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Good Oil or Snake Oil - A Brief Look At Aromatherapy By RUSSELL POLLARD Although the word aromatherapy was coined by a Frenchman, Professor Gattefosse, at the end of the nineteenth century, the use of oils to promote well-being supposedly dates back to the dawn of human civilisation. And rather than fading into history in the face of advances in modern medicine, aromatherapy, which can be defined as the controlled use of oils to maintain good health and to revitalise the body, mind and spirit [Price] seems to have made a significant resurgence. Small, somewhat expensive, bottles of oils have proliferated everywhere from the supermarket to pharmacies. And we now receive regular inquiries at the Foundation from people wanting to know which ones are suitable or unsuitable for people with epilepsy. For the person with a keen interest in this area of complementary therapy there are many books available on the subject as well as a great many sites on the internet. Expert, in person, advice is rather more difficult to find. An increasingly large number of people, possessing what could only be described as minimal training, use and promote these oils in their work. Beauticians, masseurs, gurus behind the counters in some health food stores and the folk sitting all day at the Sunday markets - all have something to say about their efficacy. There is no doubt that these oils have particular properties which act on both the body and the brain. And while the sense of smell has continued to be crucial in the lives of many animals, its importance has arguably diminished over time for human beings. And yet it does remain important. Smells are often evocative of memories and emotions. Some smells promote relaxation and can help people attain calmness and even restful sleep. Others promote alertness. For some people certain smells promote a sense of general harmony and well-being. There are also people for whom the smells of these oils are quite unpleasant. A person suffering the onslaught of a migraine, for example, would very probably find them particularly disturbing. Oils also have other properties. Just a few examples. Lavender and cedarwood oils are both surprisingly good for treating acne. Tea tree and bergamot are great for cold sores. And we all know that eucalyptus can help with the temporary relief of the symptoms of a stuffy nose. I was surprised to learn that patchouli oil is not only good for evoking memories of my days at university, it is also an effective treatment for tinea. Different oils have different properties. Some are antiseptic, some are astringent. They can both stimulate and depress the appetite [aperitif oils], relax the stomach [carminative oils], stimulate circulation and help rid the body of toxins [detoxifying oils]. The list goes on. They are usually used by mixing a few drops with water in an oil burner to release their scents, but they can also be combined with what are called "carrier oils" [such as avocado, sweet almond, jojoba or grapeseed oil], for use in a relaxing or therapeutic massage. Some can be applied, in small amounts and with appropriate care, directly to the skin. As stress is abundant in modern living and a major cause of ill health, it makes good sense to pursue practices which promote relaxation and balance and which reduce stress. And it is here that essential oils are perhaps at their most useful for people with epilepsy. It is critical to keep in mind that essential oils are not a substitute for anti-epileptic medications nor for any drugs prescribed for any serious illness, disorder or disease. Information on the excellent internet site of the National Society for Epilepsy in the United Kingdom tells us that research into the use of aromatherapy in people with epilepsy has shown that ylang ylang, chamomile and lavender can be helpful. Shirley Price, a fellow of the International Society of Professional Aromatherapists, would caution us that many of the cautions which people are given with regard to aromatherapy oils are often out of context or greatly exaggerated. Indeed it is abundantly clear that almost any therapeutic substance which is abused or misused will cause problems - and she goes to a good deal of effort to caution us against advice from those who are poorly or minimally trained. Classes in aromatherapy are available in Australia. You can also access longer accredited certificate and even diploma courses - though you may find yourself studying massage, reflexology, acupressure, shiatsu and osteopathy, and possibly some other therapies which are often - though not always - included as a part of aromatherapy programs. This can of course be problematic in that an interest in aromatherapy is not necessarily an interest in other alternative therapies. Holistic medicine is a broad church, so to speak, and delving into it can lead you to such areas as past life therapy, rebirthing or psychic readings. Even though each of these things may be seen to have great merit by some people they stretch the limits of credibility for most of us. In seeking advice from an aromatherapist it is important to also find out the level of training they have undertaken. In Australia aromatherapy training seems all too often to be a relatively small part of more generalised training in complementary and alternative medicines - or in retail sales promotion. Aromatherapists come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some, however, are very well trained. The point is, you are entitled to find out whether the person dispensing advice is well trained and accredited before you actually take their advice. The Foundation features speakers with expertise in a variety of complementary therapies in our Annual Training Calendar. These evenings are usually well attended, with highly reputable and reliably informative speakers present. When buying oils it is important to buy pure oils, that is, oils which you can trust have not been diluted or handled in anything other than conditions prescribed by the Therapeutic Goods Act [1989]. Some of the oils which can be purchased cheaply are of dubious origin and are possibly not true to their botanical name and plant species nor are they likely to be the pure natural and unadulterated essential oils that you would wish to use. If you wish to try aromatherapy, all kinds of advice is available. Your local pharmacist may have both oils and written materials for sale. Try searching +Australia aromatherapy on the internet for all kinds of useful information. A colleague once quipped that if you are faced with difficult seizures at four in the morning you would be better advised to call a doctor than an aromatherapist. And while most of us would agree, the pursuit of wellness is a broader issue and aromatherapy might well play a valuable part in your own pursuit of wellness. A final word. Where there is a dollar to be made, there will be people eager to make it. The slide from "good oil" to "snake oil" is a slippery one. Be cautious. Proceed slowly and don't spend a fortune. Try a few oils. Seek qualified, expert advice. Make your own informed judgements. Enjoy the learning experience as well as the scents and other properties of aromatic oils, and you may very well gain the knowledge and experience to improve your general health and well-being. Some essential oils can be toxic if taken internally, can cause mild to extreme skin irritation, and some, such as camphor, eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary, should not be used by people currently taking certain homeopathic medicines. Some, such as basil, clary sage, jasmine and ylang ylang can cause a reverse effect if taken excessively. Although this list was compiled from a wide range of reputable sources, it is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified aromatherapist. Not all oils with the same common name are in fact the same. For instance, a terpenless or folded version of an oil is more concentrated than a complete version of the same oil. A good deal of research still remains to be undertaken. Oils are contraindicated by the following situations E = Epilepsy     H = High Blood Pressure     S = Sun Sensitivity   P = Pregnancy     I = Skin Irritant   N = Not to be used internally Aniseed Basil PI Bergamot SI Camphor EHPI Cardamom Cedarwood PI Chamomile P [early stages] Cinnamon Bark I Cinnamon Leaf PI [Extreme] Clary Sage EP Clove PI Coriander Cumin Seed S Cypress SP Eucalyptus N Fennel EPI Frankincense Geranium I Ginger I Hyssop EHPN Jasmine Absolute P [early stages] Juniper Berry P Lavender I Lemon SI Lemon Grass I Lime [Distilled] S Mandarin Marjoram P Myrrh P Nutmeg PI Orange SI [Bitter & Sweet] Patchouli Peppermint PI Pine Needle I Rose Absolute P Rose Geranium I Rosemary EHP Rosewood Sage EHP Sandalwood N Spearmint Spikenard Tangerine Tarragon P Tea Tree HPI Thyme EHP [Extreme] Ylang Ylang I The following oils have been banned for therapeutic use by the International Federation of Aromatherapists [IFA] because of their known or suspected toxicity: Aniseed, Bitter Almond, Boldo Leaf, Brown and Yellow Camphor, Calamus, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Costus, Dwarf Pine, Elecampane, Bitter Fennel, Horseradish, Hyssop, Jaborandi Leaf, Mugwort [Armoise], Mustard, Oreganum, Pennyroyal, Rue, Sage, Sassafras, Savin, Savory, Southernwood, Tansy, Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormseed, Wormwood.