One of the reasons many women, and an increasing number of men love a day at the spa is because of the much needed feeling of relaxation it provides. This relaxing atmosphere can be achieved in many ways, through soft music, dimmed lighting, aromatherapy, and hydrotherapy.
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What are aromatherapy and hydrotherapy?
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that utilizes the natural essential oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots, and other parts of certain plants to enhance psychological and physical well-being. Each essential oil has specific purposes and is used to treat various conditions. These oils can be used in many ways:
• They can be mixed with a carrier, base, or existing product to for therapeutic purposes depending on the properties of the essential oil
• They can be inhaled on their own for temporary relief of symptoms, stress, or bad moods
• They can enhance hydrotherapy treatments by adding aromatic as well as topical therapeutic benefits
Hydrotherapy uses water in its various states (ice, steam, liquid) at different temperatures to treat various physiological as well as mental conditions. Some examples are:
• Soaking in a hot bath infused with essential oils, muds, or salts to relieve sore muscles
• Using a humidifier in dry rooms or taking a steam shower to relieve respiratory symptoms
• Using hot or cold compresses to relieve pain and inflammation
Combining aromatherapy and hydrotherapy
It is very common in alternative medicine, as well as in spa treatments to combine aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. Often, essential oils are added to therapeutic soaks, mineral body wraps, and steam treatments during facials. Each therapy enhances the effects of the other.
Two of the most commonly used essential oils are lavender and eucalyptus.
Lavender has positive effects on the mind as well as the physical body. Its scent is relaxing, soothing, mildly sedative, and considered to be pleasant to most people. For these reasons, it has been used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Lavender also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It is generally well tolerated and non-allergenic, with no side effects. For this reason, it can be used (when mixed with a carrier oil or base) to soothe minor wounds, rashes, and other and skin irritations. In the spa or holistic wellness center, it is not only used aromatherapeutically to promote relaxation, but can also be misted or applied onto the skin to treat skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema/dermatitis, and psoriasis.
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