Aromatherapy - an Ayurvedic View

The use of essential oils and aromatherapy has long been a part of Ayurvedic medicine. It is viewed as a supplementary therapy, to be used in conjunction with dietary balancing, constitutional treatments and the inner work, healing of the mind, and meditation that is at the core of Ayurvedic healing.

Essential oils were perhaps first recognised for their mood altering and mood enhancing effects. The use of fragrant oils to calm the mind, to promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing and to enhance meditation stretches far back in the history of India and other countries. Incense is found in almost every temple and place of worship and meditation throughout Asia, as it is thought to improve concentration in meditation due to its calming and balancing effects, and to clear the air of unwanted negative energy and influences.

To understand the use of Aromatherapy as it is used in Ayurveda, one must first understand that, therapeutically speaking, it belongs to the earth element. The earth element is a big subject, but in brief it is our most solid connection to the earth, our sense of balance, belonging, home and security. On a physical level it is our bones, tissues, ligaments, and structure. Earth physically ‘contains’ the other elements and literally tethers our existence on the physical plane.

Earth element imbalances include instability and lack of ‘groundedness’, nervousness, lack of connection, a sense of not belonging. It also manifests as lack of flexibility as the body hardens due to fear and resistance to change. Crystallizations such as kidney stones, gallstones, constipation and arthritis are expressions of earth element imbalance.

Fragrance is from the earth. It is the subtle expression of the earth element and can be used to uplift and purify the earth element so that it can express it’s highest potential of providing a solid and safe foundation from which to build our lives. Essential oils help us to clear the mind of negative thoughts and emotions that generate feelings of fear and insecurity. They strengthen the immune system, providing us with protection from unwanted outside influences. They clear negative emotions while increasing positive emotions such as feelings of security, love, joy and connectedness. They help us to focus our mind so that we are able to work creatively and productively.

Ayurveda also esteems essential oils for the large amount of Prana, life force, which they bestow upon us. As they activate the balanced movement of energy, Prana is enhanced, which moves through and breaks up resistance and obstructions to healing on all levels. Thus, essential oils are seen as a treatment for all disease, within the context of a complete healing regimen.

The use of Aromatherapy in Ayurvedic medicine is a wonderful course of study, with a rich and ancient history of use. Following is a brief introduction to the use of essential oils in balancing the three humors of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

VATA: Conditions of this humor include feelings of anxiety, fear, and ‘lack’, as if there is not enough of what they want or need and that they must fight for their ‘piece of the pie’. Insomnia is a common complaint.

Warming oils that are pleasant and not to stimulating are best. Basil, cinnamon, frankincense, lotus flower, plumeria, rose and sandalwood are the best oils for this type. Cinnamon can be stimulating and should be balanced with a calming oil such as sandalwood.

PITTA: Conditions of this humor include feelings of irritability, anger, feelings of injustice and righteousness and internal mental conflict. This type has a warm complexion, and hot loose bowel movements and high blood pressure are common complaints.

Calm, cooling and pleasant oils made from flowers are best. Champak, gardenia, honeysuckle, iris, lavender, lemon grass, lily, rose, saffron, sandalwood and vetivert are the best oils for this type.

KAPHA: Conditions of this humor include depression and sluggish thought processes. This type can be intensely resistant to new or different experiences or people and change. They can be strongly caught by the idea that what they ‘see’ is all that there is. Weight gain, lymphatic disorders and depression are common complaints.

Hot, spicy oils are best and you should avoid oils that increase Kapha such as sweet flowers, rose and plumeria, and too much sandalwood. Camphor, cedar, cinnamon, cloves, frankincense, myrrh, sage, and thyme are all good oils for this type.