What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is derived from two words. Aroma - meaning fragrance or smell and Therapy - meaning treatment. It is the inhalation and application of essential oils from aromatic plants to restore or enhance health, beauty and well-being. Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment which can have a profound effect on the mind, body and emotions. It provides health and body care on a completely natural basis. Focusing on the powerful medicinal capabilities of essential oils, Sunspirit Aromatherapy carries an extensive range of therapeautic grade pure essential oils, whilst also embracing their emotional and spiritual effects.

Aromatherapy has been used as far back as 18,000 B.C., flowers, plants, and their essences had been used for healing, relaxation and energizing. Aromatherapy was used by the most ancient civilizations: Egypt, China, and India, and is reputed to be at least 6000 years old. 

 >back to the top

How can I use Aromatherapy?

The use of oils extracted from aromatic plants can be used to enhance health and beauty.Aromatic oils from plants are used on the skin, inhaled or mixed into bathwater. Specific oils, or combinations of oils, are employed to give specific effects such as calming, pain relief, or energising.

Applied to the skin- often in massage- or through inhalation, the oil or combination of oils can be used medicinal, meditative, restorative or relaxation purposes.

Massage oils for aromatherapy consist of an essential oil, or oils blended with a suitable carrier oil. Massage has a powerful effect on the body and the emotions, combined with the therapeutic qualities of essential oils massage can be a very invigorating or deeply relaxing experience.The components of the various oils are believed to aid in a variety of health, beauty and hygiene conditions.

What is an Essential Oil and where do they come from?

An essential oil is an organic liquid which is extracted from plant material. They are highly concentrated plant extracts most commonly obtained through steam distillation of flowers, seeds, berries, roots and barks or by citrus rind expression. 

Essential oils are found in many different parts of the plant. Some common essential oils and the part of the plant where they can be found include Sandalwood wood Geranium leaves Lavender *flowering tops Lemon fruit rind Rose, Jasmine flowers Juniper berries Frankincense gum Carrot seeds Ginger roots The term *flowering tops refers to the above-ground plant material harvested while the plant is in flower. Usually, there is only one essential oil in each plant. However, there are plants which have more than one essential oil in their different parts - fruit, leaves, flowers. However, not all plants contain essential oils. Of the many thousands that do, only around 200 essential oils are produced commercially for use. Essential oils are rarely produced solely for aromatherapy use. 

>back to the top

How does Aromatherapy work?

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant Essential Oils for the prevention and treatment of illness or enhancement of health and beauty. Essential Oils contain regenerative properties that nourish, energise and protect the living plant. These properties strengthen the plant's immunity to disease by killing bacteria and neutralising viruses. By extracting these valuable Essential Oils from plants, we too can harness their healing qualities and apply them to the body.

Aromatherapy is unique in offering a necessary and healthy link with the riches of the natural world around us. Pleasure itself is a therapy and Aromatherapy complements this by making therapy a pleasure.