How the aromatherapy oils work

In our  Introduction to Aromatherapy course we briefly touched on this subject, but if you are to become a professional Aromatherapist you need to be fully conversant with this to help tailor your treatments accordingly.

Inhalation
Aromas stimulate the olfactory nerves at the back of the nose, which send messages to the olfactory bulb which is in the third ventricle of the brain (the limbic system). This part of the brain looks after our thirst, hunger and sex drives.

The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are both situated in the same area with responsibility for the release of hormones into our systems that control body functions and release emotions and memories.  So stimulating these nerves can have a direct effect on the body and the mind.  The pituitary gland is head of the endocrine system and regulates the production of hormones by all glands.

The hypothalamus is part of the neurological system that controls the autonomic nervous system, ie controls all the involuntary muscles such as the heart, lungs etc. It also works with the pituitary gland to regulate female sex hormones and is related to the control of the appetite.

So the inhalation of essential oils has a powerful effect on the hormones in the endocrine system and is particularly useful in the treatment of hormonal conditions.

Absorption
Essential oils that are absorbed into the skin go directly into the blood stream; so this can be achieved in many ways such as in the bath/shower, compress, massage and applied neat onto the skin. Inhalation of oils can also be absorbed through the lungs as they enter into the bloodstream in the surrounding blood vessels.

Essential oils go directly into the bloodstream and boost the levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins and acids that are naturally produced in the body.  They are really clever in that they seek out where the body is deficient in some way help with the chemical balance.  Additionally essential oils that are absorbed through the skin can trigger our immune system by locating molecules in the body and sending a signal to our cells to attack and invade organisms.

What you do need to be aware of is that the absorption rates vary in individuals and the oils. Although it only takes a minute for the oil to penetrate into the skin, the absorption rate varies from the bloodstream and into the relevant organs depending on the size, circulation and general health of the individual – which can be from 70 minutes to 6 hours.  It might be useful for you to record on the treatment card how the client felt soon after and then following the treatment.

The body then gets rid of the oil through urine, faeces, perspiration and exhalation which can take from 3 to 14 hours.  It is believed that the oils do not leave toxins when expelled unlike more traditional type medicines.

Room Burner (oil burner, diffuser and vaporiser)

Room burners are specially made for use with essential oils, there any many different retail outlets that offer them in different shapes, themes, sizes and designs.  However, a couple of useful tips: make sure the bowl element of the burner is fairly deep; the candle chamber is large and has sufficient ventilation to allow the excess heat to escape.  The base of the burner should be thick, or have a raised rim to life the centre of the base from the surface to avoid unnecessary damage.  A glazed burner does not crack, burn or stain and easy to keep clean – I personally had a beautiful clear glass burner that broke because I had forgotton to refill it with water – so this is always something to take into account.  Night candles should be used, and to speed up the aroma process add a little warm  water to the bowl.

This particular system is really good for psychological conditions, headaches and respiratory problems and good for airborne viruses and bacteria.  I personally like a burner with added lavender essential oil after a long day at work as it helps me to chill and wind down.  The obvious other benefit is that it makes any room smell nice.

School of Life Studies
Has a great introduction course into aromatherapy, which will give you all the basic knowledge you need to train and become a professional aromatherapist.
We know that studying can be hard going, so we have taken this into account by incorporating pictures, diagrams and soon to be introduced short videos for our new courses.

Before Therapy Angel Luna Online Studies was set up, extensive research was undertaken, therefore we can guarantee that the courses are the best by being more interactive, using plain English and fun.
We offer practical advice when you get started in your new profession, how many other course providers offer that service.  We operate a 7 day money back guarantee if you are not happy – we are that confident about our products.

So why not train today in Aromatherapy, Angel and Crystal Therapy, Professional Tarot and Palmistry reading, Crystal and Reiki Healing today. It is an opportunity to earn extra money in something you love to do – or even start a new full time career.  The earning potential is so great, it is fact that today many people prefer less traditional methods of medicine and advice.
Latest Diploma/Certificate Courses added are  Indian Head Massage and Hopi Ear Candles.

Benefits Of Full Body Massage
Full body massage can produce multiple benefits for your health. These benefits go far beyond an hour spent in relaxing quietly, escaping the day. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that stress and tension form the root causes of many diseases and illnesses. Hence, if you able to find ways to alleviate or relieve your stress, you are preventing health problems from emerging or becoming worse.

Going for a full body massage on a regular basis is one excellent way to help you fight off tensions. Full body massage stimulates the production of endorphins that promotes relaxation and drowsiness.

When you go for full body massage, your head to your toes and feet are massaged both front and back. A variety of strokes that includes kneading, pulling, wringing, hacking and gliding are used on various parts of the body.

If you are already ill or suffering from constant fatigue or pain, then full body massage can play a big part in your treatment. A full body massage helps to improve blood circulation and blood becomes more easily transportable to the vital organs in your body. This is vital for smooth functioning of your internal body parts. In addition, when blood is supplied to areas that have been injured before, repair and renewal of cells and tissues take place more easily. Combined with conventional medicine and other therapies, repeat sessions of full body massage can do much to accelerate your recovery.

Here are a few disorders that benefit from regular full body massage:

* Depression
* Infertility
* Eating disorders
* Post-operative recovery
* Autism
* Immune-suppressed systems
* Diabetes
* High blood pressure
* Sleep disorders
* Cancer related fatigue
* Low back pain
* Spinal cord injuries

When you choose full body massage, you choose a non-invasive procedure. In addition, full massage therapy, which is relatively safe, can be a complementary treatment to other medical treatments.

Other than improved blood circulation, here are other benefits that you can expect to experience from a full body massage.

* Stimulated lymph system
* Stimulated immune system
* Relaxed muscles
* Reduced cramps
* Increased flexibility
* Reduced recovery time
* Released endorphins
* Reduced post-operative scar tissue and edema
* Reduced migraine pain
* Improved range of motion
* Reduced depression
* Shortened labor and delivery in expectant mothers

As helpful as full body massage can be, those with certain illnesses should avoid the treatment. These include phlebitis, certain cancers, certain heart conditions, certain skin problems, and contagious diseases.

To be absolutely sure, check with your doctor first if you are chronically ill. Otherwise, enjoy on a regular basis!

Source: Caroline Colby

Why not try our introduction to aromatherapy certificate course