Essential Oils and Chinese Medicine

The increasing use of essential oils and aromatherapy in Traditional Chinese medicine is not just a trend, but a significant development in healthcare. These natural remedies are proving to be beneficial in uplifting mood, enhancing respiration, and preventing common cold symptoms. This growing awareness of their importance is a testament to their healing properties and their role in improving quality of life.

As practitioners rendering healthcare services, we must know this trend and educate ourselves on the best way to use essential oils and aromatherapy. Understanding essential oils and aromatherapy based on Chinese medicine is integral, especially for TCM practitioners.

Essential oils, often referred to as the jing or essence of plants, have a rich history in Chinese medicine. Their foundational nature allows them to not only alleviate physical complaints but also contribute to an individual's mental and spiritual development. This historical context is crucial in understanding the power of essential oils in treating a wide range of health disorders, either independently or as a supplement to acupuncture treatments. However, their most effective use is in conjunction with acupuncture sessions.

The application of essential oils and aromatherapy in TCM can be based on several classification and formulation systems. These include the law of five elemental associations: Yin and Yang, TCM functions, and channel affinity. Many essential oils have tasks that coincide with acupuncture points — this is one of the reasons that applying essential oils to specific points is so clinically effective, for example. Lavender and Palmarosa both have an affinity to Pericardium 6 as the oils calm the shen and open the chest. Another example is Roman Chamomile on Lv 8 to nourish the blood and Lv 13 to harmonize the spleen and stomach.

Lavender has a sweet and comforting aroma with a cooling effect on the nervous system. Lavender essential oil in Chinese Medicine is associated with the Lungs, Liver, and Pericardium. Two of the primary functions of lavender are to promote the smooth flow of Liver Qi and to have a calming effect on the Shen. Geranium also has a sweet and comforting aroma. Geranium has affinities to the Heart, Lungs, and Kidneys. Geranium is often used to calm the mind, relax the nervous system, and promote peace and grace.

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