Aromatherapy

THE ISHTA HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTRE

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy is the controlled use of essential oils, applied in a variety of treatments including massage and having a potent but gentle effect on the body, mind and emotions.

What Does it Help?

Aromatherapy massage offers a deeply relaxing, pleasantly aromatic and beneficial treatment. It can be used to treat a wide range of disorders, including:
- arthritis and rheumatism
- stress and any problem with a 'stress factor'
- back pain aches and muscular pain
- headaches and migraine
- anxiety and mild depression, insomnia
- chronic digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome
- lowered resistance to coughs, colds, 'flu etc
- PMT and menopausal problems
- gentle massage with certain oils is relaxing during pregnancy (for both mother and baby!)

How Does It Work?

Through the practice of aromatherapy the properties of essential oils are delivered to the nervous and circulatory systems of the body and to the olfactory centres (the "smell centres") of the brain. The effects are subtle yet potent, giving feelings of relaxation, balance and harmony.
Massage is the most common method of applying essential oils, and can in itself relax, release muscular tension, soothe pain, stimulate the circulation and the lymphatic system.
Essential oils are highly fragrant, volatile (quickly evaporating) fluids that occur naturally in aromatic plants growing the world over. They can be distilled from flowers, leaves, seeds, fruits and woods, depending on the plant. Each essential oil is a complex mixture of substances offering distinct therapeutic properties that can improve the body's natural functioning and so help to prevent disease. Enhancing the health of both mind and body, they have been shown through research to possess stimulant, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory and relaxant properties among others.
The essential oils are delivered either directly via the skin and respiratory tract to the circulatory system and so around the body, or indirectly via the sense of smell. The close relationship between olfaction (smelling) and the brain means that the wonderful aromas of these oils, either singly or in a blend, can have a profound effect on the psychological state and related physical sense of calm and well being.

Your Treatment

During your first visit, your aromatherapist will conduct a confidential consultation, asking you questions about your general health and medical history, existing ailments, allergies as well as your lifestyle. It is also your opportunity to share with the therapist the benefits you would like to gain from your session(s). This information is needed by your therapist to determine the choice of oils and individually tailored treatment plan.
The aromatherapist will select and blend the essential oils that are right for you and decide on the most appropriate way of applying them, usually in a gentle but effective form of massage. You will be asked to remove clothing and jewellery appropriate to the massage and lie on a couch. While the therapist is working on a particular area of your body, the remainder will be kept warm and covered by towels.
Afterwards you may feel very relaxed - even sleepy. Or you could feel invigorated and full of energy. Your body will have been toned and regulated depending on the essential oils that were used and the purpose of your treatment. The effects of your treatment will usually last for some hours, even days after the session as the essential oils continue to be absorbed and work through your system.
Aromatherapy may relax, revive, soothe or invigorate. A single treatment is usually deeply relaxing and beneficial, whilst regular visits are a gentle but effective way to help maintain your general health and well being - you don't have to be ill to enjoy an aromatherapy session! However some conditions may require a course of treatment for optimum results.

Origins and Development

The therapeutic qualities of plant oils and the aromatic plants from which they are extracted have been recognized for thousands of years and used by all the ancient civilizations - Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. However it wasn't until the 20th century that the French chemist, Dr Rene Gattefosse, coined the term 'Aromatherapie'. In 1928, Gattefosse was working in the family perfume business and accidentally burnt his hand in the lab. In pain, he plunged his hand into the nearest container of lavender oil. Not only did his hand heal quickly, but also he suffered minimal scarring. Intrigued by this he went on to study plant oils and their healing potential in detail. More recently, lavender oil is still being used to treat burns victims, to help with pain and scarring - large quantities were used on victims of the King's Cross rail disaster.
Aromatherapy initially gained popularity in the UK as a beauty treatment. Today, with the increasing recognition of its therapeutic properties by the mainstream medical sector, aromatherapy is witnessing an enormous increase in interest as a complementary therapy.

The Aromatherapists are Claire Phillipson and Melissa Callaway.