by Jenny James, Aromatherapist at Chelsea Natural Health, Fulham Rd, SW10

Recent times have seen stress levels go through the roof and I am seeing more and more clients with chronic and acute symptoms. Feeling anxious and tense all day long, unable to sleep due to worry, suffering from palpitations, panic attacks out of nowhere, they feel that they are unable to cope and are caught up in a vicious circle.  Are you suffering from any of these symptoms?  Aromatherapy can help heal the physical manifestations of stress and ease mental anxiety.   As you know, if you are more relaxed your performance will be improved and these negative symptoms will be easier to manage and could totally disappear.

Aside from the emotions involved, stress in the long term can lead to high blood pressure – placing a huge strain on the heart and internal organs – and adrenal exhaustion, where the body is no longer able to respond quickly to the nervous system’s alarm bells.

Aromatherapy can help!

As an holistic therapy, aromatherapy takes into account the mind, body and spirit in order to achieve balance within. Taking the time out of your day for a bespoke treatment will leave you feeling relaxed and pampered; muscular aches and pains will evaporate as your mind switches off from the day’s worries and as the massage works out knots and lengthens muscles, you will feel the stress and tension leave your body and mind.

The oils used in your treatment will take into account your case history and current needs. We can work with antidepressant essential oils such as Melissa, Bergamot, Geranium; antispasmodic oils, like Mandarin and Ginger, to help where stress impacts on the digestive system; sedative and calming Ylang Ylang and Valerian help with insomnia and oils to deepen the breath and slow down cardiac rhythms are especially useful – Frankincense, Neroli and Cedarwood.

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Neroli: Citrus aurantium var amara (antidepressant, sedative, hypotensive, tonic) – the Rescue Remedy of essential oils

We can discuss longer term strategies to fight stress in your treatment; essential oils to vaporise at home or to use in the bath, breathing techniques/meditation and lifestyle.

And don’t forget that the relaxing effect of aromatherapy and massage are cumulative!   Taking some time out for you regularly will leave you better equipped to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life in between.   Book a course of treatments now.

Treatments: 45 min £45, 60 min £60, 90 min £90. For first appointments add 15mins for a free consultation.

Special offer: 6 Treatments for the price of 5. You will all know that one treatment is great for injury prevention and maintaining optimum health and fitness so imagine what a few would do!

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE on request

• Aromatherapy treats sports injuries naturally
• Aromatherapy and Massage for Pregnancy
• Aromatherapy for colds and flu
• Aromatherapy treats stress

If you are fed up of the side effects of over the counter drugs for coughs, colds and flu, why not try some of the many applications of essential oils used in aromatherapy to treat the infection naturally? Aromatherapy is highly effective at treating the symptoms of sore eyes, sore throat, headache, limb pain, congestion, sinusitis, earache, coughing and catarrh.

The essential oils help to ease congestion and are considered for their specific effect on the respiratory tract (antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, antispasmodic). Furthermore, as well as being immune stimulants the oils can help ease muscles that are tired from coughing and sneezing.

Your treatment: takes into account the different ways cold affects each individual. In your bespoke treatment warming oils are chosen as lung tonics to instil confidence and to ease exhausted physical and emotional states. Decongestant oils such as Myrrh, Spanish Marjoram, Sweet Thyme may be chosen. Immune system stimulants can shorten the virus’s lifetime time as well as help with convalescence – Bergamot, Sandalwood, Ravensara.

Eucalyptus Radiata
Antiviral, expectorant, bactericidal, decongestant, yet gentle enough to use with children
Massage: depending on the stage of the infection a chest rub can be a highly effective application method, as can a facial. Although massage is extremely effective with respiratory conditions if you are in “full cold” you may wish to remain at home for your comfort. General measures should include bed rest, consume plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, limit sugar consumption and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Recommendations from your aromatherapist: other methods of application enable an individual to “self-help” using essential oils: in the bath, in steam inhalation, gargles, and blends for application to thoracic and synovial areas or even inhaling drops of neat essential oil from a tissue (2 drops max), depending on the specific condition. Don’t forget that vaporising the anti-infectious oils such as Ho Leaf, Eucalyptus, Niaouli or Tea Tree can help prevent air-borne infection in the colds and ‘flu season.

Treatments: 45 min £45, 60 min £60, 90 min £90. For first appointments add 15mins for a free consultation.

Special offer: 6 Treatments for the price of 5. You will all know that one treatment is incredibly beneficial for boosting the immune system and maintaining optimum health so imagine what a few would do!

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE on request

To contact Jenny please use the form above or call her on 07931 349 125

Pregnancy Massage (Antenatal and Postnatal): is of wonderful benefit to treat and relieve the muscle tension and joint discomfort that can accompany pregnancy. Massage helps improve circulation with draining strokes and kneading eases muscle cramps, whilst oils help with regulating hormones and together provide nurturing and relaxation for mother and baby.

Reasons for massage in pregnancy:

• Backache often accompanies pregnancy, especially lower backache due to the increased weight of the baby and the changing shape of the body which increases the lumbar curvature of the spine. Lemon and Lavender essential oils

• To de-stress mind and body – stress increases all anxieties about a pregnancy and can lead to premature birth in some cases. Frankincense and Neroli essential oils

• Constipation and digestive upsets (indigestion) can occur due to intestinal displacement by the growing foetus. German Chamomile and Sweet Orange essential oils

To identify and reduce tight muscles e.g. postural muscles, primary and accessory respiratory muscles – to bring awareness to breathing and posture. Sweet Marjoram essential oil.

Aromatherapy in pregnancy

Aromatherapy accompanying massage is highly effective and Aromatherapy is even more important when the heightened sense of smell during pregnancy is taken into consideration. If there are reasons contraindicating massage as above, essential oils can be used in different ways:
Insomnia and fatigue can be eased by vapourising oils or using such as Roman Chamomile and Lavender in carrier oil in massage.
Morning sickness can be treated with 4-5 drops of Ginger or Spearmint on compress over the abdomen or on a tissue.
Oedema – swelling of the hands and feet – caused by a rise of oestrogen in the body can be relieved with a foot bath with 4-5 drops of Lime and Grapefruit in 1tsp full fat milk.
Hormonal changes produce an ever fluctuating emotional state for most pregnant women. Even when a pregnancy is planned and welcomed women may experience mood swings and many anxieties. Geranium and Rose
Stretch marks can be prevented by applying an oil blend (consult a professional aromatherapist) of avocado oil with jojoba wax, Neroli and Frankincense.
Varicose veins can be alleviated or prevented with gentle massage in upward strokes to the legs using an oil blend including Geranium and Cypress
Aromatherapy in Labour (consult a professional aromatherapist)

Aromatherapy can be used in labour to calm anxiety and facilitate easy breathing. Vapourise 4-5 drops of Rose and Neroli.
Some essential oils strengthen and deepen contractions – uterine tonics – and ease the pain of childbirth. Lavender and Jasmine.

Post natal Care

Breasts may be sore and nipples can crack. Avoid essential oils on the nipples, use a calendula infused sweet almond oil instead.
Episiostomy/tearing. Healing Lavender (3 drops) and Cypress (2 drops) essential oils neat in a sitz bath.

Post Natal Depression

Uplifting Bergamot, Anti-depressant Rose, Anxiolytic Frankincense – essential oils can help on all levels.
Reasons to avoid massage in pregnancy: *
Deep vein thrombosis – essential oils in a footbath, or in a compress may help, cardiac disorders (heart or pulmonary problems), chronic hypertension, severe anaemia, abnormal foetal heartbeat, lupus erythematosus, bloody discharge, continual abdominal pains, diabetes

Jenny James
Aromatherapist BA (Hons) PGCE NYR MIFPA
Email: jennyjamesiom@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile: 07931 349 125

*Always consult a trained aromatherapist before applying home blended essential oils. Never apply essential oils neat.

**Jenny is a member of IFPA (International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists) and trained with Neal’s Yard Remedies in Holistic Aromatherapy & Essential Oil Science, Advanced Massage Techniques and Advanced Pregnancy Massage.
Related Posts

• Aromatherapy treats sports injuries naturally
• Aromatherapy and Massage for Pregnancy
• Aromatherapy for colds and flu
• Aromatherapy treats stress

The definition of sports injuries is vast; ranging from simple sprains, strains, ligament damage and muscle tears to more serious traumas. Athletes at any level require specialist treatment dependent on the types of stresses they need to cope with. Aromatherapy can help!

Painkillers block the neural pathways so that the pain disappears, they don’t increase healing time by encouraging blood to the area or reduce inflammation by supporting the body’s natural healing ability. Aromatherapy does! Aromatherapy first aid for sprains and strains: RICE with a twist – rest, ice, compression, elevation: an ice pack is still an immediate priority but you could include a cold compress using analgesic and anti-inflammatory oils e.g. 1 drop Peppermint, 1 drop German Chamomile. Compress for 20 minutes. Strains can be treated with warmth after 12 hours. Fractures can be treated after the cast is removed, using topical circulatory stimulant essential oils to improve blood supply e.g. Rosemary or Ginger (analgesic, rubefacient) which has a reputation as a bone regenerator – resulting in improved healing time!

Sweet Marjoram/origanum marjorana:

Analgesic, antispasmodic and very calming. It dilates capillaries in muscle tissue allowing blood to flow through so great for micro-traumas common with sporting injuries.

Most importantly of all aromatherapy can help prevent sport injuries, with muscle blends to help warm up the area beforehand and bath blends to use after. Alongside these, massage encourages blood flow to the area and prevents the build up of lactic acid and adhesions so performance will be improved!

Your treatment: the oils used in your treatment will take into account your case history and current needs. I will combine remedial massage and deep tissue or trigger point therapy/NMT with certain essential oils that work specifically to help your presenting symptoms. For instance, we can work with German chamomile (a powerful anti-inflammatory oil), Black Pepper (for its analgesic, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties) and Lavandin (which is a very stimulating oil and great for stimulating the circulation. It relaxes muscles and is indicated for cramps).

We can also discuss longer term strategies to prevent injury after your treatment; a home blend for use pre and post sports or a blend for use in the bath. And don’t forget that the healing effects of aromatherapy and massage are cumulative! Taking some time out for you regularly will leave you better equipped to manage the stresses and strains of your chosen sport.

Treatments: 45 min £45, 60 min £60, 90 min £90. For first appointments add 15mins for a free consultation.

Special offer: 6 Treatments for the price of 5. You will all know that one treatment is great for injury prevention and maintaining optimum health and fitness so imagine what a few would do!

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE on request

Jenny James

Aromatherapist BA (Hons) PGCE NYR MIFPA

Mobile: 07931 349 125

*Always consult a trained aromatherapist before applying home blended essential oils. Never apply essential oils neat.

**Jenny is a member of IFPA (International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists) and trained with Neal’s Yard Remedies in Holistic Aromatherapy & Essential Oil Science, Advanced Massage Techniques/Deep Tissue & Remedial Massage and Advanced Pregnancy Massage.

Related Posts

• Aromatherapy treats sports injuries naturally
• Aromatherapy and Massage for Pregnancy
• Aromatherapy for colds and flu
• Aromatherapy treats stress