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Written by Tara
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Explaining Aromatherapy to clients new to complementary therapy has presented a bit of challenge to me. For instance, your average man is not going to be rushing for a treatment when I talk about the essences of flowers and herbs, but if I said there is evidence that Pharaohs, Greek gods, and roman emperors all used this fascinating therapy even some of you ‘male’ readers may begin to take note.
Many people do not know that Aromatherapy had been around for 6000 years or more. The Egyptians used essential oils for embalming their dead. The essential oil myrrh has been detected on the carefully preserved mummified bodies; myrrh has excellent skin preservation therapeutic properties. Roman emperors ordered that their soldiers wore marjoram when going into battle; Marjoram has anaphrodisiac (opposite to ‘aphrodisiac’) properties as the emperors believed this would keep them ‘focused’ on their jobs during periods of abstinence.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague by burning large fires of aromatic woods in the streets. This remedy would be employed again almost 1,000 years later in Europe during an outbreak of the plague. He famously said “the way to good health is to take an aromatic bath and scented massage every day” (I wish!)
Maybe this luxurious yet simple philosophy is the point we are missing in a today’s modern society where we place so little value or emphasis on preventative medicine. It is all too easy to let health slide and reach for that bottle of pills or see the Gp when something goes wrong. Why, as one of my clients so aptly put it, are people prepared to give their cars a regular service and mot test, and give less attention to ourselves! A regular aromatherapy massage can not only help to de-stress you and treat common conditions, but can also help strengthen the immune system, warding off any unwanted germs!
The last two decades has witnessed a remarkable renaissance of natural therapies. Only 60 years ago the British Pharmacy and Medicines Act made the practice of herbal medicine illegal, now 60 years on scientists are beginning to take notice and reappraise the effectiveness and benefits of this therapy.
Aromatherapy has lost its alternative hippie-new age-fad label to being considered as a valuable treatment that compliments traditional medicine. Today it is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labour pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and in Gp surgeries for patients with chronic conditions.
So what is Aromatherapy? It is the therapeutic use of essential oils; an essential oil is a liquid that is distilled (extracted) by steam or water from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. The essential oil that is extracted has unique therapeutic properties, (e.g. sedative, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving etc.) and these are taken into consideration when the Aromatherapist is treating a condition.
How does it work? Scents from essential oils can stimulate olfactory (smell) receptors in the nose that trigger activity in the area of the brain responsible for mood and memory. Components of essential oils are also absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream and influence the nervous system, mental state and emotions, and even organ function.
How is it applied? Essential oils are usually either massaged into the body, to be absorbed through the skin, or inhaled by means of vaporisers. They may also be added to steam inhalations or baths or added to compresses.
What conditions can it benefit? Well there are too many to list here but more commonly back and muscular problems, arthritis, skin complaints (such as eczema, acne and psoriasis), Irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, insomnia, infertility, stress and depression.
When receiving treatment from any practitioner you should always check that they are suitably qualified. Clinical Aromatherapists have received extensive training both in acquiring massage techniques and in understanding the many and varied properties of the essential oils that are used in the treatment of medical conditions. If in any doubt check with the regulating body (Aromatherapy council) for advice. www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk
Well its time to go for my daily scented bath and massage……
Tune in next month for my ‘summer aromatherapy first aid kit’.
For a free consultation contact Tara at calma:me 606164573 or
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