Holistic aromatherapy is a type of therapy that incorporates essential oils with relaxation techniques. The essential oils used by a holistic aromatherapy practitioner are entirely natural. The aim of holistic aromatherapy is to treat a person's whole body including psychological aspects of the body.
Aromatherapy is an age-old practice that has its roots in Ancient Greece. Historians have found evidence to suggest that the Ancient Greeks frequently allowed dried plants to marinate in various oils. By infusing dried plants in oil, the Ancient Greeks found a way to extract the scent and oil from the plants. They then used these oils to help soothe the ill, cure various diseases, and to relax the body and mind.
Modern holistic aromatherapy follows in the footsteps of the Ancient Greeks. While aromatherapy is a non-invasive treatment, those who seek this kind of therapy often find an immense amount of relief following a session. People who are ill or are battling certain diseases may opt for an aromatherapy treatment as an alternative to traditional medicinal treatments.
Even though the main premise of holistic aromatherapy is to treat each individual from a natural and healing angle, the term aromatherapy has been largely misused. Many different manufacturers have begun to use the term in order to sell semi-natural products to consumers. Any product that is mixed with a number of different chemicals, but claims to be natural, should not be mistaken for an all-natural aromatherapy product. Instead, consumers should look for holistic aromatherapy products that are made from entirely natural ingredients.
Likewise, essential oils should be derived from natural sources. Even though some products may claim to have essential oils, this is a false statement unless an essential oil is entirely natural. Thus, any "essential oil" that is mixed with a number of other ingredients is not a pure essential oil.
Just as there are many products that claim to be natural but aren't, there are also many inexperienced aromatherapy practitioners. Consumers should seek practitioners who have been practicing aromatherapy for a number of years. Alternately, those people who have just begun to practice aromatherapy should have some type of formal training.
Many people find a great deal of comfort in holistic aromatherapy. This type of therapy is often used to relieve stress, fight fatigue, and help people to handle situations calmly and rationally. Frequently, this type of therapy is both calming and soothing, though it has not been proven to cure any type of disease or illness.