Aromatherapy

The aromatherapy primer

Christian Nordqvist has published an introduction to aromatherapy on the Medical News Today website.

Here are the highpoints.

Scientific support

  • Aromatherapists claim there is synergy between the body and aromatic oils.
  • No scientific proof supports this position.
  • However, some preliminary studies have had positive results.

Integration into mainstream medicine

  • In France, and much of Western Europe aromatherapy is integrated into mainstream medicine as an antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial.

The article goes on to discuss techniques used to apply aromatherapy and conditions treated with aromatherapy.

There’s also a list and brief description of popular products and situations where aromatherapy should be avoided.

  • Allergy
  • Hay fever
  • Asthma
  • Certain skin conditions
  • Epilepsy
  • High blood pressure
  • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
  • Breastfeeding
  • Pregnancy

7/9/09 3:42 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.