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Essential oils in aromatherapy
More than a mere scentBy Cindy Mak
Having a daily lavender-scented bath in the film Lavender in 2000, actress Kelly Chan Wai Lam played the role of an aromatherapist and introduced the use of essential oils to the mainstream population.
Lam played the role of an aromatherapist and introduced the use of essential oils to the mainstream population.
A local saleswoman specializing in aromatic products recently said, “Before the film was shown, most of the customers were office ladies aged between 30 and 40.
“Now, younger people aged around 20 to 25 also come and buy aromatic products here.”
Zoe Fong, a spokesperson for an aromatherapy company, said, “Under severe pressure in a bad economic environment, people believe that essential oils help them relax.”
Essential oils are highly aromatic natural extracts taken from tiny oil glands in plants. Each essential oil has unique therapeutic properties.
For example, lavender can help with muscular aches, sleeping problems, headache, stress, insect bites and
burns, including sunburn.
Besides lavender, other popular essential oils include jasmine, peppermint, rosemary and rosewood.
Said Miss Fong: “Different types of oils are used for different purposes, including healing skin problems, soothing patients with nasal allergies, curing insomnia, curing insect bites and so forth.”
The saleswoman explained how essential oils work in aromatherapy.
“Essential oil breaks into tiny particles which enter your bloodstream through your skin.
“The essence then circulates through your body and cures you with therapeutic effects.
“This cannot be done with ashes from incense sticks or cones.”
Incense sticks, incense cones and aromatic candles are also popular aromatic products. But their properties are different from essential oils.
Said the saleswoman: “Incense sticks and cones can never diffuse the exact scent that essential oils can.
“Moreover, the oils can be used in massage, in baths and for inhalation, which cannot be done with incenses in the form of stick or cone.”
Having used essential oils for four years, Fiona Mok Ka Yan, a 19-year-old student, does not believe in their therapeutic effects, though she knows their properties.
“A friend of mind who was curious about aromatherapy, but did not dare to try, persuaded me to use essential oils,” said Fiona. “But I have never considered their therapeutic properties.
“I use them simply because the scent makes me feel relaxed and creates a better feeling for me.”
Miss Fong said, “Unlike foreigners in Western countries, Hong Kong people simply use essential oils for relaxion.”
Miss Fong said that Hong Kong users neglect the therapeutic values of the oils.
“Others just like the scent, which makes their homes smell good.”
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Ways to use essential oils
By Cindy Mak
There are various ways to use essential oils, including vaporization, massage, bathing and inhalation, according to a shop assistant at an aroma company.
Using the oils in baths is a simple way. Add 8-10 drops in water for a bath. To disperse the oil throughout the water, dilute the oil in 1 teaspoon of milk.
For facial and body massages, add 4-5 drops of essential oil to 10ml of carrier oil. In vaporization, heat water in a candle-powered burner first. Then place 5-10 drops of essential oil into the warm water. Overheating should be avoided.
Inhalation can treat skin or cold and flu conditions. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil in a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head and inhale the vapor for a few minutes.
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