In my massage practice, I use aromatherapy as a caring, hands-on therapy to bring forth the healing energy which will help my client regain their sense of well being, induce relaxation, to reduce the effects of stress and to restore lost balance to mind, body and soul

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy means "treatment using scents".

It is a holistic treatment of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint. The essential oils are added to the bath or massaged into the skin, inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room. Aromatherapy is used for the relief of pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue and invigorate the entire body. Essential oils can affect the mood, alleviate fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Aromatherapy works the best when it works on the mind and body simultaneously. We have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells. It is believed that smells enter through cilia (the fine hairs lining the nose) to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning. The reason aromatherapy has such a profound and immediate effect on people is more scientific than ethereal. When inhaled, they work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves....the only place in the body where the central nervous system is in direct contact with the environment.

The essential oils are essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, mental and physical properties, which improve and prevent illness.

There are about 150 essential oils. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. Some other properties of the essential oils which are taken advantage of in aromatherapy, are stimulation, relaxation, digestion improvement, and diuretic properties. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials. Synthetically made oils do not work.

Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labor pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients.

Aromatherapy is already slowly getting into the mainstream. The scent of lavender and rosemary is pumped into the customer business area's to calm down the waiting customers, while the perfumes from lemon and eucalyptus are used in the bank teller counters to keep the staff alert.

History of Aromatherapy
Mystics and healers had been relying on the healing powers of "the soul of the plant" for 7000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. The Egyptian used fragrant oils for healing, bathing, massage, and for embalming their dead nearly 6000 years ago. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. He used aromatic fumigation's to rid Athens of the plague.. Roman Centurions, and later the Crusaders, carried small glass vials of oils with them on their conquests, and Native Americans have always utilized plant essences for spiritual ceremonies and healing.

Aromatherapy is ancient; it's just our "cultural awareness" of it that's relatively new.

Back in 1928 a French chemist, Dr. Gattefossé severely burned his hand. He accelerated the healing process and prevented scarring after he put lavender oil on the wound. After that he spent the next decade researching and writing about the powers of essential oils. He discovered not only the bacteria-destroying properties of the oils, but their ability to impact blood pressure, blood circulation, breathing, depression, anxiety and a general feeling of calmness and well-being. He coined the term 'aromatherapy. Essential oils were also used on World War II battlefields to disinfect and heal wounds.

Later, Madame Maury started using aromatherapy as a holistic therapy. She started prescribing essential oils as remedy for her patients. She is also credited with the modern use of essential oils in massage.

A few common essential oils and what they do:

• Eucalyptus, Helpful in treating respiratory problems, such as coughs, colds, and asthma. Also helps to boost the immune system, and relieve muscle tension.
  
  
• Ylang Ylang, Helps one to relax, and can reduce muscle tension. Good antidepressant.
  
  
• Geranium, Helps to balance hormones in women, good for balancing the skin. Can be both relaxing and uplifting, as well as antidepressant.
  
  
• Peppermint, Useful in treating headaches, muscle aches, digestive disorders such as slow digestion, indigestion, and flatulence.
  
  
• Lavender, Relaxing, and also useful in treating wounds, burns, and skin care.
  
  
• Lemon, Very uplifting, yet relaxing. Helpful in treating wounds, infections, and house cleaning and deodorizing.
  
  
• Clary Sage, Natural pain killer, helpful in treating muscular aches and pains. Very relaxing, and can help with insomnia. Also very helpful in balancing hormones.
  
  
• Tea Tree, A natural anti fungal oil, good for treating all sorts of fungal infections including vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, athletes foot, and ringworm. Also helps to boost the immune system.
  
  
• Chamomile, Very relaxing, and can help with sleeplessness and anxiety. Also good for muscle aches and tension. Useful in treating wounds and infection.
  
  
• Rosemary, Very stimulating and uplifting, good to help mental stimulation as well as to stimulate the immune system. Very good for muscle aches and tension. Stimulating to the digestive system.