WEEK 1  What is CAM?  CAM stands for complementary and alternative medicine. The National Center for CAM (NCCAM) classifies them as: whole medical systems, mind-body medicine, biologically based practices, manipulative and body-based practices, and energy medicine. An example of each is homeopathy, prayer, dietary supplements, massage, and qi qong.

CAM  Complementary medicine is used alongside conventional medical treatment. An example is aromatherapy.  Alternative medicine is used INSTEAD of conventional medical treatment. An example is herbal remedies.

AROMATHERAPY  Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils.  Essential oils are the concentrated essences that are taken from fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves, roots, or bark of plants.  There are more than 400 different essential oils.

MOST POPULAR ESSENTIAL OILS  The most popular essential oils are: lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, chamomile, marjoram, jasmine, peppermint, lemon, ylang-ylang, and geranium.  Many essential oils are also used in a different form in cooking.  There are many different levels of aromatherapy oil usage – can receive a diploma with “aromatherapy” in title with 3 years hard work, or can buy essential oils and start making lotions, tonics on your own.

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS NEW?  Essential oils have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians. They were used to flavor drinks, in cosmetics, in massage and in medicinal ways.  They have become more popular in use as they have become easier to buy. They have become easier to use as more information has been put out there in the form of books, on the internet and by businesses.  Q & A: Please feel free to share any personal experiences with essential oils, both good and bad. Any questions?