What is Aromatherapy and How Does it Work?

As part of the complimentary medicine market, aromatherapy is well known for its relaxing effects. It’s most common use being in the form of massage therapy with the use of essential oils. Contrary to general public opinion that aromatherapy is the simple application of specific essential oils to the skin as part of a luxury massage; one of its main uses throughout history has been to provide the most beautiful women of the world with natural solutions for skin care and hair care. Plant extract, today known as essential oils has been the key ingredients in secret formulae that had cleared complexions, made hair soft and silky and softened hands and feet.

Essential oils have successfully provided the beauties of all times with the perfect solutions for their skin and hair because they contain powerful healing and antioxidant properties which are effective both on a physical and psychological level. Research has shown that certain essential oils can rejuvenate the skin and restore vitality to the tissues by regulating the activity of the capillaries. Regular use of aromatherapy products enhances the top layer of the skin in two ways. First, essential oils will naturally smooth the skin surface by disinfecting and cleansing it, helping to remove the top layer of dead skin cells that give a dull and grey look. Secondly, essential oils penetrate the deepest layer of the skin, rejuvenate and stimulate cell production. The combined effect enhance overall look, creating radiance and a glowing complexion.

Because essential oils are extremely efficient at penetrating the deepest layers of the skin where new cells are formed, care should be taken as to what ingredients are combined with them; more damage than benefits will be achieved if cosmetics containing artificial ingredients are applied shortly after using essential oil products, e.g foundations and sunscreen.

With the increasing popularity of “natural products”, off the shelf “aromatherapy” products are found in department stores and supermarkets, sometimes at prices that will attract the uninformed buyer with the promise of accomplishing the same result.

However, no matter how attractively these products are presented they do not adhere to the aromatherapy principle in the slightest manner. Their high content of synthetic scents and waxes; mineral oils and other form of chemicals can only achieve temporary and superficial benefits, if any benefit at all.

The potent aromas of essential oils travel like any odour through the olfactory system of the nose and the front part of the head to the limbic area of the brain where smell is processed. The limbic brain is closely linked to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that communicates with the sex glands. Due to the healing properties of these pure essences, regular use of aromatherapy products can improve your health, your mood and even your relationships. Certain essences have calming effects, whilst others are uplifting, some can even be exciting.

Aromatherapy is so much more than a ready made blend of oil in a bottle off the shelf of a drugstore or supermarket. To benefit most from aromatherapy, products should be created on an individual basis. A therapist will assess the mood, state of mind and other personal needs of the client before formulating the blend. Hence, the reason to have your products personalised.