Therapeutic Aromatherapy

Therapeutic Aromatherapy became a recognized health profession under the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, allowing Therapeutic Aromatherapists who have complied to apply for AHPCSA registration.

Therapeutic Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of aromatic essential oils (extracted from different areas of the plant, e.g. flowers, fruit, ripe outer peel of the fruit, leaves, bark, twigs, gum resin, wood, needles, nuts, seeds, roots and rootlets, rhizomes and the plant as a hole) to promote physical and psychological well-being. The aromatic essential oils are blended with relevant base oils that must be pure seed or nut oils that are extracted by utilising the cold press process. Nut and seed oils have their own therapeutic qualities that enhances the therapeutic value of the aromatic essential oils and enrich the mixture. It is rich in fat-soluble vitamins, e.g. A, D and E. It nourishes and protects the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Aromatic essential oils can be used in various ways to enhance and promote the absorption of the molecules to affect change. The most frequent methods to introduce the aromatic essential oils into the body is by massage (allowing the molecules to penetrate via the skin into the circulatory- and lymphatic systems), inhalation etc. to support and balance bodily functions and promote health.

As Therapeutic Aromatherapists have been trained about the medicinal properties and chemical constituents of aromatic essential oils, they will be able to select the correct aromatic essential oil/s to assist the various systems to normalise and optimise the levels of functioning. Some of the properties (because of their chemical constituents) of the aromatic essential oils that are used in Therapeutic Aromatherapy are analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, sedative, antispasmodic, expectorant, diuretic, sedative, etc. Aromatic essential oils are used to treat a wide range of symptoms, including, but not limited to, gastrointestinal discomfort, circulatory problems, respiratory infections, wounds, etc.

In addition to the physical benefits aromatic essential oils have profound psychological benefits. It is said that the volatility of an aromatic essential oil or the speed at which it evaporates in open air, is thought to be linked to the specific psychological effect of that aromatic essential oil. Aromatic essential oils that evaporate quickly are considered emotionally uplifting while slow evaporating oils are thought to have a calming effect.

Therapeutic Aromatherapy treatment

The first Therapeutic Aromatherapy appointment will normally take half an hour longer as the following information is gathered and discussed; personal information such as individual and familial history of illnesses, allergies or intolerances, medical operations and relevant diagnosis, chronic and OTC medication used, sleep patterns, energy levels, relaxation, exercise regimen and nutrition. Information gathered will be used in order to allow for a lifestyle assessment.

Important: You will be advised that should you be under any doctor’s treatment at present, that you will proceed as prescribed.

Therapeutic Aromatherapy treatments thereafter generally takes about 60 minutes to complete all depending various other individual factors.

The public needs to note that Therapeutic Aromatherapists are required to be registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. www.ahpcsa.co.za