Jane Loader - Complementary Practitioner

Jane Loader (Dip. ClassK IFA ITEC IEB Dip. Cert Ed MRadA)

Aromatherapy

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a natural preventative, complementary and holistic therapy which helps to activate the natural healing process of the body.

The History of Aromatherapy

The term Aromatherapy was first coined in 1928 by Rene Gattefosse, a French chemist working in his family's perfumery business. He became fascinated with the therapeutic possibilities of essential oils after discovering by accident that lavender was able to heal a severe burn on his hand and prevent scarring.

Another French doctor and scientist, Dr Jean Valnet used essential oils as part of a programme - treating serious burns and war injuries. He was able to successfully treat specific medical and psychiatric disorders. The work of Valnet was studied by Marguerite Maury who applied his research to her beauty therapy treatments which she adapted to the patient's temperament and particular health problems.

What are Essential Oils?

Pure Essential Oils are extracted from many different parts of plants including herbs, flowers, leaves, woods, twigs, barks, resin fruits, roots, grasses, they are said to be the life force of the plant.

Aromatic plants 'capture' the solar energy into pockets at the level of their leaves and petals, then change into sugars through the chlorophylous function, and secrete essential oils.

It is important to ensure that when purchasing essential oils that they are pure and unadulterated. Synthetic oils lack all the natural elements even if chemically similar.

How are Essential Oils extracted?

Most essential oils are extracted by distillation, whilst some are extracted expression and by solvent extraction.

What are the benefits?

Aromatherapy helps to:

- Relieve stress and promote relaxation
- Stimulate the circulation to eliminate toxins
- Activate the body's own healing process
- Strengthen the immune system
- Enhance physical and mental well-being

How can Aromatherapy help?

Aromatherapy can help relieve:

- Stress	- Respiratory conditions
- Tension	- Digestive conditions
- Insomnia	- PMT & Menstrual problems
- Aches & Pains	- Menopausal problems
- Arthritis & Rheumatism	- Skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis etc)
- Sinusitis & Catarrh	- and many others

How can Aromatherapy be used?

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A FULLY QUALIFIED AROMATHERAPIST IF PREGNANT, SUFFERING FROM EPILEPSY, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR IF UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Care MUST always be taken when treating babies, young children and the elderly.


	Massage		One of the most effective methods of using essential oils. The caring touch of a qualified Aromatherapist and the psychosomatic effects of smell and fragrance make an Aromatherapy treatment ideal as it helps to harmonise and balance the body, mind and spirit. Pure essential oils are very concentrated and MUST BE DILUTED INTO A CARRIER such as grapeseed, sweet almond, a vegetable based lotion or cream, before applying to the skin.

	Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Aromatherapy Massage		Jane has developed a combined treatment incorporating the Vodder method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Aromatherapy. This type of treatment has proved invaluable for boosting the immune system, improving lymphatic flow, enhance health and well-being.

	Self-help programmes		It is important that the patient is given advice on how to use essential oils at home. Detailed instructions of the dilution rates will be given by your practitioner. It is very important that any precautions and contra-indications are given. Your individual home-care advice may include the following:

			Baths - using essential oils in a bath is a very effective and therapeutic way of relaxing especially at the end of a stressful day and to help soothe tired, aching muscles. Simply add the number of drops prescribed by your Aromatherapist to a full bath just before getting in gently agitate the water to disperse the oil. Depending on the oils used you can feel uplifted, relaxed or stimulated. Vapourisation - Fragrance Burners have a twofold effect. First the antiseptic and evaporative properties of essential oils make them ideal air fresheners. Secondly they can be used to create a mood or atmosphere - relaxing or uplifting- to suit individual needs. Inhalation - There are essential oils suitable for alleviating the symptoms of colds, coughs, catarrh, sinusitis, etc. By adding a specific number of drops prescribed by your Aromatherapist, to a bowl of hot water and inhaling the vapour for five to ten minutes or by simply inhaling from a tissue on which you have put a drop of essential oil. (Keep away from eyes). Compresses - Hot or cold compresses can be administered depending on the condition to be treated. Fill a basin with hot or cold water add the number of drops prescribed by your Aromatherapist, fold a clean and absorbent piece of fabric and dip into the water. Wring out, place of the painful area, cover the compress with a piece of cling film. Compressing is helpful for headaches, migraines, sprains, tennis elbow, etc. etc. CAUTION: Essential Oils must NEVER be taken internally

Can Aromatherapy help alleviate stress?

Stress is difficult to avoid and a part of modern life, affecting everyone from children to the elderly. When we are exposed to long-term stress we begin to feel fatigue, anxious and depressed. Our nervous system is made up of the sympathetic nervous system, the day nerve which allows us to work, and the parasympathetic nervous system which renews our strength, helps to induce sleep, aiding digestion, repair and regeneration. When we are stressed the sympathetic nervous system becomes stronger and parasympathetic nervous system becomes weaker causing an imbalance. The nervous system becomes drained and the immune system depleted making us more susceptible to immune deficiency diseases. Aromatherapy can have a calming and balancing effect on the nervous system. Prevention is better than cure.

The caring touch of a qualified Aromatherapist and the psychosomatic effects of smell and fragrance make an Aromatherapy treatment ideal as it helps to harmonise and balance the body, mind and spirit.

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