Is the practice of using naturally extracted oils from flowers, bark, stems, leaves and roots or other parts of a plant for healing and cosmetic purposes.
The extracted oils are known as “essential oils’. They consist of tiny aromatic molecules which are readily absorbed via the skin, and travel through the blood stream. When inhaled, the aroma from an ‘essential oil’ stimulates brain function through the limbic system which connects the nostrils to the brain. The limbic system controls emotions and influences the nervous system and hormones.
Essential oils have been used for centuries by many civilisations for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic and ritualistic purposes. The French perfumer and chemist, Rene- Maurice Gattefosse, first coined the term “Aromatherapie” in 1937 to clearly distinguish the medicinal application of essential oils for a range of physiological ailments, from their use in perfumes. Since then, Aromatherapy has grown to become one of the most widely practiced of all the alternative therapies.
The art and science of Aromatherapy is to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual responses to the essential oils to enhance the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.
Aromatherapy is particularly suited to conditions involving stress or improving emotionally-related conditions, and is used for a variety of applications, including pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive functioning. There is particular growth in its usage with cancer patients in Palliative Care.
There are a wide variety of essential oils each with their own healing properties. An aromatherapist learns the different healing properties and prepares a selection of essential oils for specific application.
Essential oils may be added to massage oil, lotion, cream or gel, and applied to the body. Findhorn Flower Essences combine pure essential oils and plant-based oils with flower essences to create topical emollient creams and gels that assist in calming and restoring balance through the skin.
Findhorn Flower Essences also combine pure essential oils with our flower essences and our elemental essences in Aromatherapy Spray Mists that infuse the atmosphere, or the aura with their exquisite fragrance and therapeutic properties.