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Aromatherapy Uses and Benefits

芳香療法的使用與好處[1]

What is aromatherapy?

什麼是芳香療法？

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health.

芳香療法是一種使用天然植物萃取物來促進身心健康的整全治療，有時又被稱為精油療法。芳香療法使用藥用芳香精油來改善身體、精神和心靈的健康。它可以增強生理上和精神上的健康。

Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science. Recently, aromatherapy has gained more recognition in the fields of science and medicine.

芳香療法被認為是一門藝術也是一門科學。最近它在科學與醫學界上取得的認可也更勝以往。

How long has aromatherapy been around?

芳香療法到底已經存在多久了？

Humans have used aromatherapy for thousands of years. Ancient cultures in China, India, Egypt, and elsewhere incorporated aromatic plant components in resins, balms, and oils. These natural substances were used for medical and religious purposes. They were known to have both physical and psychological benefits.

人類使用芳香療法已有數千年的歷史了。中國、印度、埃及和其他地區的古文明中就有在樹脂、香脂和油脂中加入芳香植物的記載。這些天然物質多被用於醫療和宗教的目的，而它們更以有益生理與心理健康而聞名。

Essential oils distillation is attributed to the Persians in the 10th century, though the practice may have been in use for a long time prior to this. Information about essential oil distillation was published in the 16th century in Germany. French physicians in the 19th century recognized the potential of essential oils in treating disease.

儘管精油蒸餾法可能早已被使用很久了，但蒸餾法的出現還是得歸功於10世紀的波斯人。不過相關的資料是到了16世紀才在德國發表。而法國的醫生更是到了19世紀才承認精油在治療疾病方面所具備的潛力。

Medical doctors became more established in the 19th century and focused on using chemical drugs. However, the French and German doctors still recognized the role of natural botanicals in treating illness.

19世紀時，醫學更為成熟，醫生多專注於使用化學藥物。不過，法國和德國的醫生仍然認可天然植物在疾病治療中的作用。

The term “aromatherapy” was coined by a French perfumer and chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé in a book he wrote on the topic that was published in 1937. He had previously discovered the healing potential of lavender in treating burns. The book discusses the use of essential oils in treating medical conditions.

「芳香療法」一詞是由一位叫做René-Maurice Gattefossé的法國調香師和化學家在所創造出來的，而這個說法就出現在他1937年所出版的一本關於該主題的書之中。早在先前治療燒傷時，他就已經發現了薰衣草的治療潛力，該書則是討論精油在疾病治療中的使用。

How does aromatherapy treatment work?

芳香療法是如何產生效果的？

Aromatherapy works through the sense of smell and skin absorption using products such as these:

芳香療法是透過使用以下的產品，經嗅覺和皮膚的吸收來產生作用：

• diffusers擴香機(香薰機)
• aromatic spritzers芳香噴霧器
• inhalers吸入器(聞香棒)
• bathing salts沐浴鹽
• body oils, creams, or lotions for massage or topical application

用於按摩或局部塗抹的身體按摩油、乳霜或乳液

• facial steamers蒸臉機
• hot and cold compresses冷熱布敷壓
• clay masks泥膜

You can use these alone or in any combination.

以上產品皆可單獨使用它們，也可以任意合併使用。

There are nearly one hundred types of essential oils available. Generally, people use the most popular oils.

精油的種類大概有近一百種可供選擇，不過一般來說，大多人多選用熱門精油。

Essential oils are available online, in health food stores, and in some regular supermarkets. It’s important to buy from a reputable producer since the oils aren’t regulated by the FDA. This ensures you’re buying a quality product that is 100 percent natural. It shouldn’t contain any additives or synthetic ingredients. 

精油可以在網路上、健康食品店和一些一般超市中購買到。由於精油並未受到FDA的管制，所以最好是從信譽良好的生產商那裡購買精油，才可以確保購買到的是100％純天然的優質產品。精油不應該含有任何添加劑或合成成分。

Each essential oil has an array of unique healing properties, uses, and effects. Combining essential oils to create a synergistic blend creates even more benefits.

每種精油都具有多種獨特的治療特性、用途和效果。結合使用不同的精油可以創造出混合增效的精油，帶來更多的好處。

Aromatherapy benefits

芳香療法的好處

Aromatherapy has an array of benefits. It’s said to:

芳香療法有多種好處。據說它能：

• manage pain  舒緩疼痛
• improve sleep quality  改善睡眠質量
• reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety 減輕壓力、激動的情緒和焦慮
• soothe sore joints 舒緩關節疼痛
• treat headaches and migraines   治療頭痛和偏頭痛
• alleviate side effects of chemotherapy     減輕化療的副作用
• ease discomforts of labor   緩解勞動的不適
• fight bacteria, virus, or fungus   對抗細菌、病毒或真菌
• improve digestion        促進消化
• improve hospice and palliative care 改善安寧緩和療護
• boost immunity    提高免疫力

Unproven claims

未經證實的說法

Scientific evidence for aromatherapy is considered to be limited in some areas. Research to support the use of aromatherapy in treating Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and heart disease is lacking.

在某些疾病領域上，芳香療法的科學證據仍然相當有限。目前仍缺少支持使用芳香療法治療阿茲海默症、帕金森氏症和心臟病的研究。

Conditions it may treat

可能可以治療的疾病

Aromatherapy has the potential to treat many conditions, including:

芳香療法有治療多種疾病的可能，包括：

• asthma    氣喘
• insomnia        失眠
• fatigue    疲勞
• depression     憂鬱症
• Inflammation        炎症
• peripheral neuropathy 周邊神經病變
• menstrual issues   月經問題
• alopecia 掉髮
• cancer    癌症
• erectile dysfunction     勃起功能障礙
• arthritis  關節炎
• menopause    停經

Most popular aromatherapy oils

最受歡迎的芳香精油

According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, the most popular essential oils are:

根據美國國家整體芳香療法協會(NAHA)，最熱門的精油為：

• clary sage快樂鼠尾草
• cypress絲柏
• eucalyptus尤加利
• fennel茴香
• geranium        天竺葵
• ginger生薑
• helichrysum永久花(蠟菊)
• lavender薰衣草
• lemon檸檬
• lemongrass檸檬草
• mandarin       橘子
• neroli橙花
• patchouli       廣藿香
• peppermint薄荷
• Roman chamomile       羅馬洋甘菊
• rose 玫瑰
• rosemary        迷迭香
• tea tree茶樹
• vetiver岩蘭草
• ylang ylang依蘭(伊蘭)

You can use essential oils in any number of ways. For example, add them to body lotions or carrier oils, and then apply them topically. Try enhancing a facial toner, shampoo, or conditioner with essential oils. Or incorporate them into liquid soap, toothpaste, or mouthwash. You can also diffuse or spritz the oils throughout a room or pour them into a bath.

精油有多種使用方式。例如，可以將精油加入乳液或基礎油(按摩油)中，然後塗抹在不同的身體部位，將精油加在爽膚水、洗髮精或潤髮乳中也不錯，或者加入液態皂、牙膏或漱口水中。也可以在房間內使用擴香機或噴霧器，或將它們倒入浴缸中。

Choosing a provider

選擇芳香療法師

You may wish to meet with a certified aromatherapist, especially when you’re first getting started with aromatherapy or if you have specific issues you’d like to address. You can find an aromatherapist by using an online directory. Or ask at a spa or yoga studio.

或許有人會想要找有經過認證的芳香療法師來進行芳香療法，特別是那些第一次接觸芳香療法或有特殊問題需要解決的人。可以透過線上名錄，或者詢問水療中心或瑜伽室來找芳香療法師。

During a consultation with an aromatherapist, you’ll answer questions and talk about your lifestyle and health. Together, you can come up with an individual treatment plan to meet your goals and manage your symptoms. You may have a few sessions with your aromatherapist, or you could decide to have ongoing sessions for a longer period of time.

在芳香療法師進行會診時，客戶得先回答一些問題，談談自身的生活方式和健康狀況，這樣才能制定出個人治療計畫，實現治療目標，控制病情。客戶可以選擇和芳香療法師進行數堂療程，或者也可以選擇進行長期療程。

Since aromatherapy is a complementary therapy, you should talk to your doctor before starting your sessions. That way your essential oil therapy can be tailored to work together with any medical care or treatment you’re receiving.

芳香療法只是一種輔助療法，所以在開始進行療程前應先諮詢醫生，這樣一來，才可以讓芳香療法與你正在接受的其他醫療護理或治療相互配合。

There’s plenty of information available online and in books if you wish to treat yourself at home. There are also courses you can take to learn more about aromatherapy.

若想在家中自己進行芳香療法，網路上和書籍中都有大量的資訊可供參考，甚至可以參加一些課程來了解更多關於芳香療法的資訊。

Side effects

副作用

Most essential oils are safe to use. But there are some precautions you should take when using them, as well as side effects you should be aware of, especially if you take any prescription medications.

大多數的精油都能放心的使用，不過使用時仍然需要採取一些預防措施並注意它們的副作用，特別是當有服用處方藥時更需注意。

Don’t apply essential oils directly to your skin. Always use a carrier oil to dilute the oils. Remember to do a skin patch test before using essential oils. Since citrus essential oils may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, these oils should be avoided if you’ll be exposed to sunlight.

不要直接將精油塗抹在皮膚上，一定要使用基礎油來稀釋。在使用精油之前記得先做皮膚斑貼試驗。柑橘類精油會使皮膚對陽光更加敏感，因此若使用後會曬到太陽，應該避免使用這類的精油。

Children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should use essential oils with caution and under the supervision of a doctor. You should avoid some oils and never swallow essential oils.

兒童、孕婦或處於哺乳期間的婦女應在醫生的監督下謹慎使用精油，有些精油應避免使用，且千萬別吞食任何精油。

Side effects of using essential oils include:

使用精油的副作用包括：

• rashes     疹子
• asthma attacks      氣喘病發作
• headaches      頭痛
• allergic reactions  過敏反應
• skin irritation        皮膚刺激
• nausea    反胃噁心

Use essential oils with caution if you have:

若有以下的情形，請謹慎使用精油：

• hay fever       花粉熱
• asthma    氣喘
• epilepsy 癲癇
• high blood pressure     高血壓
• eczema   濕疹
• psoriasis        乾癬

Takeaway

重點

As you explore the uses of essential oils, pay attention to how the different oils and methods of use affect you.

在探尋精油的各種用途時，要注意不同的精油和使用方法會對使用者產生的各種影響。

Always talk to your doctor before starting any aromatherapy treatment. Remember that aromatherapy is meant to be a complementary therapy. It’s not meant to replace any doctor-approved treatment plan.

在開始進行芳香療法前，請務必諮詢醫生。請注意，芳香療法只是一種輔助療法，它無法取代任何經由醫生批准的治療計劃。