What Is Aromatherapy?

The concentrated essential oils aromatherapists use to treat conditions are aromatic and volatile (ie which evaporate easily) elements from plants. The oils are not concentrated from whole plant parts – unlike herbal medicines – but are extracted, generally by steam distillation, from flowers, leaves, roots, grasses, peel, resin or bark.

A French chemist called René-Maurice Gattefossé coined the term aromatherapy to describe the process of using plant oils therapeutically. The story goes that, while working in a perfume factory in the early 20th century, he burnt his hand and instinctively grabbed some lavender oil and poured it onto the burn. He was so impressed by how quickly and cleanly the burn healed, he began studying the healing powers of plant oils.

However, people have been treated with plant oils for thousands of years – records go back to the times of ancient Egypt, China and India.

What are the benefits?

Aromatherapy is now used to treat a whole range of conditions and is believed to work on people both psychologically and physically. The first part is that when you smell an essential oil, it triggers your limbic system – the part of the brain that controls emotions and stores and retrieves learned memories – and relaxes you. The second part is that the essential oils are absorbed through the skin, and have medicinal properties which act on the cause of the problem.

Just some of the conditions aromatherapy is used to treat are:

* anxiety, stress or insomnia
* headaches
* asthma
* eczema
* digestive problems
* menstrual or menopausal problems
* mental clarity and concentration

What can I expect from an Aromatherapy treatment?

Most often, we use steam inhalation to administer aromatherapy treatments. Similar to a facial steam, a large crock bowl is filled with hot water. Then, the appropriate oils are placed in the bowl. Your head is then covered with a towel over the bowl where the steam releases the power of the aromatic oils. If an individual has concerns about using the steam bowl, an aromatherapy treatment can be given manually with the use of a treatment cloth or by hand. We may also choose to use an aromatherapy nebulizer. A nebulizer changes liquid essential oils into fine droplets (in the form of mist)

What are the side effects?

In their concentrated form the oils can be very powerful and should always be handled with care – you only need a few drops in a bath for example. More could cause irritation, and some essential oils are toxic if used
incorrectly – such as eating or drinking them.

Essential oils should almost never be used neat on skin – exceptions are Lavender oil and tea tree oil in small amounts. You should never take them internally.

There are several oils that should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as some may find their way into breast milk or cause other adverse effects. Be sure to update your client intake form if you become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.

Your first aromatherapy consultation:

First we sit down and discuss the reason for your visit and decide whether to approach your treatment from a physical, emotional or spiritual aspect (or a combination thereof). You will be asked to fill out a client intake form as a record of current health conditions. This is vital information in order to avoid any essential oils that may effect or aggravate your current condition. This form is kept on file and is strictly confidential. In future visits, be sure to let us know of any changes in this information so that your file can remain up-to-date.


Rates:

The initial aromatherapy session is $45, and includes consultation to determine which oils will be needed, and one treatment. Follow-up sessions for same treatment begin at $25, depending on the type and length of session. Your treatment does not involve massage. Our usual method is the use of steam inhalation.

Essential oils and custom blends are made available for purchase, if you prefer to continue your treatments at home.

Roy Hamilton & Gregory White
are both certified by the
International Certified
Aromatherapy Institute
of Ontario, Canada –
a NAHA approved school.


National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy