A Touch of Wellness
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Massage & Bodywork - Aromatherapy - Wellness Products
Aromatherapy can be defined as the controlled use of essential oils to maintain and promote physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.
Essential oils are highly aromatic, volatile (easily evaporated) substances extracted from various parts of plants, flowers and trees. The most common method of extraction is distillation, but some are obtained by compression.
Absolute oils, while pure, are not essential oils. They are extracted by a chemical solvent process (such as ether) and might contain a slight solvent residue. Some companies produce fragrance oils, which are synthetic fragrances concocted in a laboratory. These should not be confused with essential or absolute oils for they hold no natural therapeutic value.
Fragrance oils, absolute oils and essential oils can all be used in the making of perfumes, room fresheners, and personal care products. However, in therapeutic, health-giving use, the pure essential oils are used. It is the unique combination of a plant's chemical constituents that determine both its synergy of therapeutic effects and its aroma.
The use of fragrance to alter one’s mood is centuries old but the use of (plant-derived) essential oils fell into disfavor in North America when chemistry discovered how to mimic their fragrance. Synthetic fragrances became more affordable and so many of us today buy and use a great number of personal and household products that contain these chemical substitutes.
The substitutes provide fragrance, some of them close to the real thing. However, what they cannot provide are the hundreds of complex biochemical components of a natural essential oil which enhance healing in body, mind and soul. Indeed, the use of the synthetic chemicals, even in trace amounts, in all of the products you would use daily for personal and household care add up over the course of a lifetime to potentially cause damage to the body's tissues.
During an aromatherapy massage, the aromatic molecules of the essential oils exert an influence both by their inhalation and smell, and by their absorption through the skin. Although impermeable to water, the skin can absorb small, fat-soluble substances relatively easily. In passing through the skin's layers, they make their way into the capillaries (the small blood vessels that serve the skin). At this point, they have now entered the general blood circulation system and can be carried throughout the entire body to serve the organs and tissues that need their aid.
The application of essential oils through aromatherapy massage is a method that is enhanced by the physiological benefits of massage itself. Safe and supportive, therapeutic massage possesses the power to soothe tension, remove constrictions, assist healing, increase vital energy, and convey a sense of wellbeing. Carried out by a well-trained practitioner, it can transform and renew.
Inhalation can assist with respiratory conditions and, because the molecules travel through the olfactory nerve (sense of smell) into the limbic portion of the brain (which governs emotions, memories, appetites), essential oils are very helpful in relaxing the mind, balancing emotions and uplifting the spirit.
On a daily basis, aromatherapy fits into our lives preventing illness, taking care of minor ailments and strengthening our being. Essential oils are useful in a first aid kit. For example, Lavender oil for burns, cuts, scrapes and stings; Tea Tree oil for fungus and yeast infections; Marjoram oil for muscle aches. Peppermint oil for headache. If we’re going to use soaps, creams, lotions, hair care and household cleaners, why not use products that are fragranced with pure essential oils that can support our health and wellbeing in the process?
Remember that essential oils are the undiluted essence and heart of nature's plants, trees and flowers and are very powerful. They are not to be used willy nilly. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive periodic information on the handling and use of these treasures.
Many essential oils are inexpensive while some are quite costly, depending on the availability of the raw material and how much is required to obtain the oil.
A Touch of Wellness carries single and blended oils for purchase, as well as personal and household products, including Brenda's own hand-made line Scents & Botanicals. If you're looking for a custom blend for a particular condition or situation, send a message and Brenda will respond as soon as possible.