Aromatherapy Brochure

Here is a cut and paste of my little tri-fold brochure that is currently on display at my Chiropractor's clinic at the moment:

AROMATHERAPY

What Is Aromatherapy?

The aromas or essences of therapeutic plants are concentrated in the form of “Essential Oils” which are used as one of many Holistic Therapies available today to aid the bodies’ own natural ability to heal itself.

Aromatherapy & the use of Essential Oils are used assist in the reduction of pain, detoxify the body, alleviation of tension & fatigue, reduction of fluid build up, reduction of anxiety, skin care, promotion of relaxation, and to invigorate the entire body.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential Oils are aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses, resins, and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological properties, which can improve and prevent illness.

Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, antidepressant and expectorant.

Other properties of the essential oils, which are taken advantage of in aromatherapy, are their stimulation, relaxation, improvement of digestion, and diuretic properties.

How Does It Work?

Transdermal (absorption through the skin)
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. A massage, utilizing aromatherapy blends, allows the substances to quickly penetrate into the skin, as they are soluble into the fatty parts of the skin to have a beneficial effect.

Oil blends containing rosemary, are also used topically to help soothe joint and muscle pain. Lavender is often incorporated into blends to help relieve stress and anxiety.

Olfactory (inhalation through the nose)

Research shows that smell, the most acute of our senses, has a powerful influence on our bodies and minds.

Essential Oils affect our olfactory sense (sense of smell). Upon inhalation, the molecules activate the olfactory nerve cells in the nasal cavity, which then send impulses to the limbic system (the area of the brain associated with emotional response, mood change, and memory), and trigger a response.

Essential oils have been observed to trigger favourable emotional responses, which usually contrast with the way the individual felt previously. This might be the first step towards making positive change when one is highly stressed!

The aromatic oils work both emotionally and physically. Emotionally, they may make you feel better by evoking a pleasant memories. We simply associate smell with many things.

Physically, they may help to relieve certain conditions by stimulating the immune, circulatory, or nervous systems.

Only pure, natural, unadulterated essential oils have true therapeutic properties. Perfumes, shampoos, and bath oils scented with herbs may smell wonderful, but they are not intended to be therapeutic.

There are many products on the market that claim to be Aromatherapy but are not pure. These mass produced products may smell nice, but the health benefits have been removed through processing.

To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials. Synthetically made oils do not work.

What Are The Health Benefits?

There have been several studies done and shown Aromatherapy’s ability to promote recovery in certain conditions and to reduce stress.

New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that the vanilla-like smell of heliotropin helped patients relax while they were undergoing MRI scans.

A study of patients that had undergone heart surgery found that those patients that received a foot massage with neroli (orange) oil had less anxiety than the patients that received the identical massage with just plain massage oil.

Scotland researchers, in a controlled study, reported that a few drops of diluted & blended Essential Oils, rubbed daily into the scalp for seven months, proved highly effective, and safe, in treating alopecia areata (a stress-related form of hair loss).

European physicians and Aromatherapists frequently prescribe certain oils for a variety of complaints, including sinusitis, colds and flu, digestive problems, insomnia, migraine, and muscle aches and pains.

Here is a partial list of ailments that can benefit from Aromatherapy:

Skin problems such as: Acne, Athlete's foot, Boils, Bruises, Cold sores, Corns/calluses, Eczema, Head lice, Heat rash, Nail infections, Psoriasis, Ringworm, Scabies, Ulceration, Warts

Skin (first aid) such as Burns (minor), Cuts and grazes, Insect repellent, Insect bites and stings, Spider bites, Sunburn

Female problems such as: Amenorrhea (loss of periods outside of pregnancy), Candida/thrush, Cystitis, Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods), Menopausal symptoms, Menorrhagia (heavy periods), PMS

Respiratory problems such as: Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, Coughs, Earache, Flu, Hay fever, Sinusitis

Circulatory problems such as: Fluid congestion in legs, Sluggish circulation, Hemorrhoids, Varicose veins

Cardiac problems such as: Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Hypotension, Palpitations

Digestive problems such as: Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dyspepsia, Gastric, Duodenal and Peptic Ulcers, Flatulence, Indigestion (dyspepsia), IBS, Liver congestion

Endocrine problems such as: Hyperthyroid, Hypothyroid

The muscular and skeletal system such as: Arthritis and Rheumatism, Bursitis, Edema, Fibromyalgia, Frozen Shoulder, Gout, Muscular aches and pains, Sciatica, Sprains/strains
The nervous system such as: Anxiety, Depression, Epilepsy, Headache, Insomnia, Jetlag, Migraine, Mood Swings, Neuralgia, Panic Attacks, Stress

While aromatherapy is quite safe, it is important to keep in mind that it is a complementary therapy and not a substitute for conventional medical care.

What Is An Aromatherapy Treatment?

An aromatherapy treatment is the application of Essential Oils blended in advance or by your therapist especially for you, after reviewing your medical history and needs.

The blend is lightly massaged onto the body and is a relaxing and never painful experience. The treatment stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems improving the supply of nutrients and aiding elimination of toxins and waste products from them, as well as relaxing the mind and nervous system.

What Will Happen During The Treatment?

At the beginning of the session, the medical history and lifestyle details will be taken. This is to assure that a blend will be chosen to assure the most beneficial (and safe) choice of Essential Oils will be chosen for the treatment.

During the treatment, the client remains fully covered except for the head and the specific area that is being worked on. The level of lighting and music can be adjusted to suit the client’s needs and comfort.

After the treatment, advice will be given for after care and recommendations for follow-ups or to complement your therapy will be given. Oil blends and remedies can be made to suit your specific needs.

How Do I Choose A Practitioner?

To be sure you are seeing a qualified Aromatherapist, consider working with (or getting a referral from) a massage therapist, chiropractor, or other practitioner who has had some clinical training.

Professional Aromatherapists in Canada need to be certified through the CFA (Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists) and have completed 200 hours of class room studies at an acknowledged institution, and passed the board exams.

Brochure produced by Norah Bleazard, Burlington, Ontario – 905-637-5196 (Reiki Practitioner, Aromatherapy & Reflexology Student at Balnea Institute)