How Aromatherapy Works

Aromatherapy centers around holistic medicine that utilizes extracts from natural plants for health and wellbeing. Many massage therapists apply aromatic essential oils medicinally combined with their massage techniques to improve their client’s physical and emotional health.

How Aromatherapy Works

Aromatherapy works by stimulating receptors in the nose responsible for smell, sending messages by olfactory cells to the part of the brain that controls the drive for survival, emotions, and instinct called the limbic system. The olfactory cells recognize scents as specific aromatic molecules that fit into receptors on these cells. Although not fully understood, scientists believe that these nerve signals’ action causes powerful mood changes in response to particular smells.

Massage Therapy in Harmony with Aromatherapy

Massage therapy, combined with essential oils, candles and incense, stimulates positive emotions and relaxation, equipping clients with coping mechanisms for many other health issues. An aromatherapy massage is a popular multi-purpose way of using supplemental care for health issues. The skin absorbs essential oils maintaining suppleness, it offers pain relief, and the aroma’s mental stimulation provides clients with the ultimate massage session.

Practicing Caution When Utilizing Aromatherapy

Typically, during the session, the massage therapist directs the client to breathe in essential oils through steam inhalations, sprays, or vaporizers. Massage therapists should only use essential oils by providing topical or inhaled aromatherapy treatment. Essential oils should never be ingested or placed in the mouth. Certain essential oils may interact with some medications and cause them to be less effective.

Although many essential oils are safe when used as directed, research the oils before application. Here are a few examples of reactions to watch out for when using essential oils:

• Children younger than five should not use aromatherapy because they can be susceptible to the oil.
• Certain essential oils irritate and cause airway spasms in lung conditions like chronic lung disease, asthma, or respiratory allergies.
• Some oils cause skin irritations in people with allergies, especially in the nose, eyes, and mouth membranes.
• People with estrogen-dependent tumors like breast or ovarian cancer need to stay away from oils such as aniseed, fennel, and clary sage with estrogen-like compounds.

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