Canyon Ranch (Arizona)

Aromatherapy is a word so new that it isn't in most dictionaries, but it refers to an extremely old branch of medical practice. Known by many other names, aromatherapy dates back to ancient Egypt, where volatile oils were integrated into many aspects of daily life, ranging from healing and massage to embalming and religious observance (think incense).

It certainly had its place in other ancient societies, too: The Chinese are celebrated to this day for their sophisticated, age-old use of aromatic herbs, and one branch of traditional Indian medicine, ayurveda, relies heavily on aromatic massage.

The fragrance of health
Aromatherapy is based on the principle that aromatic oils - applied to the skin in diluted form and inhaled - act on psychological, physiologic and molecular levels. They stimulate specific areas of the brain and limbic system, triggering memories that result in relaxation or re-energizing (depending on the oil or combination of oils used) effects that have real psychological and physical benefits. Mainstream medical researchers have shown, for instance, that essential oil of lavender reduces agitation in anxious mental patients and reduces crying in newborn nurseries.

Experts agree that aromatherapy is natural, preventive medicine. People seek it out for many reasons: to help relieve stress or anxiety; to soothe stiff, achy muscles; to relieve congestion. (Remember the smelly ointment your mother would rub on your chest when you had a cold? It helped.)

A rose by any other name
The key to effective aromatherapy is in the quality and nature of the materials used. Pure essential oils - as opposed to artificial fragrance oils or perfumes - are, well, essential. (Cheaper, artificial fragrances may smell nice but lack the therapeutic benefits of their natural counterparts, and can even be harmful to some individuals. Most scents in commercial air fresheners are chemically derived from petroleum products.) Before you buy, know the basics.

An essential oil is the essence of a plant material in liquid form. The concentrated essence is generally obtained through distillation and is diluted with a "carrier oil" - pure, unscented vegetable oil, often almond or apricot kernel oil, that effectively carries the essence to the skin. Essential oils can be purchased individually or in combinations customized to meet your needs.

A word to the wise: Blend at your own risk. Essential oils are very potent. Of course people experiment all the time, but to ensure that your blends are safe and will do what you expect, you really need education - or at least, to do some reading and research.

Other safety precautions:
Never ingest essential oils.
Do not apply undiluted essential oils to the skin.
Some oils can cause allergic reactions in certain people, so test a small area of skin 24 hours before using any oil extensively.
Pregnant women, children, people with asthma, epilepsy and other chronic illnesses should consult a physician before trying aromatherapy.

All the buzz
Essential oils are increasingly popular, and their booming availability means there's huge variation in the quality and purity of products: It's wise to do some research online, or seek the advice of a knowledgeable salesperson in the health food store.

A particularly potent and beneficial way to enjoy aromatherapy is through massage. Aromatherapy massage treatments are centering and long-lasting, due to the lingering effects of the essential oils.

Explore the benefits of mini-treatments as well. Candles and other forms of burning essences create ambiance in the home, after-bath body lotions refresh or relax, antiseptic oils, such as lavender, soothe a variety of injuries. Just be sure that candles, lotions and bath products are made with pure essential oils, not chemical fragrances.

Other ways to improve your life with essential oils include inhaling essences on long flights to reduce that spaced-out, jet-lagged feeling, putting a little tonic on a tissue as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or, if you have trouble sleeping, dabbing a drop of lavender or other soothing essence on a corner of your pillowcase.

Those lovely smells can have beautiful effects.

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