Aromatherapy – essential oils for improving health

History and use of essential oils

Essential oils were especially valued in ancient times, and data on their use are almost 5000 years old. Their antiseptic properties were studied at the beginning of the 20th century, and they are closely studied even today due to the increased bacterial resistance to common antibiotics.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a part of phytotherapy which involves the therapeutic use of fragrances, i.e. essential oils. Essential oils are obtained by steam distillation, expression and solvent extraction. Steam distillation is the most common method. Expression is typically used to obtain citrus essences (lemon, orange), while solvent extraction is used to obtain essential oils that are too delicate to undergo steam distillation.

It is certainly important to note that self-diagnosis or the use of essential oils is not recommended without consulting a professional, who should always be contacted before starting any aromatherapy procedure. A special warning concerns pregnant women, who are advised to avoid basil, camphor, cypress, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, sage and thyme essential oil.

Essential oils are never used in their pure form. The use of essential oils in the form of ointments or creams requires a base oil or even honey of lower density. Inhalation is often used for respiratory diseases: electric diffusers have become very popular because they do not heat the oil-infused water and at the same time pleasantly refresh the space, making it scented. Essential oils are also known to have antiviral properties. Ideal combinations that refresh the space include mint, lavender, eucalyptus, bergamot, geranium and rosemary. Rosemary is a perfect oil for the workspace because it has been proven to improve concentration. Another way of using essential oils is in the form of aromatic baths. Aromatic salts are prepared by scenting sea salt (500 g) with essential oils (4 – 5 drops) and leaving the salt to soak in the aroma for some time, after which they can be used in baths.

A few interesting facts about popular essential oils

Neroli (L. Citrus vulgaris) – extracted from bitter orange flowers. It is called “neroli” because the Princess of Nerola (a place in Lazio) often used this oil, so the gloves scented with this oil were called “gloves from Nerola”. This oil can be useful for nervousness, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Lavender (L. Lavandula officinalis) – the ancient Greeks treated respiratory problems, while the ancient Romans enriched the air in public baths with this essential oil. Today, we often put bags of lavender in closets because the intense scent of lavender repels moths and other insects.

Eucalyptus (L. Eucalyptus globulus) – native to Australia, where it can reach a height of up to 100 m. There are over 600 different species of eucalyptus that grow throughout the world. Eucalyptus essential oil is ideal for purifying stagnant air, and its intense scent also makes it a useful insect repellent (e.g. for mosquitoes).

Marjoram (L. Origanum majorana) – its medicinal properties have been known since ancient times. In mythology, this plant was dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite. For some time it was thought that marjoram was an aphrodisiac, but it was later discovered that the plant has the exact opposite properties, i.e. that it acts as an anaphrodisiac.

Finally, it is important to note that essential oils are not subject to the Medicinal Products Act (unless they are listed as an active substance in the composition of the registered medicinal product). In addition, they are not subject to the Ordinance on Food Supplements, which is why it is important to pay special attention when buying quality essential oils. The company Marti Farm has professional staff who can advise you on how to market your product. Connect with us if you would like to learn more about how you can register a medicinal product, medical device, cosmetic product or food supplement.