The Myth of Aromatherapy
By tommy408
@tommy408 (361)
Malaysia
April 8, 2007 6:50am CST
Last night my GirlFriend and I went for what she so fondly called "Aromatherapy Date". It consist of primarily essential oil bath followed by massage, herbal dinner (yeah, I suffered that too, all for my love!!). Much to my dismay, there is no essential-oil therapeutic fondling with her in the menu . LOL.
Anyway, while we were "enjoying" our aromatherapy massage (or whatever it is called), the massues (obviously an essential oil salesman) talked non-stop about the healing powers of Aromatherapy oils. Being a pathological skeptic, I of course didn't believe any of his "sales pitch". I however asked very many time about any "lab based" tests done with this so called healing process. Since most of what he claim is testable, I would expect these advocates of Aromatherapy would have at least make some effort to test these claims on control group, no?
Apparently not. Most of what he keep on telling us is "feel good" anecdotes like "how some girl or the other got a snake bite, while waiting for the ambulance somehow a bottle of lavender oil fall on the bruise. The girl stopped frothing and the poison miraculously got flushed out of her system"
So I did some google search looking for any viable test done on aromatherapy. There is one. Though the result is not so "favorable".
The study compared the effects on ICU patients receiving aromatherapy (using lavender), massage therapy and rest. The study eventually concluded that rest is best.LOL
Having said all this Lavender oil does smell good. I'll buy few candles and drop some lavender oil in the bath and wait for my girls to be back from works :)
So what do you guys think of Aromatherapy? Doe it really have healing capability or just "feel good" sensation?
2 responses
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
8 Apr 07
I am a firm believer that aromatherapy does in fact work and have seen it in action for myself not only in me but also in my kids and husband...HOWEVER what one oil or blend may do for one person could very well not be the right oil or blend for someone else OR could give them different results...For example...Peppermint for many ppl is a "wake me up" type oil...for me as well as my son, its a sleep inducer and cures my migraines and his headaches....Rose Oil has numerous uses but I personally cant stand the stuff so it wont do a damn thing for me.....
Aromatherapy is a wonderful thing but just goin by what someone says as though its set in stone (especially if that someone is a "salesman" ;-) ) chances of it working for you on a medical or holistic level are pretty much slim to none IMO
1 person likes this
@tommy408 (361)
• Malaysia
8 Apr 07
You said you are a "firm believer" like some other people are a "firm believer" of The existence of God!.
I would like to know weather there any empirical test done on the healing effect of this oils. I would say that you having your "migraine cured" by peppermint is just a placebo effect. Like some people thinks that praying cures cancer.
There is a fundamental flaw in the name of Aromatherapy itself. Ever wonder why the name of the therapy is"aroma" when it is very rarely used in "vapor base". In fact it is usually used directly on you skin by massaging or even mixed in food and ingested orally.
@mathewjerry70 (77)
• India
8 Apr 07
I haven't taken this therapy so I do not know whether its really curative or not. However I do know that its part of the new age fad of alternative therapies and there definitely are a host of them around. I think naturopathy, holistic healing etc. are part fo these treatments. Anyways I think that as long as you believe that you are getting better by whatever treatment you are getting its ok.
I think the ultimate treatment I have got is Jesus. Theres no therapy that beats him. Its 100% effective and tried and tested. There are no medicines involved and no cost. 100% free. Just get down on your knees , pray and see the effects.
