Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is mainly the Use of essential oils from plants & any others aromas that are beneficial to improve the Mind, Body, Emotions & Spirit. It is used by patients with cancer to improve quality of life & reduce stress, anxiety, pain, nausea, & vomiting caused by cancer & its treatment. Aromatherapy may be used with other complementary treatments like massage therapy & acupuncture, as well as with standard medical treatments, for symptom management.

Essential oils are the fragrant (aromatic) part found in many plants, often under the surface of Leaves, Bark or Peel. The fragrance is released if the plant is crushed or a special steam process is used.

There are many essential oils used in aromatherapy, including those from Roman chamomile, geranium, lavender, tea tree, lemon, ginger, cedarwood, & bergamot. Each plant’s essential oil has a different chemical make-up that affects how it smells, how it is absorbed, & how it affects the body.

Essential oils are very concentrated. For example, it takes about 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make about 1 pound of essential oil. The aroma of essential oils fades away quickly when left open to air.

Agarwood (Oudh)
Ajwain
Amyris
Angelica
Anise
Armoise
Asafoetida
Attar of Rose
Basil
Bay Laurel
Beeswax Absolute
Benzoin
Bergamot
Birch
Bitter Orange
Black Pepper
Black Spruce
Buchu
Cade
Cajeput
Calamus
Camphor
Caraway
Cardamom
Carrot Seed
Cedarwood (Atlas)
Cedarwood (Virginia)
Chamomile (German)
Chamomile (Roman)
Cinnamon Leaf
Cinnamon Bark
Cistus (Rock Rose)
Citronella
Clary Sage
Clove Bud
Copaiba Balsam
Coriander
Cypress
Davana
Dill
Elemi
Eucalyptus (Blue Gum)
Eucalyptus (Lemon)
Eucalyptus (Radiata)
Fennel (Sweet)
Fir Needle
Frankincense (Carteri)
Frankincense (Serreta)
Galbanum
Geranium
Ginger
Goldenrod
Grapefruit
Helichrysum (Immortelle)
Hemp
Ho Wood
Honeysuckle Absolute
Hyssop
Jasmine Absolute
Juniper Berry
Kanuka
Labdanum
Lavandin
Lavender (Spike)
Lavender (True)
Lemon
Lemongrass
Lime (Distilled)
Lime (Cold-Pressed)
Litsea Cubeba (May Chang)
Mandarin
Manuka
Marjoram (Sweet)
Melissa (Lemon Balm)
Mint (Corsican)
Mugwort
Myrrh
Myrtle
Neroli
Niaouli
Nutmeg
Oakmoss Absolute
Orange (Blood)
Orange (Sweet)
Oregano
Palo Santo
Patchouli
Peppermint
Petitgrain
Pine (Scots)
Ravensara
Rose Absolute
Rose Otto
Rosemary
Rosewood
Sage (Dalmatian)
Sage (Spanish)
Sandalwood (Australian)
Sandalwood (Hawaiian)
Sandalwood (Indian)
Saro
Savory (Winter)
Spearmint
Spikenard
Spruce
St. John’s Wort
Tangerine
Tarragon
Tea Tree
Thyme (Linalool)
Thyme (Thymol)
Turmeric
Valerian
Vanilla Absolute
Vetiver
Violet Leaf Absolute
Wintergreen
Yarrow
Ylang Ylang

Caution

Remember that safety is paramount in aromatherapy. Many of these oils are potent & require dilution, some are phototoxic & others are not suitable for certain health conditions. Always research an oil’s specific safety data before use.

💡 Note on Different Types of Aromatics

You’ll find that the list includes more than just “essential oils.” Aromatherapy also utilizes other aromatic extracts, which is why substances like Lilac Absolute are included. Here’s a quick distinction:
Essential Oils Typically extracted through steam distillation or cold pressing .
Absolutes Such as Lilac or Beeswax Absolute, are often obtained through solvent extraction & are used in perfumery & aromatherapy for fragrances that are difficult to distill .
CO2 Extracts A modern method using carbon dioxide to obtain a pure aromatic substance .

⚠️ Important Safety Considerations

Some aromatic substances have significant contraindications.

General Caution

Never ingest essential oils unless under the guidance of a qualified medical professional . Always dilute them properly in a carrier oil before applying to the skin

Specific Warnings

Some oils are known to be toxic or require extreme caution. For example, Pennyroyal is a potent abortifacient & can be toxic to the liver, & Wintergreen can cause poisoning in high doses . Others, like Mugwort & Calamus, are also noted as toxic or unsafe for general use

Consult an Expert

If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are on medication, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider or a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using any essential oil