Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils from plants and flowers. Essential oils are the vital life force or blood of plants. The individual fragrances of plants are derived from their essential oils and it is from the aromatic nature of essential oils that the name Aromatherapy evolved. Essential oils were used by the Ancients for their restorative effects on the body, mind and spirit. There are two principal ways to use the healing properties of essential oils: One is through inhalation of the fragrances and the other is the direct application of the oils to the body. Studies suggest that inhaling certain essential oil fragrances can effect different neurotransmitters of the brain and produce varied responses such as stimulating the thalamus to produce natural pain killers or stimulating a part of the brain that induces sleep. Applying essential oils topically to the skin can also have beneficial effects such as bringing relief to sore muscles and promoting the healing of skin tissue. The benefit of applying aromatic essential oils during a massage is that the client experiences that connectedness and rejuvenation of body, mind and spirit that the Ancients spoke of.