By Lakshmi Singh
Despite the phenomenal advancement in medical sciences, alternative medicine continues to be popular. Alarmed by the chemical side effects of allopathic medicines, people are gradually turning to alternate therapies for treatment. One such therapy that is becoming popular in India and the world over is aromatherapy.
A few days spent on a hill station gives one a feeling of rejuvenation, or a walk amidst pine trees and eucalyptus enhances one’s mood. The scent of lavender makes one sleepy. Why does this happen? In fact, from here stems the basic principles of aromatherapy. The use of essential oils extracted from plants, trees and herbs for therapeutic purposes is called aromatherapy. Research in this field has shown that smell, the most acute of our senses, has a powerful influence on our mind and soul. The scents from essential oils are believed to activate olfactory nerve cells in the nasal cavity that send impulses to the brain associated with emotions and memory. Aromatherapist Dr. Minoo Ratan believes that essential oils are intended to be remedial and curative.
The origin of this therapy dates back to almost 3000 BC when plant essences were used not only for their aromatic and beauty care properties but also for their preservative and healing properties. The survival of the Egyptian mummies bears testimony to the extraordinary preservative powers of plant essences. One can trace aromatherapy in our own Hindu tradition of performing pujas and havens. The burning of camphor in aarati enhances one’s mood. The use of sandalwood has a powerful influence on our body and mind.
Today aromatherapy uses around 40 different