methods like distillation. A brief history of aromatherapy in ancient cultures is also presented, along with common applications and essential oil examples.

1. Aromatherapy
Remedial treatment of
disease or disorder
using aromatic
essential oils from
plants.
Holistic: Physical
Emotional
Mental
Spiritual
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2. Topics
 Attributes of essential oils
 Healing process
 Derivation of essential oils
 History
 Examples
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3. Types of oils
 Essential oils
 Vegetable oils
 Infused herbal oil
 Flower essence
 Aromatic chemical
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4. Purpose for the plant
 Immune system
 Anti-bacterial
 Insect:
 Attraction for fertilization
 Prevention of attack
 Protection from dehydration
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5. Key medicinal characteristics
 All are anti-bacterial
 Lipophilic: fat soluble, not water
 Chemically complex
 Volatile
 Most are lighter than water
 Powerful
 Not oily
 Whole oil is more active than principal
constituent
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6. Essential oils contain 50-500
different chemicals
 Terpenes: citrus oils
 Alcohols: key constituent in benefit
 Phenols: fiery, strong anti-bacterial
 Ketones: dangerous, healing for wounds
 Esters: soothing, calming
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7. Healing process
 Small molecules penetrate the skin and
olfactory system
 Travel in the bloodstream
 Leave the body in 4-20 hours through the
kidneys
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8. Effects of essential oils
 Catalyst to regenerate systems and
organs
 Anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory
 Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal
 Non-allergenic
 Olfactory system stimulation
 Limbic brain
 Endocrine system
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9. Aromatherapy Introduction9
Effect of essential oils on the body and mind

10. Most Powerful of the Senses
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11. Derivation
 Distillation
 Cold expression
 Enfleurage
 Solvent extraction
 Carbon dioxide extraction
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12. Steam Distillation Process
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Hot water
Cold water
Water and
essential oils
Floral
waters
Essential oils
Vaporized
water and
essential
oils
Plant
material
Water
Steam
Heat

13. History
 Ancient
 Fragrances associated with gods
 Sumeria: botanical healers
 Egypt: massage, reflexology
 Spiritual use of oils was transformative
 Cedarwood: sacred oil
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14. History
 Greece: oils as aphrodisiacs
 800-400 BC: Aesclepius health temples
 300 BC: Theophrastus wrote Odoribus
 1 AD: Dioscorides wrote Matera Medica
 Rome: oils to help recover from excess
 Baths
 Society
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15. History
 China
 Greatest herbalists
 2700 BC: Shen Nung wrote Herbal
 India
 3000 BC: Ayurvedic medicine
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16. Methods of use
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 Bath
 Body wrap
 Compress
 Facial cream
 Facial mask
 Inhalation
 Massage oil
 Neat
 Sauna
 Shampoo
 Shower
 Steam
 Vaporization
 Water spray

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Applications of oils
Colds, flu, respiratory
irritations
Lemon, Chamomile,
Lavender, Peppermint,
Eucalyptus
Steams, massage
over lung area,
drop on pillow
Acne Cedarwood, Lavender,
Patchouli, Tea Tree,
Rosemary, Bergamot
Oils in lotion or
massage oil or
added to soap.
Osteoarthritis Black pepper, Ginger,
Lavender, Marjoram,
Rosemary, Thyme
Massage over joints
Muscular cramping Clary Sage, Black
Pepper, Chamomile,
Cypress, Camphor,
Peppermint
Massage over
muscle
Disease/Illness Oils Methods
Note: Additional consultation of Aromatherapy reference material is needed to understand safe usage of these oils.

18. Essential Oils
 Lavender: safe, balancing, calming, analgesic, soothing, sedative
 Chamomile: safe, soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory, analgesic
 Tea Tree: safe, anti-infectious, fungicidal, antiseptic
 Lemon: antiseptic, cleansing, reduces fever, powerful bactericide
 Peppermint: energizing, warming/cooling, clears respiratory tract
 Rosemary: stimulant, improves memory, enlivens brain, analgesic
 Myrrh: antiseptic, expectorant, healing to gums, strengthens spirit
 Thyme: strong bactericide, helps asthma, strengthening on all levels
 Patchouli: grounding, balancing, strengthens immune system
 Geranium: hormonal balancer, diuretic, anti-fungal, anti-viral
 Grapefruit: draining, uplifting, diuretic, aids drug withdrawal
 Rose: soothing, heals emotions, hormone balancer for women
 Cedarwood: drying, anti-fungal, expectorant, analgesic, calming
 Frankincense: revitalizing, clearing, stops bleeding, elevates mind
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19. Aromatherapy Bibliography
 Buckle, Jane, “Clinical Aromatherapy in Nursing”,
Arnold:UK, 1997.
 Davis, Patricia, “Aromatherapy: An A-Z”, CW Daniel
Company:UK, 1995.
 Keville, Kathi and Mindy Green, “Aromatherapy: A
Complete Guide to the Healing Art”, Crossing Press:
Freedom, CA, 1995.
 Lawless, Julia, “The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils”,
Element Books:UK, 1995.
 Rose, Jeanne, “375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols”, Frog
Ltd: Berkeley, 1999.
 Schnaubelt, Kurt, “Advanced Aromatherapy”,
Healing Arts Press: Rochester, VT, 1995.
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