Essential Oils
'Treatment using scents'. Essential Oils are secreted by the cells of plants and trees. They act on the mind and body via the skin and sense of smell, entering the body through inhalation into your lungs or being absorbed through the skin into the blood stream, interacting with your body's other systems to balance and heal.
I have completed the Neal's Yard course Aromatherapy for Beginners, (this does not allow me to practice Aromatherapy), during your reflexology treatment I can burn essential oils, so you can experience the beautiful aromas and benefit from their healing properties.
Examples of Essential Oils - properties/effects:
Bergamot - cooling/refreshing - acts on tension, stress and irritability
Geranium - cooling, moisturising calming, uplifting, strengthening - acts on nervous system for anxiety, hot flushes, palpitations, dry skin and acne
Ginger - hot, moving, tonifying - acts on the lungs for colds and flu, poor circulation and nausea
Eucalyptus - warming, antiseptic - acts on colds, flu, mucus congestion, sinusitis and bronchitis
Lavender - (the most versatile essential oil) balancing towards sedation and calmness - acts on
stress, tension, insomnia, headaches as well as for burns and wounds
Neroli- calming/uplifting - acts on depression and insomnia
Patchouli - stimulating and strengthening - acts on nervous system and as an anti-depressant
Pine - refreshing 'opening effect' - acts on respiratory system/tract as an antiseptic and
decongestion for bronchitis and chest infections
Rose - cooling, relaxing, anti-inflammatory, tonifying - acts on nervous system as an anti-depressant
and for PMT
Rosemary - warming/stimulating - acts on poor circulation and lymphatic systems, also for
migraine and headaches
References: (1) A Gaia Busy Person's Guide Aromatherapy - Sarah Dean
(2) Neal's Yard Remedies Essential Oils - Susan Curtis