Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils. It is the ancient science of healing, relaxing and energizing the body by the use of plants and their parts. The word aromatherapy is derived from two words aroma which means smell and therapy which stands for healing.

Essential oils are the basis of aromatherapy the roots, barks, flowers, fruits, seeds and nuts are used for the distillation of oils. Each essential oil is an aromatic essence, distilled from a single botanical source. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should not be used directly. These oils can be blended together and this blend is called synergy. The synergy is more potent than the individual oils. Since these oils are so potent in their concentrated form they are mixed with simple oils called carrier oils like sweet almond, apricot kernel, or grape seed oil.

Essential oils can have many different effects on the body, mind and spirit. They can be sedative or stimulating, analgesic and antispasmodic and antibacterial. They enter through our olfactory system and affect the nervous system, thus improving mood and relaxing or energizing us. This helps is alleviating stress and speeds up healing.

There are many different ways of using essential oils therapeutically - in baths, inhalations, compresses, creams or lotions, massage.

Massage therapy is also an ancient form of alternative medicine. It can affect the autonomic nervous system, and calms the mind, reducing the stress in the body. Massage stimulates the blood circulation, increasing the supply of nutrients and oxygen to cells. It also stimulates lymphatic flow, improving tissue drainage and in the immune system.

Hippocrates said: "The Physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing . . . for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid."

Depending on your need a synergy blend is created with the carrier oil. There are a lot of combinations that are specially made for specific diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, stress, sports injury, migraines, insomnia etc.

History of Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy Massage is the brain child of Marguerite Maury, nee Konig of Austria. Marguerite trained as a nurse and surgical assistant. Her interest in aromatherapy began with the book of Dr Chabenes, Les Grandes Possibilites par les Matières Odoriferantes. Marguerite met and married a French doctor in the early thirties, and continued her research into essential oils.

She developed her particular method of using the "Individual Prescription" blending several essential oils, for each patient, after an in-depth consultation and examination. She also pioneered the use of massage to administer the essential oils, partly perhaps because she was not a medical doctor, and therefore not qualified to prescribe internal use of the oils.

Maury wrote Le Capital Jeunesse in English, The Secret of Life and Youth based on aromatherapy. She opened clinics in France, Switzerland and England, and continued to teach and practice until her death.

Basic Oils

There are a variety of essential oils that can be blended to create a perfect one for your needs, a few of them are

Lavender

&bullmost basic of oils

&bullrelaxation, calming, balancing

&bullantibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, detoxifier

&bulluse on burns

Rosemary

&bullstimulant for mental and physical body

&bullantiseptic, anti-inflammatory, adrenal stimulant

&bullmuscular strains and sprains, headaches, fatigue, congestion, prevents scar tissue formation

Bergamot

&bullrefreshing, uplifting,

&bullantiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative, expectorant, deodorizer

&bullcan be slightly irritating to skin

Peppermint

&bulldigestive aid, headaches, fatigue

&bullanti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, vasoconstrictor

&bullcooling

Tea Tree

&bullantibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic

&bulltreatment of infections, ringworm, sunburn, acne, athlete's foot, gum disease

&bullcaution when applying full strength

Geranium

&bulleases stress

&bullantidepressant, adrenal and hormone balancer, detoxifier, sedative, antiseptic

&bullgood for PMS and female disorders

Clary Sage

&bullantidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, aphrodisiac, sedative, tonic

&bullrelieves PMS, soothing, relaxing

Eucalyptus

&bullantiviral, antiseptic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic

&bullcools the body in summer and warms in winter

&bulleffective treatment for candida, diabetes, sunburn, congestion, cough, neuralgia

Geranium

&bulleases stress

&bullantidepressant, adrenal and hormone balancer, detoxifier, sedative, antiseptic

&bullgood for PMS and female disorders

Aromatherapy is a potent alternative medical procedure. The perfect place to get an aromatherapy massage is in a spa from expertly trained masseuses.