"What is Aromatherapy?"

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from natural sources such as trees, herbs or flowers. These extracts carefully blended in a variety of ways can produce healing benefits for a number of different psychological and physical disorders or conditions.

"How are these oils used?"

Taking into account the sensory perceptions of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder these blends are designed to enhance their specific needs. Once the client associates their massage blend with a calm and relaxing time, this can then be reinforced with the aid of bath mixes and body sprays.

"Where did Aromatherapy come from?"

Although the term "Aromatherapy" is a fairly new term in the range of medical world, the use of essential oils has been found to have dated further back than written history. Aromatherapy was used by the most ancient civilizations including China, Eygpt and India. It is alleged that the Chinese were one of the first people as a culture to use plant and herb extracts to promote health and well being. Instead of using the aid of massage they would burn incense sticks to also balance and promote harmony.

During the early decades of the 20th century a french chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé was the first to term the practice of "Aromatherapy" in an article written about the medicinal use of extracted essential oils in their oily state. He discovered this after working one average day when he badly burnt his arms, in a panic he plunged his arms into the nearest bucket of liquid which happened to be a freshly extracted bucket of Lavender. His arms healed quickly leaving behind little to no scarring.

References:

René-Maurice Gattefossé - First Book of Aromatherapy