When I first began studying Aromatherapy and learning about not only the massage techniques but the Essential oils themselves, I instantly fell in love with the history of these oils and there uses. I remember the first person I learnt about was Dr Rene Maurice Gattefosse – a French chemist who learned of the healing properties of Lavender Oil after an accident in his lab left him with serious burn injuries, by plunging his injured arm into a large tub of Lavender Oil, it not only relieved the burning he was left with no burn scars what so ever.
It is believed that Egyptians are the first true Aroma therapists, they were known to burn Frankincense at dawn for the sun and Myrrh at dusk as an offering to the moon. Essential oils were a big part of everyday life for Egyptians and were used in Massage, make up, added to there everyday bath as well as being used to fumigate sick rooms.
Essential oils also played a huge part in regards to embalming and mummification.
Queen Cleopatra herself used Aromatherapy and Essential oils in almost every aspect of her life, the sails of her ship were soaked in rose water so her lover Mark Anthony would know of her pending arrival when he could smell the rosewater on the ocean breeze.
The Greeks, Persian’s, Assyrians, Babylonians and Hebrews all borrowed the knowledge of Aromatic medicine from the Egyptians and as the Egyptian Empire crumbled into decline near 300BC it was Europe that became the heart of medicine and new methods steadily became evolved into a more scientific approach to healing.
But the properties of these oils and herbs are not lost, Lavender oil is still an amazing oil to aid burns and its anti bacterial properties make it a great oil to add to a diffuser or an oil burner,
Peppermint to date is my favourite study aid and works wonders on a clients digestion or migraine symptoms not to mention a powerful aid when it comes to dissolving kidney stones. Frankincense is still known as a very spiritual oil and Juniper is still my favourite when it comes to clearing your mind, Ylang Ylang is still as calming as ever and is a great for high blood pressure.
Combining these oils into an Aromatherapy massage quite simply gives you a massage like no other, after a brief consultation an Aromatic massage blend is created specifically for you, these oils not only absorb through your skin but there aromas fill the air affecting your mind, body and soul, and the massage itself is a combination of smooth and gentle flowing techniques.
Wether for pleasure or health, massage should be considered one of life’s necessities.
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