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Modern Day Aromatherapy

"An age-old tradition which can combat the stress of modern life..."

Look around you, and you will find many tell-tale signs of the stress of modern living. Life seems to be increasingly fraught, with traffic and tall buildings encroaching on our sense of space and destroying our tranquillity. Some people seek solace through prescribed medicines to counteract the pressures, yet one of the best therapies is surprisingly low-tech and 100% natural.

Aromatherapy is thought to have originated in Egypt at the time of the great Pharaohs, who used it when embalming and bathing. The medicinal properties of Aromatherapy stretch back several thousand years, with all the classic civilisations recognising the healing power of fragranced oils.

Whilst modern technology may provide the answers to some conditions, Aromatherapy is held in high regard by the medical profession for its ability to provide a completely organic, alternative cure for the some of the most difficult problems, both physical and psychological, caused by the strain of modern life. The benefits of taking a relaxing warm bath fragranced with essential Aromatherapy oils, or being pampered with an Aromatherapy massage, cannot be underestimated for their contribution to personal health and wellbeing.

Bathe and Breathe

Aromatherapy is a natural treatment which comes in a variety of forms, and is easily incorporated into even the busiest beauty routine. The essential oils with which Aromatherapy is practised each have their own healing properties to suit a wide variety of moods and conditions, and have been tried and tested for several millennia without the need for artificial scientific studies or animal experiments. A few drops of each essential oil is all that is needed to transform your body and mind from feeling tired and lacklustre to possessing a calm energy, enabling you to cope with anything life throws at you.

Essential oils may be used in a variety of ways, but are guaranteed to have the same soothing effect. So, whether they are added to a steaming bath in one of our sumptuous bath oils, combined with carrier oil such as sweet almond oil as in our massage oils, or mixed with a bit of water and left to fragrance a room, you can be sure that the subtle yet potent effect will leave you feeling fabulous!

Essential Effects

The great thing about essential oils used in aromatherapy is that they all target specific areas of health and wellbeing, and it is possible to choose your aromatherapy treatment accordingly.

The chemist who coined the phrase "Aromatherapy" in 1939, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, published a book describing the healing power of Lavender oil after using it to heal his hand when it was burnt in a laboratory experiment, and Lavender oil remains popular today due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, not to mention the wonderful scent! Geranium has a sweet, floral scent, and can be used to ward off fungal conditions, as well as having a generally calming, comforting effect. For a refreshing zing if you find yourself lacking in energy, try Lemon, Frankincense or Rosemary oils in any form – here at Celtic Herbal, we have a whole host of Aromatherapy blends just waiting to be discovered!

Balancing the Blend

Here at Celtic Herbal, we believe that we have found the perfect blend of essential oils in our luxurious products. Why not treat yourself to one of our Bath Oils which can help you to relax, revive your energy, or even form part of a detox drive to regain your body’s natural balance? In addition to Lavender and Lemon, our Detox Bath Oil contains Juniper and Grapefruit oils, well known for their astringent, diuretic properties. When absorbed into the skin, even a few drops of essential oils can make a striking difference to your wellbeing. The scent of the essential oils rises with the steam of the bathwater, making your bathroom a place of decadent luxury as soon as you remove the top from the bottle!

Certain areas of the body benefit from a little extra TLC, and our Natural Balms can soothe any typically dry, sore and cracked skin, leaving it not only feeling soft and smooth, but also with a beautiful aroma! Celtic Herbal Foot Balm contains a stimulating blend of Peppermint, Eucalyptus and Lemongrass which will have tired feet tingling in delight, and the essential oils help to combat unpleasant viral infections. Hands will be infinitely softer after slathering on some Frankincense and Orange Hand Balm; the sweet citrus scent also has antidepressant qualities, and can calm even the most fraught moments. Lips can get terribly cracked due to unnatural central heating and the general daily grind, so why not pucker up with our delicious Lemon and Honey Lip Balm to finish off this pleasurable everyday routine?

Aromatherapy for Mums and Tots

Expectant mothers are advised to be cautious about the use of some essential oils which come into contact with the skin, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, our Yummy Mummy Massage Oil is the perfect remedy for skin prone to stretch marks, and may be used during the last trimester. You can also look after tiny tots’ skin with gentle Chamomile and Calendula Massage Oil; the act of massaging will help to form that special bond between parent and baby.

General Aromatherapy Advice

Whilst essential oils can be extremely beneficial for many types of physical and psychological conditions, they are by nature highly concentrated – a little goes a very long way. If you want to start your journey into understanding and using Aromatherapy in your daily routines then we would recommend that you buy a good reference book such as The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless and use tried and tested recipes. Some oils may affect existing medical conditions such as epilepsy or problems with blood pressure, so check with your doctor if you need further advice.

Aromatherapy is a very pleasurable way to let the cares of the world dissolve into the distance, but you should seek the advice of a doctor if you feel unwell due to using essential oils.

 

 

All text copyright © The Celtic Herbal Company Ltd.