Herbal Aromatherapy |

by Winston

Aromatherapy traces its roots to the ancient world. Egypt and China are said to be countries where wide use of the practice was adopted by the population. There are records depicting the use of aromatherapy in both ancient Egypt and China. Ancient people in both countries were noted to be extensive users of herbal medicinces. It is therefore not a surprise that such a practice extended to the use of scents as a form of healing method.

The practice is said to date as 2700 B.C. in ancient China and 1555 B.C. in ancient Egypt. The oldest known record of its use is a manuscript depicting information on 300 herbal plants. The ancient Greeks are also known to have used aromatherapy in their everyday lives. The uses included medicinal and self enhancement purposes.

Derived as by-products of selected plants, the oils are an extraction from select parts of the plant - the stems, seed, roots, petals, etc. The oils are then diffused and absorbed through inhalation and through absorbtion by the skin.These oils are characterised as clear without the greasy feeling. Most of these are mixed with a carrier substance usually another oil from other plants like grape see or almond.

The other ancient cultures also had their form of aromatherapy. The Aztecs and the North American Indians had extensive uses for herbal oils and used them throughout their daily lives.

What is the difference between Organic or Non Organic Oils? Organic oils are extracted or distilled from plants not treated with pesticides, herbicides, irradiation, or any other type of unnatural treatment. Non-organic oils may contain toxic and unnatural substances that can be harmful or cause allergic reactions. You will pay more for oils distilled from organic plants because of the higher cost of growing with organic means.

Based on experience, there are no known side effects of aromatherapy. The benefits do weigh more than the costs. Go ahead, try that soothing aroma.

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