Wake up, smell the therapy!

Naturally Beautiful

Aromatherapy is the oldest form of natural therapy and practiced from ancient times in India, Egypt and China. Aromatic oils and plants were then used for physical and mental wellbeing, for religious purposes and mummification. Today, the concern for environment and the desire to connect with nature has brought about a resurgence of interest in aromatherapy. Since it is the most natural and beneficial of all forms of naturopathy, the world is realising its potential.

Aromatherapy involves a holistic approach. It is the most natural way of treating an array of physical, mental and emotional problems. Also it is the most safe, effective and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional medicines and cosmetics.

Aromatherapy has a direct and profound effect on the mind and emotions of an individual as the sense of smell has a direct access to the human brain and emotions and works at a subconscious level to modify emotional behaviour.

Essential oils are endowed with the power to lower or increase mental activity, stimulate positive feelings and control negative ones, trigger pleasant memories and feelings, enhance emotional equilibrium, energise and promote sexual feelings as well.  Essential oils also have several medicinal properties, they can be antiseptic, anti-bacterial, disinfectant, anti-viral, anti-toxic, anti-diuretic, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic and anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti-venomous and others. 

Aromatherapy uses only pure plant essences containing the concentrated power of their vital life force. Synthetic or inorganic substances do not contain any life force and are not potent or dynamic.

The odoriferous substances which are found in the flowers seeds, bark, grains, roots, resins and leaves of cultivated or wild plants are called essential oils. In India essential oils are referred to as prana; in China as CH '1' and in the West as the 'soul' of the plant. They are the hormones of a plant.

Bath oils

Add five to ten drops of oil to your bath just before getting in. As soon as you have put the oil in the bath, swish the water gently with your hand so that the oil forms a film on top. A thin film of oil will envelop your body when you slip into your bath and will penetrate your skin and diffuse into the tissues. A gentle scrubbing of the body with a rough towel or a natural scrubber helps absorption of the oil.

As you get out of the bath a small amount of oil will remain on your skin. Towel drying does not remove all of the essence, so the skin is left lightly perfumed.

Massage oils

Add ten drops of essential oil to 20 ml. of almond oil. When massaged into the body, the oil is completely absorbed by the skin within thirty minutes to two hours and penetrates the tissues deeply. The best time to use these aromatic massage oils is after a bath — especially if you have  dry skin — because they counteract the drying effects of soap.

Vaporization

Essential oils can be used as air fresheners. They contribute to a cheerful atmosphere.
All that is needed is to put a few drops of essential oil on a source of heat. This could be a light bulb, a radiator or a small bowl of hot water. The oil evaporates and perfumes the air.

Inhalation

Add about six to eight drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. The water should not be too hot because then the vapours of the oil become a little too strong to inhale.
Lean over about nine inches away from the water, enclosing your head and the bowl with a towel, and let the steam unclog your pores. A vapour facial needs no massage for penetration because the effects are realised by stimulation of the olfactory organ.