Every drop counts

Aromatherapy holds the essence of a host of olfactory pleasures - each one of which works very hard - and well - to bring calmness, relaxation and balance to your mind and body. Aryeman Raj talks to a passionately committed aromatherapist who takes us through its various benefits

The boss has been unforgiving, the kids at their bratty best and the spouse ... well, let's not even go there. The constant struggle to stay afloat in the sea of life as nasty swells threaten to suck you under can be, to say the least, nerve-wracking.

Now imagine something that offers an absolute contrast to the above scenario. A softly-lit room, soothing music that's like water treading with tiny feet on smooth stones, a firm but gentle hand easing away the knots in your tense shoulders, soothing frayed nerves, helping you relax, forget, calm down and float away into
a comforting nothingness ...

A nothingness softly scented by the fragrance of woody oils, cool flowers, zesty extracts ... aromatherapy, the art and science of using essential oils of flora for the purpose of holistic healing, is centuries old but its relevance in today's times is probably unquestionable.

Daksha Shah, owner of Daksha's Aroma Salon, Dubai, is a staunch believer in the power of aromatherapy to shoo away the blues.

Her success story began two decades ago in Muscat, where she first took up the job of applying henna on women. From there she went on to acquire expertise in the field of beauty treatments and soon gained an enviable reputation for her skills as a qualified aromatherapist.

A firm believer that trust and empathy with clients are the true riches of a business, she shares her expertise on aromatherapy.

What does aromatherapy mean?
The term aromatherapy is coined from the two terms, aroma meaning scent, and therapy, meaning treatment. The use of plant oils for their purported medicinal qualities is an ancient art, believed to be at least 3,000 years old.

Going back to its origin, historical tales from Egypt, China and India confirm that royal families made ample use of oils for luxurious baths and beauty treatments. In fact, oils were used to embalm mummies.

The Egyptians and Babylonians used incense in religious ceremonies to drive away evil and illnesses. Throughout Asia, people burn fragrant woods and spices to purify homes, heal the sick and strengthen soldiers before battle.

The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that scented water and incense could boost health and prosperity. The Greek physician Hippocrates - widely considered to be the father of modern medicine - was one of the earliest health professionals to recognise the power of the olfactory nerves in fighting sickness.

How was aromatherapy discovered?
A French chemist named René-Maurice Gattefosse is considered the father of aromatherapy. In the late 1930s, after a botched experiment, he dipped his badly burnt hand into a container of pure lavender oil.

Supposedly, the swelling, pain and redness disappeared after his chance treatment and the burn healed very quickly. He then proceeded to test other plant oils and discovered several other plants with healing properties.

Aromatherapy is the inhalation and application of volatile essential oils from aromatic plants to restore or enhance health, beauty and well-being.

How different is it from other beauty treatments?
Your statement says it all. When compared to another therapy, say herbal cures, the herbs are ground to a powder. To this yoghurt or oils are added before application. These textures are thick and it takes time for the herbal properties to penetrate the skin or scalp.

In aromatherapy, oils from petals, roots and spices are extracted and since these essential oils are very intense, they are mixed with a carrier oil, lotion or gel which helps the primary essential oil's properties to penetrate the skin and scalp easily.

Hence, aromatherapy gives quicker results. The aroma of the essential oil has a soothing and relaxing effect on a person's mind.

Do essential oils have any harmful side effects?
Essential oils, if properly administered, produce no harmful side effects. On the contrary, they mobilise the body's own self-healing powers.

Aromatherapy acts in accordance with holistic principles. It awakens and strengthens vital energies and self-healing capabilities. Essential oils can deeply influence psychic equilibrium or psychological well-being and regulate physical imbalance.

They act on holistic principles - affecting the body and soul. They do not alter your personality but can change your mood completely, provided they are used properly.

Do these oils vary in consistency?
Essential oils are not uniform in consistency. Some are very light, like lavender, lemon or mint; others, such as mimosa or Tonka bean, have a very thick consistency. In fact, one should use a spatula or a tip of a knitting needle to extract it from its bottle and then blend it with a mixing oil.

How does one benefit in case of heavy oils?
Essential oils, absorbed by the skin can reach the organs to be treated through the connective tissues and the circulatory system. Applied in diluted forms, they are used for massage, in therapeutic baths and for compresses. In all these forms, the body and mind benefit at the same time.

Can essential aroma oils be taken orally?
Never attempt to ingest essential oils. Improper use can be harmful to your health. In case of serious illness, always seek the advice and care of a physician or a trained aromatherapist.

Does the colour of aroma oils vary?
Essential oils differ widely in colour. Some are clear such as lavender or lemon verbena, while others are darker or almost brown. German chamomile is deep blue, and bergamot is light green.

How to use essential aroma oils
Relaxation bath: if you are frazzled after a hard day, unwind before bed in a hot bath. The therapeutic properties of the essential oils will soothe away your stress.

Use relaxing and calming oils such as bergamot, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, rose, sandalwood, etc. Lavender and marjoram are particularly useful if you are having problems sleeping at night.

Use invigorating and stimulating oils such as cypress, eucalyptus, fennel, geranium, juniper, lemon, lemon grass, peppermint, pine, rosemary and thyme to lift your spirits in the morning. These oils are particularly refreshing after a long flight or before an evening out.

• Facial massage: A facial massage
  is sheer bliss. Enhance the experience with your own special blend of essential oils added to a base carrier oil.
  
• Foot bath: Prepare a foot bath in
  a large bowl. Cool water will stimulate blood circulation and will be very refreshing on a hot day when you feel tired. Never use cold water when your feet are already very cold. A hot foot bath helps relax the whole body and soothe cramps. Angelica, rosemary, sage, lemon grass, thyme are some oils which are ideal for a foot bath.
  
• Inhalation: In the form of a facial steam bath, inhalation may be used for cold, sinus infection and cough. Depending on the strength of the essential oils, add 3 -5 drops of oil to a large bowl of steaming water.
  
  Bend your head over the bowl and cover your head with a thick towel, ensuring that the bowl is also covered with the towel. Close your eyes and inhale the steam for about 5 minutes.
  (Note: Please follow this procedure only after you've consulted your therapist).
  
• Hot compress: It is very relaxing.
  In addition, it opens the pores of the skin so that essential oils can penetrate faster and deeper. Hot compresses also ease cramps and tension. Add 4-6 drops of the essential oil to a bowl of hot water.
  
  Briefly immerse a small towel in the water, squeeze out excess water, and apply to the body part which needs to be treated. Remove the compress when it cools down. Repeat the process till the water becomes cold.
  
• Fragrances for the home: There are many uses for essential oils and the methods of fragrancing a room are diverse. Essential oils used in vaporisers, bowls of water, potpourri and candles spread lingering scents in a room.