Aromatherapy Article

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Definition

Aromatherapy is therapeutic use of essential plant oils. These oils are often applied through massage; thus helping the body to absorb the oil molecules through the skin and olfactory system. Each essential oil has its own unique set of beneficial properties. Some oils enhance emotions, some assist the body in the healing process and some help the mind work more effectively. With the correct oil or combination of oils, well-being can be improved, whether it be to enhance physical health, address psychological problems or assist with emotional issues, aromatherapy oils can help in all areas. This is why Aromatherapy is a holistic practice.

Foundation of Practice

The art of using aromas and scent to affect moods can be traced to the Egyptian era, where there is evidence to support the use of aromatic plant and animal oils to scent to the skin, cleanse the air and repel insects. Phials containing remnants of these aromatic oils have been found inside Egyptian coffins.

Modern "Aromatherapy" as a practice and method of healing is credited to Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French Chemist, who in the late 1930’s discovered that Lavender oil could assist the skins healing process. After burning his hand in his laboratory, he plunged his arm into a container of lavender oil. As a result, his wound healed quickly without scaring or infection. Gattefosse continued his experiments with plant oils, testing their various properties and gained a reputation as an authority on the properties of various plant oils. His research was so impressive that other scientists investigated the properties of these oils.

When re-combined with the ancient art of massage (often referred to in historic text as ‘anointing’), Aromatherapy has now become established as an accepted complementary practice and has a wide following in the Western world. There are over 5,000 Aromatherapists to choose from in the UK. Each one has their own individual flavour and style. The skill of the Aromatherapist lies in their ability to select the correct combination of oils and choose the correct technique for applying the oils.

Treating Yourself

For self-treatment, we have a selection of formulated oils, each with a unique combination of essential oils used to treat a particular ailment or requirement. If you should have a requirement not listed here, please contact us and we will make a formula especially for your personal requirements. Each of our shown oil combinations have already been carefully selected and blended for enjoyment as well as efficacy.

First Things First - Precautions & Safety Tips

Aromatherapy products should never be used neat without first speaking to a trained professional. All oils should be diluted in carrier oils and tested on a small area of skin before applying more liberally to the skin. A practitioner should be consulted before using any oils in the case of pregnancy, epilepsy or taking any medication. Oils should be stored in dark glass bottles in a cool dark place, keep them out of sunlight and beyond the reach of pets and children. They should not be kept beyond their ‘use by’ date as oils may chemically change over time and will not longer be suitable for the purpose intended.

These oils should be treated with respect. Oils should never be used neat on the skin unless expressly stated by a qualified practitioner. Aromatherapy Oils can be toxic and some oils would even make good paint stripper, so it is inadvisable to use them at random without advice. Look in a book as to their contraindications or look at the oil list for a little more information. It would not generally be recommended to eat or drink these oils.

As stated previously, the quality of oils cannot be compromised. Aromatherapy oils should not be kept beyond the specified date given on the bottle as the chemical constituents may change over time and something that may have been beneficial when fresh may not be of any use after a given time period and could even cause side effects.

It is important to check on a practitioners qualifications and insurance as this is someone being trusted with personal information and with physical manipulation of the body.

Aromatherapy Oils

Aromatherapy oils are taken from plants, these include flowers, herbs, spices, woods and fibres. Different parts of these plants are used in Aromatherapy: flowers, fruits, stems, roots, branches, bark, rind and leaves. Many oils are Essential Oils, these oils are said to be the ‘life force’ of the plant and are therefore ‘essential’ to the plant’s existence. There are three methods of extracting the oil from the plant: distillation (steaming the plant matter over water to separate the oil molecules from the plant, absorb them into the steam, then cool the steam to extract the oil); expression (squeezing the oils out of the plant material); and solvent extraction (dissolving the oil into alcohol or another substance then removing the oil from that substance – this is a tricky process used by perfumiers and only a few of these oils have the solvent removed sufficiently to be acceptable for use in Aromatherapy).

Quality of oil is highly relevant to beneficial results from using that oil. Oils are grown all over the world and plant health and growth are deciding factors in the quality of the oil produced; therefore the growing region plays an important part in the selection of a quality oil and some oils are mixed with less expensive oils to produce a similar smell, but very different properties. The strength of the smell of the oil is nothing to go by to establish that oils quality and purity. A good supplier will be able to prove where they got the oil from and the properties of that oil.

Oils can sometimes be too harsh when used neat, particularly when used on the skin, so aromatherapy oils are often mixed with what is called a Carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil. This dilutes the molecules so they are more acceptable to the skin and avoids any of the problems associated with applying the neat oil.

Use of Aromatherapy Oils

Massage, bath, inhalation, compress, vaporisation, and perfumes are all methods used to apply aromatherapy oils, massage being the most popular as it offers additional touch therapy between the therapist and the client. Oils can be added to bath water. Inhalation involves inhaling steamy vapour containing essential oils for a few minutes. A compress is applied to the local area, particularly useful if there is an especially painful area. Vaporisation & diffusion acts like an air freshener. Oils can be combined to make perfumes to be worn on the skin. These should be mixed with a carrier oil or un-perfumed alcohol.

Methods of Application

Massage:

A handful of oil can be massaged into the body, either to the area affected or more generally to the body, the massage acting as therapeutic touch. Massage can be very relaxing and will help ease some of the stresses and strains associated with pain.

Bath:

A few drops of oils (up to 6) can be added to the warm bath water. Bath foams etc. should be avoided when using oils as they can affect the properties of the oils. The aroma of the oils should be inhaled while relaxing in the warm bath. Oils can stain the bath, so it is important to ensure that the bath is properly cleaned after bathing.

Inhalation:

An inhalation can be beneficial, especially with sinus problems and colds. This method is by putting 5 to 10 drops of essential oil into a bowl of steaming water, then placing a towel over the head and the bowl, inhaling the steamy vapour for a few minutes.

Compress:

A compress may be applied to the local area, this can be made by adding a few drops of oil to a small bowl of water then soaking a cloth in the water, wringing it out and placing it onto the affected area. This method of application is especially useful in the case of strains and sprains.

Vaporisation & diffusion:

Vaporisation & diffusion is great for cleansing and perfuming the air. It can also be used as an insect deterrent and to create a special aromatic atmosphere before an event.

Local application:

Oil can be applied to the local area of pain, broken skin or sores should be avoided and oil should only be applied to unbroken skin. Only a light covering of oil need be applied, it can either be massaged into the skin or applied using cotton wool.

Night time treatment:

A few drops of oil applied to a tissue or cotton wool and placed below or under the pillow will provide a night time treatment and allow for inhalation of the aroma of the oils. It is inadvisable to place the drops directly onto the pillow, as some oils stain fabric. This advice also applies to nightclothes.

Humidifier:

Humidifiers can be purchased commercially these are often ceramic and are placed over the radiator. As an alternative to commercially available humidifiers, a clean cloth or rag can be moistened with water with three or four drops of oil added to the cloth. The cloth is then hung over the radiator until it dries out. When the cloth dries out, it needs to be remoistened with water and another few drops of oil need to be added to the cloth. Old clean flannels or cotton wool can also be used in this way.

Foot Bath:

A commercially available foot spa can be used as a footbath by adding 8 drops of oil to the water in the spa. Alternatively, a washing up bowl can be filled with warm water and 8 drops of oil can be added to the water before immersing the feet into the water. Relax and leave the feet in the water for 10 minutes before drying carefully by dabbing feet with a clean towel. Do not rub the feet as this will rub the oil of the skin.

Oil Burner:

Oil burners can also be purchased commercially and it is recommended that these be the preferred method for burning oils. Oils are flammable so great care should be taken not to get the oil near the flame. To use the oils in a burner, place water in the oil holder and add three or four drops of oil. Watch that the water does not fully evaporate as the oil can spit when it is exposed to extreme heat.

Choosing a Practitioner

In our opinion, the practice of finding an Aromatherapy practitioner is really a case of finding the best fit for the purpose. There are many levels of expertise and experience and not all the best Aromatherapists work in salons. Many therapists operate from home and some are even mobile, making it easier for the housebound.

Time spent researching practitioners" qualifications, experience and expertise before undertaking any therapy is time well spent. It is important to feel comfortable with a practitioner, after all they will be having a great deal of contact with you. Background investigation, such as speaking to previous clients, would be useful.

If in any doubt, contact existing clients for recommendations and research into the practitioner’s relevant and specialist skills. For example, some therapists may concentrate on alleviating stress and others might be more competent with special needs clients. Focus more on what outcome is wanted and expected from the therapy and, as there are enormous ranges of practitioners throughout the country, select a practitioner accordingly.

We recommend that a "list of requirements" be drawn up. Potential therapists can then be contacted and matched against this list of requirements. This will help to ensure "best fit" to clients' needs.

Items to possibly include in this list are: location; ease of access; transport; if the practitioner will come to your home / you go to their home / clinic /or salon; if the practitioner must be male / female; have a relaxed and easy manner / vivacious personality; the clients’ preferred background music; degree of privacy throughout the consultation and treatment; date and level of qualifications and training; ability to request preferred specific oils; degree of use and type of relaxing and/or stimulating massage techniques (if using massage); specialist treatments (face, body, lymphatic drainage etc.); areas of special interest and experience (stress, feminine problems, muscle strain and tension, sports injuries). This list should be comprehensive enough to include anything that is important to the client. That way, the client will feel more reassured before embarking on the massage. It is important to put one’s mind at rest and approach an aromatherapy treatment with as relaxed an attitude as possible.

Status of Aromatherapy in the UK

Aromatherapy is a recognised therapy used throughout the UK. The oils should be used with extreme caution and professional advice should be adhered to at all times, preferably from a trained professional or, failing that, from a good written source. There are many excellent books on Aromatherapy readily available in local bookshops.

There are many registered bodies that accredit Aromatherapists and many training establishments that carry out training in aromatherapy. Local colleges and training centres often hold courses on aromatherapy. There is currently no one recognised organisation to represent the profession, however, the Aromatherapy Organisation Council (AOC), which represents 12 professional associations, are currently pursuing Statutory Regulation of Title for the Aromatherapy Profession in the UK.

Qualifications

Aromatherapists vary in length and depth of training. However all practitioners should have basic training in anatomy, physiology, massage and know the properties of essential oils. There are many registered bodies and levels of qualification that practitioners can be certified under and a practitioner should be selected by personal preference. Some practitioners listed here have information on their own specialisation and expertise. In addition to a professional qualification, practitioners should carry professional insurance, this often comes from the professional body they are affiliated to. If a practitioner does not carry insurance, it is inadvisable to be treated by that practitioner.

Treatment Approach & Methods

Prices

Initial consultations are usually free. A full body massage with essential oils will range from £20 to £50 per hour depending on the location. Full body treatment takes between 45 - 75 minutes, depending on the price and location. Back, shoulders, legs, arms and hand massage will typically take 30 minutes and cost between £10 and £30. Face and neck massage takes 20 – 30 minutes and costs between £10 and £30. Oils vary in price, according to their quality and dilution. Some, like Lavender, are relatively inexpensive and cost around £3-5 for a 5ml bottle. More expensive oils such as Rose, Jasmine and Melissa would cost around £500 for a similar quantity, so may come in a diluted state to minimise that cost. When all the oils in a range carry the same price, they are usually blended with a carrier oil this includes the ready blended oils that can be purchased for specific ailments and complaints and which contain several essential oils.

Diagnostic Technique

Prior to treatment at the initial consultation, the aromatherapist will take a detailed account of lifestyle preferences, likes, dislikes and general health. The practitioner needs to assess how the client reacts to situations and how much strain the client is under. They will ask about health including allergies, illnesses and emotional health. In order to give the best possible care, they need to know what is expected as a result of the treatment. It is important that the practitioner is given all the information they need as some conditions and skins may be sensitive and react adversely to particular oils. The therapist may try a skin test on a small area of skin before applying the oil to a greater area on the body. In the case of major illness, permission will be needed from the GP before any treatment can be given. The Aromatherapist can provide a letter to take to the GP if required.

This is a professional situation and as such client confidentiality is maintained. This way they will be able to know which oils will be of most benefit to a clients general condition and to any specific ailments or issues to be dealt with at the consultation. This may take a while, but it is important for the therapist to get to know the client well in order to treat them most effectively.

After this initial consultation, the aromatherapist will invite the client to prepare for the massage. Privacy, respect and dignity are important to the client and the practitioner will respect these at all times. The client can wear some clothing if they prefer although it is preferable for them to undress, usually keeping their underwear on. The practitioner needs to know if a client prefers certain parts of the body not to be touched and will cover parts of the body not being massaged with a towel to keep them warm and maintain the client’s dignity. The practitioner will usually leave the room while the client prepares himself or herself for the massage.

Some clients may prefer to start with a short treatment, increasing it in length and type as they grow to know and trust their therapist over time. Others are quite happy to fully immerse themselves in the experience immediately. It is all a question on individual choice and the therapist will always respect the wishes of the client. The most important thing about the massage is that the client has a positive and enjoyable sensory experience, it is also beneficial if the therapeutic experience is enhanced by the essential oils.

Techniques Used

While out of the room, the aromatherapist will prepare a blend of oils, based on the information given to them at the beginning of the session. They will allow the client to smell the aroma of the blended oil to ensure the selected oils are acceptable to the client. They will also tell the client which oils they have used and why these specific oils were chosen. The massage will then commence. Massage is based on different areas of the body and different types of massage are performed on the different areas according to the needs of the client. Some examples of massage are: face massage, scalp massage, head and shoulder massage, back massage, leg massage, arm massage and full body massage, which often includes all the above mentioned areas.

It is a mistaken assumption that the oils only work on the outside of the body. The oil molecules will enter the system through both the olfactory system (the nose and mouth) and the skin, which is porous and has blood vessels running very close to the skin. Although the skin is primarily a mechanism for expelling toxins and liquids from within the body, some of the oil molecules can enter the body through the skin. Recent research, using an independent air supply, has shown that very few molecules enter the body through the skin, although the therapeutic effect of the massage will enhance relaxation and help the process of healing. Some areas of the body will need to have more attention paid to them than others because of the needs of that client and the particular stresses and strains on them. Each person is an individual and massage will be given accordingly, responding to the needs of that client. For example, when someone goes to an aromatherapist for a full body aromatherapy massage and has a strained leg, then the aromatherapist will pay special attention to working the oils into that leg to give it the full benefit of the therapeutic properties of the massage and the oil.

An aromatherapist works on the body through massage. Different techniques of massage are used for calming and stimulating. A client who is suffering from hypertension may require a slow massage calmly performed with de-stressing oils. After a massage, an aromatherapist will recommend drinking plenty of water. This is to help the oils work around the system and speeds up the process of eliminating the toxins from the body.

How does it work?

The oil is soaked up by the skin and enters the olfactory system via the nose and mouth. From here, the molecules enter the blood stream and are carried around the body. The oil applied to the skin will begin to work locally. This is particularly beneficial in skin and muscle complaints where the oil can be applied directly to the affected area.

What to expect to happen?

The client may feel tired or full of energy after the massage. Rest and relaxation is recommended while the effects of the therapy take effect and the body becomes accustomed to the changes in energy levels. These feelings will pass away and a more stable sense of being will take its place.

Clients are often very thirsty, and should drink should drink as much uncarbonated water as possible after a massage or aromatherapy treatment. This is the body’s way of asking for help in moving out waste and toxins and helping the oils work through the body.

Some other side effects may develop and if any of them are worrying, the aromatherapist should be contacted. This is particularly relevant in the case of itching skin. Other side effects should be noted down and the aromatherapist should be told at the next appointment.

How quickly will I be cured?

It is important to realise that Aromatherapy is not a cure for illnesses or diseases. It simply provides a framework for relaxation and self attunement that helps the client work with their body to facilitate healing. The oils have beneficial properties which can affect health, state of mind, emotion and will often uplift the spirit, especially when combined with a relaxing or stimulating massage.

Sample Case Studies

(These are not real patients, but represent typical scenarios that may occur in a session) Jill has been under a great deal of stress lately with her job and family and has been having back pain from tension in her shoulders. She feels that the massage will help her to relax and it gives her some time to take out to spend on herself away from her busy schedule working for others. Her aromatherapist advises her to have a full body treatment including a facial massage and suggests that she have an hour session. The oils she chooses for Jill are Lavender, Geranium and Chamomile Roman. As Jill has normal skin, she mixes two drops of each of these oils in 10ml of grapeseed oil. After checking that Jill is not allergic to Wheatgerm, she adds a drop of wheatgerm to the oil to preserve it for future appointments. The therapist works on her face and body, but takes more time and special attention to the shoulder area which is very tight and knotted. After the session, Jill is feeling much better, more relaxed and less tense. The pain in her back has gone and she is feeling lighter. She is looking forward to her next appointment.

Useful Web Links

The Aromatherapy Organisation Council (AOC) represents 12 professional associations, their accredited schools and the interests of 6000 Aromatherapists who are members of and have been trained by one of the 12 membership associations. They are currently pursuing Statutory Regulation of Title for the Aromatherapy Profession in the UK. http://business.virgin.net/aoc.carole/

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