What is Aromatherapy?
The roots of aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years before the birth of Christ, to a time when the use of aromatics was first recorded in human history.
The Egyptians also used aromatic plants and oils to 
embalm the dead, demonstrating a sophisticated knowledge of their antiseptic properties. Ointments found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, dating from c.1320BC, was found to contain Frankincense, gum resins and spikenard, and remarkably, still retained their scent.
By the 12th century, with the influence of the crusades, trade routes had developed with the Middle East, bringing an influx of spices, herbs and exotic scents. From the Middle Ages on, numerous herbals, categorizing plants and their therapeutic remedies, were compiled, including those herbalists Nicholas Culpeper (1652), William Turner (1568) and John Gerard (1597).
In the 18th century, aromatic vinegars and perfumed waters gained in popularity, especially Eau de Cologne, a favourite of Napoleon.
In the early 20th century, Rene gattefosse, a French chemist working in his family perfumery, became fascinated by the therapeutic properties of essential oils when, after burning his hands, he rinsed them with lavender essence, which stop them scarring. He then started investigating further.
During World wars I and II, essential oils were used to treat wounds. Dr Jean Valnet published his findings on essential oils. Later biochemist Marguerite Maury studied Valnet’s work and introduced aromatherapy to Britain. After her death, the work of Maury continued through her protégé, Daniele Ryman. The work of Valnet and Gattefosse stimulated and influenced Englishman Robert Tisserand, who in 1977 wrote the very first aromatherapy book in English entitled, ‘The Art of Aromatherapy’.
Essential oils are the fragrant, highly concentrated natural constituents that are found in plants. They are what give the plant its characteristic odour and contain the healing power of the plant from which it was extracted.
Before essential oils can be used in aromatherapy they must be diluted in a ‘carrier’ since they are too powerful to use neat.
Carrier oils provide the necessary lubrication to allow the hands to move freely over the skin and not ‘drag’ whilst massaging, whilst at the same time carrying the essential oils into the body.
Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, wheatgerm oil and grapeseed oil.
Massage is one of the best ways to enjoy aromatherapy because you not only receive the therapeutic properties of the essential oils, but you also get the wonderful benefits of the massage itself.
What to expect during treatment.
You will be given a full consultation, which takes into account your medical history, emotional condition, general health and lifestyle before planning a course of treatment.
First decide what effect you are hoping to achieve: do you want the aroma to sedate or revive, to energize or to calm? Do you want to use oils for their therapeutic properties or simply to pamper?
An oil blend is made up by mixing a few drops of essential oil with one of the carrier oils.
When applied to the body, the essential oils, which consist of tiny aromatic molecules, penetrate the skin via the hair follicles and are absorbed into the bloodstream. Then carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers.
Gentle, flowing massage treatment will be used, together with pressure points and lymphatic drainage techniques. The whole person is treated not just the symptoms of an illness.
The results of aromatherapy are very individual. No two people are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way. Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of day or mood.
What are the benefits?
Regular treatments can bring improvement in general health and well being; can help common stress-related disorders such as anxiety, depression, headaches, and insomnia. Also useful for aches and pains.
Aromatherapy treatments have both physiological and psychological effects.
Physiological benefits
- Stimulates the body’s natural immune system
- Helps to restore balance in the body.
- Induces a feeling of deep relaxation in the body.
- Increases the oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues by increasing blood circulation.
- Enhances lymphatic drainage.
Psychological benefits
- Promotes a general state of well being.
- Calms and soothes the mind.
- Helps to reduce nervous tension.
- Increases energy levels.
For further information please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice.