Aroma Therapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils (concentrates from flowers, roots, herbs, leaves and seeds) to promote physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Often the oils are applied by inhaling them or by massaging them into the skin.

Essential oils can be extracted in two ways; either by steam distillation, expression, or by pressing. Distillation is the most common method of extracting essential oils. This technique involves steaming the plant matter until it decays. The by-product of this decay phase is the fragrant oil of the flower, which is then cooled, separated from the water, and finally filtered into a pure essential oil.

When essential oil is extracted using the expression technique, the oil is squeezed from the plant substance in the same way that a lemon is squeezed into lemon juice.

If you want to use aromatherapy in our INUA cabins, we recommend you read more about our steam saunas and aromatherapy stones.

There is a wide range of essential oils available, each with their own healing properties:

• Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus has a wide range of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and stimulating properties. It is effective in treating a wide range of respiratory problems including colds, coughs, sniffles, sore throats, bronchitis and sinusitis. Eucalyptus also relieves fatigue and rejuvenates the mind.
• Peppermint: With its refreshing mint aroma, peppermint aids digestion, mental clarity and physical/mental healing.
• Pine: Benefits include its ability to reduce inflammation, heal skin problems and stimulate the body and mind.
• Lavender: Its versatile floral scent makes it the most popular essential oil. It has a relaxing aroma and skin-loving properties. Once sprayed, it helps to calm a stressed mind and body.
• Citrus: With its fresh and uplifting aroma, citrus energizes both body and mind, while the powerful antioxidant d-limonene promotes a healthy immune system.

The use of plant residues as healing agents is a long-standing practice throughout human history. In fact, the use of essential oils and other plant residues in health and wellness dates back 5000 years to ancient civilizations, including the Chinese, Native Americans, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

In the first-century De Materia Medica by Dioscorides (40-90 AD), oils are described along with other beliefs of the time about their healing properties. Renowned Middle Eastern authors such as the Persian polyhistor Ibn Sīnā (980-1037 AD) and the Islamic botanist and physicist Ibn al-Baitair (1197-1248 AD) promoted the use of herbs and essential oils. In 12th century Germany, St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179 AD) used herbs and oils in her practice and provided valuable insights into medieval medicine with her works, including the Psysica, a 200-chapter chronicle of plants and their uses.

The concept of aromatherapy was first brought up in around 1907 by European scientists and doctors. It wasn't until 1937 that the word "aromatherapy" appeared in print in a French book on the same subject: Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales , written by chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881-1950). An English version was later published in 1993. In 1910, Gattefossé burned his hand very badly, and he later claimed to have treated it effectively with lavender oil. French surgeon Jean Valnet (1920-1995), a pioneer in the medical use of essential oils, used essential oils as antiseptics in the treatment of wounded soldiers during World War II.

There has been a great deal of research into how smells affect the human brain and emotions. Some studies have tested the effect of essential oils on mood, alertness and mental stress. Other studies have examined their effect on task performance, reaction time and sexual inclination. These studies indicate that aromatherapy can inhibit pain, depression and anxiety.

If you'd like to know more about the scientific facts, dive into the following section on aromatherapy.