Aromatherapy for Women
Aromatherapy for Women
Aromatherapy is the external use of essential oils in holistic treatments to increase both physical and emotional health.
Essential oils are extracted from plants; namely their leaves, seeds, roots, flowers, bark, wood, balsam, fruit pulp, peel and resin.
A wonderful example of this can be found in the bitter orange tree, which 'yields Orange oil from the fruit peel, Petitgrain oil from the leaves and twigs and Neroli oil from the blossom' (J. Lawless; 2002). Other plants only produce one oil such as; Pine - from the needles and cones; Basil - from the leaves and Fennel - from the seeds.
Essential oils are volatile, oily and fragrant and most often colourless. However, a few oils have quite distinct colours such as; German Chamomile, which is blue and cinnamon which has a red hue.
Julia Lawless; The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils; 2002; London; Thorsons Publishers; p11.
A Brief History of Aromatherapy
A Brief History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy or 'Aromatherapie' was so named by Frenchman and chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1928. He discovered quite accidentally that lavender oil was able to heal his severely burnt hands. This began his research and passion for essential oils. It was probably due to his findings that up until the last century French hospitals were still burning Rosemary and Thyme in their wards as a disinfectant (P. Davis; 2000). However, evidence of humans using plants and herbs to heal sickness or for aromatic purposes dates back to well before this period, to 3,000 years B.C. The wonders of plants and their medicinal and healing capabilities were being used by the ancient Egyptians who also utilised plants and herbs (myrrh and cinnamon) to embalm the bodies of their dead.
Other ancient peoples were also recording and using plants and herbs to heal and medicinally treat illness; such as the Babylonian doctors; ancient Greeks such as Galen in 78 A.D and Arab physician Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah ibn Sina 980 - 1037 A.D. (P.Davis; 2000). The Chinese also have an extremely long and ancient tradition of using herbs, which have always been used alongside acupuncture and the Indians have traditional Ayurvedic medicine, which is used alongside modern medicine.
Patricia Davis; Aromatherapy an A-Z; 2000; Saffron Walden; C.W. Daniel Company Limited; pp 8-17.
How can aromatherapy help me?
An aromatherapy massage is believed to improve your circulation, as the power of this type of touch stimulates fresh nutrients to the tissues and removes waste products. It is believed that our skin benefits enormously from any of the essential oils chosen to treat a particular problem. As the largest organ of the body you may notice an increased suppleness and softness in your skin and elevated healing of areas with scarring or stretchmarks. An aromatherapy massage is believed to encourage dead skin cells to shed and promote the growth of new, healthier and clearer skin.
There are far more ways for essential oils to be used other than in an aromatherapy massage for example; in a bath; in a diffuser; in a poultice for wound healing and in a smelling stick for issues such as nausea, to name a few.
Essential oils are believed to benefit every skin type
Gentle oils such as German and Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood and Neroli are deemed to be wonderful for sensitive skin types. Frankincense, Lavender and Ylang Ylang may help combination skin types and Geranium, Lavender and Jasmine may aid dry skin.
Examples of health problems and body systems that may benefit from essential oils
Digestive issues such as diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion may well be eased with essential oils. Oils such as; Orange, Black pepper, Sweet fennel and Ginger are stimulants for a constipated system. Clary Sage, Lavender, peppermint and Chamomile are antispasmodics and Fennel, Marjoram and Peppermint are eliminating oils and especially helpful for flatulence.
Boosting the immune system. Almost all essential oils have antibacterial qualities that are believed to kick start the immune system. Oils such as; Lavender, Thyme, Lemon and Tea Tree are thought to be particularly effective at stimulating the immune system.
The nervous system may really benefit from essential oils especially if we think of the stress and worries that we all have increasing amounts of on a daily basis. Stress and anxiety over a long period of time has been documented as causing problems such as; adrenal fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia and an inability to relax. Marjoram, Rosemary and Neroli oils is believed to really ease stress. Additionally some oils like Bergamot, Ylang Ylang and Lavender work as sedatives to help slow down our frenetic minds and bodies.
The musculoskeletal system may also benefit from essential oils. Some oils may detoxify such as; Lemon, Fennel and Juniper, thus relieving the painful symptoms of arthritis by reducing swelling and inflammation. Rubifacient oils such as Eucalyptus, Black pepper and Ginger are described as warming and stimulating the blood and are thought to send oxygen to stiff muscles and joints, helping to eliminate waste products.
There are many respiratory conditions that may benefit from essential oils. The aroma of certain essential oils directly benefit the respiratory system and help conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, coughs and colds. Using a diffuser or oil burner with oils such as; Spike Lavender, Eucalyptus and Lemongrass will certainly aid in easing many respiratory issues as they can decongest and encourage the clearing of mucus and help to treat infections.
Other conditions that essential oils may alleviate and treat are:
Menopause symptoms; PMT; skin conditions such as itching, acne, burns and wounds; insomnia; depression; migraine; headaches; nervous tension and stress; vertigo; menstrual problems; loss of appetite; gripey pains; stomach cramps; constipation and diarrhoea; asthma; catarrh; sinusitis; Aches and pains; arthritis; cellulitis; gout; high and low blood pressure; poor circulation; oedema and water retention; rheumatism and allergies.
(This is not an exhaustive list).
Prices
1 hour Aromatherapy Treatment £45.00
*Gift Vouchers Available*
I am offering aromatherapy massages to women and clients with cancer only at this time.