Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy?
The history of aromatherapy predates written history, going back thousands of years to most ancient civilisations. Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts dating back thousands of years before Christ have showed priests and physicians used plant-extracted essential oils, making aromatherapy the earliest known medicine.People are now looking at natural ways of dealing with stress and all its symptoms, together with ways of ensuring healthy living through diet, lifestyle and relaxation.
Aromatherapy is the inhalation and bodily application of essential oils to relax, balance, rejuvenate, restore, or enhance body, mind and spirit. A basic principle of Aromatherapy is to strengthen the self-healing processes by indirect stimulation of the immune system.
Aromatherapy is the use of any aroma for a beneficial purpose. It is considered and ancient yet timely modern approach to total wellbeing in tune with nature.
The essential oil is what gives the plant its fragrances. A plant produces essential oil for its own survival – to influence growth and production. Essential oils are the odoriferous, volatile liquid components of aromatic plants. In their natural state they contain a number of complex bio-chemicals including vitamins, antibiotics and antiseptics. Therefore the practise of Aromatherapy goes beyond smell. Indeed, many believe it has a chemical effect on the body.
Pure essential oils are extracted from many parts of the plant, tree, or shrub, including the flower, leaf, resin, bark, root and seed. Through science we are re-discovering the incredible healing power of essential oils.
What are the Benefits of Aromatherapy?
The use of aromas positively and beneficially is therapeutic. Aromas have a strong psychological influence over us. Fragrance is one of our greatest enjoyments, bringing back memories of past experiences and creating a feeling of security, grounding and wellbeing. Essential oils bring the body back into harmony with itself by encouraging the natural forces within to realign.
Aromatherapy’s healing potential stems from its ability to promote relaxation or stimulation on the various bodily systems. It therefore promotes welling and provides a way to improve quality of life in a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
The idea behind this therapy is to find the scents that evoke positive sensory feeling and emotions, and then to introduce those scents into our everyday life to enhance wellbeing. Natural scents keep us connected to positive memories and emotions.
How do Essential Oils work?
Essential oils penetrate the body in two ways: through the nose and the skin. The pure intelligence of essential oils may be the only too that can reach onto the deep recesses of our brain, cross over the chemical barriers, and open the hidden channels of our minds, allowing access to greater knowledge and discernment in reaching our potential.
Essential oils are readily absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream whilst having a balancing and regulating effect on sebum production. They can contain hundreds of organic constituents, including hormones, vitamins and other natural elements that work on many levels.
The essential oil synergies in our formulations have been chosen for their beneficial qualities on the skin such as transdermal penetration, potency, natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal properties, anti-aging and wound healing, fat dissolving and improvement in circulation.
When we recognise the incredible attributes of essential oils – their high antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-infectious properties, as well as their high antimicrobial activities and immune-stimulating power – one would almost have to conclude that essential oils are truly one of nature’s greatest gifts!
How can you be sure of the purity of essential oils?
To be considered as 100% pure and natural an essential oil must not have been tampered with by either natural or synthetic components. The majority of cheaper grade essential oils have been adulterated to some degree. Unlike many products that may contain these oils we guarantee that our essential oils and base oils are of the highest quality and purity.
Source: Aromatherapy College of Australia and Complementary Therapies
