Skip to main content
  • Individuals
    • Individuals
    • Business
    • Adviser
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Claims
    • AIA Vitality Member Login
  • Search
  • AIA Australia
  • Health Insurance
    • Member Benefits
    • Member Login
    • Get a quote
    • Make a claim
  • Life Insurance
    • Life Cover
    • Total and Permanent Disablement
    • Crisis Recovery
    • Income Protection
    • Business Expenses
    • Make a claim
    • Medix
  • AIA Vitality
    • Partners and Rewards
    • Already a member? Login
  • Content Hub
    • Move Well
    • Plan Well
    • Eat Well
    • Think Well
  • Help & Support
    • Making a Claim
    • Form Library
    • Policyholder Information
    • Complaints process
    • Contact AIA
    • Customer feedback
    • COVID-19
    • Part 9
  • Covid-19 Response
    • Claims and Medical Support
    • Applying for Life Cover
    • COVID-19 FAQs
AIA
  • Individuals
  • Business
  • Adviser
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Claims
  • AIA Vitality Member Login
  • Health Insurance

    Health Insurance

    Cover that protects and rewards.

    • Member Benefits

      Learn more about the range of benefits available to AIA Health Insurance members.

    • Member Login

      Existing members login here to your online account.

    • Get a quote

      Ready to get started?

    • Make a claim

      Get help with making a claim.

  • Life Insurance

    Life Insurance

    We’re here to help protect your family, your lifestyle and your future.

    For Individuals

    For Business

    • Life Cover

      Helps protect your loved ones if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or pass away.

    • Total and Permanent Disablement

      A lump sum benefit if you're no longer able to work due to an injury or illness.

    • Crisis Recovery

      Helps ease the financial burden should you suffer a traumatic event.

    • Income Protection

      Can provide you with a monthly income if you become disabled due to injury or illness.

    • Business Expenses

      May assist to pay expenses of your business if you cannot work due to injury or illness.

    • Make a claim

      Get help with making a claim.

    • Medix

      Personal Medical Case Management.

  • AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is a personalised, science-backed health and wellbeing program that supports you every day to make healthier lifestyle choices.

    • Partners and Rewards

      Learn more about our partners and rewards.

    • Already a member? Login

      Check your AIA Vitality Status and get access to the tools you need to help improve your health.

  • Content Hub

    Content Hub

    The AIA Vitality Content Hub is your go to for science-backed, health and wellbeing inspiration and advice.

    • Move Well

      Finding your further when it comes to exercise and fitness.

    • Plan Well

      Providing the tools and support for your future, because a good tomorrow starts today.

    • Eat Well

      Caring for your body with food that makes you feel good.

    • Think Well

      Tools and information to help cultivate a healthy frame of mind.

  • Help & Support

    Help & Support

    We strive to assist you for all your inquiries with high touch customer service.

    Contact AIA
    • Making a Claim

      Get help with making a claim.

    • Form Library

      A selection of forms you can download, fill in and send back to us.

    • Policyholder Information

      Useful information for policyholders.

    • Complaints process

      If you have a complaint, we'll do our best to resolve the situation.

    • Contact AIA

      How to get in contact with us.

    • Customer feedback

      Let us know how we're doing.

    • COVID-19

      How we are responding.

    • Part 9

      Information about the upcoming transfer under Part 9.

  • Covid-19 Response

    Covid-19 Response

    We’re here to help in a time of crisis.

    • Claims and Medical Support

      How we can support you.

    • Applying for Life Cover

      Learn more about our coverage.

    • COVID-19 FAQs

      Find out more.

  • Search
  • Contact Us
    • Call Us

      Open: 8am to 6pm, AEST Mon - Fri

    • Find an adviser

Think Well
Prev | Next
Back to Top
  • {{title}}

    {{label}}
  • Aromatherapy myth busting

    Staff Writer - 3 min read

    09 July 2019


    Aromatherapy oils, burners and other paraphernalia are on sale across Australia, and everyone seems to have their favourite scent or blend, but how effective are they? And how safe? We examine the wellness claims made by essential oil advocates and assess any potential health drawbacks for you and your family.

     

    Aromatherapy myth busting

    Whether it’s at your local hippie hang-out, health food store or hospital, aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine using aromatic materials – usually essential oils extracted from plants – to promote health and wellbeing. Oils are usually delivered via direct inhalation, diffusion to fragrance the environment, or topical application – where the essential oil is mixed with a ‘carrier oil’ and applied to skin through massage or rubbing. Practitioners use different oil blends for different purposes: to treat minor conditions, for health promotion and general feelgood vibes. Despite its popularity, research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy treatments is limited, and government bodies have raised safety concerns over some popular uses.

    The case for aromatherapy

    Most practitioners place aromatherapy somewhere on a spectrum between ‘feelgood’ and ‘medicine’. They believe there are two mechanisms at work: one that’s pharmacological, the other psychological. Following the pharmacological route, molecules from the aromatic product enter the body and alter physiological processes, just like any other chemicals would do. The psychological impact is more about the connection between our sense of smell and our mood, emotions and behaviour.

    Advocates might use peppermint for digestive disorders; rosemary for muscular pains and mental stimulation; lavender for headaches, insomnia, burns, aches and pains; or tea tree for respiratory problems and antifungal use. Aromatherapists believe essential oils can enhance wellbeing and also treat some minor health issues such as colds, muscle aches and dry skin.

    Research into aromatherapy

    Some studies suggest aromatherapy may have limited health benefits, including relief from anxiety and depression, better sleeping patterns, and pain management. The Cancer Council notes the use of aromatherapy massage in improving quality of life for advanced-stage patients. Epilepsy Action Australia also supports the use of some essential oils for stress reduction. Australian researchers have even experimented with the use of aromatherapy and hand massage to reduce disruptive behaviour in people with dementia.

    Overall, though, the message from medical experts is: aromatherapy might help some people, and it probably does no harm when administered correctly. No reputable practitioner would turn to aromatherapy exclusively for treating anything beyond minor complaints; these days it is considered a complementary medicine, designed to be used on top of and alongside conventional treatments. Even so, many health professionals are wary of the practice. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia advises pharmacists not to recommend complementary medicines, including aromatherapy, as many products “have limited evidence of efficacy”.

    While most essential oils are naturally derived products, that does not mean their use is always benign. Here’s what to look out for when practising aromatherapy.

    Make your #OneChange

    If you’re using aromatherapy products, make sure you’re diluting, applying, and storing them safely.

    Caution 1: What’s in the bottle?

    Some aromatherapy preparations sold in retail shops – like pharmacies or health food stores – will be either listed or registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and there are limits on the health claims manufacturers can make. However, this limited protection does not cover all products, especially those purchased from international web shops, or in more informal settings like markets. So make sure you buy from a reputable source.

    Caution 2: Skin sensitivity

    Some essential oils may be more reactive than others, potentially causing skin sensitivity or allergic reactions. Oils like tea tree, peppermint, black pepper and cinnamon carry this warning, and experts recommend performing a skin patch test before use, and diluting the oil for application. It’s also worth noting that data is limited on the effects of essential oil use among children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so many advocates steer clear of aromatherapy treatments for infants and new and soon-to-be mums.

    Caution 3: Ingestion

    Essential oils can be toxic if taken in by mouth. In light of recent claims by multi-level marketing companies promoting the internal use of aromatherapy products, NSW Poisons Information Centre has warned that eucalyptus oil, clove oil and peppermint oil are particularly dangerous when swallowed: ingesting as little as 2-3ml can cause sedation and 5ml can cause coma. The Victorian government also urges parents to secure aromatherapy products away from children, after a rise in poisoning cases.

    If you’re considering aromatherapy, peak bodies such as the International Aromatherapy & Aromatic Medicine Association can recommend knowledgeable practitioners. You may also want to consult your doctor or pharmacist about the possible risks and benefits. For anyone worried about side effects from aromatherapy products, this guide from the WA Department of Health lists basic first-aid responses to potentially toxic exposure.


    Staff Writer

    Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances 

     

    Disclaimer:
    The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.


    This content is brought to you by AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is a science-backed program that helps you learn more about your health, offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way.

    Contact AIA

    1800 333 613

    PO Box 6111
    Melbourne VIC 3004

    infohub@aia.com

    AIA Global aia.com

    Contact AIA

    1800 333 613

    PO Box 6111
    Melbourne VIC 3004

    enquiries@aia.com.au

    Help and support

    Make a claim

    Frequently asked questions

    Customer feedback

    Complaints process

    Whistleblower policy

    Form library

    Explore AIA

    AIA Vitality

    Health insurance

    Life insurance

    OneLife

    About AIA

    Careers

    Our people

    Our commitments

    Media centre

    Our awards

    FSC commitment

    Help and support

    Make a claim

    Frequently asked questions

    Customer feedback

    Complaints process

    Whistleblower policy

    Form library

    explore Aia

    AIA Vitality

    Health insurance

    Life insurance

    Content Hub

    about AIA

    Careers

    Our people

    Our commitments

    Media centre

    Our awards

    FSC commitment


    Copyright © 2021. AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved. Priority Protection and Priority Protection for Platform Investors products are issued by AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861, AFSL 230043). AIA Vitality, a personalised, science-backed program that supports members every day to make healthier choices, is available with eligible products issued by AIA Australia. AIA Health with AIA Vitality is issued by AIA Health Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 32 611 323 034, a registered private health insurer governed by the Private Health Insurance Act 2207, Private Health Insurance Rules 2007 and the AIA Health Insurance Pty Ltd Fund Rules. The information on this website is current as at 14 January 2021 and may be subject to change. It is general information only and is not intended in any way to be financial, legal, tax, health, medical, nutritional or other advice. You should consider your own personal circumstances and needs and view the relevant product documents, fact sheets, fund rules and terms and conditions before making a decision to acquire such products. If necessary you should obtain professional advice from a financial, tax, medical or health professional. Unless expressly stated, any views or expressions of opinion (including any video content) do not represent the opinion of AIA.
    Terms of Use | Privacy