Aromatherapy – what’s it all about?

Described as the systematic use of essential oils in holistic treatments to improve physical and emotional well-being, Aromatherapy utilises essential oils, extracted from plants, possessing distinctive therapeutic properties to improve health and prevent disease.

These natural plant oils are applied in a variety of ways:
• Massage (most used method)
• Baths (add a few drops to warm water)
• Inhalations (not for asthmatics)

An especially effective treatment for stress-related problems and a variety of chronic conditions, it is today, one of the most popular of all complementary therapies. As well as relieving problems, regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby establishing a preventative approach to overall health.

The earliest records of aromatherapy date back to Sumer at the mouth of the Euphrates River around 3000BC. Simple stills were used where Myrrh, aromatic grasses and gums were heated in water to provide a fragrant steam.The Egyptians even had a God of Fragrance and Perfumes – Nefertem.

What is an Essential Oil?
An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance extracted from a single botanical source by distillation or expression. Essential oils have been utilised in fragrances, flavours and medicines for thousands of years. There are some 400 essential oils extracted from plants all over the world. Some of the popular oils used in aromatherapy today include chamomile, lavender, rosemary and tea tree.

Did you know?
Greek physician Hippocrates wrote: “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day”.

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