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AROMATHERAPYAROMAT AROMATHERAPY AROMAT Re-emergence of an ancient healing art Aromatherapy is a term which defines the medical and ing’ ...will produce certain substances of | cosmetic uses of essential oils, gums and resins of resistance in its struggle to survive ...Intro- lants. Th b a t ll iis duced into a deficient organism, these sub- plants. ese may be used externally as massage Oils, stances will re-activate the failing vital proc- creams, lotions, baths, poultices, inhalants, perfumes esses, and, strengthening the cellular me- tabolism, improve the various physiological functions, at the same time fighting infec- tions and stimulating the regeneration of tissue”. (‘A Multitude of Uses’ - Valnet), Dr Valnet’s own opinion is that it’s the pH andelectrical resistance of plant essences which explain why and how they work. According to Valnet, essences generally have an acid pH and a high resistance. This means acidity does not favourrapid multipli- cation of microbes, and the high resistance of essences discourages the spread of infec- tions and toxins. The higher the resistance, the less conductive to electrical transmission a solution is - and the purer the solution, the less conductive it is to electricity. Remedies The most outstanding property of essences is their antiseptic/antigenic property. This is Essential oils may be found in all parts of herbs in all aspects of their daily lives; much well documented in Dr Valnet’s book The a plant, depending on the type of plant and of their knowledge came from the Egyp- Practice of Aromatherapy. He discusses at the time of day or year, e.g., in the roots of tians who were, without doubt, the masters length the antiseptic properties of essential calamus, in the flowers of lavender, in the in the Art of Aromatherapy. oils in relation to meningococcus, staphylo- leaves of thyme, in the bark of sandalwood, Even as recently as the Middle Ages in coccus and typhus bacillus. He specifically in the resin of myrrh, in the rinds of fruit, as Europe, fragrant herbs were known to pos- names the essences of cloves as toxic to in lemon and lime, and in the berries as in sess special healing properties by virtue of tuberculosis bacillus and notes that even ata Juniper. their fragrances and were burned in the strength of 1% dilution it is three to four Essential oils tend to have an effect both streets to counteract the odour and ill effects times more active than phenol. locally (at the site of application) and sys- of the poor hygiene of the times. During the Essence of thyme, on account of its temically (throughout the body), whether time of the Great Plague this method was Thymol content, kills typhus bacillus, epi- they are taken internally or used externally. also used to disinfect the air. demic dysentery bacillus, streptococcus, They are absorbed throughout the body tis- diphtheriabacillus and tuberculosis bacillus. sues and are finally excreted from four to How It Works Other essences which have equally striking twelve hours after their use. Their effect is Tt is thought that the size and shape of the antiseptic properties are those of lemon, also long-lasting - a sort of ‘sustained re- odiferous molecule is of great significance sandalwood, German chamomile and cinna- lease’ effect. in the chemical perception of odours. | mon. Millenia of Use The odoriferous molecule Possesses a “Essential oils are especially valuable as great number of free electrons which influ- antiseptics because their aggression towards The historical use of aromatic oils and resins ence physiological functions because they microbial germs is matched by their total goes back many thousands of years. In can combine with other molecules in the harmlessness to tissue” - Valnet. He also China, incense was burned to purify the body. says that the human body does not seem to atmosphere and rid the environment of evil Another theory is that odoriferous become accustomed to aromatherapy in the spirits; in India incense was and is used in molecules have a particular vibration which way it does to synthetic medications, where temples to sanctify the devotions; in Mexico, is perceived by the olfactory hairs. A further the medication becomes no longer effective. incenses were used in rituals to induce theory of how plant essences work is based This habituation’ is called TOLERANCE. trance-like states in participants to make on Filatob’s theory of “biogen stimulation” The human body becomes habituated to them more receptive to their role as sacri- as outlined by Dr Jean Valnet is his book everything which is toxic to it. A good ex- fices to the gods; in Northern Europe, fra- “The Practice of Aromatherapy’. \t is ex- ample of this is in the over-use of aspirin in grant oils were used by the Druids in healing plained as follows: the Western World. Figures of aspirin sales and religious practices; the Greeks and “a living tissue ...separated from its in the US average 100 aspirin tablets per Romans used essential oils and fragrant organism and kept in conditions of ‘suffer- adult per year. SS eee 24 Nexus New Times Three cosmetic uses of essential oils, gums and resins of plants. These may be used externally as massage oils, creams, lotions, baths, poultices, inhalants, perfumes Remedies Millenia of Use 24 a ee Aromatherapy is a term which defines the medical and How It Works