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Aromatherapy is the art and science of the use of essential oils obtained from aromatic plants for the purpose of healing the body, mind and spirit and to bring about a general sense of well-being. ‘Aroma’ meaning scent and ‘therapy’ meaning treatment.

Aromatic plants have been used for thousands of years, even before the oils were extracted, for their medicinal properties. Archeologists have found traces of plants in many burial places and living sites of primitive man. Each tribe would have a ‘medicine man’ and it would be his job to use his vast knowledge of plants and their medicinal affects to heal the sick and wounded.

Essential oils are extracted from a wide range of plants and are extremely concentrated which is why care should be taken when using them in the home. A huge number of plants are needed to extract a small amount of oil e.g. it takes at least 30 roses to make one drop of rose oil and over a kilo of lavender to obtain just 10ml of lavender oil. The most popular oils used today are Lavender, Rose, Juniper, Tea Tree, Lemon, Geranium, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Rosemary, Ylang-Ylang, Clary-Sage and Neroli.

Essential oils are extremely beneficial to the body physically, psychologically and emotionally and can be used diluted in the bath, inhaled or massaged into the skin where they are absorbed through the hair follicles and travel through the tiny capillaries into the blood stream which then circulates it around the body. Massage is the most popular form of applying the oils and can be used to for:

               *  Muscle Aches and Pains                *  Digestive problems                *  PMT
               *  Insomnia                                       *  Skin Disorders                       *  Hypotension
               *  Headaches and Migraines              *  Depression                            *  Hypertension
               *  Colds and Flu                                *  Bronchitis                              *  Menopausal problems
               *  Chest Infections                            *  Circulatory disorders              *  Stress
               *  Sinusitis                                        *  Urinary infections                  *  Anxiety

All treatments begin with a full medical and lifestyle consultation so that I can decide on the best blend of oils to suit each client.

Aromatherapy massage has a holistic approach to massage and will concentrate on more relaxing strokes, but of prime importance is the selection of essential oils used for the massage, since they are chosen for their therapeutic effects and not just for their fragrance.

A holistic massage approach is based on the idea that a human-being functions in a separable whole - the mind, body and spirit. It is a form of flowing, gentle and comforting massage specifically aimed to de-stress the body and mind. Holistic massage helps to free up the body, mind and spirit. It can help the stimulation of the parasymphathetic nervous system which de-stresses the body and mind, improves digestive system, encourages the productions of blood and eliminates toxins from the body. Most clients feel relaxed and more mobile physically and mentally after a holistic massage and they may have this feeling for several days afterwards. Holistic massage can help stress symptoms such as tension headaches, backache, insomnia and stiff and aching shoulders.