What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils in holistic treatments to improve physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils, extracted from plants, trees, flowers and fruits possess distinctive therapeutic properties, which can be utilised to improve health and prevent disease. An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance extracted from a single botanical source by distillation or expression. Essential oils have been utilised in fragrances, flavours and medicines for thousands of years. There are some 400 essential oils extracted from plants all over the world.

Aromatherapy is an especially effective treatment for many common ailments including stress-related problems and a variety of chronic conditions. The role of the aromatherapist is to blend the oils that are most beneficial to you and to give advice that will assist you in balancing and improving your whole life. A series of regular treatments will increase relaxation and improve well being.

What happens in a typical aromatherapy session?

The aromatherapist will ask questions about your medical history, general health and lifestyle. This will help her or him decide which essential oils are most appropriate for you as an individual. The aromatherapist may wish to contact your GP, with your permission, to inform her or him that you are receiving aromatherapy treatments. After selecting and blending appropriate essential oils, the aromatherapist will usually apply the oils in combination using a relaxing therapeutic massage.

For more information visit The Aromatherapy Council