Aroma therapy 101

1. The Power of the Bath "Healing begins with an aromatic bath and daily massage." - Hippocrates Powerful and restorative, water is essential for every living being. Water sustains life, providing protection and comfort. From the sound of running water to the weightless support a soothing bath eases the stress of the outside world and helps restore the harmony in your body. For centuries, hydrotherapy has been considered an important treatment for a wide range of ailments. Aromatic baths releases powerful scented oils through steam that can give relief from pain, sinus and skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema; they can also treat emotional imbalances, headache, fluid retention, stress, insomnia, muscle aches and circulatory problems. Create your own private world. Use the power of the bath and create a space of solitude and complete relaxation. In the wonderful world of a comforting bath we can free the mind while we immerse the body in a haven of healing. Path to the Perfect Bath 1. Prepare Start the experience even before you submerge into the steaming, warm bath infused with powerful aromas. Allow your body to relax as the soothing sound of running water fills up the room. Play relaxing music and dim the lights. 2. Add Aroma Add the essential oil, bath salt or gel of choice, or one that will achieve the results you're seeking. As the steam from the hot water fills the air, your aromatherapy treatment begins. 3. Set the Mood Decorate your surroundings with candles, flowers and other mood enhancing articles. As your bath is getting ready, prepare yourself physically and emotionally-your tempo before and after is part of the experience as well. Take your time. 4. Submerge Slowly step into the hot water, allowing your body to adjust to the heat. Soak, relax, breathe. This is a YOU focused time. Let the steam, water and aroma take you away. 5. Emerge Wrap yourself in a clean, soft towel or your favorite bathrobe. Allow your body to cool down before carefully moisturizing your entire body to complete the treatment. Special Tips For the Ultimate Experience A morning bath can make you feel revitalized. Use a stimulating essential oil such as rosemary or jasmine. Don't stay in the tub too long, as an ultra-long bath strains your circulation and hot water dissolves your skin's natural lipids. There is a definite correlation between bath temperatures, duration of soak and the mood your bath leaves you in. REFRESHING 77 degrees F to 86 degrees F - Duration 10 minutes RELAXING 98 degrees F to 102 degrees F - Duration 15-20 minutes THERAPEUTIC 102 degrees F to 104 degrees F - Duration 10-30 minutes. To treat a cold or induce sweating.

2. The Healing Power of Touch Anyone wishing to study medicine must master the art of massage." - Hippocrates Documented evidence of massage dates as far back as 3000 BC. Evidence can be found in several ancient societies where massage was used to treat disease and physical injuries. Today there are numerous variations, alternatives and schools of massage, but they are all based on the simple act of human touch and true affection for the spirit within. Healing powers of massaging hands empowered with aroma infused oils or lotions can ease away stress, anxiety, tension and give relief to sore and aching muscles. When a pleasant blend of smell, sound and touch are combined, a sense of balancing occurs. Treat yourself or someone close to a soothing massage that will increase your energy and revitalize your spirits. Every part of our bodies can be soothed and nourished with the simple act of a relaxing massage. Foot Massage For best results, soak feet in an aroma enriched footbath. Sit on a chair and place one foot on the opposite thigh. Apply and rub aroma infused massage oil or lotion onto your foot. Apply pressure with thumbs starting at the sole of your foot, working from the bottom of your arch to the top near your big toe. Repeat five times. Make your hand into a fist. Press your knuckles into the bottom of your foot, moving from your heel to your toes. Repeat five times. Massage each toe by holding it firmly and moving it from side to side. Extend each toe gently out and away from the ball of your foot. Then apply pressure to the areas between your toes. Hold your toes in one hand and bend them backward, holding them there for five to ten seconds. Then bend them in the opposite direction and hold for five to ten seconds. Repeat three times. Switch foot and repeat. Complete the ritual of touch and smell with beautiful, relaxing sounds. Let nature compose your tunes by conducting your ritual during a gentle rain or on the beach with the sound of the ocean. Or play relaxing, mood enhancing music. Contradictions of Massage: Do not massage someone who has had recent surgery, has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy, has a fever or infection, has a history of thrombosis, has broken bones that have not healed completely, severe burns, skin disorders or extreme acne. If you are pregnant, do not massage the stomach.

3. Breathing is Living "Long breath, long life. Short breath, short life. No breath, death." - The Tao of Breath The history of working with the breath is universal. Taoist masters carefully observed that our emotions influence the way we breathe. When we are angry, our breathing becomes heavy. When we are sad, our breathing becomes choked. When we are happy, our breathing becomes fluid and smooth. When we are peaceful, our breaths become long and quiet. Breathing is something common we share with every human being. It's with us from the day we are born and it's the very last thing that leaves us in life. Everywhere we go we breathe, unconsciously most of the time. Thus the art of breathing is one of the most accessible tools on our road to wellness, and it costs nothing. When we find ourselves in stressful situations, our breath becomes shorter and we even forget to breathe, leaving us with an even stronger feeling of anxiousness. By acknowledging the power of breathing, we can help ease stress with a simple exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime. Power Breath Helps relieve stress and anxiety. Stretches lungs and increases breathing capacity. Do this ritual first thing every morning or when in stressful situations. Take a deep, deep breath, filling your lungs to full capacity. Exhale completely, emptying your lungs of all air. Repeat five times.

4. Inhale Health "A flower's fragrance declares to all the world that it is fertile, available and desirable […] Its smell reminds us in vestigial ways of fertility, vigor, life-force, all the optimism, expectancy and passionate bloom of youth. We inhale its ardent aroma and, no matter what our ages, we feel young and nubile in a world aflame with desire." - 1948 Diane Ackerman Mother Nature's pharmacy of natural, herbal remedies can effectively treat both physical and mental conditions by mere inhalation. Our state of mind and sense of balance can be influenced through our sense of smell. The quality of air we breathe is essential to how we feel and to our health. Our everyday environments are filled with air loaded with organisms that affect our bodies, resulting in sore throats, congestion, colds and flu, allergies and other airborne diseases. Through simple rituals of inhalation, we can protect ourselves against the environments we can't control and maintain a healthy body and mind. Aromafloria has developed specific Inhalation Beads based on the rituals of inhalation. It's the perfect aromatherapy for a life on-the-go "Hot Water" Inhalation Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and breathe in the vapors. By breathing in the steam you are moisturizing your nose, helping it to do its job to protect you from airborne contaminates in the outside world. Stay under the towel and inhale for 3-5 minutes-or until you get too hot. Mini facial steam Soak a washcloth in hot water. Add 2-3 drops of your essential oil of choice. Wring out excess. Apply over face and breathe in. Steam Inhalation Use 5-6 drops in the shower to fill the room. As the steam rises, your body inhales the aromatherapeutic benefits. Tissue Inhalation Add a few drops to a tissue and inhale. This instant aromatherapy ritual can give effective results for sinus problems or relieve headaches and stress. For instant and convenient relief try our unique Inhalation Beads.

5. How Color Improves your Well-Being Blue Blue is a peaceful and relaxing color that soothes tired nerves and has a pacifying effect on the nervous system and brings great relaxation. The nature of blue energy is to connect human beings with the cosmic universe. Blue is the color of the soul. Blue is the color of the greatest healing power in the world- just look to the sky! Blue is the color that soothes the eye and the mind. Blue comforts, calms, assures and spiritualizes while drawing out intuition. It is the color most associated with truth and loyalty, peace and serenity. Blue energy may help you when you need to calm your mind and nerves and bring balance to your soul. The positive side of a Blue Personality Fidelity - Loyal - Affectionate - Tactful - Inspiring - intuitive Stress Less: Purple Purple is the color of the "third eye "charkra and is a very important energy center. Purple is the color to help find inner peace and quiet. Purple is the color to help stretch boundaries as in meditation. Purple is the color that helps to connect us to our intuitive energies. Purple forces, authorizes and strength us, while encouraging independence. Creative, artistic and witty people choose purple as their favorite. The positive side of a Purple Personality Intuitive - Fearless - Fulfillment of one's duty - Practical idealistic Because we see colors with our hearts not our heads, they have the power to put us in a variety of moods. Colors harness mood-making energies that can be used exhilarate you, warm or cool you, or prompt you to talk or put you to sleep. A stress-less bath is the natural way to treat feelings of fatigue and stress. Lavender helps you relax, Chamomile calms, and sage helps regulate water retention. Muscle Soak: Yellow Yellow is the color of wisdom and thoughts. Yellow is the color of clarity and thought. Yellow is the color that may help when you feel nervous or tired. Yellow is the color that helps increase awareness. Yellow is uplifting and energizing while stimulating conversation and clarity in thought. People who like this color are highly original, imaginative and idealistic. The positive side of a Yellow Personality Good-humored - optimistic - confident - clear thoughts Because we see colors with our hearts not our heads, they have the power to put us in a variety of moods. Colors harness mood-making energies that can be used exhilarate you, warm or cool you, or prompt you to talk or put you to sleep. A Muscle-Soak Bath is a natural solution to re energize aching muscles and joints. Sleep Ease: Green Green is the color of harmonizing and balancing energy. Green is the color of great abundance and those who like green are often great givers. Green is the color that may help when you need to soothe your nerves Green stabilizes, secures and supports while bringing harmony to all things. People who favor green are seen as stable, kind, generous and having a sense of commitment The positive side of a Green Personality Harmonic, understanding, self-controlled, generous and humble, adaptable A Sleep-Ease Bath is the natural solution to encourage feelings of renewal, freshness and clarity. Lemongrass combats exhaustion, Orange refreshes while relaxing the mind, seaweed sooths and sedates.