Essential oils are concentrated pure plant extracts, revered for their fragrance & their therapeutic value. The use of these oils is known as aromatherapy. True aromatherapy is much more than a beauty treat – it is a powerful therapeutic tool. When an essential oil is added to a carrier oil & massaged into the body, it penetrates the skin very quickly & within 20 minutes, enters the blood stream. From the blood, the essential oil molecules eventually reach all the tissues of the body & will continue to have their therapeutic effect for many hours.

Essential oils have a long & respected history dating back as far as ancient Egypt. The ancient Greeks acquired medical knowledge from the Egyptians & used essences as perfumes & also to cure illness. Greek soldiers carried an ointment made from myrrh for the treatment of wounds. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, described a great number of medicinal plants. He wrote – “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath & scented massage every day.” The Chinese have also used botanical medicine for thousands of years. They used aromatherapy with acupuncture, very effectively.

In the 19th century the role of micro-organisms had been identified as the cause of many diseases & it was in France, in the late 1800’s, that it was realised that some essential oils were highly antimicrobial. In 1910 Dr Rene Gattefosse discovered the healing powers of lavender oil & modern aromatherapy was born.

The benefits of aromatherapy include –

• Reduced stress
• Deep relaxation
• Improved skin
• Strengthened immune system
• Relief for muscular aches & pains
• Regulation of blood pressure
• Easing of psychological problems – depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia
• Relaxing in the later stages of pregnancy & during delivery

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