Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the science of using pure essential oils to heal and rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. Essential oils are extracted from plants by various methods and posess the healing properties of that plant. For example, they can be antiviral, antifungal, astringent, anti-inflammatory and many more. At Pure Therapy a unique essential oil blend is mixed for you during every type of massage - free of charge.

Aromatherapy is a gentle form of massage. The emphasis is placed on massaging the oils into the skin so that they can be absorbed and affect the body and mind.

Essential oils are absorbed into the body in various ways. Essential oils are blended together in a carrier oil before the massage, so-called because it carries the oils into the skin. Essential oils enter the skin via the sweat glands and hair follicles, from there they are absorbed into the bloodstream by the capillaries close to the surface of the skin. Once in the bloodstream they are carried around the body.

The oils can also enter the bloodstream when they are inhaled and taken down into the alveoli of the lungs, they are transferred to the bloodstream via the capillaries which surround the alveoli.

Hopefully this information makes it clear that Aromatherapy is more than just a 'nice smelling massage'! Aromatherapy is a truly holistic treatment as each blend is made specifically for you to meet your needs. The effectiveness of the oils which work on the tissues and organs of the body combines with the healing power of massage to inluence the body and psyche.

The History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy was used by the Ancient Egyptians for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Hippocrates wrote about the benefits of massage using oil that had absorbed the essence from plants. The Roman physician to Marcus Aurelius divided plants into healing catagories and used plants as healing remedies for groups of gladiators.

Plants and herbs were used to ward off the plague in England. Books called 'Herbals' were printed and the general public were able to treat themselves with plants.

The name Aromatherapy was first used by Rene-Maurice Gattefose in the 1920's. Whilst working in his family's perfume factory, he burned his hand. He immediately plunged it into the nearest vat of liquid, which happened to be lavender. He was amazed at how quickly his burn healed with little scarring.

Aromatherapy was used to treat wounded and burnt soldiers in the war and psychiatric patients by Dr Jean Valnet, an army surgeon. He published the book 'Aromatherapie'.

The modern form of aromatherapy that is practised today was developed by Micheline Archer and Madame Maury, a French biochemist, who developed the method of applying essential oils to the skin with massage.