Aromatherapy
15:54 21 April 2005
What is Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy combines both physiological and psychological effects to help in the rejuvenation of the body. It is a holistic therapy using essential oils to aid in relaxation, to prevent disease and improve the individuals overall well-being.
It can be helpful for a large range of conditions and very effective in relieving stress. The Aromatherapist seeks to treat the mind and the body of the patient using this holistic approach to health.
Many of the essential oils used in aromatherapy have been derived from plants used for thousands of years to treat various ailments. Essential oils may be administered through massage, baths and vaporisation.
These gentle methods help the essential oils be easily absorbed by the body. Massage also helps to improve lymphatic drainage and blood flow.
How does it work?
Aromatherapy, through the use of these oils, aims to restore energetic balance and promote self-healing by stimulating defensive processes in the body. What are essential oils? An essential oil is extracted from a pure aromatic plant source by a process called distillation.
Many different parts of a plant may be used to obtain the oil which contains particular therapeutic properties. There are no chemical additives in an essential oil. What conditions are treated?
The Aromatherapist will determine the combination of oils to be used depending on your condition. Aromatherapy can treat a wide range of illnesses and is especially effective in chronic and stress-related disorders.
People suffering from the following complaints will find Aromatherapy helpful:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Skin problems
- Stress and tension
- Anxiety and depression
- Muscular pain
- Circulatory problems
- Digestive disorders
Aromatherapy has become a very popular complementary therapy as the techniques used to administer the healing oils are so relaxing as well.
Aromatherapists should be accredited by a professional organisation and have undergone a period of study which may vary from one to two years depending on the college.