WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY?
Aromatherapy is a healing art which combines essential oils with various massage techniques: (swedish massage; neuromuscular massage; shiatsu and reflexology). Essential oils are extracted from a wide range of plants and herbs. They are carefully chosen by the Aromatherapist for the specific needs of the individual and blended with 100% pure vegetable oils. Inhaling them affects the olfactory system. They are also absorbed through the skin and circulated by the blood. The benefits of aromatherapy are both subtle and profound. Benefits range from improving relaxation, energizing, detoxification, and enhancing general health. An aromatherapy treatment focuses on the individual as a whole, addressing body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE TECHNIQUES.
An aromatherapy treatment consists of four specialized massage techniques. They combine to provide a smooth flowing, continuous treatment and compliment each other.
1) SWEDISH MASSAGE is used to apply the blended essential oils. It is very relaxing and helps to improve circulation and lymph drainage. It consists of movements which are smooth and flowing, as well as finger kneading to specific areas such as the neck and shoulders.
2) NEUROMUSCULAR means nerve-muscle and is a deep massage reaching nerves, tendons, and ligaments. This technique helps to increase blood supply to tendons and nerves. This massage consists of deep friction movements in a circular motion or a press and slide action.
3) SHIATSU, or acupressure, has similarities to acupuncture. It involves working all over the body with pressure, along energy pathways called meridians. There are two ways of using Shiatsu. Firstly, the meridian is stroked along its entire length, either upwards or downwards, to create a stimulating or relaxed affect. Secondly, pressure is applied to acupressure points, which helps release blocked energy in the area. An example of this could be pressing the temples which can relieve a headache.
4) REFLEXOLOGY is given some time in an aromatherapy treatment. This is a pressure-point massage of the feet, using the thumb pads, or finger tips. Each area of the foot is connected to an area of the body via energy lines. Massaging the foot with this technique encourages healing. Stress in the body can form under the foot and feels like sugar crystals. The therapist works on these areas which also assists healing in corresponding areas of the body.

An aromatherapist is trained to provide each massage as a flowing and nurturing sequence of movements which combine to make a whole aromatherapy treatment.

HISTORY OF ESSENTIAL OILS.
Many medical practitioners have been skeptical about the effects of essential oils, but the gap between orthodox and complementary medicine is getting smaller. In ancient times the people knew what they were doing with essential oils. Known and used in China, their use gradually spread to Greece, Egypt, Rome, and then to England. The Greek healing temple at Epidaurus, the sanctuary of the Master Asclaepius, has a stone tablet clearly showing an order for a delivery of cypress oil for the hospital there. Diogenes always applied his aromatic oils to his feet, and commented to those who
mocked him for his seeming eccentricity, “If I rub it on my feet it envelopes my whole body, and gratefully ascends to my nose.” The earliest known written record of essential oils in England was in the thirteenth century and from that time a great increase was shown both in oil produced and
treatments carried out. Glove makers perfumed their gloves to mask the smell of body odor, and it was a known fact that the perfume wearers rarely caught disease (in times of cholera and other diseases). This is because essential oils are such good antiseptics. In the early twentieth century, there was a renewed interest in natural products and treatments, perhaps because many of the synthetic drugs had unwanted side effects. Some of the people around this time researching essential oils include Gattefosse, who was a chemist, discovered that it was possible for essential oils to penetrate the skin, reach blood and lymph, hence the organs; After burning himself one day, he immediately plunged his
hand into some essential oil of lavender, and a few hours later had no scar; Dr. Jean Valnet, a French physician, successfully treated many of his patients with essential oils; Madame Maury, a biochemist researched essential oils and correlated the massage techniques of aromatherapy. She set up an aromatherapy clinic in London teaching beauty therapists, medical practitioners, medical herbalists, nurses, and doctors looking for alternative ways to treat patients. Presently, essential oils are used extensively in foods, toiletries as well as medicines.

ESSENTIAL OILS & CARRIER OILS.
Essential oils are steam-distilled and extracted from flowers, herbs, spices, leaves, fruits, and roots. They are intensely fragrant and can evaporate quickly. Carrier oils are cold-pressed vegetable oil. The most commonly used are grapeseed, sweet almond, apricot kernel, evening primrose, vitamin E, and wheatgerm. Mineral oil is never used in aromatherapy. The carrier oil is chosen primarily according to skin type. It is a vital part of the treatment as a great deal more of it is used on the skin than the essential oil. Into the carrier oil may be added a few drops each of not usually more than 3 essential oils. The molecules of the carrier oil are comparatively large, and feed and nourish the skin. The essential oil molecules however are minute. They penetrate the skin into the body, where they travel through the lymphatic system, and aid the body in the healing process.

ESSENTIAL OILS & SENSE OF SMELL.
When we inhale molecules of the essential oils they work on the olfactory epithelium, a complex organ at the top of the nose which contains about 20 million nerve endings. The molecules of the oil anchor into receptors, which then relay a nerve message. The message is then amplified by the olfactory bulb. From here it is passed along the olfactory tract and enters the limbic system of the brain.
At this point we experience the response ‘what does it remind me of?’ There is a good reason for this because the message is relayed to the amygdala and hippocampus gland (in the brain), where it is analyzed very rapidly, and where our memories are stored. The aroma will trigger memories which are recent or distant, happy or sad. As Shakespeare tells us that ‘Rosemary is for remembrance’, the molecules of rosemary, basil, and lemon, for example, will help to elevate poor concentration, poor memory, and mental fatigue, without the oil ever touching the skin.
From here the impulse is passed on to the hypothalamus, the relay center, where it is analyzed. This gland works as a regulator and alleviates anxiety, depression, mood swings, menstrual and menopausal imbalances. The molecules of bergamot, frankincense, geranium and ylang ylang are examples of oils which trigger the regulating activities of this gland. The hypothalamus now can relay the impulse in one of four different directions, sparking the body's self healing processes.
With an oil such lavender, eucalyptus, clary sage, or rose, the impulse will move to the thalamus gland which then secretes neurochemicals called encephalins. These act as painkillers and also induce a feeling of well being, thus lifting depression, alleviating moodiness and helping self-confidence.
Stimulating oils, such as rosemary or lemongrass, will trigger the locus ceruleus which then releases noradrenaline to work against boredom, lethargy and immune deficiency. It is extremely important to have a sound knowledge of the oils, or consult a qualified aromatherapist, for such oils can also raise the blood pressure.
Ylang ylang and geranium molecules result in the stimulation of the pituitary gland which may secrete endorphins, which are also pain killers and produce a feeling of euphoria. The pituitary gland is the master gland in the body and governs all the other endorphin glands. Such oils therefore help to alleviate hormone imbalance.
Chamomile, frankincense, and sandalwood are sedative odours and cause the stimulation of the raphe nucleus, which then releases seratonin (a neurochemical) into the blood stream, therefore helping to alleviate anxiety, stress, hypertension, insomnia, anger and irritability.

SUBTLE AROMATHERAPY.
As well as the traditional methods of using aromatherapy, essential oils can be used in more subtle, non physical way. The aromatherapist draws on the energetic or vibrational qualities of essential oils rather than their physical properties. Essential oils are used to heal the physical body by influencing the energy field around the body. It also embraces the use of essential oils as an aid to meditation, visualization, and all transformative inner work.
Every living thing - plant, animal, and human - has a subtle body which co-exists with its physical structure. It is this that makes the subtle effects of aromatherapy and spiritual healing possible. Each essential oil resonates at a different vibrational rate, each oil has its own color, and its own ‘keynote’ or sound. It is in combining the benefits of traditional and subtle aromatherapy, depending on the need in a particular moment, that the greatest healing can occur.
Everything is divine energy, infinite, flowing, and vibrant. We should each endeavor to vibrate in harmony with the elemental kingdom, with other human beings, with the universe, for the time has come for us to walk hand-in-hand with elementals and angels, and let joy and happiness, harmony, and health be our keynote.

USING ESSENTIAL OILS AT HOME.
BODY METHODS:
1) Perfume; variable amount; dissolve in a carrier oil.
2) Tissue or handkerchief; 1 drop; sniff when needed.
3) Steam inhalation; 2-3 drops; pour hot water in bowl, add oil, lean over bowl with towel over head, eyes closed. Inhake deeply for 1 minute.
4) Massage oil; max 10 drops in 30 mls carrier oil for full body massage; store in a brown glass bottle.

WATER METHODS:
1) Baths; max 8 drops; dissolve in small amount carrier oil, run bath, add oil, soak for minimum 10 minutes.
2) Jacuzzi; 3 drops per person.
3) Sauna; 2 drops per 600 mls water; use eucalyptus, tea tree or pine; mix in water and throw on heat source as usual.
4) Shower; max 8 drops; wash, add oil to face cloth and rub all over inhaling deeply.
5) Foot bath; 2-6 drops; soak feet for 20 mins in warm water.

ROOM METHODS:
1) Oil burners; 1-6 drops; add to water, close door and inhale.
2) Light bulb burner; 1-2 drops; add oil and water while light is off and cool.
3) Humidifier; 1-9 drops; add oil to water.
4) Room sprays; 4 or more drops to 300 ml water and 1 ml vodka; use new plant sprayer; shake bottle and spray avoiding wood.
5) Water bowls; 1-9 drops; put boiling water in bowl, add oil, close door and windows, allow oil to diffuse for 5 minutes.
6) Wood fires; 1 drop per log; use cypress, pine sandalwood or cedarwood oils; Put one drop on each log and leave for half an hour before use. Logs can be prepared in advance. One log per fire is sufficient.

DO’S & DON’TS
1) Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before use (do not mix with water).
2) Keep all oils out of reach of children.
3) Patch test the skin if in doubt of allergies.
4) Refer to appropriate literature for contra-indications before use.
5) Avoid contact with the eyes and mucus membranes.
6) Keep oils away from naked flames.
7) Do Not ingest!
8) Do Not leave essential oil burners unattended!
9) Do Not use citrus oils (especially bergamot) prior to being in direct sunlight or UVA rays!
10) Be sure to consult a trained aromatherapist for any questions or uncertainties.

by Serena Bats :-)