Are you interested in alternative or complementary therapies to improve your mental, physical, and emotional health? Aromatherapy is a popular practice that can be combined with a variety of other treatments, including massage and facials. Read on to find out more about aromatherapy and how it can help you.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a type of holistic, complementary therapy that has been around for thousands of years. It involves the use of essential oils to boost your physical and emotional wellbeing in a variety of ways.
Essential oils are natural compounds extracted from plants. The name ‘essential’ does not refer to them being vital to human health but, instead, to the extraction of the plant’s ‘essence’. These aromatic compounds are distilled and combined with a carrier oil to form the essential oil, which can then be diffused in the air for its pleasant smell or applied directly to the skin.
Lots of different essential oils are used in aromatherapy, here are some that are commonly used:
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Patchouli
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Tea tree
- Ylang ylang
The benefits of aromatherapy
People reap the benefits of essential oils by either inhaling them or absorbing them through the skin. This means they are a great pairing for lots of different types of massage. You can also use them at home by mixing some into your bath water, for example.
While different people may experience slightly different benefits of using essential oils and aromatherapy treatments, here are some ways it could help you:
- Promotes relaxation
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Makes it easier to fall asleep at night and improves sleep quality
- Reduces pain and stiffness in the joints
- Helps to manage pain from a range of conditions
- Relieves and helps to prevent headaches and migraines
- Helps cancer patients manage the side effects of chemotherapy treatment
- Boosts your immune system and helps you fight viruses and other illnesses
- Improves and aids digestion
With these benefits, aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage can be beneficial for a range of people, including those suffering from asthma, insomnia, menstrual cramps, depression, anxiety, inflammation, cancer, arthritis, and more.
At Moonstone Massage, we can use essential oils during your massage or facial to help you get the most out of your treatment. Get in touch with us to discuss this with your massage therapist or book an appointment with us online for your next massage.