WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY?
AROMATHERAPY:
Therapeutic or aesthetic treatment based on the benefits that some aromas would bring to psychological and health conditions
Aromatherapy uses essential oils (i.e. volatile and strongly scented substances from plants) to obtain physical and psychological well-being.
The oils are extracted through steam distillation, which once cooled allows the separation of the oil from water.
Essential oils are contained within various organs of the plant. Among the organs from which essential oils can be obtained we find: leaves, flowers, petals, bark, wood, seeds, pericarps, roots.
Due to the scarcity of clinical data, aromatherapy cannot be defined as a true therapy, even though the materials used by the therapy and some of the methods of use have been subjected to clinical and pharmacological studies. Certainly, however, a perfume can have reflections on the "limbic/cerebral" system of each individual triggering different sensations, reactions and moods.
ESSENCES
There are numerous essences that have beneficial effects at physical and psychological level.
The must of aromatherapy are the essential oils of:
- Lavender: helps sleep better, cures flu and bronchitis, calms and soothes sunburns. Also excellent for relieving cervical pain.
- Rosemary: effective against rheumatism, neurosis and intestinal disorders
- Thyme: useful for solving respiratory problems and relaxing when diluted in bath water.
- Rose: has aphrodisiac and calming effects, but also positive effects on hypertension and anxiety states.
- Sandalwood: has antiseptic properties and has a beneficial effect on mood.
- Peppermint: beneficial for digestion and concentration or for those suffering from chronic headaches.
AROMATHERAPY AND SAUNA
In the sauna, aromatherapy occurs through the dilution in water of oils and/or concentrates. The result is poured onto hot stones that transform the liquid into steam, diffusing intense perfumes throughout the sauna environment.
The essences most commonly used in saunas are eucalyptus (intense), pine (intermediate) and birch (mild), but today other essences such as apple (mild), lemon and peppermint (intense essences) are also finding space.
AROMATHERAPY AND WHIRLPOOL
```Hydrotherapy is a perfect means to use essential oils: first of all a hot tub contains hot water, excellent for volatilizing substances much more easily. Additionally, the air moves in whirlpools thanks to the hydrotherapy effect that pushes air inside the hot water.
In addition to the benefits obtained thanks to body immersion in water and massages from the hydrotherapy system, undoubtedly the oils can bring additional added value.
ATTENTION however, oils must be chosen carefully: the description must mention the fact that they can be used in the tub. This is because other essential oils could prove harmful to the hot tub pump, for example.
Furthermore, these oils must not produce foam, must not contain oil or leave oily residues, must not contain strange chemical substances that could interact for example with chlorine.
