Aromatherapy

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine which involves the use of plant materials and other aromatic compounds to alter the users mood, health and mental state. There are a few main methods of conducting aromatherapy including:

• Inhalation– Breathing in aromatic vapour (Aerial diffusion and direct inhalation)
• Topical – Applying oils directly to the skin
• Orally – Ingesting materials

In the case of our steam showers and whirlpool baths the inhalation methods is the most applicable. A number of our products facilitate for aromatherapy, many of our saunas and steam showers outlets have specially designed locations for aromatic materials to be placed in so that the heat will cause them to turn to vapour and the fans will circulate this vapour around you. They can then be absorbed by your hair follicles and sweat glands to help promote healthy and bacteria free skin as well as being processed by your repertory system via inhalation. This is the quickest and most direct route for the material to affect your state of mind and wellbeing.

How Does It Work?

Each method of application works in a different way, as we have just seen by applying oils to the skin it can be absorbed into the blood stream and also kill bacteria on the skin. With inhalation the vapour passes tiny nerves in the top of our noses which then transmit data to a part of our brain called the limbic system. This are of the brain is responsible for heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance.

As previously mentioned this is the most effective and fast acting method of aromatherapy, we suggest placing aromatic oils or materials in the special designed sections of our products or even adding plant oils to your bath water. This will help you to relax, lower your heart rate and settle your breathing making it more consistent. The result will be a calmer and happier you.

Criticisms

The positive effects of aromatherapy have yet to be 100% proven by science. Many critics suggest that it is another case of the placebo effect. That said MANY people swear by its effectiveness, the brain is an amazingly powerful tool which can be affected in many surprising ways. There is certainly no real evidence of its use being harmful or damaging in anyway.

Related Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromatherapy

http://www.aromatherapy-at-home.com/howdoesaromatherapywork.html

http://solework.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/aromatherapy-steam-inhalation/