Introduction

      The word "Aromatherapy" comes from two words: "Aroma", meaning fragrance, and "Therapy", meaning treatment. It is a healing art based in nature, and it effects the whole person ~ mind, body and soul. Complete, or holistic healing, is ever increasingly utilized in today's society. Aromatherapy is a fast growing therapy in holistic medicine. It was coined in 1928 by a French chemist, "Renee Maurice Gattefosse", when he accidentially discovered the lavender oil seemed to have a special healing power and scarring prevention.

      You aks, "isn't aromatherapy just a new fad?" The answer is no. Granted that there is renewed interest, but before the development of modern chemistry, people used the fragrant smells of flowers and other natural plants to adorm themselves and for ceremonies. Indeed, Columbus discovered America while searching for spice. He never did find the spices, but he did find a Native American tradition of burning incense and using scented ointment. Throughout the Americas, massage with frangrant oils was a common form of therapy.

      Aromatherapy is exactly what its name implies... a therapy with aroma (essential oils). It was derived from the ancient practice of using natural plant essences to promtoe health and well being. It consists of the use of pure essential oils obtained from a wide assortent of plants, which have been steam distilled or cold-pressed from flowers, fruit, bark and roots. Aromatherapy can help ease a wide assortment of ailments; easing aches, pains, and injuries, while relieveing the discomforts of many health problems.

      Aromatherapy also acts on the central nervous system, relieving depression and anxiety, reducing stress, relaxing, uplifiting, sedating or stimulating, restoring both physical and emotional well behing. The appropriate oils can have powerful results. "Fragrance Oils", "Perfumes" and other artificially made substitutes for Pure Essential Oils can not produce these amazing results.

      You might ask yourself, "Does Aromatherapy really work?". The answer is yes. Pure Essential oils are prescribed in Great Britain and througut Euope for their medicianl benefits. Modern scinetific research has proven the potency and healing properties of Pure Essentials Oils. Many of the oils have powerful antivacterial and antiviral qualities which, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, do not leave behind dangersous toxins.

      We understand what a busy world we live in. The day to day stress on ourselves is not only tiring on our minds, but its also not good for our bodies. We have too much to do, too much to think about, too much to accomplish and not enough time to get it all done let alone find time to relax and re-energize. Wouldn't we all love to have a few hours left at the end of the day and a few extra dollars for a nice long massage?

      With careers, kids, and home its hard to find even a minute to ourselves. Even our children and our pets suffer from stress these days. That's when Aromatherapy can really help. It doesn't take but a second to put scented oils in an oil warmer or to light a candle. And in that second, your mood and your sense of well being can change dramatically, it even helps those around you. Aromatherapy can be used to calm your nerves and help you relax, get to sleep faster and sleep better. Aromantherapy can refresh you at the end of a busy day, revive your mind and spirit, uplift, purify, and regenerate. Aromatherapy can create a sense of warmth and comfort. It can even be used to create a sense of romance. No matter how over whelmed and stressed you are feeling right now, you mood can all change in a matter of seconds. So, take this second to read more about Aromatherapy and have a more tranquil home and life.

History Of Aromatherapy

      As far back as 18,000 BC, flowers, plants, and their essences had been used for healing, relaxation and energizing. Aromatherapy was used by the most ancient civilizations: Egypt, China, and india, and is reputed to be at least 6,000 years old. Many historians believe that Aromatherapy began in Egypt. One medical papyri, dating back to 1558 BC from Egypt, contains remedies for all kinds of illnesses. The methods of application are very similar to the methods used in herbal medicine and Aromatherapy today.

      In ancient Egypt, aromatherapy was a way of life. The substance and scents of specific plants were used during religious rituals, as certain smells could raise a higher consciousness or promote a state of tranquility, just as incense are used in some services today. The Egyptians understood the principles of this art and incorprated it into their cooking as well. It is clear that the Egyptians used a process to extract oils from aromatic plants for use in medicinal remedies. Incense appears to be one of the earliest ways of using these aromatic extracts. There are records of Frankincense being burnt at sunrise as an offering to the sun god. The Egyptians also used aromatic portions during procedure of embalming. The Egyptians were particularly fond of this type of perfume and it has been found in perfume jars in thier tombs. In some tomb paintings, ladies are showmn at banquets in their eleborate wigs topped with strange conical shapes. Some experts believe these comes contain perfumed fat which, during the course of the banquet, melt in the heat and relaease their frangrances. It was also a common practice for Egyptians to be massaged with fragrant oils after bathing.

      Distillation of essential oils and use of aromatics also progressed in the Far East. The Chinese were using aromatics at the same time as the Egyptians. Like the Christian Gnostics, Chinese Taoists believed that extraction of a plants fragrance represented the liberation of its soul. The Chinese had just one word, "heang", for perfume, incense and fragrance. Heang was classified into six basic types, according to the mood induced: tranquil, reclusive, luxurious, beautiful, refined or noble. The Chinese used aromatic herbs and burned aromtic woods and incense to show respect to God. A tradition still used today.

      Shen Nung's Herbal book, dated about 2700 BC, is the oldest survinging medical book in China. It contains information on more than 300 plants. The Chinese also make reference to massages usig infused oils. The upper class of Chinese used frangrance on thier bodies, clothes, cosmetics, and many other household items. They imported oils like ginger, nutmeg, patchouli, and jasmine scented olive oil.

      The Japanese, however, turned the use of incense into a fine art. Even though incense didn't arrive in Japan until very late, around 500 AD. By then the Japanese had perfected a distillation process.

      The Greeks continued the use of aromatic oils and developed thier applications for medicinal purposes. They also used them for cosmetics. Just one Greek word "aromata, describes incense, perfumes, spices and aromatic medicines. The word perfume comes from "per", meaning by and "fumare, meaning to smoke. The oracle priestesses sat over smoldering fumes of bay leaves to inspire an intoxicated trance. Greek soldiers were reputed to carry ointments with them into battle. These were made from Myrrh which can be used for the treatment of wounds. Aromatherapy came of age when they took medicine into a new light 2,000 years ago. A Greek physician, Pedacius Dioscordes, compiled a reference book of herbal medicines calld "De Materia Medica. It was used in the Western world for at least 1,200 years. Some of the remedies suggested are still in use today by Aromatherapists.

      Hippocrates, commonly known as the "Father of Modern Medicine", was the first to study cause and effect. These studies led him to believe that a daily aromatic bath and scented massage would promote good health. He, himself, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. Holistic practitioners of today adhere to the same belief. It is also said that Hippocrates used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.

      The Romans borrowed much of their medical knowlege from the Greeks. Rome was known as the bathing capital of the world after using and impoving the abilities of aromatics. It has been said that the Romans used 2,800 tons of imported Frankincense and 550 tons of Myrrh per year. After bathing they would be oiled and massaged with aromatic oils. The Roman historian Pliny, author of the inpressive 1st Century ad Natrual History, mentions 32 remedies prepared from Rose, 25 from Pennyroyal, 21 from Lily and 17 from Violet. Seeking release from the limitations of the mateial world, the Romans embraced the symbology of essential oils, which represented the soul of the plant.

      When Roman society fell into decay, the use of Aromatherapy in the Western World decayed with it as Europe descended into the Dark Ages in which anything with natural origins was regarded as witchcraft and superstition ~ a suspicion only reinforced by "modern" Westerm medicine. Until recent years when the little guys in white coats, in their sterile laboratories dicovered that the best cures lay not in the labs but in the rain forests and jungles. One of the few places it was kept alive and healthy was in the monasteries, where monks used plants from their small herbal gardens to produce infused oils, herbal teas and medicines.

      During the crusades the knowledge of aromatic oils and perfumes continued to spread from India, Arabia and the Far East. It wasn't until midway through the Middle Ages, when societies were devastated by Bubonic and other plaques, that we "rediscovered" aromatic derivatives and just how important they are in preventing the spread of infection. During the second visitation of the Black Death, 1603 AD, the only people said not to succumb to the plague were the workers involved in aromatics and perfumery. Infected homes and streets were fumigated with burning cedar and pine. It was a hard yet valuable lesson learned about the healing properties of natural oils of plants, flowers, trees etc...

      Aromatherapy has had its peaks and valleys in popularity throughout history. Aromatherapy was revived by a Persian physician and philosopher, Avicenna, who lived from 980 AD to 1037 AD. The beginning of the Renaissance, there was a rise in bringing home new aromas. Oils were once again sought after, and herbs were back in demand.

      During the turn of the century, French Chemist and author, "Dr. Renee Gattefosse", brought about a renewed interest. Gattefosse is known as the "Modern Day Father of Aromatherapy". In 1910, he discoverd the therapeutic uses of lavender quite by accident. When he scalded his hand while working in his laboratory, he inteded to plunge his hand into a vat of cool water. Instead it was a vat of pure lavender essential oil. The wound was instaly relieved and healed in record time, leaving no scars. With this accident, he changed the course of his professional career. He decided to devote his life to the research the healing powers of essential oils.

      In 1937 he published a book about the anti-microbial effects of the oils and coined the term "Aromatherapy". Gattefosse went on to set up a business producing oils for use in healing, fragrances and cosmetics. He discovered that different applications had antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects. He experimented with these discoveries on soldiers during WWI. Lavender was used to decrease pain. Lemon, clove and chamomile were used as disinfectants.

      Around the same time, another Frenchman, Albert Couvreur, wrote a book on the medicinal uses of essential oils. Shortly thereafter, in the 1960's, a French medical doctor, Jean Valnet, and an Austrian biochemist Madame Marquerite Maury, were inspired by Gattefosse's work. Dr. Valnet, an army surgeon in WWII, used essential oils such as thyme, clove, lemon and chamomile on wounds and burns, and later found fragrances successful in treating psychiatric problems. Some of these essential oils were used to prevent gangrene and speed healing.

      Dr. Valnet inspired a modern aromatherapy movement when his book "Aromatherapie" was translated into English as "The Practice of Aromatherapy". It was the appearance in 1977 of masseur Robert Tisserand's book, "The Art of Aromatherapy", strongly influenced by the work of Valnet and Gattefosse, that was successful in capturing American interest. At present, there are many books available on aromatherapy. It was Madame Marquerite Maury that developed a method of applying these oils to the skin through massage. Micheline Arcier studied and worked with Maury and Velnet.

      In conclusion, the efforts of pioneers like Valnet, Maury, Arcier and Tisserand that have turned Aromatherpy into a disciplined healing art, rediscovering the uses of fragrance from ancient times and sparking a revival of aromatherapy that has swept throughout the world. Aromatherapy, the ancient art of healing, was introduced to the modern world as we know it today.

Aromatherapy Today

      From the pioneers described in the "History of Aromatherapy" section of this page, Aromatherapy as we know it today, evolved and has become extremely popular and people are finding that aromatherapy can assist with their modern day medical treatment plans set up by thier physicians. Aromatherapy has come a long way and still is being perfected to this day. We are at last unfolding the final secrets of the Egyptian mysteries, revealing Aromatherapy to be one opf the finest ways to combat the detrimental effects of stress, restoring beauty, tranquility and harmony of Nature into the lives of everyone. We are able to offer alternative methods and the ability to work with modern medicine.

      Aromatherapy has been practiced for thousands of years and has become a part of our culture. This is a result of a return to a holistic lifestyle, recognizing the importance of combining the mind, body and spirit to achieve optimum health and wellness. Modern day scientific research has been and continues to be performed which verifies not only the emotional but, the physical benefits that aromatharpy provides. Through research and awareness we have come to better understand and appreciate what nature has to offer us. We know the effects of "clear cutting" our forests and polluting our skies. And we ask for change. We realize that in order to sustain this earth, for the generations far beyond ours, we have to preserve, and protect it. At the same time, we know that we need to look after ourselves.

      We are all seeking answers for the illnesses that pervade our society, and the stresses that this fast paced modern life place on us. Conventional medicine has given us some of those answers in the form of prescription drugs and surgery, but, still, we ask for more. With growing health care costs and the sometimes impersonal qualtiy of conventional medicine, we have turned to nature to find the answers to our questions. We have realized that we must take personal responsibility for our own health and strive to educate ourselves on living more balanced lives.

      Therapies and medicines that were once viewed as alternative, cloaked in a shroud of skepticism, have risen from the shadows, providing a complement to conventional medicine. Aromatherapy is one such example, and a very powerful one, of a complementary therapy widely practiced today. For some of us, we don't even know we're doing it. When you burned that scented candle last week, you were practicing Aromatherapy (if essential oil blends were added). When you walk through a fragrant garden, you are doing it again~!! In fact, virtually all of the bath and body care products we use contain some form of essential oils ~ the basis of Aromatherapy. If you have ever used "Vicks VapoRub(tm)" for cold caused congestion, liniment for muscle strains, "Halls mentho-Lyptus(tm)" for a sore throat, or "Noxema(tm)", to cleanse your skin, you have already been using aromatherapy and didn't even know it~!!

      Despite the ancient roots, aromatherapy is being re-introduced. Once viewed as superstition and "witch doctor" medicine, the natural approaches have gained new respect and attention. Even though each country views aromatherapy differently and there are considerable differences on how it is practiced, Aromatherapy is recongnized as a viable and holistic approach. Aromatherapy is encouraged for it's ability to promote beauty and good health.

      The practice of Aromatherapy as it exists today, using essential oils with massage for health and well-being, was popularized by an Austraian biochemist, Marguerite Maury, who was married to a homeopathic doctor. They use oils in a holistic way, using them to address many underlying emotional and mental imbalances, Massage gives the benefit of the comfort of touch, which is of great therapeutic value, as well as the great versatality of the effects of Essential Oils. Australia, established a governing body in 1989 to regulate Aromatherpy. Accredited institutes offer certification and promotion of essential oil use. In the United States, however, aromatherapy is primarily used topically and through inhalation, particularly in combination with massage therapy, reflexology and other complementary approaches to health.

Aromatherapy Benefits

      There are many benefits of Aromatherapy. If you're thinking that aromatherapy is that flower oil that makes your home smell like Grandma's place, think again. If you are health conscious, then you know that pleasant-smelling products aren't just for women. From combating stress, easing pain to alleviating tension headaches, aromatherapy is a relatively inexpensive and harmless way to boost your health.

      By learning more about the proper use of essential oils, either through a recognized school or through a qualified aromatherapy practitioner, you will open the door to a whole new world--one that is not so dependent on antibiotics and other over-prescribed drugs. Aromatherapy is not intended to replace traditional medicine or traditional healthcare. It is simply an avenue for you to take more responsibility for your own health and to allow nature to do what it does best-- balance and heal body, mind and spirit. Before purchasing essential oils for home use, it is always best to seek the advice of a professional /qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Aromatherapy has proven, therapeutic benefits for a variety of conditions.

      Today we know that when we inhale these essential scent molecules, our brains release neuropeptides that can have mood altering effects. Essential oils also have such fine molecular structures, that when mixed with massage oils they easily penetrate the skin. Here they are absorbed into the circulatory systems of lymph and blood, eventually leading into our organs where benefits may occur. Essential oils can be effectively used in footbaths, vaporizers, massage formulas, diffusers, baths, herbal compresses, and to scent your bureaus or linen closets. You'll find it easy to reduce stress and elevate the quality of your day with the oils of nature's healing flora.

      Aromatherapy combines the physical and emotional effects of gentle massage with the medical and psychotherapeutic properties of essential oils. It not only alleviates stress and improves mood but it also is a successful treatment for many minor disorders for which doctors cannot always find a gentle solution. Together with a well-balanced diet, enough exercise, and a daily intake of plenty of spring water or herbal teas aromatherapy helps to keep our bodies in top condition! Aromatherapy stimulates the immune system, strengthens resistance to disease and helps to combat infections. It is especially helpful for women's problems - PMS, menopausal distress. It aids digestion - eases constipation and abdominal spasm - and optimises the functioning of respiratory system - helps with coughs, tonsillitis, and sinusitis.

      It eases muscular aches and pains and promotes muscle relaxation and tone. By improving circulation and lymphatic drainage it helps to eliminate cellulite and toxins from the body. Aromatherapy can lower blood pressure, reduces stress level, will combat insomnia and other stress related disorders. It can alleviate tension headaches and helps to deal with different emotions, such as anxiety, mild depression, grief, etc. Many essential oils are also superb skin care agents - balances sebum and tones complexion - and can heal athlete's foot, cold sores, ringworm and scabies. They can be used in hair and scalp formulas to improve the circulation of the scalp, prevent dandruff and promote healthy hair growth.

A brief beneficial healing breakdown: (only to name a few)

           Emotion Based Benefits:
           Medical Benefits:

Bruises / Sprains / Strains ~ Burns (including sunburn) ~ Wounds and Scars ~ Nervousness / Tension / Stress
Motion Sickness ~ Fatigue ~ Respiratory Conditions including colds, flu, sore throat, asthma and bronchitis
Purifying the Air ~ Muscular aches and pains ~ Fungal infections such as athletes foot and nail fungus
Reduce skin inflammation ~ Enhance wound healing ~ Digestive disorders such as Constipation

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           Skin Care Benefits:

Dermatitis ~ Stretch Marks ~ Eczema ~ Acne ~ Psoriasis ~ Mature Skin ~ Varicose Veins ~ Dry Skin
Cellulite ~ Wrinkles Enhanced wound healing ~ Antifungal activity ~ Antibacterial activity

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Rena's Disclaimer

      This information is not meant to replace any medical treatment. It is offered here as a service. Use this information at your own risk. This information is simply my personal opinion and belief of how essential oils and aromatherapy has worked for me, my family members, friends, neighbors and satisfied customers. We have not used any animal research or studies while producing our products. - - This site and the information on it is for educational purposes only. This site is displayed with the understanding that the creator of the site and authors of the materials on the site, are not liable for the misuse of any information provided or any products purchased.

      This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body. Anyone using prescribed medications, suffering from a disease, illness or injury should contact a health care professional before purchasing and or using any products of any kind and from any retail outlet. This is for your safety. Follow your physicians treatment plan that has been set up for you. If you are allergic to any of the plants that are in our products, please do not use them. If you are taking any medications, consult your physician before hand due to medication complications that may and can if you are not careful. Rena's Candles and More is not liable, nor responsible, for any reactions, complications etc... if you misuse or do not read and understand what our products are made of before you purchase or use.

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