what is aromatherapy?

For those who might be a little unsure on what Aromatherapy really is and what it means - here is a short introduction for you…

Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary therapy using essential oils to support wellbeing. Essential oils are extracts from aromatic plants, obtained through extraction processes like distillation, cold expression, Co2 and Solvent Extraction. Trained Aromatherapists will look beyond the general application of essential oils and will look at treating an individual as a whole. An Aromatherapist will use essential oils and application methods to restore and support the balance of an individual’s physical, emotional and spiritual health. Aromatherapy is deeply rooted in Ancient Healing practices, from the Egyptians to the Ancient Greeks. There are a variety of ways it has been used throughout history from incense to aromatic baths, to healing compresses and oils for the skin. There is a wonderful rich history of using aromatic extracts and herbs for their healing power as well as their general use for their beautiful aromas.

There is a wide variety of uses for essential Oils and their application. I am trained as a Clinical Aromatherapist, which focuses on external application and inhalation. The focus of the treatment with a client is to support their physical and emotional health and focus on encouraging balance and maintaining wellbeing. This can be achieved using methods like therapeutic massage and various forms of inhalation.

A Clinical Aromatherapist can ‘diagnose’ imbalance by using the Five-Element structure from Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are physical and psychological symptoms which signal that there could be an imbalance within the body. For example, a very common physical symptom is a build up of tension in the neck, upper back and shoulders. This signals that there is Muscle Qi (Energy) Stagnation and therefore I know to choose essential oils to help regulate the stagnant energy. I also consider the chemical structure of an oil and it’s purpose, for example - True Lavender - a very well-known and widely used essential oil, has a chemical composition which causes it to be an excellent anti-inflammatory, sedative and calmative oil. This is due to its high percentage of a chemical component named Linalool. I work using both the Five-Element structure, with a focus on Yin & Yang balance, and also the chemistry & characteristics of the essential oils.

Whilst essential oils are widely available to buy and use at home, I do encourage that you use them safely. Even though essential oils are obtained from nature & aromatic plants, they are still chemicals and can be toxic. For example, it is possible to have a physical reaction to an oil such as skin irritation. There are safety guidelines to follow for the use of essential oils. Please only use essential oils topically once blended into a carrier base. Do not use undiluted neat onto your skin and please do not ingest the oils. Caution must also be taken with certain health conditions, if you are undergoing certain treatments and/or if you are taking certain medications. Careful consideration must also be taken for young children, for the elderly or if you are pregnant. Please always seek the advice of an Aromatherapist if needed.

If you have any questions regarding your personal use of essential oils, please do not hesitate to contact me! I aim to use this space to share advice, information and my own personal experiences so that people can benefit from the wonder that Aromatherapy has to offer.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

References:

Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy: An A-Z (2005)

Holmes, Peter. Aromatica Volume I (2016)

Martin, Ingrid. Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners (2007)