What exactly is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the art and science of essential oils which have been extracted and distilled from flowers, stems, leaves, barks, roots, herbs, and has been in use for thousands of years. Yes, thousands of years! 

Over 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians were using such oils as frankincense, cinnamon, and myrrh and in 1920 when the tomb of Tutankhamen was opened, they discovered a jar of what they believed to be Egyptian perfume. It still smelled faintly sweet when they opened it and turned out to contain frankincense and spikenard.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used aromatic oils in their daily lives for healing, home care, body care, and beauty. 

Today, research can now prove there's a real science behind these ancient remedies, and plants have potential healing powers. Aromatherapy is now being used in clinics and hospitals as a complementary therapy. 

Essential oils can also be used cosmetically to create healthier skin, and to balance the emotions through inhalation. An easy way to get these benefits can be through massage using such oils as lavender which can be relaxing on it's own or stimulating when combined with eucalyptus; peppermint is cooling and stimulating and can be used for respiratory problems when inhaled or for muscle pain; rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for relieving pain from sprains, joint aches and rheumatism. 

So the next time when booking an appointment at your local day spa, ask them if they have any of these essential oils that can be incorporated into your massage and see what a difference they can make!