Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is defined as the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well being. Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist Rene Maurice Gatefosse in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing. It is not the aromas of oils, but the "essence" of the oil, the chemical properties, that gives the oil it's therapeutic value. In most cases, the oil is rubbed onto the skin, diffused into the air or ingested in a tea or other liquid.
Did you know?
In the English-speaking world, practitioners tend to emphasize the use of oils in massage. In the UK, America, and Australia, aromatherapy tends to be regarded as a complementary modality at best. On the continent, especially in France, where it originated, aromatherapy is incorporated into mainstream medicine. There, the use of the anti-septic, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties of oils in the control of infections is emphasized over the more "touchy feely" approaches familiar to English speakers. In France, some essential oils are regulated as prescription drugs, and thus administered by a physician.
In many countries, essential oils are included in the national pharmacopeia, but up to the present moment, aromatherapy as science has never been recognized as a valid branch of medicine in the United States, Russia, Germany, or Japan.
Ancient cultures used essential oils to aid and protect the body's natural defenses; as medicines and in traditional ceremonies. Scientists today are re-discovering the powerful benefits that essential oils provide for the body, mind and spirit. The most effective oils are those sourced from 100% pure, certified organic or certified wild-crafted plants. Essential oils have many different healing properties, most are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial and can greatly enhance your immune system. People have reported many different benefits from aromatherapy, however it has been proven that essential oils can function to detoxify the body, and increase oxygen absorption of the cells by as much as 26%.
Aromatherapy Services
Here at Down To Earth Wellness, we use essential oils in several ways. We can add aromatherapy to your massage, bowenwork or exercise sessions - diffusing oils into the air, using a massage oil blend with essential oils, or applying oils to the body with a hot towel compress. We have two specific bodywork treatments called the Physical Aromatic Touch Treatment and the Emotional Aromatic Touch Treatment which consists of seven essential oils that are applied to the back using light massage techniques. This is followed by a hot compress which increases circulation, allowing the oils to penetrate the body. These treatments are geared towards balancing the systems of the body. We also sell oils for home use.
Physical Aromatic Touch Treatment
The Physical Aromatic Touch treatment includes an assessment where we test your response to 7 different oils by checking your range of motion and pain levels as you move around. This is followed by a relaxing application of oils and a hot compress on the back. The systems of the body and oils used are as follows:
- Cairo Care - Structural Alignment and Energy Balancing
- Birch - Bones
- Helicrysum - Nerves
- Marjoram - Muscles
- Lemongrass - Tendons and Cartilage
- Cypress - Circulation
- Geranium - Emotions
Emotional Aromatic Touch Treatment
The Emotional Aromatic Touch treatment is done in a similar manner with light massage techniques, oil application and hot compress on the back. The focus of this treatment is balancing of the chakras or energy centers of the body. It is great for any stress related issues, unresolved pain or trauma. The oils used in this treatment and the music played match the vibrational frequency of each chakra. The chakras, emotional and physical issues involved with each energy center are the following:
| Chakra | Oil | Color | Connection To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | Quiescent | Red | Earth, Physical body, Spinal Column, Adrenals, Colon, Legs and Bones |
| Naval | Geranium | Orange | Creativity, Sexuality, Family Life - Reproductive Organs and Bladder |
| Solar Plexus | E-Motion | Yellow | Place in the World, Personal Empowerment - Seat of Emotions, Adrenals, Stomach, Liver, Muscles, Nervous System, Digestive System and Pancreas. |
| Heart | Charity | Green | Relationships, Love of Humanity, Compassion - Heart, Circulatory System, Arms, Respiratory System, Thymus Gland |
| Throat | Lavender | Blue | Communication, Express Yourself, Thyroid, Throat, Mouth and Neck Problems. |
| Third Eye | I-Vision | Indigo | Intuition, Wisdom, Pituitary Gland, Nose, Ears, Eyes, Headaches |
| Crown | Gratitude | Violet | Intellect, Spirituality, Your Higher Nature, Pineal Gland, Cerebral Cortex, Central Nervous System, Depression and Confusion |
