Reiki New Beginnings - Reiki in Barnsley, South Yorkshire

A BRIEF HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY

The use of essential oils has been well documented throughout the ages in most cultures. The ancient Egyptians and the Chinese are known to have used oils while the ancient Greeks and Romans are believed to have used essential oils both for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The bible makes reference to essential oils and during medieval times they were used in England to ward of disease. More recently the healing power of lavender essential oil was promoted by a French chemist named Gattefosse who is believed to have plunged his hand into a bowl of lavender oils when he got burnt during a lab explosion. He explained how the oils worked scientifically and his findings were confirmed by Dr Jean Valnet and during the second world war lavender essential oils was used to accelerate the healing of burns and speed recovery for many soldiers. However, it was an Austrian biochemist, Mme Maguerite Maury who studied essential oils in great depth and was responsible for developing and perfecting the massage techniques used in aromatherapy treatments today. Mme Maury trained therapists in these methods from her London clinic.

WHAT IS AN ESSENTIAL OIL?

Basically essential oils are odorous pure plant essence made up of complex chemical compounds extracted from the plants by any of the methods described above. Essential oils are produced from many different plants from various countries and extracted either from their flowers, twigs, leaves, fruit, roots, berries, rind etc. As a result their composition and odours are very different.

Essential oils have a consistency that is more like water than oil and they are not greasy. They have been compared to human hormones and this comparison has been confirmed by scientific research which has described essential oils as plant hormones. Essential oils have many different properties yet nearly all of them are antiseptic and antibacterial. However some essential oils are antiviral, others antifungal and some oils have anti-depressent, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. The list is endless and one essential oil can have numerous properties. For example lavender has around 70 properties and while these would not be needed all at once like human hormones essential oils have the ability to target the specific area required.

It is important to note that synthetic oils can be made which have exactly the same smell as the natural product. Nevertheless they have none of the therapeutic qualities of the real thing and you are unlikely to be able to buy the real thing on the High Street.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE WITH REIKI USING PURE ESSENTIAL OILS 

Essential oils enter the body either by absorption through the skin and by inhalation as the aromatic oils enters the body via the nasal passages travelling to the olfactory system in the brain to encourage healing and when combined with Reiki the qualities of the oils are enchanced significantly encouraging healing on all levels. 

The treatment itself begins with a health and lifestyle consultation and if there are no contraindications to treatment the aromatherapist will decide on an appropriate blend of two or three essential oils which are blended in a carrier oil for application to the skin using a combination of acupressure, effluage, petrissage and neuromuscular techniques.  The treatment effectively increases blood and lymph flow carrying nutrients around the body to ease your aches and pains, relieve stress and add radiance to your skin.  Reiki enhances the vibration of the oils to enhance their therapeutic qualities while simultaneously promoting  deep relaxation, acting as a catalyst to trigger the body's natural healing response.

Aromatherapy with Reiki deals effectively with a range of minor ailments  and is deeply relaxing yet is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment and you should always see your doctor if you have concerns about your health. If you are pregnant, epileptic or are taking medication or homeopathic remedies then aromatherapy may not be suitable for you and this will be discussed during the consultation.  However, in many cases it will complement orthodox healthcare, although you may need your doctor's permission before treatment can commence.

Aromatherapy combined with Reiki may ease the following problems:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Muscular aches and pains
• Coughs and colds
• Minor burns
• Digestive problems
• Skin complaints
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Tinnitus
• Sinusitis
• Arthritis

Each treatment lasts between 1-1/2 hours and is followed by specific aftercare advice therefore including the health and lifestyle consultation, you need to allow around two hours for your healing.