Aromatherapy offers a potent yet soothing approach to complementary healthcare. As certified and insured Aromatherapists in Birmingham, we serve numerous clients who appreciate this gentle and elevating therapy.
To book an appointment with our Aromatherapist, Rachel: 07752897630
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy, the art and science of utilizing oils extracted from aromatic plants, has been practiced in various forms since the dawn of civilization. It not only enhances health and beauty but also subtly influences the mind and emotions beyond its physical benefits.
Essential oils used in aromatherapy are derived from plants, herbs, spices, flowers, and woods. These oils are often referred to as the “life force” of the plants because they are crucial to the plants’ biological processes and are also what impart their distinctive fragrances.
Synthetic oils may be chemically akin, but they lack the natural components and the crucial life energy that render essential oils therapeutically precious.
Aromatherapy, an alternative medicine form, utilizes volatile plant materials, called essential oils, along with other aromatic compounds to modify a person’s mind, mood, cognitive function, or health.
The use of natural oils in aromatherapy aims to improve psychological and physical well-being. Aromatherapy massages are offered at our Therapy Centre in Kings Norton, Birmingham.
What’s involved in Aromatherapy Massage?
Aromatherapy Massage effectively utilizes essential oils by blending their properties with the healing power of touch. These oils should never be applied undiluted; instead, they must be mixed with a neutral carrier oil like grapeseed, almond, or evening primrose oil.
WARNING. Whilst Aromatherapy oils are freely available, I would urge you to be cautious. Oils should not be used undiluted and never ingested. If in doubt, contact a qualified Aromatherapist.
I typically use grapeseed oil in my treatments, although the choice depends on the individual’s skin condition and my specific goals for their treatment. Essential oils possess a variety of therapeutic properties. As an aromatherapist, I strive to create the most synergistic blend for each client. Some oils uplift the spirit, others soothe, comfort, relax, or even facilitate emotional release.
Each essential oil offers a unique quality, a distinct gift, and it is my responsibility to select the right gifts for you. While the oils vary greatly, the method of application does not. A true aromatherapy massage is performed with a gentle and subtle touch.
How does Aromatherapy Massage work?
Essential oils are theorized to be absorbed into the body either through skin pores during massage or by inhalation. The oil molecules are believed to enter the bloodstream and the nervous system, impacting emotional and physical health. Massaging enhances circulation, allowing the oils to spread quickly throughout the body. The heat generated by skin contact intensifies the oil’s aroma, providing faster therapeutic benefits to both mind and body, and boosting the immune system upon application.
Therapeutic touch is gentle and can be soothing for both the practitioner and the recipient. I often integrate “Aromatherapy” with “Touch for Health” in a single session, which has proven highly beneficial to my clients. Each treatment is unique, tailored to the individual, utilizing one or multiple therapies based on our objectives. Additional methods for administering essential oils include:
– Baths: Adding 6 to 10 drops of essential oil to bathwater can offer relaxation and therapeutic effects. The water’s healing properties are amplified by the oils. No other substances should be added.
– Compresses: For this method, 5 to 10 drops of essential oil are mixed with 100ml of warm water. A clean cotton cloth is then soaked, wrung, and applied to the targeted area.
– Inhalations: Inhaling the vapor from 5 to 10 drops of essential oil added to steaming water can be beneficial.
– Vaporisation: Essential oils are natural antiseptics and make excellent air fresheners due to their easy evaporation. Different oils can set various moods, so it’s worth experimenting to find the right one.
Aromatherapy, with its scientifically proven health benefits, has been enhancing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being for thousands of years. This practice involves the use of a plant’s essential oil—extracted from its flowers, leaves, bark, or roots—and applying it to the skin, inhaling, or using it as a room fragrance, often mixed with another substance like oil or lotion. Dating back to ancient Egypt, essential oils were produced by soaking plants and filtering the oil through a linen bag.
The term “aromatherapy” was coined in 1928 by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist who initially used the oils for treating wounds in World War I and later discovered their varied healing properties, categorizing them as antiseptic, stimulating, calming, antitoxic, and more, based on their effects.
Aromatherapy is believed to work by activating nerve cells in the nose, which then send impulses to the limbic system—the brain region associated with emotions and memory. It serves to invigorate or calm emotionally, relieve stress, and physically aid in alleviating certain conditions by stimulating the immune, circulatory, and nervous systems.
Essential oils can be administered by an aromatherapist, who may create a custom blend for specific ailments, or purchased individually in health food stores. However, due to the potent nature of essential oils and their varied effects, consulting with a trained aromatherapist is advisable before use, especially for pregnant women.
Traditionally, essential oils are utilized by:
– Mixing with a carrier oil or lotion and massaging into the skin.
– Inhaling during an aromatherapy session.
– Adding to bathwater, such as the highly recommended Vermont Soap Organics aromatherapy bath salts.
