Aromatherapy.

The term aromatherapy was first coined in 1928 by Gattefosse a French chemist working in his family's perfumier business. He became fascinated with the therapeutic possibilities of the oils after discovering by accident that lavender was able to rapidly heal a severe burn on his hand and help prevent scarring. He also found that many of the essential oils were more effective in their totality than their synthetic substitutes or their isolated active ingredients.

After further research Madame Marguerite Maury who applied this research to her beauty therapy, in which she aimed to revitalize her clients by creating a strictly personal aromatic complex which she adapted to the subject's temperament and particular health problems.

In some respects the word Aromatherapy can be misleading because it suggests that it is a form of healing which works exclusively through our sense of smell, and on the emotions. This is not the case for, apart from its scent, each essential oil has an individual combination of constituents which interacts with the body's chemistry in a direct manner, which then in turn affects certain organs or systems as a whole. e.g. when the essential oils are used diluted in oil for massage, they are absorbed by the skin and transported into the bloodstream.

A simple explanation is that essential oils are plant hormones.

Aromatherapy is the specific use of the natural fragrances of the essential oils in aromatic plants to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing. Therefore a consultation will be taken before undertaking a massage and the choice of oils will be to suit your individual needs. Aromatherapy oils are best left as long as possible on the body. For full effects you should leave having a bath or shower for up to 24 hours after massage, this will give time for the essential oils to travel throughout the body. Any gym workout, swimming, steam or sauna treatments are all best done prior to your aromatherapy massage.

The Treatments (Back, neck & shoulders, full body, and scalp massage).

Following a consultation to decide a blend of oils you will lay on the couch in underwear, covered fully by towels and the choice of essential oils will be blended with either grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil and a routine massage will take place, paying particular attention to any areas that may need deeper work, e.g. shoulders, calves or back pain. If scalp massage is chosen, then oils will be used in the hair.

Relaxing music will be played and at the end of the massage you will be left for a few minutes to 'collect' yourself.

Back Cleanse & Exfoliation.

A treatment for that hard to reach and neglected area consists of:-

A superficial cleanse followed by a deep cleanse, hot mitt removal, oil & salt exfoliation, hot mitt removal, followed by a massage with aromatherapy oils.

Time - 45 mins.