Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a practice in which scented oils are inhaled through the nose or rubbed on the body during a massage. It is a complementary, relaxing therapy which uses essential oils, the highly concentrated extracts of flowers, leaves, stems, roots, seeds, bark, resin or fruit rinds.

Research in cancer patients has shown that aromatherapy may help relieve anxiety, depression, nausea and high blood pressure.

Because of their high concentration level, essential oils must be diluted before they are rubbed onto the skin. Oils are usually diluted with a "base" or "carrier" oil, which is a vegetable oil processed from nuts, seeds, or trees that helps spread the essential oil over a larger area and protects the skin from a reaction.

Although unproven by scientific studies, people undergoing cancer treatment have reported that inhaled peppermint or ginger relieves the nausea sometimes caused by chemotherapy and radiation.

Aromatherapy is provided at our monthly meetings by a trained and experienced aroma therapist.