What is Aromatherapy?

For Essential Oils
For Aromatherapy Diffusers

Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine and is already slowly getting into the mainstream. It is the ancient science of healing, relaxing and energizing by the use of plants and their parts. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils, from flowers, trees and shrubs and their fruits, blooms, leaves, stems and roots and is particularly effective for stress, anxiety,and psychosomatic induced problems, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders andwomen's problems, such as PMS, menopausal complaints and postnatal depression. It is sometimes used in clinics and hospitals for treatment of pain relief, for labor pain, for relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy, and for the rehabilitation of cardiac patients. Aromatherapy is generally not suggested as a treatment for cancer, but as a form of supportive care to manage symptoms of cancer or side effects of cancer treatment.

Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist Ren Maurice Gattefoss in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc. It is one of the most popular forms of complementary therapy and is widely used by people buying over-the-counter oils, and by health professionals in a range of settings. Aromatherapy is perfectly safe in the right hands, but could be harmful if an unqualified person were to use unsuitable oils, for example some Aromatherapy Essential Oils would not be suitable for epileptics, and women in the first four months of pregnancy should not be treated. It is widely used to reduce stress, as well as to rejuvenate and detoxify the body and is considered by some to be an ancient yet timely and modern approach to total well being that is in tune with nature. Aromatherapy is said to restore or enhance mental, emotional, physical or spiritual health and is also effective when incorporated into a massage.

It is usual for relaxation music to be played whilst utilising aromatherapy. This helps create a nice calm, relaxing atmosphere. This is especially great when relaxing in the bath. A good selection of this music is available from this site, including our own special downloadable MP3's.