Essential oils are extracted from plants and have particular healing properties. They are considered to be `vegetable hormones’ and are extracted from different parts of the plant. As examples, sage oil is extracted from the plant’s leaves, neroli from the orange blossom flowers, sandalwood from the wood and cinnamon from the bark.
These different essences are thought to benefit the wellbeing of the body, mind and emotions as well as influencing the mood of a massage. Many essential oils have special therapeutic qualities, varying from being antiseptic and antifungal to being relaxing, balancing and even aphrodisiac in effect. Doctors and nurses are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of aromatherapy, and some hospitals now offer it as an additional treatment. (Some hospitals are using certain essential oils in their air conditioning systems, notably tea tree, lavender and lemon, to help keep airborne diseases under control). Most natural flower and herb essences penetrate the skin very quickly to reach the bloodstream and are therefore a marvellous accessory to massage therapy. Essences are very concentrated, however, and should not be used unless diluted in case they irritate the skin.
Aromatherapy, as the use of these essences is known, is becoming increasingly widely known and practised. This term was coined by the French chemist Rene Gattefosse who, in 1910, discovered the healing properties of lavender oil after severely burning his hands in a laboratory explosion. This led him to a lifetime research into essential oils, and he was able to conclude that many of them had antibacterial qualities and were appropriate for treating skin conditions, especially acne, boils and dermatitis. His remarkable book Gattefosse’s Aromatherapy, was published in 1937, and continues to be the definitive book on the subject.
Aromatherapy makes use of a wide range of essential oils. Certain essential oils may be prescribed by an aromatherapist for a particular condition. For example, chamomile is useful for treating inflammation, tension, insomnia and aching muscles; rosemary is good for poor circulation and fatigue; peppermint is a tried and true remedy for indigestion and clary sage is indicated for problems of the female reproductive system. Sandalwood, jasmine, neroli and tangerine all have a relaxing and tonifying effect on the nervous system; common sage is good for muscular problems.