Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Tony Nader, MD, PhD, MARR
News | Insights | Stories
Advancing careers in holistic health
Discover the power of Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy
An interview with expert Andréia Castilho
In the pursuit of holistic well-being, many have turned to the ancient practice of aromatherapy, which utilizes essential oils to address various physical and mental health issues. Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy (MAAT), an advanced form of aromatherapy, goes beyond conventional methods by integrating the profound principles of Maharishi AyurVeda. To delve deeper into this fascinating field, we sat down with Andréia Castilho, an advanced Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy expert and Head of the Department of Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy at the Maharishi College of Perfect Health International.
Andréia Castilho received
advanced training in Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy (MAAT) in 2012. Since then, she has given over 300 MAAT onsultations, marveling at the healing power of essential oils and their instant beneficial effects on the brain.
She has also trained more than 600 people in MAAT worldwide. She is now the Head of the Department of Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy of MCPHI, in Vlodrop, The Netherlands.
The essence of aromatherapy
Can you start by explaining what aromatherapy is and how it works?
Andréia Castilho: We are surrounded by smells all the time. In the case of aroma therapy, specifically, essential oils, distilled from plants, are used to promote mental, emotional and physical health. These oils can be inhaled, ingested or applied topically, allowing their aromatic molecules to interact with the brain and the whole physiology, which is why we can successfully treat a wide array of ailments, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, digestive problems, lack of energy and motivation, and many other health problems. Aroma therapy is also a powerful technology of consciousness that promotes spiritual growth.
Understanding Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy
How does Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy differ from traditional aromatherapy?
Andréia Castilho: Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy (MAAT) elevates traditional aromatherapy by integrating the principles of Maharishi AyurVeda, an ancient system of holistic medicine. Unlike conventional approaches that address only symptoms, Maharishi Aroma Therapy focuses on the individual’s constitution, treating underlying imbalances to restore harmony in the mind, body, emotions, and soul.
What are the fundamental principles of Maharishi AyurVeda, and how are they integrated into Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy?
Andréia Castilho: Maharishi AyurVeda gives us knowledge of the Doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—the fundamental principles that are at the basis of all manifest Creation, and, therefore, that govern all physiological and psychological functions. Vata is associated with movement, enthusiasm and creativity, Pitta with digestion, metabolism and sharp intellect, and Kapha with structure, stability and a patient disposition. Each person has a unique Dosha constitution, assessed based on which Doshas predominate in each person. Imbalances in the Doshas lead to disease. Factors such as diet, sleep habits, lifestyle, and seasonal changes influence the Doshas. Restoring their balance is key to achieving optimal health, and this is what Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy does.
Can you explain how MAAT uses the concept of the Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) into a personalised therapy?
Andréia Castilho: Just like with medicinal herbs (from which, by the way, essential oils are extracted), essential oils have an effect on the Doshas. Therefore, by masterfully using essential oils to balance the Doshas, MAAT plays a major role in restoring good health.
In Maharishi AyurVeda, the element of Ama – loosely translated as toxins – buildup is also crucial. We can use essential oils to reduce Ama, thus again, restoring balance in the physiology and psychology.
Can you share some specific examples of how essential oils can help balance Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas?
Andréia Castilho: There are many different Dosha effects to consider. For instance, essential oil of Lavender Highland is ideal when you wish to pacify Vata and Pitta, but it’s not the right oil for Kapha types or in the case of Kapha imbalance; the same is true for Sandalwood but this essential oil has a particularly Pitta-pacifying effect. Peppermint balances Vata, Pitta and Kapha and has a cooling yet energizing effect. Other essential oils that help to boost energy levels but are Kapha-pacifying are different types of eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils, which should be avoided by Vata-Pitta constitutions. In each case, we also need to know if any precautions apply, the right time of day to use these oils and how to use each one specifically.
How do you determine an individual’s Dosha constitution during a consultation?
Andréia Castilho: By means of questionnaires and whenever the consultant knows how to do pulse diagnosis – a powerful tool in Maharishi AyurVeda – this is also used.
Benefits
What types of imbalances or health issues can MAAT address?
Andréia Castilho: Essential oils have a very wide range of action, with properties that benefit all physiological systems such as the nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, musculoskeletal, endocrine and reproductive systems, as well the skin. Aroma oils are powerful antioxidants; they are used in hospitals due to their potent antiviral and antibacterial properties.
We know that mind and body are intimately related and, because essential oils have a beneficial effect on brain physiology, beyond physical health, essential oils are known for their ability to enhance cognitive processes, balance emotions, and promote a serene and harmonious state of mind, not to mention increase productivity by boosting energy levels.
The science behind aromatherapy
Can you explain the science behind how essential oils affect our brain and body, particularly in terms of psychological and physiological responses?
Andréia Castilho: When we inhale essential oils, their aromatic molecules travel through the olfactory tract to the brain, influencing the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions, memory, learning, fear responses and many physiological functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, etc. This interaction can lead to specific responses, such as reduced anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function and better health overall. Essential oils have direct effects on mental, emotional and physical systems. Basically, because inhalation of essential oils affects the brain, it produces a cascade of effects on all levels. Other methods have a more localized effect, and this is desirable when tackling specific disorders.
What evidence exists to support the efficacy of essential oils in treating conditions like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders?
Andréia Castilho: There is a large body of research supporting the use of essential oils for a wide variety of health issues. For example, studies have shown that inhalation of certain oils can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall emotional well-being. These effects are often achieved without the side effects of conventional medications. A recent study was carried out with users of oral contraceptive pills. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have been associated with negative mood disorders (anxiety, depression and other stress-related symptoms). Due to this, it is often necessary to discontinue the medication. The authors of the study found that use of the essential oil of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) leads to improvements in women’s mood and significant reductions in the level of depression and stress (The effect of lavender on mood disorders associated with the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs): a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial: https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-024-04419-z).
Practical applications
How are essential oils typically administered in Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy (inhalation, topical application, etc.)?
Andréia Castilho: Essential oils can be administered in various ways, including inhalation, massage, bath, topical application, oral intake and many others. Most of the scientific research done with essential oils makes use of ingestion, but it has been found that inhalation is quite an effective method because it affects the brain in a holistic way. It affects hormone release, for example, and this means that its effects are widespread and profound.
The method chosen depends on the specific needs of the individual and the desired therapeutic effect. Aroma therapy is quite versatile because it can adapt to many different methods and can be used as an adjunct therapy, so it can be combined with other approaches.
Can you describe a typical Maharishi Aroma Therapy session? What should a new client expect?
Andréia Castilho: A typical session begins with an assessment of the client’s Dosha constitution, Ama level (toxins) and current imbalances. Based on this assessment, we select a number of appropriate essential oils, which the client samples to choose his/her favorite ones. We then give the client the experience of the best essential oils in their case. Clients can expect a profoundly relaxing experience, or come out feeling full of energy.
Holistic and spiritual benefits
How does MAAT contribute to holistic health, addressing mind, body, and spirit?
Andréia Castilho: Because MAAT is based on Maharishi AyurVeda, a time-tested system of promoting holistic health that is customized to each person’s needs, MAAT is holistic by nature. Mind and body are intimately related; you cannot affect the mind without an equivalent effect on the body; and physical health goes hand-in-hand with emotional and spiritual well-being. The use of essential oils can enhance your meditation practice, support emotional balance, providing inner peace and connecting us with our innermost nature, the field of consciousness at the basis of human mind.
Stress is not just psychological reality, it is stored in the nervous system, it is a physical reality as well. With essential oils one can eliminate accumulated stress, normalizing a person’s physiology and psychology. With an increasingly stress-free body and mind, our spiritual practice grows deeper and we experience faster growth to higher states of consciousness.
Can you explain the concept of pure consciousness and how it relates to MAAT?
Andréia Castilho: If we can run, we can walk, and also stand still; just the same way, if we can think from the more active level of the mind, we can also think from increasingly quieter levels, until we go beyond the thinking mind – this is transcendence. To transcend means to go beyond. When we transcend, we experience the basis of all life – our own consciousness – the experience of the field of Pure Consciousness, a field of bliss that lies beyond the thinking mind, our true nature. The goal of MAAT is to regain the memory of our true nature, a state of perfect health, a state of infinite bliss. We use essential oils to refine mind, body and emotions and eliminate stress so that we can access this deeper level of consciousness, promoting profound healing and transformation. Just as the colorless sap in a plant gives rise to its vibrant forms, accessing pure consciousness allows us to manifest holistic health and well-being.
Becoming a Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy consultant
What does it take to become a certified Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy consultant?
Andréia Castilho: Knowledge of essential oils, their properties and how to use them in order to achieve best results, and thorough training in the unique MAAT method, including a personalized method for selecting and using essential oils and how to give consultations.
What kind of training and education is involved?
Andréia Castilho: Our Consultant Training Program happens in three phases – three courses that we offer every year: The MAAT Foundation Course is the first re-requisite; then, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 of consultant training. Throughout the learning process, we make use of tools such as case study analyses, and tests to keep track of the students’ progress. The first two courses have 18 lessons and are full-time and online; the last phase (Phase 2) is in-presence 8-day course.
What are some rewarding aspects of being an aromatherapy consultant?
Andréia Castilho: Aroma therapy introduces us to the wonders of Nature – even tiny little flowers have tremendous healing power. It also gives us the opportunity to produce profound change in our lives and in the life or others, in a simple and pleasant way. The transformation happens effortlessly and naturally. You may think of the aromas of essential oils as something akin to perfumes – which they are – but their healing powers are truly wonders that never cease. It seems to me that scientific research has only touched on the tip of the iceberg in terms of their healing potential.
Seeing individuals achieve greater balance, health, and happiness through natural means is incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, the practice itself is enriching, as it allows consultants to continually deepen their understanding of holistic health and well-being.
Where can I find out about un upcoming training course and how do I apply?
Andréia Castilho: Visit our website at
Graduates of the 2024 MAV Aroma Therapy Consultant Course Phase II, Istanbul, Turkey
Inspiring stories and testimonials
Can you share any inspiring success stories or testimonials from clients who have benefited from Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy?
Andréia Castilho: Absolutely. We have numerous success stories from clients who have experienced significant improvements in their health and well-being. I have heard testimonials such as the one from a student who was able to have her mother released from the hospital, while her doctor wanted to know more about how MAAT helped her mother, a patient in such severe condition, get better so fast.
My students have also told me about people with chronic skin problems, who found permanent solutions with pleasant and easy-to-follow essential oil regimens, among many other examples.
What advice would you give to someone considering trying Maharishi Aroma Therapy for the first time?
Andréia Castilho: I would encourage anyone interested to give it a try. Maharishi Aroma Therapy offers a unique and holistic approach to health that can benefit everyone. Start with a consultation to determine your Dosha constitution and discover how personalized essential oil treatments can enhance your well-being.
Experience the bliss of MAAT
Where can people learn more about MAAT and book a consultation?
Andréia Castilho: To find a certified MAAT consultant, visit our global directory on our website at the Maharishi College of Perfect Health International.
In the world of Maharishi AyurVeda Aroma Therapy, every breath is a step towards a more harmonious and balanced life. Discover the profound wisdom of this ancient practice and unlock the secrets to lasting well-being.