Aromatherapy in China

Aromatherapy, a key feature in Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for hundreds of years. CHI finds out more about the ancient alternative therapy.

The popularity of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is arguably at an all-time high these days, and many expatriates and foreigners living in China are eagerly exploring the various different therapies and treatments available right at their doorstep. One of the most highly regarded forms of TCM is aromatherapy, and today we take a close look at the background of this treatment, what is involved, and the health benefits it provides.

Contrary to popular opinion, aromatherapy is believed to have first originated in ancient Egypt roughly 6000 years ago. The Romans and Greeks of that time were also experimenting with oils and fragrances, while Chinese historians as well claim that their ancestors had begun extracting oils and herbal fragrances for medicinal purposes at that time. Chinese historians also point to a number of texts and other literature from the period which includes detailed information on plants found throughout China and of their medical qualities. In addition to their healing properties, aromatic oils were also combined with incense and fire for use in religious ceremonies, a tradition which has continued in China through to the present day.

Chinese medicine is based on the principles of Yin and Yang, and they are described as two distinct forces within every person that are constantly interchanging and evolving with each other. An individual’s Yin and Yang must align and complement each other to help ensure that person remains healthy and full of vigor. Probing even further, practitioners of TCM believe that Yin is the force of the body that promotes and regulates relaxation, sleep and body temperature. Yang, on the other hand, is the force that energizes the body, controls the immune system and helps our hair, skin and teeth regrow. An aromatherapist will look for deficiencies in either the Yin or Yang of a patient before recommending a certain selection of oils and herbal treatments.

So, how does aromatherapy work? After the aromatherapist has ascertained what treatment is required, they will draft a list of oils and herbal remedies which may be used individually or together, to help create an atmosphere that is designed to relax the body and help it regenerate. Typically, the oils are added to hot water and placed in a large bath into which the patient will lie for a period of time. As the patient relaxes in the bath, soothing background music is usually played to further increase the sense of calm. In addition to this general form of aromatherapy, the treatment can also be used together with other forms of TCM, such as Chinese massage or acupuncture. Some health centers in China will provide a treatment of aromatherapy prior to a course of acupuncture, or they may decide to use aromatic oils to massage the patient.

Another form of aromatherapy treatment is the simple inhalation of aromatic oils and fragrances during a period of forced relaxation. This form of treatment does not require the patient to strip off and lie in a bath; they can just sit or lie in the room, fully clothed, and inhale the various fragrances on offer. The oils are usually heated using a candle diffuser and the fragrance can remain fresh and in the room for a lengthy period of time. This form of aromatherapy is popular with people who simply want a standard one hour treatment session to help alleviate stress, or to provide some much needed relaxation. Many small aromatherapy centers will offer clients inhalation treatment, while larger health centers or spas can offer the full bath and inhalation treatment.

What health benefits can be achieved from aromatherapy? Aromatherapy works by invigorating the smell receptors in the nose, which in turn send messages through the nervous system to the part of the brain that controls emotions - the limbic system. While there remains much debate about the actual health benefits aromatherapy can provide, there are some definite links between a series of treatments and reductions in stress, anxiety and depression. Many aromatherapy specialists will state that their aims are essentially about helping an individual relax and improve their wellbeing, and not about providing any direct medical relief. A series of studies has shown that aromatherapy provides little or no relief against infections, viruses or other illnesses, and as such, it should not be considered as a treatment that will actually fight illness or other ailments.