Aromatherapy

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Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses the part of plants known as essential oils. Some people think that aromatherapy helps to change a person's mind, mood or health but this has not been proven scientifically.

Some essential oils like tea tree[1] do have an anti-microbial effect, so they may be useful for the treatment of infections. Evidence that aromatherapy works in treating disease and other conditions is poor.[2]

Ways of using aromatherapy

The ways of using aromatherapy oils include:

  • Putting on the skin
  • In the bath
  • In a diffuser

References

  1. Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV (January 2006). "Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 19 (1): 50–62. doi:10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006. PMC 1360273. PMID 16418522.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. van der Watt G, Janca A (August 2008). "Aromatherapy in nursing and mental health care". Contemporary Nurse. 30 (1): 69–75. doi:10.5172/conu.673.30.1.69. PMID 19072192. S2CID 41632283.

Further reading

  • Burke, L., & Chambers, P. (1995). The very essence: A guide to aromatherapy. Silver Link. OCLC 60274302
  • Lis-Balchin, Maria (2006). Aromatherapy science: A guide for healthcare professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press. ISBN 0-85369-578-4
  • Schnaubelt, Kurt (1998). Advanced aromatherapy: The science of essential oil therapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. ISBN 0-89281-743-7
  • Schnaubelt, Kurt (1999). Medical aromatherapy: Healing with essential oils. Berkeley, CA: Frog. ISBN 1-883319-69-2
  • Valnet, Jean; & Tisserand, Robert (1990). The practice of aromatherapy: A classic compendium of plant medicines & their healing properties. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. ISBN 0-89281-398-9
  • National Research Council (2003). Food Chemicals Codex. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press. ISBN 0309088666.
  • Wanjek, Christopher (2003). Bad medicine: Misconceptions and misuses revealed, from distance healing to vitamin O. New York: J. Wiley. ISBN 0-471-43499-X
  • Valnet, Jean; & Tisserand, Robert (1982). The practice of aromatherapy. Saffron Walden: Daniel. ISBN 0-85207-143-4

Other websites

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