Essential oils are plant extracts. They are made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant like the flowers, bark, leaves or fruit to capture the compounds that produce fragrance. It can take several pounds of a plant to produce a single bottle of essential oil. In addition to creating scent, essential oils perform other functions in plants, too.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. It has been used for centuries. Normally administered through inhalation or as a topical application. A person can inhale essential oils using a diffuser, spray, or oil droplets. They can also be added to a hot bath and breathed in. Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and brain. Molecules that enter the nose or mouth travel to the lungs and, from there, to other parts of the body. As the molecules reach the brain, they affect the limbic system, which is linked to emotions. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and memory are also affected.
Alternatively, people can apply essential oils topically, like massage oil, or in bath and skin care products, allowing them to absorb through the skin. Massaging the area where the oil is applied boost circulations and increase absorption.
Aromatherapy may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with any of the following conditions should be extra careful when using aromatherapy:
Aromatherapy involves a holistic approach, aiming to treat the whole person. An aromatherapist should take a thorough medical, lifestyle, and diet history. Treatments will be suited to the individual’s physical and mental needs. The aromatherapist may recommend a single oil or a blend based on these needs. You can also use aromatherapy on your own, but it is important to learn proper techniques for doing so.
At Healing Hands Haven, you will be introduced to essential oils and learn the benefits of essential oils safely. An introductory aromatherapy workshop aims to provide clients with the foundations of understanding essential oils and their therapeutic applications. Our workshop will
Understand the Basics of Aromatherapy:
By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:
Create Simple Aromatherapy Products:
