Aromatherapy & olfactotherapy
Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary medicine using essential oils to heal and balance all the aspects of the individual: physical, mental, emotional and energetic.
Aromatherapy can be used as a prevention or as a treatment and can work on a very wide range of issues.
Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years (ancient Egypt, China, India, Greece). The father of the word “aromatherapy” is a French chemist and perfume maker, René-Maurice Gattefosse, who after a burning incident, discovered the healing properties of lavender essential oil.
Aromatherapy has been widely used in the cosmetics and food industry.
In the last couple of decades, aromatherapy has been gaining ground as a complement to modern medicine as scientists worldwide have been carried out extensive research, medical studies and hospitals programs.
Olfactotherapy is a branch of aromatherapy. It is a gentle yet profoundly transformative psycho-emotional and energetic therapy that combines the therapeutic properties of essential oils with the sense of smell. It helps release emotional blocks, foster self-reconnection, and restore inner harmony.
Rooted in both science and holistic traditions, my practice of olfactotherapy is based off the teachings of olfacto-reliance from France, offering a unique approach to this powerful method here in Sweden.
Olfactotherapy delivers profound and rapid results while being a deeply pleasant experience. You engage with fragrances you love, taking you on an olfactory journey that fosters a deep sense of well-being and reconnection with yourself.
Olfactotherapy activates the body’s natural ability to restore balance and heal. It can be used on its own or alongside traditional therapies.
What is an essential oil?
An essential oil is a highly concentrated volatile liquid essence derived from aromatic plants, containing natural chemical compounds with medicinal and energetic properties.
Essential oils are mostly extracted through steam distillation. Among all plant extracts, essential oils are the most powerful. Each essential oil is made up of around 100 active aromatic molecules that have powerful properties.
Essential oils are precious. To give you an idea, a 10ml bottle of lavender essential oil contains around 30 kg of lavender flowers!
How do they work?
Essential oils are primarily absorbed through inhalation/olfaction (via the nose) or absorption (via the skin) and then go into the bloodstream. They are then able to affect the body through several systems (respiratory, circulatory, nervous, etc) and create a faster and more lasting effect than taking a pill – and without the side effects!
There are several ways to use essential oils depending on the issue to treat.
Inhalation or olfaction is a good method for emotional healing, respiratory issues or meditation. You can for example use a diffusor, take a few drops on a tissue or your wrists/palm of your hands and smell it or the easiest way: smell directly from the bottle.
Skin application (massage, compresses, bath) is best for skin related matters or if you want to target a specific organ or body part (digestive problem or sports injury for example).
A full body aromatherapy massage combines both methods as the oils are absorbed simultaneously through the noise and skin – combined with massage techniques that improves circulation, lymphatic drainage, reduces aches and gives an overall balance.
Note: that each essential oil has its own set of chemical components and not all essential oils are suitable for all application methods. Some are toxic for diffusion, skin application or gargling. Please refer to the precautions stated here.
For specific application examples and dosage, feel free to contact me or get advice from a professional aromatherapist for the most efficient and safe way to use essential oils.
Essential oils properties
How to choose a good quality essential oil?
There are a lot of manufacturers on the market and a lot of them offer low quality products.
The geographical origin of the plant, the cultivation method, the distillation process as well as other things, affect the quality of essential oils, their chemical composition, energetic vibration and therapeutic properties. Choosing premium essential oils is crucial.
The essential oils used in my treatments and sold at my practice are of the highest therapeutic quality.
Some precautions
Even though essential oils are natural, they are active and powerful substances and can become toxic if they are administered incorrectly, too often, or in too large quantity.
Always ask a professional aromatherapist for advice in order to use them in the best possible and safe way. Do not increase the recommended dose, frequency and duration.
Important:
⚠️ Pregnant/breastfeeding women and children can use aromatherapy under certain conditions and some essential oils are strictly forbidden.
⚠️ Some essential oils are forbidden if you suffer from epilepsy, asthma, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, if you take a blood thinner or have had hormonal cancer.
⚠️Keep essential oils out of the reach of children.
⚠️Some essential oils are: photosentive, skin irritant, neurotoxic, can interract with certain medications.
⚠️ Dilute essential oils before applying to the skin (do a patch test first). Never insert pure essential oils into your nose, ear canal, or genitals. Never put essential oil in your eyes.
⚠️Do not ingest essential oils (unless recommended by a certified aromatherapist).
⚠️ Always wash your hands after applying essential oils.
⚠️ In the event of accidental ingestion or irritated skin, ingest or apply a vegetable oil (like olive oil) to dilute the essential oil then contact a poison control center.
