06 Jul Essential oils to the rescue
Calm backache, quieten allergies, soothe anxiety and feel uplifted – all these and more are within 20 second’s reach with essential oils. Just a few drops of these fragrant, healing tools can help a multitude of issues, both physical and emotional. “Essential oils can affect your responses, your thoughts, feelings and actions throughout your daily life; they can dramatically change the way you feel in just 20 seconds,” says Helen Norman of Aromatherapy Associates.
How does aromatherapy work?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils that are 100% pure forms of the original plant (root, stem, bark, leaves or flowers) from which they’ve been extracted. All are believed to be antioxidant and anti-bacterial and some are antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory.
“The sense of smell is the most primitive of our senses, linked to the deepest parts of the brain that govern our instincts, memories and emotions,” explains Helen. “When inhaled, their anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties are absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the respiratory system and pass directly into the bloodstream.
“In addition, essential oils have very small molecules, so when applied topically they are able to penetrate through the epidermis, mainly via the hair follicle, into the dermis and eventually reach the blood and lymphatic vessels of the skin.
“Once in our bloodstream the oils can help many ailments, such as easing muscular aches and pains, improving circulation, easing sinus congestion and protecting against the build up of toxic waste in skin cells.”
Aromatherapy Associates to the rescue
Aromatherapy Associates skincare products are new in at Flex in Central and One Island South. Beautifully fragrant products, true to their name they are based on healing through aromatherapy.
“Our founders Geraldine and Sue were trained by the founders and earliest practitioners of modern day aromatherapy, Marguerite Maury, an Austrian biochemist and skincare pioneer and Dr Jean Valnet MD, an expert in the science of essential oils. Geraldine and Sue started hand blending oils in their kitchen in London over 30 years ago to treat specific ailments for themselves, for clients and for friends. A couple of years on they were asked to make an aromatherapy range for a spa and the rest is history.”
The brand’s products were created to help solve problems Geraldine, Sue and their clients had, for example insomnia led to the Deep Relax blend, a favourite of Aromatherapy Associates fans for a long time.
“Modern lifestyle has us tired but wired; we work hard, play hard and relax hard,” says Helen, and for customers of Flex she recommends these products in particular:
Revive Morning can sharpen your focus, helping you achieve higher performance whether you’re exercising or working, and giving you positive energy for the day ahead
De-stress Muscle helps you relax and is great to use before and after exercise
Support Breathe maintains a clear head and acts as a decongestant for cold and flu symptoms
Renewing Rose nourishes your skin and helps stimulate your circulation and cell renewal
Try and test the products at the studios and introduce some fragrant healing into your daily routine. “Aromatherapy Associates helps you find time to stop and create balance in your life,” says Helen. “Addressing your specific concerns, expect to be taken on a sensory journey to enhance your overall wellbeing.”
Aromatherapy Associates skincare products can be found at Flex Central and One Island South. For more information on the brand itself go to www.aromatherapyassociates.com.
