AROMATHERAPY FOR COMMON AILMENTS

Aromatherapy can prove beneficial in curing a range of problems but has been found highly effective in treating stress, anxiety, and psychosomatic induced problems, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders and women-specific problems, such as Post Menopausal Syndrome (PMS), menopausal complaints and postnatal depression.

Behavior

Scientifically it has been proved that fragrant compounds and aromatherapy have a profound effect on human mind and behavior. Studies conducted on hyper excited mice (high on caffeine), showed that the aroma of lavender, sandalwood, and other oils sprayed into their cages calmed them considerably. The same mice were found to get highly irritable when exposed to the aroma of orange terpines, thymol, and some other substances. These oils were all detected in their bloodstream after about an hour. The study holds good for humans too since genetically there exists a close similarity in the chromosome structure of mice and human beings.

Sleep

The effect of aromatherapy on insomniacs can be gauged from a study reported in the British Medical Journal Lancet, which stated that elderly patients slept "like babies" when a lavender aroma was wafted into their bedrooms at night. Prior to aromatherapy these patients had complained of sleeplessness and had to resort to sleeping pills to get sleep.

Postpartum Discomfort

A study conducted on 635 women showed that applying lavender oil to their perineal area (part of the body between the vagina and the rectum) after childbirth provided a high level of relief from post partum discomfort. A distinct improvement was reported between the third and fifth day.

Colds

The goodness of Chicken soup as a remedy for common cold is well known both historically as well as scientifically. Studies however have proved that more than the steam emanating from the chicken soup, it was the effect of the aroma of the chicken soup on the lining of the nostrils that brought in a marked improvement in the cold.

Stress

Aromatherapy as a means to reduce stress is well known. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York, was witness to a study conducted among patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These patients were exposed to the aroma of vanilla before being subjected to MRI. The patients reported 63 percent less claustrophobia while undergoing the checkup. However, there was no change in their heart rate proving that aromatherapy had no negative effects on the cardiovascular system.

Another study was conducted among 122 patients who were in an intensive care unit. These patients were administered with the oil of lavender. These patients reported feeling much better as a result of aromatherapy as compared to when they were simply given a massage or allowed to rest. Again, no changes were observed in the patients in terms of blood pressure, respiration, or heart rate.

Aromatherapy also helps in increasing alertness, which is evident from a report from Japan, which reported fewer mistakes by keypunch operators when exposed to fragrance.

Male Sexual Response

Treatment with Licorice, Doughnut with black licorice or lavender with pumpkin pie has been seen to immensely increase circulation to the male sexual organ. Men who are considered to have a high libido responded well to lavender, cola, and oriental spice with older males preferring the fragrance of vanilla. Aromatherapy is an effective therapy for the treatment of male impotence as a result of blood vessel disease or from psychogenic factors.