Indigo Holistics
Cinnamon
Lane - Glastonbury
01458 835747
catherine@indigoholistics.com
What
is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy
is the use of aromatic plant essences, ‘essential oils’, to
help restore balance to our Body, Mind and Spirit.
Essential oils are highly fragrant, volatile (quickly
evaporating) fluids that occur naturally in aromatic plants
growing all over the world. They can be produced from
flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, fruits and woods, depending
on the plant. Organic Oils are used at Indigo Holistics,
whenever possible, and essential oils that are low grade,
adulterated, or synthetic are never used. There are over 40
oils to choose from, and as well as smelling wonderful,
they have been shown to possess anti-bacterial properties
and many are antimicrobial and antiseptic.
Aromatherapy's title reflects the medium through which this
therapy is said to work - Aroma! When we smell the oil, the
therapeutic chemicals are inhaled through our nose and
enter the brain (our emotional centre); from there they are
said to enter the bloodstream where they perform their
actions on the body. Essential oils can be blended to
either soothe, uplift, energise, relax or stimulate. The
aroma of the oils can calm the mind and relax us, allowing
us to face life’s challenges with a renewed sense of
balance. Click here for further
information about essential and plant oils.
Essential oils need to be blended with a plant oil (such as
Sunflower, Apricot, Macadamia, Olive oil) so they can be
used safely on the skin; they are so powerful and potent
that they should never be used undiluted, never be taken
internally and need to be kept out of the reach of
children. When used in massage, the oils are blended with
plant oils and applied to the skin and once absorbed they
reach the bloodstream to take their action.
Aromatherapy is suitable for people of all ages and after
the 1st 12 weeks of pregnancy; some essential oils must be
strictly avoided during pregnancy, if you are epileptic,
have high blood pressure or sensitive skin. It is always
advisable to seek the guidance of a professional
aromatherapist. You can email me here. Under
exemption from the Medicines Act s12(1), I can only
discuss therapeutic properties of essential oils with
the client directly in person, following a full, face to
face consultation.
Aromatherapy
treatments available at Indigo
Holistics:
Aromatherapy
Consultations
Consultations are available for advice on how aromatherapy
works, how you can utilise essential oils safely at home
and to create a personal oil blend or balm for you.
Aromatherapy is a versatile therapy because it can be used
in so many ways ; essential oils can be used in baths,
compresses, room vaporisers, in massage, oils blends,
creams & balms.
Prices: ½ hr £15 - 1 hr
£25 - oil blends from £3
Aromatherapy
Massage
This aromatherapy massage focuses on relaxing your body and
mind, and
allowing your skin to absorb the organic, aromatic oil
blend. A full consultation is always taken to ensure a
beneficial and holistic treatment. Suitable for all ages.
Prices: ½ hr £20 - 1 hr £30 - 1½ hrs £40
Aromatherapy
Facial
The Ultimate treat for your face, using natural organic
plant essences and mineral clays. The face is cleansed and
toned using aromatic floral waters called Hydrosols. A
natural clay mineral mask can be prepared to help to deeply
clean and exfoliate the skin. A natural base oil will be
chosen for your skin and blended with essential oils to
soothe and moisturise the skin. A continental massage
should leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Organic
oils, hydrosols and clays are used when possible.
Prices: ½ hr £20 - 1 hr £30 (with mask)
* Aromatherapy should never be regarded as an alternative
to orthodox medical treatment, but should rather complement
it. If you are receiving treatment or medication from your
doctor, it may be necessary to check with your GP before
having a treatment. Please make the practitioner aware of
all relevant medical history, any medication you may be
taking and alert her to any allergies you have. In general,
Aromatherapy and the use of Essential oils is best avoided
during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The therapist
cannot diagnose or treat illnesses of any kind. They should
never be applied to any part of the skin unless diluted
first, and they should never be taken
internally.
To
book your Aromatherapy treatment, please contact Catherine
on
01458
835747
or
email me
Catherine Dempsey Williams is a trained professional
Aromatherapist, ITEC level 3 awarded with Credit. She is a
member of the Complementary Therapist's Association (CThA),
Embody, is AC registered, and fully insured.
Catherine uses
oils from companies approved by the ATC, the UK
authoritative body for the Aromatherapy Essential Oil Trade
who abide by the Trading Standards'
Regulations.
"Aromatherapy
dates back to ancient Egypt, where plants and flowers were
distilled to extract their essential oils. In the early
20th century a French chemist and perfumier, Rene
Gattefosse, badly burned his hand whilst working in his
laboratory. In an attempt to cool the burn he plunged his
hand into a vat of lavender essential oil that was waiting
to be used in perfume. To Gattefosse’s astonishment, he
found that the burn healed extremely quickly, without
blistering or scarring, and he then went on to research the
healing properties of other plants. During the Second World
War Jean Valnet, a French doctor, used essential oils to
treat the wounds of the soldiers. A French biochemist,
Marguerite Maury, further developed the idea, using
essential oils as an integral part of healing massage.
Human beings can distinguish up to 10,000 different smells
– some delightful and others nauseating. It is believed
that smells enter through the cilla – the fine hairs which
line the nose – and then go on to the limbic system, the
part of the brain that controls our moods, emotions, memory
and learning. Each essential oil from a flower, plant,
root, leaf or piece of bark contains up to one hundred
different chemical components (including esters, ketones,
aldehydes and terpenes) which can have a strong effect on
the whole person. For example, research has shown that the
smell of lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the
head, producing relaxation. The smell of jasmine increases
beta waves in the front of the head, producing sensations
of being more alert." Embody Guide to
Aromatherapy
Click here for Bupa factsheet on
Aromatherapy
Indigo
Holistics - Complementary Therapist - Catherine Dempsey
Williams
Dip ITEC, (Anatomy & Physiology, Massage,
Aromatherapy), Dip Richdales (Traditional Thai Yoga
Massage)., Dip SAC (Crystal Healing),
Relax Kids Teacher, Member of the Complementary Therapists
Association, Massage In Schools Association, AC
Registered.
