Maria Avraamides shares valuable information with you - Holistic Emporium

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant essences to bring about positive changes in health, both in mind and body. Aromatherapy can enhance your appearance, your home, your children and your life.

One of the oldest proven methods of healing, aromatherapy has been used successfully for centuries. In recent years, its popularity has been revived due to people's willingness to improve their mental, emotional and physical well being in a more natural manner.

If you are not convinced, just look around you. Aromatherapy is already in products you know and use. Cough drops, mouthwash, chewing gum, hair spray, furniture oil, cleansers, mothballs, perfumes, herbal teas and citronella candles, to name but a few - all use the essences of aromatherapy.

A frequent made assumption about aromatherapy is that it is simply the smell that has the effect. The real beauty of aromatherapy is that the essence works on a cellular and physical level, and also in the emotional, intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic areas of your life.

Where do oils come from?

The Essential oils used in Aromatherapy come from all over the world. Chamomile, rose and peppermint originated in England, Australia is known for Eucalyptus, Tea Trees and Niaouli, America has Cedarwood, Ginger in China, Sandalwood in India and Lavender in France. The same species of plant grown in different soil and altitude differ in their chemical makeup.

How are these oils extracted?

Steam Distillation: Plant material is placed in water which is then brought to the boil. The stem containing the essential oil is run through a cooler, which when condenses, and the distillate is gathered. The essential oil appears as a thin film on top of the liquid. The essential oil is then separated from the water.

Citrus oils are expressed rather than distilled. Within the citrus fruit the essential oil is found in the little sacs just under the surface of the rind. The oil needs to be squeezed out and this is achieved by letting the fruit roll over on a conveyer that has small needles coming out, piercing the oil pockets in the citrus rind. The oil runs out and is caught and filtered.

Maceration: Plant material are chopped and added to either sunflower or olive oil. The mixture is agitated gently for a while and then is placed in strong sunlight for several days.

All of the soluble compounds in the plant material are transferred to the sunflower or olive oil. The mixture is then filtered carefully to remove all plant material. What is left is the vegetable oil containing the molecules containing the essential oil.

Solvent extraction: is used to obtain essential oils from plants that do not produce high yields of essential oils within their glands. Jasmine and Rose are solvent extracted.

How do we use Essential Oils?

Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways and can be applied through massage, in skin oils and lotions, in bath water, mixed with water in hot or cold compresses, in a diffuser or vaporiser, by stream inhalation, added to rinsing water for hair care, diluted in water or alcohol as a flower water.

Essential oils should never be taken internally, as many are highly toxic.

There are a number of essential oils that should never be used, even by highly experienced Aromatherapists, as the risks of toxicity are just too great and outweigh any possible therapeutic benefits. These include: Bitter Almond, Sweet Birch, Arnica, Boldo, Broom, Buchu, Calamus, Camphor, Cassia, Chervil, Cinnamon Bark, Bitter Fennel, Horseradish, Mugwort, Mustard, Onion, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Dwarf Pine, Rue, Common Sage, Sassafras, Savine, Savory, Tansy, Thuja, Red Thyme, Tonka, Wintergreen, Wormseed and Wormwood.

Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. There are a few exceptions to the rule, including Lavender, Tea tree, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood, which can sometimes be applied neat, but these can cause sensitisation in many individuals and should only be used with extreme caution and only after doing a 24-hour patch test.

Contact Dermatitis: Many otherwise safe essential oils can cause a form of contact dermatitis in some people, usually those with sensitive skins. In particularly sensitive individuals, a patch test should be considered before using any new oil.

Photosensitivity: Some oils can also cause skin reactions if used on skin that is then exposed to ultraviolet light.

Essential Oils During Pregnancy: Although opinions vary over the real dangers of some essential oils during pregnancy, most people agree that it is best to adopt a cautious approach and avoided by the general public at all costs, only qualified Aroma therapists can advise.

Newborn babies are also very sensitive and no essential oils should be used on a baby until he or she is at least 1 month old. After 1 month of age, Chamomile and Lavender can be used, in highly diluted vegetable oil. Sunflower oil is usually recommended as it is a hypo allergenic vegetable oil. You can massage or added to bathwater. Extreme care must be taken with a baby's sensitive skin and patch tests are recommended before treatment, even with the mildest oils.

High Blood Pressure: Some essential oils are generally best avoided with individuals suffering from high blood pressure. Aroma therapist to advise.

Contraindications of Treatment with Essential Oils

Cancer: Clients with cancer should be treated with great caution. Also use a therapist's advise and DO NOT attempt to massage patient.

Epilepsy: Individuals with epilepsy should not be treated with certain oils as they can trigger an attack. Under Aromatherapist advice only.

Asthma suffers should be treated with great care as steam inhalation of essential oils can actually worsen symptoms. Moreover, asthmatics may be allergic to the essential oils themselves. However, certain antispasmodic oils can be used safely if inhaled directly.

Dilution of Essential Oils: Essential oils, when applied to the skin, must always be diluted to the correct strength in a carrier/vegetable oil.

Conclusion: it is also abundantly clear that many essential oils have the potential to cause very real harm if used incorrectly and should only be used under the direction of a Qualified Aromatherapist.

How does that help me who likes to use Aromatherapy Oils and I am not a therapist?

Holistic Emporium has formulated a pure Aromatherapy Massage Range to suite all your clients needs. These Professional Treatments are formulated to save you time as you do not have to mix and waste product.

Stress Release: For today's ever stressful life this combination is geared to relax and comfort.
Cellulite Synergy: A detoxifying synergy of oils for massage.
Male Relax/Sensual: Male centered treatment to relax and center him.
Female Relax/Sensual: Floral combination especially formulated to calm and relax her.
Active Muscle Rub with Arnica: For external use for sports injuries to relax knotted muscles.
Hand & Foot Massage: Massage oil for Hands and Feet or put into water to relax and refresh.