Aromatherapy and the use of essential can be of great benefit to the body in many ways.
Let’s look at the different systems of the body and how aromatherapy may benefit each particular system, these include:
- The Integumentary System – Eczema, Dermatitis and Psoriasis
- Muscular Problems – Arthritis and Tired Muscles
- Respiratory Conditions – Asthma and Hay Fever
- The Circulatory System
- The Lymphatic System
- The Digestive System – Stomach Pain, Nausea, Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- The Urinary System
- The Reproductive System – Menstruation, Ovulation and Premenstrual Syndrome
- Nervous and Central Nervous System – Headaches and Nerve Pain
The Integumentary System – Eczema, Dermatitis and Psoriasis
The integumentary system is the system of the body which helps to protects organs and controls the loss of water whilst also waterproofing the body. The integumentary system comprises of the skin, hair and nails. Aromatherapy be used to assist with many different conditions of the skin such as dry, blemished or oily skin and can even be used to ease the symptoms of such conditions as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. Any massage will help to improve the condition of the skin but by carefully selecting the essential and carrier oils you may see great improvement in your skin condition.
Muscular Problems and Arthritis
Many clients may want a massage due to a muscular complaint. Some oils are particularly beneficial in helping to ease tensed muscles and by using cold compresses you are able to ease the swelling of a strained muscle. Essential oils can be beneficial for easing tired muscles after a strenuous workout or helping to warm muscles up prior to exercise.
As well as muscular problems there are essential oils which work towards relieving joint pains and problems. Black Pepper for example is specifically useful when treating joint pain and problems such as arthritis.
Asthma and Hay Fever
Aromatherapy can be extremely beneficial for those who may suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma and hay fever as they can help to relieve some of the symptoms and open up the airways. Frankincense is known for is respiratory benefits.
The Circulatory System
Massage is beneficial for the circulatory system and by carefully choosing which essential oils to use a therapist can help to improve your cardiac or circulatory problems. For example: If you’re suffering from high blood pressure, you should not be given Rosemary. However, Lavender would be a great benefit as it lowers blood pressure. The opposite stands for a low blood pressure, using rosemary may benefit the condition.
The Lymphatic System
One of the key purposes of massage is to help drain toxins from the body, promoting efficient use of the lymphatic system. Essential oils can aid in this, by providing a “tonic” or “detox” they can help promote effective and efficient use of the lymphatic system.
The Digestive System – Stomach Pain, Nausea, Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
There are many different aliments relating to the digestive system which essential oils can be used to benefit. For example, there are oils which can help to treat stomach pain or feelings of nausea, if you suffer from constipation you can also benefit from particular oils. There are essential oils that will also relieve some of the symptoms of conditions such as crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
The Urinary System – Cystitis
Conditions effecting the urinary system such as cystitis can be benefited by essential oils. There is a group of essential oils known for their diuretic benefits for those who retain too much water and there are also essential oils which reduce the amount of water which a person may pass.
The Reproductive System – Menstruation, Ovulation and Premenstrual Syndrome
Essential oils (particularly those which female related names such as Rose, Jasmine and Melissa) are particularly beneficial for conditions effecting the reproductive system, such as menstruation, ovulation and premenstrual syndrome. They may even assist with fertility problems, even aiding in the production of sperm and the regulation of ovulation.
Nervous and Central Nervous System – Headaches and Nerve Pain
Aromatherapy can also be used to benefit the nervous and central nervous system, essential oils can be used to alleviate headaches and other nerve pain as well as promoting many different psychological changes through the influence of scent received by the olfactory system. The power of scent can relax or uplift a person, it can calm nerves and help with anxiety or you can use aromas to promote concentration, focus and memory.
Essential oils have a vast number of benefits some of which we will not have discovered yet, however with most oils there are precautions that need to be taken into account. You can opt for a a pre-blended aromatherapy masage or a bespoke treatment which includes a consultantion to make sure you get the most from your session. I can focus on providing benefits to alleviate ailments to separate systems of the body but also provide a holistic treatment that treats the person as a whole.
Written by Robyn Magilton – Robyn’s Holistics