Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an ancient art of healing based on the use of essential oils and massage. Essential oils are extracts from aromatic plants. There are over a hundred oils available and each has a therapeutic effect.

All natural therapies aim to restore health by stimulating the bodies own natural defenses to overcome the problem itself. Aromatherapy is no exception, its aim is to restore harmony and balance of the body/mind and emotions.

Essential oils are ideal for use at home for common minor health problems. They are pleasant to use because of their wonderful smell and they can be used on anyone.

Essential Oils

Are highly concentrated oils extracted from a plant. They are also known as violate oils as the vapor easily. Depending on the type of plant, they will be extracted from either the flowers, leaves, root, fruit, or seeds.

The quality of the essential oil is important. Fragrant oils are not the same, they are chemical produced and do not have the therapeutic effects of essential oils.

How Do Essential Oils Work?

The essential oils work quickly and effectively via smell and touch on skin. By simply smelling the essential oil via the olfactory nerves our brain starts to react to the oil in seconds. Aromatherapy massage, the essential oils are part of the massage oil which are quickly absorbed in the skin.

The limbic system of the brain processes smell and also is the seat of learning memory and emotions. Certain smells can trigger strong emotions and vivid memories. Like wise aromatherapy oils can be used to trigger pleasant emotions and help balance your reaction to stress and upsets.

How to Use Essential Oils

Massage

Add essential oil (20 drops per 50mLs) to a base oil such as almond oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil (cold pressed). The therapeutic properties of the oil are absorbed into the skin during the message combined with the benefits of the message.

Aromatherapy Bath

Add 20 drops of essential oil after the bath is full. Good for muscular pains, skin problems and general stress and tension.

Vaporization

From an oil burner; Add a few drops of essential oil with water to a ceramic vaporizer a candle is placed underneath which heats the water and causes the essential oils to vaporizer, This is the most common way essential oils are used.

From a large bowl of hot water; add a few drops and place a towel over head to breath in the steam and essential oils. Especially good for respiratory tract problems such as colds, bronchitis, sinus, sore throat, asthma, croup etc.

Hot Compress

Immerse a clean hand towel into a basin of warm/hot water containing 4-5 drops of essential oil. Wring out towel and apply to painful area. If the pain is acute use cold water. Good for chronic pain; such as arthritis or joint problems.

Mouthwash

Never take essential oils internally. Add 1-2 drops to a small amount of water , rinse mouth, but DO NOT swallow. For mouth ulcers/fungal and viral infections/irritations and throat problems.

Benefits of Massage

Massage by itself has a number of beneficial effects and when combined with aromatherapy it is a powerful tool in the restoration of health and well being.

1. Lymphatic Drainage This helps the elimination of build up waste products in the body. The lymphatic system is a network of “vessels” carrying the lymph of the body. Lymph is made up of water, cells of the immune system and waste products of the body. The lymph nodes filer the lymph. The circulation of the lymphatic system relies solely on the muscle concentration, hence exercise and massage encourage lymphatic circulation. A sluggish lymphatic system is the result of hereditary tendencies and a diet too high in refined foods, fatty foods and lack of exercise, This can lead to a number of health problems.
2. Improves Blood circulation.
3. Helps to ease physical pain caused by muscle tension/spasm.
4. Improves the tone of muscles (as would exercise)
5. Improves the function of the nervous system.
6. Sports people esp. helps to remove lactic acid from muscles which causes stiffness.
7. Mental/ emotional effects; massage has a calming and soothing effect helpful in the treatment of depression or anxiety or general stress. By releasing stored physical tension during a massage this causes a release of build up emotional and mental tension. We all hold mental and emotional tension in our physical body. More than often this physical tension is unnoticed and to many people is regarded as “normal” because they have had it for so long.

All the above effects can be enhanced by the use of essential oils