What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy (a.k.a. Essential Oil Therapy) is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts in the form of essential oils to improve the health of the body, mind and spirit. It is thought to be both an art and a science.

The practice of using aromatic plants as a form of therapy in an ancient one, as started by the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans who used them in the making of cosmetics, such as resins, balms and oils, as well as perfumes and drugs. These natural substances were known to have both physical and psychological benefits.

Essential oils distillation was started in the 10th century by the Persians, though the practice may have been in use for a long time prior to this. Information about essential oil distillation was published in the 16th century in Germany. French physicians in the 19th century recognized the potential of essential oils in treating disease. 

The term “aromatherapy” was coined René-Maurice Gattefossé, by a French perfumer and chemist, in his book (Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales) published in 1937, after discovering the healing properties of lavender in treating burns. The book depicts the use of essential oils in treating medical conditions. Later on, A French surgeon, Jean Valnet, pioneered the medicinal uses of essential oils as antiseptics in the treatment of wounded soldiers during World War II.

How does Aromatherapy work?

The way in which Aromatherapy works is by stimulating our smell receptors (located in the nose) once the essential oils are inhaled or absorbed by the skin. This then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions feelings and memories, and can even influence hormonal responses.

Our sense of smell is approximately 10,000 times more sharply perceived than other senses. As scent gets faster to the brain than sight or sound, it provokes a flow of reactions, before we even become aware of it in our conscious brain.

How to practice Aromatherapy?

You can experience the benefits of aromatherapy in two ways:

1. Through inhaling essential oils:

• by lighting an aromatherapy candle which has a high concentration of essential oils, such as the Gloriously Good Lavender & Ylang Ylang candle
• by popping some essential oils into an electric oil diffuser and enjoyinh the fragrance with which it gradually fills up the room
• by applying some roll-on oil blended with essential oils to your pulse points
• by misting your pillow with a spray infused with essential oils, before going to bed.

• by polishing your body with a Gloriously Good body scrub that has been fragranced only with pure essential oils
• by moisturising your body with a body cream or lotion that has been infused with essential oils
• by massaging your body with a body oil scented with essential oils.

Please note, essential oil should not be applied directly onto skin, without having being diluted into a carrier oil, as they are highly concentrated and can cause adverse effects.

How to choose the right Aromatherapy scent for you?

Using aromatherapy in your daily life is a great way to tune into your needs. The way to choose the perfect blend for you is by allowing your sense of smell and intuition to guide you in finding the right blend for what you need to experience in that specific moment. For example, you may need an uplifting energy boost at the beginning of the day, that you can experience through our Peppermint, Eucalyptus & Pine body scrub while showering, and you may need a relaxing scent to help you unwind at the end of the day, which you can enjoy by lighting our Lavender & Ylang Ylang candle, which has a high concentration of relaxing essential oils. 

What are the benefits of Aromatherapy?

The true power of aromatherapy is the fact that it has a holistic effect on our wellbeing, on our mind, body and spirit and those who practice aromatherapy have experienced an improved quality of life. This stems from the unique healing properties, benefits and effects of essential oils, such as relaxing you, improving sleep quality, reducing stress and anxiety, improving concentration, mental focus, achieving clarity and insight, improving digestion, boosting immunity, uplifting your mood, reducing fatigue and invigorating your spirit. Furthermore, indulging in the scent of a synergistic blend of essential oils is even more beneficial for the mind and the body.