Aromatherapy massage is the use of the natural fragrances of the essential oils in aromatic plants to enhance our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. These essential oils and fragrances may be inhaled or directly applied to the skin of the body.
The practice of aromatherapy and the use of essential aromatherapy oils for healing purposes date back to ancient times. Civilisations all over the world have long valued the naturally relaxing and healing benefits certain flowers, plants, resins, and woods provided.
From the burning of Frankincense in ancient times to the use of lavender oil in therapeutic massage today, the practice of aromatherapy continues to help us improve our overall physical, emotional, and mental health.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
The essential oils in aromatherapy provide us with many benefits; some of them include:
- Aids in relaxation
- Induces sleep and helps cure insomnia
- Fights fungal infections
- Improves breathing
- Balances the mind, body and spirit
- Helps to lower blood pressure
- Fights virus
- Strengthens our immune system
- Helps to reduce and prevent seizures
What are the essential aromatherapy oils and how are they used?
The oils used in aromatherapy are known as essential oils. Essential oils are potent liquids that form in certain aromatic plants that gradually fill up as the plant matures and are then extracted for our benefit.
These essential oils are extracted through the use of special solvents or steam distillation (which is the most common method). These special aromatherapy massage oils can be absorbed through our skin through the use of aromatherapy baths or direct skin manipulation. Essential oils can be vaporised and inhaled or burnt and inhaled through the use of candles.
The essential oils used in aromatherapy can remain potent for 6 months up to 1 full year and should be kept and stored in dark, cool places.
Did You Know? Quick Facts in Aromatherapy History
- In the 1930s, perfumer René Maurice Gattefusse coined the term “aromatherapy.”
- Marguerite Maury was the first person to come up with the idea of using aromatherapy oils in therapeutic massage in the 1960’s
- Britain’s Robert Tisserand published the very first book on aromatherapy in the early 1970s
