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History of Aroma Therapy
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The word "Aromatherapy" can be divided into two words, "aroma" meaning fragrance and "therapy" meaning treatment. Flowers, plants and their essences have been used for relaxation, healing and energy for as far back as 18,000 B.C.

Aromatherapy is reputed to be at least 6000 years old and was used by the ancient civilizations of India, Egypt and China. The Egyptians used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants that were used for medicinal, cosmetic and embalming purposes.

Slowly but surely the knowledge of essential oils spread far and wide. Traders, physicians, chemists and doctors all learnt the importance of essential oils. Experiments were carried out to provide us with aromatherapy, as we know it today.

Using essential oils stimulates the mind and body. Each essential oil contains properties that can have subtle effects on the mind, body and emotions.

Benefits of Aromatherapy

When essential oils are inhaled correctly into the lungs they offer psychological and physical benefits. The aroma of the natural essential oil stimulates the brain to trigger a reaction and the natural constituents of the essential oils when inhaled provide physical benefits.

Apart from the benefits referred to above, essential oils also act as a natural repellent and pesticide.

Names of a few essential oils with their properties

Bergamot
This oil is used in clinics to treat depression. Bergamot relaxes the brain when sniffed. It is cooling, refreshing and calming. It helps in insomnia, releases stress and helps to deal with anxiety. It reduces the feeling of pain in the body. Bergamot Oil must be protected from sunlight. Bergaptene, one of its components, becomes poisonous if exposed to sunlight. That is why it should be stored in dark bottles in dark places. Even exposure to sunlight should be avoided after it is applied or rubbed on skin.

Cardamom
Cardamom is fresh and spicy. It encourages concentration, straightforwardness, confidence and courage. Cardamom Oil has a warming effect. This effect heats up the body, promote sweating, helps clear toughened cough and also gives relief in cold.

Cypress
Cypress is said to stimulate skin circulation, therefore it is used in massage blends to tone the muscles of the body. It is also very useful for cellulite, sore throat, varicose veins, muscle cramps, rheumatism, arthritis, stress and nervous tension. It also gives a happy feeling in cases of anger or sadness. This property can be helpful to pacify people who suffered a shock or setback in life.

Eucalyptus Lemon
A soothing and calming oil with a strong sedative effect, eucalyptus lemon is used for muscle and joint aches, it is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Apart from this, it is also a powerful antiseptic, used for athletes foot, and fungal infections. It is useful to use for a massage when a client is on the verge of getting a cold. Eucalyptus oil is also used as a fragrance component to impart a fresh and clean aroma in soaps, detergents, lotions and perfumes.

Fennel Sweet
Fennel sweet has a scent that is warm and slightly sweet. It is used for digestive, nausea and colic complaints. This oil also helps to keep the body and mind calm and free of stress and tension. This oil is best avoided in pregnancy. In old traditions, fennel seed is known to bring long life, bravery and power. It is also known to ward-off of evil spirits. It was commonly used for witchcraft during the Middle Ages. In India, fennel seeds are offered after meals, as it is known to aid in digestion.

Helichrysum
This oil is one of the most ancient and valuable. It opens the heart and connects the body and spirit. Helichrysum is used for healing scar tissue, old or new. It is also very effective for joint pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This oil is also anti-inflammatory with analgesic and pain reducing effects. This oil helps one detox from alcohol, drugs, and nicotine, releasing the body and mind from addictive patterns.

Jasmine Sambac
Jasmine is an antidepressant and aphrodisiac. Romantic and sensual, this oil bolsters confidence and optimism. It is helpful for anxiety, fear and panic. It is musky, spicy, mysterious and exotic.

Peppermint
Peppermint is used for a host of problems like nausea, indigestion, headaches, liver problems and inflammation. Since peppermint is anti-spasmodic, it is used in massage for sports injuries. It is stimulating to the mind and provides mental concentration and memory. Pregnant women in their 1st trimester, small children and those with high blood pressure should avoid peppermint. Inhale peppermint oil before a workout to boost your mood and reduce fatigue.

Vocabulary

Nouns (imenice):	Verbs (glagoli):
fragrance – aroma, miris treatment –lečenje essence – esencija infusion – infuzija lung – plućno krilo constituent – sastojak repellent – sredstvo za zaštitu od insekata bergamot – bergamot insomnia – nesanica anxiety – anksioznost, nervoza cardamom – kardamom cypress - čempres blend – mešavina, smesa cramp – grč tension – tenzija, napetost joint – zglob ache – bol verge – ivica, rub fennel sweet – slatka mirođija nausea – gađenje, muka scent – miris tissue – tkivo indigestion – loše varenje, loša probava inflammation – upala varicose veins – proširene vene embalming – balzamovanje host – veliki broj setback – neuspeh bravery - hrabrost digestion – varenje pattern – uzorak, oblik fatigue – umor	heal – lečiti be reputed – biti čuven extract – izvaditi, izvući spread – raširiti trigger – aktivirati, izazvati sniff – šmrkati encourage – ohrabriti bolster – podupreti, učvrstiti embalm – namirisati, parfimisati rub – protrljati promote – proizvesti toughen – pojačati pacify – umiriti, smiriti impart – pružati, davati ward off - odbiti
Adjectives and adverbs (pridevi i prilozi):	Prepositions and conjunctions (predlozi i veznici):
subtle – suptilan, fin spicy – začinjen, pikantan varicose – proširen soothing – umirujući, ublažujući digestive – koji olakšava varenje musky - mošusni	-

Synonyms

Nouns (imenice):	Verbs (glagoli):
fragrance – scent, smell, perfume treatment – care, medical care, nursing essence – concentrate, extract, elixir, tincture, distillate infusion – injection, introduction, insertion constituent – component, element, ingredient insomnia – sleeplessness, restlessness, wakefulness anxiety – uneasiness, concern, care, worry, doubt, tension blend – mixture, cross, mix, combination, compound cramp – spasm, pain, ache, contraction, pang tension – strain, stress, nervousness, pressure, anxiety ache – pain verge – border, edge, margin nausea – disgust, distaste, sickness scent – fragrance, perfume, aroma indigestion – stomach upset, upset stomach inflammation – swelling, soreness, burning, heat, sore setback – defeat bravery – courage, nerve, daring digestion – ingestion pattern – model, design, example fatigue – tiredness, lethargy	hheal – cure, remedy extract – obtain, take out, distil, squeeze out, draw out trigger – bring about, start, cause sniff – inhale, snuff encourage – stimulate bolster – support, help, aid, maintain, boost, strengthen embalm – preserve, mummify rub – polish, clean, shine, wipe, scour promote – develop toughen – harden, strengthen pacify – calm down, soften impart – give, pass on ward off – avoid
Adjectives and adverbs (pridevi i prilozi):	Prepositions and conjunctions (predlozi i veznici):
subtle – delicate spicy – aromatic, savoury soothing – calming, relaxing, peaceful, quiet, calm, restful	-

Antonyms

Nouns (imenice):	Verbs (glagoli):
fragrance –odor, stink treatment – disease, injury essence – stink constituent – whole insomnia – relaxation, sleep anxiety – peacefulness blend – natural element cramp – comfort, ease tension – calmness, ease ache – health, happiness verge – center, inside nausea – approval, fondness, love scent – odor, stink host – guest, visitor setback – achievement bravery - cowardice, weakness fatigue – energy, liveliness	heal – damage, destroy extract – give spread – end trigger – destroy, end encourage – discourage, annoy bolster – block, obstruct promote – block, cease toughen – soften pacify – upset, anger, worry impart – hold, keep
Adjectives and adverbs (pridevi i prilozi):	Prepositions and conjunctions (predlozi i veznici):
subtle – ignorant, stupid spicy – distasteful, tasteless soothing – upsetting

Nouns (imenice):

Verbs (glagoli):

fragrance –odor, stink

treatment – disease, injury

essence – stink

constituent – whole

insomnia – relaxation, sleep

anxiety – peacefulness

blend – natural element

cramp – comfort, ease

tension – calmness, ease

ache – health, happiness