Question:

Hello, its easy to access many lists of essential oils and what they are reputed to be good for, and likewise lists of ailments along with recomended aromatherapy treatments. There is much shared knowledge which on the whole seems to be consistent, But can anyone point me to where I can read where scientific case studies have been carried out? Is there any science base to aromatherapy or is it an instinctive art? Like herbal medicine, where treatments seem to work, and we only know because hundreds of generations have been finding out by trial and error.  Basically I need solid facts. Are there any? Martin Stansfield von Porque-Pantyfedwyn 2 Stoke Doyle, Near Oundle Peterborough, PE8 5TJ England Tel:+44 (0)1832 274 352                Fax:+44 (0)1832 274 392 Cell+44 (0)411 022 821

Response:

> Hello, its easy to access many lists of essential oils and what they are > reputed to be good for, and likewise lists of ailments along with recomended > aromatherapy treatments. There is much shared knowledge which on the whole > seems to be consistent, > But can anyone point me to where I can read where scientific case studies > have been carried out? Is there any science base to aromatherapy or is it an > instinctive art? Like herbal medicine, where treatments seem to work, and we > only know because hundreds of generations have been finding out by trial and > error. >  Basically I need solid facts. Are there any?

Frankly, no there are not any facts. They are all a confidence trick to separate silly people from their money. Oils smell  nice, make you feel good, therefore will cure you. Urk! The one thing you will NOT find about any of these alternative cures are medically accepted facts. You will just find a stream of anacdotes: it cured me therefore it must work. See my comments here a few days ago on colloidal silver. http://kitsrus.com/pheo.html Cancer & Tumor Information site

Response:

Basically there are no scientifically based  case studies available that I know of. Aromatherapy works on the absorption of essential elements into the system. What these elements do is to trigger a reaction in either our hormones or our adrenal glands. Consider for a moment – headaches are basically a result of a reaction to excessive amounts of stress in the system (I’m not talking about eustress – the good stuff). The traditional aromatheraputic response to this would be the inhalation of Lavander oil.  What this lavander does is to block a neural impulse (fight/flight) therefore lowering the amount of adrenalin going into the system.  The lowering of the amount of adrenalin also lowers the amount of stress being felt, therefore lowering the effect of what is commonly refered to as a headache. Have I Lost you yet?  :) Maria

Response: