Aromatherapy (Essential Oils Therapy)

Treatment Overview

Aromatherapy, or essential oils therapy, is a complementary therapy that uses a plant's aroma-producing oils (essential oils). Essential oils are taken from a plant's flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots. The oils are mixed with another substance (such as oil, alcohol, or lotion) and then put on the skin, sprayed in the air, or inhaled. You can also massage the oils into the skin or pour them into bath water. Aromatherapy as used today originated in Europe and has been practiced there since the early 1900s.

There are many essential oils used in aromatherapy, including bergamot, chamomile, cedarwood, ginger, lavender, lemon, and tea tree oils.

Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that fragrances in the oils stimulate nerves in the nose. Those nerves send impulses to the part of the brain that controls memory and emotion. Depending on the type of oil, the result on the body may be calming or stimulating.

The oils are thought to interact with the body's hormoneshormones and enzymesenzymes to cause changes in blood pressure, pulse, and other body functions. Another theory suggests that the fragrance of certain oils may stimulate the body to produce pain-fighting substances.

Why It Is Used

Aromatherapy may promote relaxation and help relieve stress. It has also been used to help with anxiety, insomnia, and to ease pain during menstruation, labor, and childbirth. Therapeutic massage with essential oils may help with pain from osteoarthritis and other conditions. But there is little scientific evidence that aromatherapy effectively prevents or cures illness.

Risks

Practitioners of aromatherapy are not specially licensed in the United States. A wide range of licensed health professionals (such as massage therapists, nurses, and counselors) may have experience and training in aromatherapy. It is important to talk with your medical doctor to see whether aromatherapy may be helpful and safe for your specific health condition.

Do not swallow the oils used in aromatherapy. Many of the oils are potent and can be dangerous if taken internally (swallowed).

Some oils are dangerous for children. Some oils cause rashes. And some can interfere with a child's hormones, causing problems like abnormal breast growth. Nor should anyone use oils near the eyes or mouth, because irritation of the skin and membranes may occur.

People with certain chronic illnesses or conditions should not use aromatherapy without first consulting a doctor. These illnesses and conditions include:

Lung conditions such as asthma, respiratory allergies, or chronic lung disease. Oils may cause airway spasms.
Skin allergies. Some oils may cause skin irritation, especially in the membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Pregnancy. Some oils (such as juniper, rosemary, and sage) may cause uterine contractions.

Talk with your doctor about any complementary health practice that you would like to try or are already using. Your doctor can help you manage your health better if they know about all of your health practices.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.comwebmdignite.com.

Enlaces relacionados

Page Footer

Quiero...

Audiencia

Sitios seguros para miembros

Información sobre The Cigna Group

Aviso legal

Los planes individuales y familiares de seguro médico y dental están asegurados por Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc. y Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Los planes de beneficios de salud y de seguro de salud de grupo están asegurados o administrados por CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC) o sus afiliadas (puedes ver un listado de las entidades legales un listado de las entidades legales que aseguran o administran HMO para grupos, HMO dentales y otros productos o servicios en tu estado). Los planes o pólizas de seguro para lesiones accidentales, enfermedades críticas y cuidado hospitalario son distribuidos exclusivamente por o a través de subsidiarias operativas de Cigna Corporation, son administrados por Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company y están asegurados por (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT), (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA) o (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), anteriormente llamada Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. El nombre Cigna, el logotipo y otras marcas de Cigna son propiedad de Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA y NYLGICNY no son afiliadas de Cigna.

Todas las pólizas de seguros y los planes de beneficios de grupo contienen exclusiones y limitaciones. Para conocer la disponibilidad, los costos y detalles completos de la cobertura, comunícate con un agente autorizado o con un representante de ventas de Cigna. Este sitio web no está dirigido a los residentes de New Mexico.

Al seleccionar estos enlaces saldrás de Cigna.com hacia otro sitio web que podría no ser un sitio web de Cigna. Cigna no puede controlar el contenido ni los enlaces de sitios web que no son de Cigna. Detalles Detalles