Aromatherapy According to Ayurveda

Fr om the earliest stages of human history, people have been familiar with the healing power of plants. Although they did not yet understand how they worked, they intuitively sensed that an unpleasant smell could indicate something harmful or decaying, while pleasant aromas attracted them and sent signals to the body on an instinctive level, rooted in nature itself. Beginning with ancient priests who used plants in their practices, the tradition of herbal medicine gradually developed over the centuries.

Today, this tradition drives the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Enormous resources are invested in research and in the production of creams, essential oils, balms, and many other products. Billions of dollars are spent on advertising and distribution. Thanks to the development of online commerce, people can now purchase and use this wide variety of products thousands of kilometres away fr om wh ere the original plants were harvested.

However, there are still places around the world wh ere methods of using medicinal plants have remained almost unchanged for thousands of years. India is one such place. With the arrival of Arab conquerors in ancient Indian lands, the art of distillation reached a new level. Methods of producing essential oils introduced by the conquerors, together with even more ancient techniques, are still practised in India today.

There is a legend that an Indian ruler, preparing for a grand celebration, ordered a canal near his palace to be covered with rose petals. When the celebration was over, people noticed that the surface of the water was covered with a thin layer of rose essence. This is said to be how rose oil was discovered. It is still widely used in the beauty industry today, wh ere it is valued for cleansing the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and helping with dermatitis.

Treatment with essential oils is one of the areas used in Ayurveda. Oils can be extracted from different parts of a plant. Wood and bark are often considered stimulating, while flowers are associated with relaxing and sleep-supporting effects. Roots, as a concentration of many nourishing substances, are valued for their strengthening properties.

In Ayurveda, oils are classified according to their energetic qualities, including warming and cooling properties, but these are not the only factors taken into consideration.

Their moisture and dryness are also important. The cooling and warming properties of oils have long been recognised not only in ancient Indian culture. Other cultures have also actively used oils in everyday life. Chamomile oil, considered cooling in its properties, has traditionally been used for soothing and cooling and was also popular among Slavic peoples.

As an experiment, fill a bathtub with water and add a small amount of chamomile oil. On a hot day, this can be a refreshing way to cool down. Thyme oil, also known as common thyme or “Bogorodskaya grass,” is a good example of a warming oil. In Russia, it was traditionally used for colds, low spirits, and as a pain-relieving remedy.

When a small amount of thyme essential oil is rubbed into the skin, a person may soon experience a sensation of warmth spreading through the body. Between hot and cold oils there is a small group of neutral oils. When the body temperature rises, they can help cool the body; in cases of burns, they may help soothe discomfort and support the healing process.

In cases of frostbite or severe exposure to cold, they may have a warming effect. Lavender is an example of such a “balancing” oil — it is traditionally regarded as a means of bringing an unstable system back towards equilibrium.

An Ayurvedic practitioner will sel ect the essential oil most appropriate for an individual, taking into account not only its energetic qualities but also its moisture or dryness. These qualities can be explored through a simple experiment.

When added to water, dry oils, such as pine oil, form a film on the surface, whereas moist oils distribute more evenly through the water. In chemical terminology, these properties are associated with lipophilic and hydrophilic behaviour, respectively.

In Brian Miller’s book Aromatherapy fr om an Ayurvedic Perspective, a simple table is used to illustrate the relationship between these qualities and specific examples.

For the purposes of this article, we have simplified the table as much as possible. However, by adding more herbs and plants, it can become a useful tool for working with the balance of the doshas — the individual constitutional types described in Ayurveda.

Properties of oils	Hot	Neutral	Cold
Moist	Clove, Rose	Lavender	Lemongrass
Dry	Pine	Basil	German Chamomile

Methods of using essential oils:

• fragrancing rooms (aroma lamps, incense sticks, aroma stones);
• inhalations (cold and steam);
• aromatic baths;
• massage and rubbing;
• compresses and wraps;
• use as an ingredient in cosmetic products;
• internal use (with honey or sugar);
• gargling.

Essential oils are certainly natural products. When people see such a label on a package, they may assume that it is impossible to harm themselves with a natural product. This is a misconception.

Before using essential oils, consult a healthcare professional. Pay attention to how your body responds.

Be extremely cautious with internal use, and preferably avoid this method altogether in favour of safer approaches. If essential oils are taken internally, they should never be used undiluted and should only be taken in an appropriate diluted form.

Children require especially low concentrations, and infants under three years of age require particular caution and professional supervision.

Although allergic reactions are relatively uncommon, they are still possible. Individual sensitivity may lead to skin reactions, swelling of the airways, or even burns. It is not recommended to sunbathe or use a tanning bed for at least 24 hours after applying essential oils, especially citrus oils such as bergamot, grapefruit, lime, and orange.

Follow the recommended dosages provided in the instructions for use. Even water can be harmful when consumed in excessive amounts.

During pregnancy, essential oils should be used with great caution. Some essential oil constituents may cross the placenta and potentially affect the developing fetus. If aromatherapy is used during pregnancy, it should be done only under appropriate professional guidance.

Vata Imbalance

Vata is light, dry, and mobile by nature. According to the Ayurvedic principle of opposites, Vata is generally balanced by oils that are moist, heavy, and warming.

However, there are important nuances. Two types of disturbances associated with Vata can be distinguished: obstruction and deficiency.

Obstruction refers to the blockage of channels by waste products and toxins (ama). Vata-type deficiency occurs when an excess of Vata is accompanied by weight loss and dehydration.

In cases of obstruction, the following oils may be useful: ajwain, calamus, coriander, cinnamon, cumin, red and black pepper, sandalwood, clary sage, and saffron. This group of oils should not be used continuously. Excessive use may shift the condition from Vata obstruction towards dehydration and loss of vitality.

In cases of Vata deficiency, nourishing herbs that support tissue restoration are recommended. Plants traditionally regarded as rejuvenating and aphrodisiac may be useful, including aloe.

Tonic oils include calamus, brahmi, jasmine, frankincense, myrrh, rose, triphala, and saffron.

Pitta Imbalance

Pitta is hot and moist. To calm it, cooling, soothing, and drying oils are traditionally recommended.

Cooling oils that are also regarded as supportive for emotional and mental balance include immortelle, brahmi, jasmine, St. John’s wort, lavender, lemon balm, German chamomile, sandalwood, and fennel.

For reducing heat during states of agitation and fever, traditionally used oils and plants include marigold, immortelle, jasmine, lime, neroli, henna, and champa.

Kapha Imbalance

Kapha consists of the elements of water and earth. Its nature is cold, moist, slow, and heavy.

For preventing and addressing Kapha-type imbalances, warming, drying, and stimulating substances are traditionally preferred. The aim is to prevent stagnation and encourage movement within the body.

Diuretic herbs may help reduce fluid retention. These include ajwain, coriander, lemongrass, parsley, and fennel.

Stimulating herbs traditionally used to support digestive fire include anise, clove, mustard, oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, red pepper, and black pepper.

Kapha types are considered particularly prone to upper respiratory congestion. In traditional Ayurvedic aromatherapy, oils and herbs associated with supporting expectoration and the elimination of mucus include orange peel, clove, hibiscus, St. John’s wort, ginger, cardamom, bay leaf, garlic, and sage.

Essential oils are another tool traditionally used to support health, vitality, and longevity. Simple to use and increasingly accessible, they can complement many conventional approaches to wellbeing.

Having travelled through centuries, the knowledge preserved in Ayurvedic tradition continues to attract interest today. However, when using traditional recipes and methods, remember that every person is unique and may respond differently. Pay attention to your individual response and do not neglect consultation with qualified specialists.

Stay healthy.