How does aromatherapy fit in with other healing therapies?
Aromatherapy complements many treatments including; massage, herbal wraps, acupuncture, meditation, chiropractics, skin care and, in some cases, allopathic drugs. Essential oils can actually increase the effect of certain medications. Valerian (a well-known sedative), rose oil, and phenylethyl alcohol (commonly found in perfumes) all increased the sleeping time in mice given the barbiturate Pheno- barbital as opposed to mice who were not given these substances. Because the scents from essential oils are processed by the olfactory system, they can greatly help any medication which is alleviating stress. The effects of another treatment can be enhanced when combined with essential oil use due to the olfactory element linking the original treatment with stress reduction.
