The World of Alternative Medicine: Aromatherapy

You don't need expensive candles and specialist oils to benefit from aromatherapy. Here are 5 simple things you can easily get your hands on to improve your health and wellness.

- The 24hr Tourist has teamed up with Aromatherapist Sarah Williams to take us through 5 top tips for easy aromatherapy at home or abroad -

After spending 10 years working in health and social care, supporting people at the end of life, children with severe brain trauma, and older people living with conditions like dementia, Sarah realised that it was often the small things that had the biggest impact on the quality of life of her patients and their carers. She had always been fascinated by alternative treatments and wholistic care so turned her sights to aromatherapy.

- It might be simple, but it can have powerful results -

Aromatherapy is truly a global concept and the simplicity of using our senses, like smell, makes treatment accessible. Throughout Asia, Africa and Europe, ancient civilisations used the practice of extracting plant oils for use in early medicine.

While the use of aroma to influence mood is a practice thought to have originated in ancient China, the Egyptians are believed to have developed one of the earliest oil distillation machines for use when embalming (mummifying) the dead. Greek mythology even nods to the power of scent with gods being gifted with the knowledge of fragrance, and ancient-Greek Physician - “father of medicine” - Hippocrates, claiming the way to good health was through aromatic baths and massages.

Aromatherapy itself is a French term coined in the 1937 when the medical and scientific community “discovered” the potential healing power of essential oils to help treat soldiers’ wounds during World War II. Since then, with competition from modern technology and medicine it barely gets a look in, but the powers of oils and aromas should not be overlooked.

Simple scents have shown to have powerful effects on common ailments and complaints and while treatments can be practiced safely alongside most mainstream drugs aromatherapy has been known to induce childbirth in pregnant women so care should be taken with any pre-existing condition. In a world where popping to the Doctor or pharmacy isn’t always possible the old-world knowledge, once passed down through generations, is worth a revival.

If you struggle to sleep, suffer from stress and anxiety, find you can’t concentrate, or have headaches, these are a few simple tricks you can try at home for a wholistic approach to your health and wellbeing – obviously, still consult your doctor if you need to.

When life gives you lemons..

Lemon not only cleanses system but uplifts the spirit. In fact, all citrus is generally good for energy levels and stress. One study even put this to the test in the dreaded dentists waiting room – after diffusing orange essence they found that patients were more relaxed, and even reported feeling less pain!

DIY Lemon/ Orange Extract

• Grate the peel of one lemon or orange and cover with cold-pressed olive oil. Worry not, if you don’t have specialist oil you can use any vegetable or rapeseed oil (coconut is no good as it is solid at room temperature).

• Pour the mixture into a sealed container and leave it somewhere that gets a lot of sun. Shake it a few times a day, or as often as you can remember.

• After a few days your oil is ready to use. Place a few drops in a spray bottle with water for an air freshener, dab it on your wrists or neck, or use in an oil burner.

Feel the stress seep away and spring in your step as the zest zings into your day.

Minty Fresh

Peppermint is great for the digestive system but can also aid concentration! Whether it was a TV dinner, lunch at your desk, or an inflight meal while travelling, our cooped-up lifestyle will leave many of us facing digestive problems. Peppermint, and in fact most mint, can aid digestion and is easily sourced in most places both fresh (in the herb section of shops and markets) and in its dried tea form.

Steep your fresh or dried mint in some boiled water for 5-10 minutes. While the tea itself is great for the body, while you wait for it to cool why not treat yourself to a steam. Throw a blanket over your head and let the minty steam fill the air, take 5 or 10 deep inhale and exhales (or more if you have time). Peppermint when inhaled can help you focus, so take a break from those emails and give it a try – you might find you come back with a new lease of life.

Lavender self-love

Inhaling lavender has been shown to reduce the heart rate. Commonly known as a sleep aid, lavender can also be used throughout the day to relieve anxiety and restlessness. Perhaps less easy to find globally its a great oil to source at home and keep in your washbag while travelling.

It was brought to the attention of the medical world for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been used widely to treat burns and insect bites. And ladies, a study into lavender also showed that inhalation during the first 3 days of menstruation can significantly reduce pain from menstrual cramps!

Lavender is also easy to grow, and once established requires very little care. Leaves and flowers can be dried and used as a potpourri, or steeped in oil like the citrus extract method above.

Calming Camomile

Another flower commonly found and used therapeutically, particularly in Europe, North-Africa and the Americas is Camomile (manzanilla in Spanish speaking countries). It is one of the most popular herbal remedies, with millions of tea drinkers worldwide committed to their daily dose of it.

In many places the flowers can be bought fresh from the produce aisle or market and steeped in water to extract the oils, but where they aren’t available you should be able to get your hands on some camomile tea bags.

Approved by many medical professionals for use in treating coughs and bronchitis, fevers, cold, inflammation, infection, wounds, and burns, camomile is a versatile medicine. It’s gentle effects also make it useful for the very young, as well as frail and vulnerable.

Like with peppermint, a simple steam treatment can be highly effective in aiding relaxation. If you are using an essential oil it can also be mixed with water for use in a spray bottle, or added to bath water for a calming soak – localised anti-inflammatory effects can also benefit those suffering with acne and eczema.

Camomile, unlike most herbal therapies has seen some scientific research and medical verification and as such is another great travel bag essential. Whether carried as a tea or essential oil it can come in handy in many situations for it’s medicinal properties, as well as its chill factor.

The Benefits of Basil

In aromatherapy, inhaling the aroma of basil essential oil (or absorbing basil essential oil through the skin) is thought to transmit messages to the limbic system, a brain region that influences emotions and the nervous system. Like with other essential oils there has been limited scientific or clinical research into the benefits, but anecdotally and historically Basil essential oil is said to enhance mood, improve digestion, increase alertness, and soothe muscle aches.

Basil is another herb that can be found readily in many countries. It too can be made into a tea or oil extract by using the steeping methods outlined above.

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So, whether you're off on your next adventure or stuck at home, next time you feel anxious, restless or under-the-weather why not give one of these alternative treatments a try. People around the world have sworn by them for generations, so let’s not lose this world of knowledge that connects us with the planet and nature. Learn, understand and respect the resources available to us for a time when modern medicine is perhaps out of reach.