Aromatherapy

Power of Scent

Therapeutic Uses

History

The use of aromatic extracts from plants can add a whole new dimension to your massage. These concentrated essences, taken from flowers, herbs and trees, are known as essential oils. Aromatherapy is the practice of using these oils therapeutically to treat a wide range of problems form insomnia and stress to acne, aging skin, depression and nervous tension.

THE POWER OF SCENT
People usually don't realize how strongly they are affected by scents. Yet the evocative power of a scent is dramatic-the smell of the sea or of your mother's perfume can bring memories rushing back. The reason for this is that the area of the brain that is concerned with our emotions interprets smells. Scents have a powerful effect on our moods, so adding some essential oils to your massage oil can enhance the relaxing or invigorating effect of your massage.
Recent research testifies to the strength of this link. Dr. Gary Schwartz, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Yale university, ahs found that certain odors can lower blood pressure. The scent of spiced apples was shown to be particularly effective: it lowered the blood pressure of healthy volunteers by an average of three to five points. Other scientific research has demonstrated that pleasant smells such as plum or peach can reduce pain, and that essential oils can change people's moods: jasmine, ilang-ilang and peppermint can lift depression; geranium and bergamot dispel anxiety; and rose and carnation restore energy.

THERAPEUTIC USES
Essential oils are a complex mixture of chemicals with many different properties. As well as affecting mood, some are antibacterial, antiseptic or anti-inflammatory.
The diversity of claims made for essential oils, sometimes several claims for a single oil may be described as both calming and stimulating. This sounds like a contradiction, causing skeptics to dismiss the whole subject. However, someone suffering from nervous tension might first be calmed by the treatment, and then, with this new freedom from tension, reclaim his natural energy and feel refreshed and energized.

HISTORY
"The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day," wrote Hippocrates in 400 B.C. There are numerous re4ferences throughout history to the use of aromatic oils.
A French chemist, Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy, in the 1920s. Several years earlier he had noticed the therapeutic effects of essential oils after burning his hand badly while working in his laboratory. Absentmindedly, he put his burned hand into the nearest liquid, a bowl of lavender oil. To his amazement, the pain diminished and the burn healed much faster than he expected, leaving no scar. Following this discovery, when working with wounded soldiers during the 1914-18 war, he found that essential oils accelerated the healing process. Since then, aromatherapy has steadily gained in popularity.

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