Aromatherapy
How can it help you?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, made from extracts of plant material, which have a beneficial effect on the health of body and mind. Oils may be blended and are generally diluted with a "carrier oil".

Aromatherapy makes use of particular properties which various plants may have, for example;

• anti-inlammatory
• anti-septic
• anti-viral
• anti-depressant
• stimulating

Scent can have a powerful effect on psychological wellbeing, altering feelings and promoting relaxation and homeostasis.Some smells are soothing and others stimulating. Essential oils can be applied through massage, inhaled or added to bathing water.

Consultation with an aromatherapist will usually be followed by a gentle and soothing massage.

Aromatherapy may be beneficial in the following conditions:

• Stress related illness;
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Chronic fatigue
• Menstrual problems
• Menopause
• Neck/back/muscle pain
• Rheumatic disorder
• Colds and flu
• Asthma
• Bronchitis

Important message

Some essential oils must be avoided in pregnancy, diabetus, epilepsy, high blood pressure, certain skin conditions.

There is a wide variation in aromatherapy training, therefore it is important that the therapist you choose has undergone training and qualification to standards laid down by the Aromatherapy Organisations Council.Your chosen therapist should ideally belong to a recognised aromatherapy organisation which has a code of conduct.

Aromatherapy Organisations

Aromatherapy Council.

Aromatherapy and Allied Practitioner's Association (AAPA)
PO Box 36248, London SE19 3YD. Telephone Tel: 02086 539152.

List of Aromatherapists

England

Bedfordshire Berkshire Birmingham Bristol Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cleveland Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Durham Essex Gloucestershire Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Isle of Wight Isle of Man Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Central London N London NW London S London SE London SW London W London Manchester Merseyside Middlesex Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Shropshire Somerset Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Sussex Tyne & Wear Warwickshire West Midlands Wiltshire Worcestershire Yorkshire

Scotland/Wales

Angus Argyll Arran Ayrshire Borders Caithness Central Dumfries Edinburgh Fife Galloway Glasgow Grampian Highlands Isle of Skye Kirkcudbrightshire Lanarkshire Lothian Morayshire Orkney Perthshire Roxburghshire Selkirkshire Strathclyde Wigtownshire Cardiff Carmarthenshire Ceredigion Conwy Denbighshire Dyfed Flintshire Glamorgan Gwent Gwynedd Monmouthshire Pembrokeshire Powys Swansea Wrexham

BERKSHIRE

Sarah Bromham. Radiance. Theale, Berkshire. ITEC Aromatherapy. MICHT. "Specialising in Aromatherapy treatments in the home. I visit clients in the comfort of their own home and environment, allowing them to instantly relax and to be at ease. Wonderful for all, from babies to elderly and all in between!" E-Mail. Tel: 07720 290465.

Louise Newbery. Panacea Solutions. South east, Nr, Reading, Berkshire. Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, Manicure & Pedicure, Hopi Ear Candling. International Federation of Aromatherapists. "Specialising in stress/anxiety/depression, pregnancy & baby massage and cancer care. Indian Head massage, hopi ear candling, beauty therapies with a holsitic approach, and tailor made, natural health and beauty products also available." E-Mail. Tel: 07970 509908. Website.

LEICESTERSHIRE

Linda Blount. Leicester. VTCT IIHHT. F.H.T. "Enjoy in the comfort of your own home a wonderful therapeutic massage using essential oils chosen for your own situation. I am fully insured and hold a VTCT IIHHT qualification and I am a member of the F.H.T. Prices from £12 TO £30. COME TO ME OR HOME VISITS CATERED FOR INCLUDING WEEKENDS." E-Mail. Tel: 01162 338214.

SURREY

SUSSEX

Vivian Sandie. Maidenbower, Crawley. ITEC Anatomy & Physiology, Clinical & Holistic Aromatherapy, Reiki II, Advanced Nutrition. CThA, IFPA, Registered Aromatherapist. "Aromatherapy & Massage. I specialise in Aromatherapy and Massage to aid the body's ability to heal itself. Whether for relaxation or invigoration, the aim of treatments is for you to leave feeling better than when you arrive!" E-Mail. Tel: 07761 670163. Website.

AYRSHIRE

Dace Praulins. Fleuressence, Darvel, East Ayrshire. Dip. Swedish Massage, Cert. Lymph Drainage Massage, Dip. On-Site Massage, Cert. Indian Head Massage, Dip. Clinical Aromatherapy, Cert. Aromatic Herbal Medicine, Master Practitioner of Meridian Therapies. Association for the Advancement of Meridian Therapies, Reiki 1 + 2. " Massage Therapy, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Meridian Therapies. Whether you come in with aches and pains or tension-related symptoms, you will get a tailor-made massage using a variety of massage techniques combined with essential oils to help ease any discomfort." Tel.: 07930 173808 . E-Mail.

EDINBURGH

Jackie Ellison. Edinburgh. ITEC, MR Dip, MDYTA, Babtac. "Daoyin Tao - a Chinese face, neck and shoulder massage is a deeply relaxing and therapeutic treatment. Good for relaxing, revitalising, rebalancing, pain and discomfort, decongestion, muscle tension, emotional and energy balancing. Aromatherapy Massage - using personal blend of essential oils to relax, calm and detox. Hot Stone Therapy - warm basalt stones used in massage to relieve tension, sooth, relaxing, detoxifying." E-Mail. Tel: 07812 505392.

GLASGOW

Moira Kerr. Holistic Therapist.Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. Aromatherapy. Reflexology, Massage, Facial Treatments (also facial toning), Reiki. E-Mail. Tel: 01415 781247.

POWYS

Tinamarea Finley. Hay-On-Wye, Powys and Herefordshire. Heytherapy Complementary Health Clinic. Also mobile therapists. Offers; Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Nutritional Therapy, Massage (swedish, sport, and physio), Facials, Reiki, Coaching and Counselling. Residential retreats and pamper packages available. VTCT. IIHHT. HND.FICT. E-Mail. Tel: 01497 847082. Website.