By Karen Swim Take a deep breath. Smell that? In recent years, aromatherapy has taken off in Western culture. Chances are that you have inhaled an aroma purported to calm, soothe, energize or balance. True to our capitalistic roots, this ancient healing art has become big business. Aromatherapy is now used to market everything from room deodorizers to laundry detergent. Whats behind this sensational trend and why the booming popularity? Aromatherapy is commonly used in alternative medicine. While many forms of natural medicine can be traced to our neighbors in the East, aromatherapy is a product of the French. The modern term aromatherapy is often traced to French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse. It is said that Gattefosse burned his hand in the lab and thrust it into the nearest liquid which happened to be lavender oil. His hand healed without scars and he began to investigate the healing and psychotherapeutic benefits of essential oils. During World War II, another Frenchman, Dr. Jean Valmet, used essential oils as an antiseptic, and aromatherapy later achieved status as a holistic therapy due to the efforts of Madame Marguerite Maury. We can also thank Madame Maury for the use of essential oils in massage therapy. There is no denying that scent plays a significant role in our lives. Our sense of smell can help us to detect danger, signal us to eat, and affect our mood. In 2004, the Nobel Prize was awarded to U.S. researchers Linda Buck and Richard Axel for their discovery of 1,000 genes and receptors for the sense of smell. In awarding the coveted prize, the jury noted, "A unique odor can trigger distinct memories from our childhood or from emotional momentspositive or negativelater in life." Aromatherapy practitioners use essential oils to treat digestive disorders, aches and pains, and psychological disorders. In many countries, essential oils are regulated and can be prescribed by physicians. Japan, Germany, Russia and the United States do not recognize aromatherapy as a valid branch of medicine. Detractors, while not minimizing the role of smell in the human life, refute the healing powers of oil. Yet, both the scientific and the nonscientific communities agree that aroma does have an impact. For most of us, it does not take scientific evidence to validate the connection between aroma and our brains. The fragrant aroma of certain foods makes us salivate in seconds, the smell of baked goodies can evoke feelings of comfort, and peppermint has the amazing power to refresh and reenergize. In the West, scent therapy has less to do with healing disease and more with healing mood, thus the popularity of adding scent to household items. Lavender oil has a calming effect and is linked to male sexual response. The sweet, spicy smell of basil improves concentration and lifts depression. Tea tree oils noted for their antimicrobial properties are frequently found in hair and skin care products. Even skeptics accept that mint and eucalyptus relieve stuffy noses caused by colds and flu. The perfume industry has always marketed the mood-invoking power of scent. Scents are marketed as sensual, sexy, calming, refreshing, natural, and romantic. Shopping malls use scent to create a mood. During the holiday season, the lighting and aromas are all designed to put you in a holly, jolly shopping mood. And, of course, there is no denying the difference that scented oils make during a massage. If you are interested in true aromatherapy, it is best to visit a trained professional, such as a holistic physician. Oils can be very potent and when used inappropriately they can irritate the skin or cause more serious reactions such as liver damage or seizures. If you simply enjoy certain fragrances and the way they make you feel by all means indulge your passion. Even detractors cannot refute that if a particular scent or smell makes you feel better, by all means burn it, spray it, or lather up in it. Whether scientifically validated or not, feeling good is a worthwhile benefit. Karen D. Swim is the President and CEO of Words For Hire, a Content Creation and Marketing Firm. Karen helps clients develop articles, whitepapers, resumes, bios and other content that increases their visibility and credibility within their target market. She brings a passion and commitment to every project and clients frequently comment on her ability to "get it right." You can email Karen at karen@wordsforhirellc.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Swim http://EzineArticles.com/?Aromatherapy---Essential-Oil-or-Snake-Oil?&id=525988 want to buy phentermine
buy phentermine cheap 37.5 mg no doctor contact no rx
need to buy phentermine
buy phentermine no prescription needed
