Aromatherapy Products

There is nothing better than the pick me up I receive when a fragrance revitalizes me. In my mind, that was the definition of aromatherapy. Research into this area has taught me there is much more to aromatherapy products than merely the fragrance. I now understand that aromatherapy is “the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.”

Even more to the point, I have discovered I used this term and the so-called products in a frowned upon way, for true aromatherapy products are not synthetically produced like my favorite perfumes, bath oils or bubble baths, true aromatherapy products are made from natural essential oils. (There are some 400 such oils by my latest count) 

A Generic Application

It’s no secret that there is a superabundance of aromatherapy products on the market. Since it isn’t a regulated field, anyone can claim their product is an aromatherapy product.

So if you are like me and you desire to understand the true meaning of the term aromatherapy and the actual products used by those with expertise on the subject, you begin with the awareness that the mass produced items posing as aromatherapy products, are not the products to purchase. I learned much from this website, aromaweb.com

The Aromatherapy Scam

Now that I realize I have been suckered in by the aromatherapy advertising machine.  I want to learn what I have inadvertently been missing all these years. I assumed that if a fragrance lifted my mood it was an aromatherapy product. 

In the most basic of applications, I suppose that is correct, but if I want to benefit from the real thing, I need to understand the difference between synthetic ingredients and fragrance oils, and holistic aromatherapy.

Products That Are Not True Aromatherapy Products

My new found knowledge has taught me that I have much to learn about essential oils and why inhaling them provides wonderful benefits. I am anxious to begin collecting essential oils and have benefited from all the articles writers here on Hubpages have so kindly shared with a newbie like myself.

No longer will I think of my favorite so-called aromatherapy bubble bath manufactured by Avon as anything more than a fragrance that relaxes me. It is not made of essential oils and its ingredients are mostly synthetic.

Checking the ingredient label is the best way to ensure that the product does not contain “fragrance oils or un-pure (chemical) components”. In other words, according to aromaweb.com, a “general rule-of-thumb is to be wary of products that do not list their ingredients and those that do not boast of having pure essential oils (look for products that contain pure essential oils on their ingredient list and avoid those that have words like fragrance)”.

Anyone who frequently uses Avon Products as much as I have knows that the word fragrance is virtually synonymous with Avon. Hence their own campaign material identifies them as aromatherapy-pretenders. Clearly they are not scamming their customers, since they are selling fragrance products, but their products are not truly aromatherapy products if they have been combined with impure components.

Hence, I am now learning how to search for a good supplier of aromatherapy products. I know I have found a good supplier if they have no problem providing me with a list of ingredients upon request. Some suppliers do not want their product copied, so it is understandable that some labels might not list ingredients, but if they will not tell you the ingredients, you may need to find another product and supplier who is more cooperative. What if your health issues make using certain essential oils detrimental for your health.

Learning what essential oils I may need to avoid and then finding a supplier willing to identify the blend they have used will be part of my educational process from here on out.

Now that I am beginning to understand how much I do not know about aromatherapy, I am looking forward to obtaining my first PURE aromatherapy products and using them in the way they are designed to be used. After I purchase my essential oils I look forward to finding the right soap and foaming bubble bath.

Finding the right scent will not prove to be too challenging, as I have never had much trouble in determining what relaxes me and what energizes me.

If my perfumed fragrances energized me, I can't wait to feel what pure aromatherapy products do for me, as I learn to use them correctly.

Aromatherapy and MS Fatigue

Thus far I have read about this list for fatigue, exhaution, and burnout:

Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Clary sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandlewood, Vetiver

So much to learn . . . so little time, but I will anxiously endeavor to learn about these essential oils as far as combating my MS fatigue is concerned. I believe it will be well worth my while. Besides, learning new things has always been fun for me!

Clinical Studies

I will be interested in finding proof of the benefits of aromatherapy. Seems to me that there should be more available as to the benefits than anecdotal experiences. I can't imagine not being able to find studies, double blind clinical trials, and the like, which will detail the effectiveness of such products and which will stand up to close scrutiny.

Spending time investigating everything I take in regard to treating my Multiple Sclerosis, has taught me to take the time to investigate anything that affects my health in anyway. So I look forward to detailing my finding as to scientific proof where aromatherapy is concerned. Seems logical that given the popularity of such alternative treatments, proof of the effectiveness should be discernible.

Please share your knowledge about any studies you are aware of involving alternative medicine as I begin to conduct my own Internet search.