Aromatherapy is a gentle but powerful healing art that uses therapeutic grade pure essential oils in a way that can positively effect our physical, emotional and mental health.

Pure essential oils are naturally occurring substances found in different parts of plants - the blossom, fruit, leaf, stem, bark, wood or resin. Through a complicated and often expensive process of distillation or solvent extraction, these precious oils are captured and bottled. The essential oils are then measured and combined according to the quality each oil possesses, and this blend is then administered to the recipient.

Certified Aromatherapists will recommend massage (introduction through the skin) and inhalation (introduction through the respiratory system) as the most effective methods of introducing these wonderfully balanced and holistic gifts from nature into the human body. For massage, a good quality carrier oil, lotion, cream or salve is used to deliver the essential oils to the area needed. For inhalation, a simmering pot, diffuser, hot tub, sauna - or something as simple as a common cotton ball is used.

While modern science can in some cases duplicate the fragrance of some essential oils, they have been unable to duplicate the benefits each can deliver. Each essential oil is made up of between 50 to 500 different chemicals that occur in nature. Essential oils can be used for pleasure only, to scent your environment, or be used in an effective natural way to enhance beauty and health.

How do Essential Oils Enter the Body?

1. Through our skin. The largest organ in the human body, and accessible to Essential Oils because the molecular structure of the essential oils is so small they can enter through the skin and enter the blood steam. A modern application of this principal is used by many people today and is known as the patch. To quit smoking, or to raise estrogen levels in post menopausal women, medication is introduced at a gentle and consistent level into the body through the skin. Massage is another way essential oils are introduced into the body. Essential oils in salves, creams, oils, perfumes all are vehicles of delivery. Essential oils take about half an hour to be absorbed.
2. Through smell. The olfactory system, (nose) sends the chemical message of the essential oils through the limbic part of our brain, which is the oldest part of our brain. Here the message is telegraphed to our central nervous system and to our glands, which control how our body functions. Methods to use here are in baths, diffusers, humidifiers, hot tubs, steams, perfumes, on a hanky, or pillow. Takes only seconds for the message to be received.
3. Ingesting. In North America, ingesting can never be suggested. It is not the best method, in any case, as the essential oils end up reacting with the other materials in the digestive tract, and are often of very little use to the client.

How long do Essential Oils last, once purchased?

Most essential oils will last 1-2 years if kept in a dark bottle in a cool place. Some of the resinous oils are more like wine, in that they actually get better with age! Because citrus oils are top notes and highly volatile, they should be used up within one year, and once oils are blended with carrier oils they should be used up within 1 to 2 months as the therapeutic value starts to diminish. Essential oils can be classified into top, middle, and base notes, signifying the length of time an oil's scent can be detected. Top notes (oils like bergamot, petitgrain, citrus bases) tend to last 2-3 hours and are the first part of any blend that you smell first. Top notes give the first impression of the blend. Middle notes (oils like lavender, chamomile, geranium) give blends body and help to round out the sharp edges of the top notes. Typically these scents can last upward of 2-3 days. Base notes or fixatives (like patchouli, clary sage, myrrh, cedarwood) help to deepen the blend and create a lasting aroma. When smelled directly from the bottle they may have very little scent, but once used in a blend and applied to the skin, they react strongly and release their power. These scents can last from several days to a week, depending on the oil.

Brief History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy dates back to early India when it started as Ayurvedic Medicine. It was believed that applying elements of the natural world to the body and treatment of the whole person was the way to effect positive health and healing.

China has books dating back to 4000 BC that record the use of essential oils. Egypt used these oils for embalming, medicines, perfumes and cosmetics. Greece adopted the skill of Aromatherapy. It was a Greek named Galen who first developed the bases for cold cream, and we still use his methods in todays cosmetics. Greek soldiers are known to have carried Myrrh into the battle field to heal wounds. Rome borrowed from the Greeks and began using essential oils. One use was in their famous Roman Baths. The Romans were an aggressive people, and the use of essential oils spread throughout the lands that the Romans conquered.

England became enamored with the Art of Aromatherapy and helped spread its use through the crusades, establishing trade routes and spreading the word throughout the rest of Europe. World exploration was motivated by a search for spices and oils, not land. Monks and Nuns tended herb gardens and furthered interest and benefits of essential oils and herbs in general.

In 1665, a Monk invented Eau de Cologne, named after the city in which he lived at the time. We still use it today.

During the Black Plaque, it was found that those working with essential oils were immune to the deadly disease. In 1722, a quartet of robbers combined a potion of essential oils in vinegar to protect themselves when plundering bodies during the Great Plague. It was called 4 Thieves Vinegar. It can be proven today scientifically that essential oils are antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal etc. (See our Blends section...our version of Thieves is called "Terminator"). In the 1800s, the simple conclusion to these unscrupulous men's success without becoming ill themselves was that the essential oils themselves possessed something that shielded the thieves from the disease.

Napoleon was known to use great quantities of Rosemary water. Rosemary has the property of enlivening the brain, helping with memory, concentration. Maybe he forgot to use it when planning the Battle of Waterloo?

19th century - scientific advances were responsible for the decline in herbal therapy. Scientists were now able to synthetically reproduce in the laboratory many of natural occurring substances. For example, they discovered and reproduced aspirin, which occurs naturally in willow trees.

20th century - herbal remedies and essential oils have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, and have been studied, and proven scientifically. Essential oils have been shown to affect healing of skin, strengthening the immune system, and also capable of relieving emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression. 1920, Two Italian doctors, Gattefosse and Cayola demonstrated the psychotherapeutic effects of inhaling essential oils. Our sense of smell has by reflex action an enormous influence on the central nervous system.

An example of how this works: Clary Sage stimulates the thalamus to release a hormone called encephalon, which is a neurochemical that creates a sense of euphoria and simultaneously gives pain relief. This all happens within seconds of inhalation. Thus Clary Sage is a known relaxing, calming essential oil.

Ylang Ylang stimulates the pituitary gland into releasing endorphins, a sexually stimulating neurochemical. Thus Ylang Ylang is considered an aphrodisiac.

Lavender, Chamomile, or Neroli stimulate the release of serotonin, which has a calming effect on fear, stress, aggravation and sleeplessness. Thus these essential oils are used to combat anxiety, and are recommended to help relax and aid in sleep.