By Ellice Yang
AROMATHERAPY is the therapeutic use of the essential oils that are extracted from aromatic plants to improve and maintain health and beauty. Essential oils are being used more and more widely today but did you know they have been around for thousands of years? Throughout the history of mankind, and across all cultures, aromatic plants have been used in many aspects of our lives – from rituals and culinary uses to medicine.
Aromatherapy massage is a great way to apply essential oils because the skin is an important route for the absorption of the oil. Essential oils are carefully chosen and diluted in a carrier oil before application. Absorption of the essential oils can take from 20 minutes up to 2 hours. So be sure you don’t shower right after your massage!
How can Aromatherapy Massage help?
Many of our clients seek aromatherapy massage to:
- Alleviate stress, myofascial stress
- Promote emotional well-being
- Aid healing of soft tissue injuries
- Stimulate lymphatic circulation
- Strengthen the immune system
As Aromatherapy becomes increasingly popular and commonly used, it’s nice to know evidence-based research is catching up. For example, both massage and essential oils can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation and digestion. Some have immune-stimulant actions and can help to reinforce the immune system. Others help regulate the endocrine system to help manage symptoms related to menstruation. The combination of Massage with Essential Oils can be mutually beneficial when used together. Massage alone is of considerable therapeutic value but consider incorporating essential oils to your next massage to further enhance the therapeutic potential.
