By Dr. Chau Phan, Pharmacist and owner of Pleasant Care Pharmacy
As you probably know by now, I am devoting my blog and video blog (vlog) during this calendar year primarily to complementary therapies in support of your skin’s health. This article and the one to follow are devoted to aromatherapy, this article giving you an overview of what aromatherapy is and its effect on skin health and the next article providing a table of the comparative benefits of different types of aromatherapy.
So, what are essential oils, anyway?
As soon as you begin researching aromatherapy, you find this phrase “essential oils” being central to the therapy’s definition. As part of the therapy, you breathe the oils in through your nose or, sometimes, apply them to your skin so that they enter your body through your skin’s pores. Aromatherapy is often used in connection with acupuncture and acupressure, as well as massage and standard medical treatment.
The root word of “essential” is “essence”. Google’s dictionary defines “essence” as “the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something…” These oils, then, are essential to the plant’s existence; without them, the plant would not be what it is. In a way, it is as if your body receives a gift of healing from the body of the plant.
Not all plant essence products are created equal
Some products made from a plant’s essence are not essential oils. Truly essential oils are processed in a way that does not change the plant’s chemistry. And, truly essential oils are not mixed with other chemical elements or scents.
As always when I offer advice about complementary techniques, I urge you to work with your doctor and an experienced aromatherapist to get the full benefit of the treatments and, at the very least, avoid having them work against whatever your dermatologist is prescribing for you.
Medical professionals and long-time aromatherapists can help you understand the efficacy of treatments and act as your safety net because these treatments are not regulated by the FDA. They will also probably advise you against taking any essential oils orally because they can cause damage to the liver and other organs. Some practitioners recommend using essential oils derived from the same geographic location where you live so as to help guard against any allergic responses your body might have to plant life your immune system perceives as foreign.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
As I said earlier in this article, the next time I talk about this topic, I will provide a table that you can reference to see what the different types of essential oils can do for the skin condition you have. Generally speaking, though, aromatherapy has been found helpful in alleviating dryness and itch, which are effects of both eczema and psoriasis that make healing a challenge.
Essential oils also help to counteract the effects of premature aging of the skin. Some, such as lavender, alleviate stress, which can trigger eczema, psoriasis and acne flare-ups. Others can reduce the inflammation that comes with eczema, psoriasis and prematurely aging skin.
Our senses connect our individual bodies to the rest of the world. Doesn’t it seem reasonable, then, to use smell and touch to bring the goodness of that world into ourselves? I think so, and I hope you do, too.
Several of the products I offer on the humanitibeauty.com site may be just what you need to follow my recommendations in this article. If you would like more information about Humaniti Beauty’s products or about me, you can contact me at info@humanitibeauty.com or call me at 510.200.9984.
Sources for this article:
Ambardekar, Nayana MD. “What Is Aromatherapy?” WebMD, WebMD, 7 Jan. 2018. www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/aromatherapy-overview#1.
“Aromatherapy and Essential Oils: Side Effects & Use as a Cancer Treatment.” EMedicineHealth, WebMD, Inc., 9 Feb. 2018. www.emedicinehealth.com/aromatherapy_and_essential_oils/article_em.htm#overview.
Babcock, Jillian. “The Best Essential Oils for Treating 9 Common Health Problems.” Dr. Axe, Dr. Josh Axe, 13 June 2017. draxe.com/what-is-aromatherapy/.
Dawsey, Holly. “The Benefits of Aromatherapy in Skin Care – Truth in Aging.” Honest Reviews of Anti-Aging Skin Care and Beauty Products, Truth in Aging, 19 Jan. 2017. www.truthinaging.com/review/the-benefits-of-aromatherapy-in-skin-care.
Keville, Kathi. “How to Cure Dry Skin with Aromatherapy.” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 30 Apr. 2007. health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/problems/treating/how-to-cure-dry-skin-with-aromatherapy.htm.