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Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that is still not widespread in Brazil, but it has health benefits

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Perhaps you've heard about what aromatherapy is. Alternative therapy is still not widespread in Brazil and is often seen as quackery. However, according to the Brazilian Association of Complementary Medicine (ABMC), aromatherapy is a curative treatment that uses the smell and properties of essential oils. The etymology of the word refers to healing by smell. Aromatherapy is a natural, alternative, preventive and also curative medicine.

• What are essential oils?

Almost all ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome, made use of oils, incense and perfumes, whether in cosmetics or in rituals and spiritual healing sessions. But it was in the 20th century that the medicinal structuring of aromatherapy took place. Essential oils have several medicinal activities and this allowed aromatherapy to develop as a therapeutic system.

French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé noted the healing power of lavender oil on a burn and coined the term aromatherapy. This experiment was responsible for separating aromatherapy from herbal medicine. Alternative medicine also draws on the healing powers of the plant world. She only uses 100% pure essential oil, of known botanical origin and with its complete chemical composition as nature produced it, instead of using the whole plant or part of it.

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The French physician Jean Valnet was another personality that marked the history of aromatherapy. He found that essential oils contain healing, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. The biochemist Margaret Maury was a pioneer and inserted her holistic vision in aromatherapy, with the application of massages according to the patient's personality characteristics. In 1978, Dr. Paul Belaiche published about the clinical use of essential oils in the treatment of infectious and degenerative diseases. The French chemist Henri Viaud, in turn, was responsible for publishing the purity and quality criteria that essential oils have to meet to be suitable for medical purposes.

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But what are essential oils?

Essential oils are chemical substances, concentrated and very complex, produced by plants, which can exceed 300 chemical components depending on the oil. They are considered the "soul" of the plant and are obtained from flowers, leaves, fruits and roots through different forms of extraction. Despite the term “oil”, they are not necessarily greasy, they are volatile liquids called oils because they are solubilized in the oil phase and not in water. The composition of oils includes organic elements such as carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, forming molecules of alcohols, aldehydes, esters, oxides, ketones, phenols, hydrocarbons, organic acids, nitrogenous and sulfurous organic compounds and, mainly, terpenes.

Essential oils are produced by plants to protect them from attack by parasites and diseases. In addition, they act in fertilization, pollination and protection from solar radiation.

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And in humans? What are the applications of aromatherapy essential oils?

Many factors influence the effectiveness of aromatherapy treatment. Among them, the quality of essential oils, application methods and aromatherapist knowledge stand out. In aromatherapy, essential oils can be used summarily with psychological or physiological effects.

As for the psychological effects, there is psychoaromatherapy, which studies the effects of the aromas of essential oils on the human mind. Essential oils contain odorous substances that are inhaled and stimulate our olfactory nerve cells. This stimulus is capable of triggering reactions such as the activation of the limbic system. In it, information coming from the nerve endings connected to the olfactory bulb is processed. The limbic system is directly related to our social behaviors and emotions. It integrates sensory-sensory information with our internal psychic state. Emotional and sexual behaviors, learning, memory and motivation are intrinsically linked to sensory stimuli. Our body attributes affective information to stimuli, relating them to pre-existing memories, which leads to an emotional response.

With the help of an aromatherapist, essential oils can affect our mood in a positive and balanced way. Treatment through aromatherapy can help fight insomnia, stress, anxiety, pain, depression, among other illnesses and discomforts.

In addition to the effects of essential oils on the human mind, there are physiological effects arising from their bactericidal, antifungal and antiviral properties. They easily penetrate our cell membrane - a hundred times more than water - and dissolve in our body's lipids. Many traditional medicine remedies contain compounds extracted from essential oils such as menthol and camphor. To learn more about this topic, check out the article: "Essential oils: a complete guide".

Studies show that lavender essential oil increases drowsiness, improves mood and relaxes. Rosemary oil, for example, increases the power of alertness, reduces anxiety and increases the speed of response. There is research suggesting the use of essential oil from Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) in the treatment of agitation in people with severe dementia. There are also studies with tea tree oil (tea tree), which suggest that it is a powerful natural antimicrobial and has several health benefits.

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Functional groups used in aromatherapy

The properties of essential oils depend on the functional groups present in the compound. According to a study by the pharmacy sector of Centro Universitário São Camilo and the Brazilian Institute of Aromatology, the functional groups used in aromatherapy are:

terpenes

• These compounds have antiviral, antiseptic, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. They act in the detoxification process in the liver and stimulate glandular functions. In addition, sesquiterpenes increase the amount of oxygen in the pituitary and pineal endocrine glands, located in the brain, and interfere with the release of monoamines.
• Examples: limonene, pinene, camphene, gammaterpinene and camazulene. These compounds are present in lemon, pine, frankincense and chamomile. To learn more about this topic, check out the article: "What are terpenes?"

esters

• The properties attributed to the esters are fungicides, sedatives and antispasmodics.
• Examples: linalyl acetate and methyl salicylate. These compounds are present in bergamot, sage and lavender.

Aldehydes

• They act as a sedative, antiseptic and anti-infective.
• Examples: citral, neral, geranial, cinnamaldehyde. Present in melissa, lemongrass, citronella and cinnamon.

Ketones

• They act as a decongestant of the airways in asthma, bronchitis and colds, but they can be toxic.
• Examples: thujona, carvona and pinocanfona. Present in fennel, ginger and hyssop.

alcohols

• They act as antiseptics, antivirals and stimulate the immune system. They are effective tissue regenerators and sedatives.
• Examples: Linalool, borneol and estragole. Present in rosewood, sandalwood and geranium.

Phenols

• They act as bactericides, disinfectants, anti-inflammatory and can be irritating to the skin.
• Examples: thymol, carvacrol and eugenol. Present in thyme, oregano and cloves.

Oxides

• They are bactericidal and expectorant.
• Examples: silicon oxide, iron, manganese and magnesium. Present in rosemary and tea tree.

Acids

• They act as an antiseptic, diuretic and antipyretic. They have antibiotics and vitamins.
• Examples: Benzoic, Cinnamic, Caffeic and Oleanic Acids. Present in benzoin and melissa.

Despite being natural substances, essential oils are not free from toxicity. Even if the vegetable is not toxic, the essential oil extracted from it can be, as they are seventy times more concentrated than the plant from which they were obtained. Some essential oils that contain tuyone or myristicin are considered neurotoxic, and can cause seizures at high dosages. Others should not be used by pregnant women, such as mugwort and rue.

Aromatherapy Applications

There are several methods of applying aromatherapy, such as spraying and aerial diffusion of essential oils, inhalation, application of compresses, aromatic baths and massage.

For each technique there is an application method and a specific methodology. To define the most suitable way, the ideal is to consult a specialist, who will take into account the substance used, the purpose and the patient's medical history to avoid possible unwanted effects. To learn about other applications of essential oils, check out the articles: "Learn nine essential oils and their benefits" and "Learn how to prepare essential oil synergies".

Most of the time, essential oils need to be diluted in a vehicle. For this, vegetable oils such as sweet almond oil, grape seed oil or coconut oil can be used.

Rare are the techniques that require the use of essential oil in its original form. Oils are very concentrated and, therefore, if applied directly to the skin, they can cause redness, itching or photosensitivity. However, some therapists indicate direct application in specific cases, others suggest treatment with mouthwash and even ingestion. Ingestion causes many differences among professionals in the field. But it is worth remembering that it is important to take an allergy test.

Diluting oils for skin use is safer, more economical and covers a wider area. They can be used in creams, lotions and room flavors. Also, they can be added to inhalers in case of congestion. But regardless of the particular aromatherapy method, the important thing is to consult a professional trained in the safe use of essential oils.

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