Therapies
Aromatherapy
What
Is Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
is the systematic use of essential oils in holistic treatments to improve
physical well being. Essential Oils, extracted from plants, possess
distinctive therapeutic properties, which can be utilised to improve health
and prevent disease. Both their physiological and psychological effects
combine well to promote positive health. These natural plant oils are
applied in a variety of ways, including massage, baths, and inhalations.
These are ready absorbed through the skin and have gentle physiological
effects. Aromatherapy is an especially effective treatment for
stress-related problems and a variety of chronic conditions.
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What
are Essential Oils
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. Some of the popular oils used in aromatherapy
today include chamomile, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree.
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The
quality of essential oils
Not all essential oils are the same. A randomised, double-blind trial of
essential oils from two different species of lavender, topically applied on
post-cardiotomy patients revealed that the quality of the oil is an
important factor in determining the efficiacy of its use.
28 patients were randomly selected to receive aromatherapy massage with one
of the two essential oils on two consecutive days, and their emotional and
behavioural stress levelswere evaluated both before and after the
treatment.
The results revealed that the therapeutic effects of the two lavenders were
clearly different; one was almost twice as effective as the other, thereby
disproving the hypothesis that aromatherapy, using topical application of
essential oils, is effective purely because of touch, massage or placebo.
Buckle J. Nurs Times
(ENGLAND) May 19-25 1993, 89 (20) p32-5
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What
happens in a typical Aromatherapy session
The
aromatherapist will ask questions about your medical history; general health
and lifestyle. This will help him or her 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 him or her that you are receiving
aromatherapy treatment.
After selecting and blending appropriate essential
oils, the aromatherapist will usually apply the oils in combination with
massage.
A session normally lasts for 60 to 90 minutes, and
costs between £20 and £40.
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About
Aromatherapy in the UK
Aromatherapy is one of the fastest
growing complementary therapies in the UK. The table below shows how the AOC’s
professional representation has expanded since its formation in 1991.
Professional
Associations:
No. of
Aromatherapists:
- 1991 - 2,500
- 1998 - 6,000
Training
Establishments:
The first aromatherapy training school in the UK
began teaching in the 1960s. The AOC now recognises 115 training
establishments. Courses vary in content as well as in length. With the
development and implementation of the AOC Core Curriculum, they now embrace
a common standard. Since aromatherapists may come from a variety of
backgrounds, courses available reflect a variety of approaches, from a
clinical bias to a holistic healing bias.
Source: Aromatherapy Organisation Council
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