Aromatherapy can be viewed as another part of plant medicine and as such an extension to herbal medicine, but there are some important differences. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are highly concentrated extracts from the plants, while herbal medicine uses infusions, decoctions (both involve putting the plant in hot water) or tinctures (which use alcohol). This means that the plant products used in herbalism are not only less concentrated, but may actually contain different chemicals than the oils used in aromatherapy. Generally, herbal medicines are more appropriate for internal use, while essential oils are more effective on the mind and mood. Essential oils are concentrated and best applied externally, for example research has shown a greater effect on the digestive system for oils inhaled rather than ingested.
Aromatherapy is powerful in aiding the healing process because of its psychological effects, and so will often be used in conjunction with other therapies. An aromatherapist will refer someone to other therapists as required, and often work in clinics which offer several therapies in the same location.
Aromatherapy is increasingly practised in conventional hospitals and referral to an aromatherapist is now possible on the N.H.S. (the UK's state health service).
Holism has developed beyond the idea of treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, to encompass an approach to health aimed at mobilising a person's innate capacity for self-healing.
It is useful to regard a healthy individual as one in balance - both internally in the body systems, mind and spirit and externally with the environment. When we lose this balance, it's up to us to find it again, and enlist the help we want from doctors, aromatherapists, psychotherapists, herbalists or whoever we need. Despite the modern cult of experts, it's still our responsibility. There are many different healing techniques available, often apparently contradictory - but it's this variety that allows you to find what you need to aid your self-healing process which may well be different for your neighbour or grandmother.
Our modern western culture has developed a just-fix-it approach to problems, which has led to some remarkable achievements in engineering and medicine - but there is a tendency to throw resources at a "problem" without stopping to look at the big picture. People who sneer at and dismiss complementary therapies are missing the point - but so is anyone who denies themselves access to the powerful diagnostic, surgical, and biochemical tools available to modern medicine.
