Aromatherapy:
Aromatherpay is the ancient art and science of using the fragrant plant essences known as essential oils for relaxation, anxiety, mood enhancement, sleep and general well being. It is based on the theory that aroma has a direct action on the brain influencing our moods, emotions and responses.
Essential oil aromatherapy is widely used throughout Europe and a system of medical aromatherapy is currently practiced in France and in the United States by progressive practioners such as Dr. Kazanis.
An aroma is composed of many fragrant molecules suspended in the air. When a scent is inhaled, the aroma molecules set off a series of reactions sending messages directly to a part of the brain, the limbic system, that controls impulses such as hunger and emotions. The limbic system, in turn, is linked to other parts of the brain that affect sensory input, memories and emotions.
A sudden whiff of an aroma can unexpectedly transport your mind to vivid memories of a loved one or a long forgotten experience. Just as the smell of an apple pie baking can remind you of special family occasions, so too can certain aromas remind you of an exciting evening of romance or relax your emotions and anxieties.
Dr. Kazanis's goal is to stimulate the limbic area of your brain to relax you during your visit by inducing pleasant memories, reducing anxieties and supressing unpleasant memories through scent. Depending on your desires, different aromas can be tailored to benefit you the most.
Our patients most popular choices are: Lavender, North West Pine Forest, Gingerbread, Hot Buttered Rum, Citrus and Pumpkin Spice.
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As a holistic therapy, aromatherapy is believed to benefit both the mind and body. Here, the aromatic substances from a flower stimulates the olfactory bulb and neurons. The desired emotional response (such as relaxation) is activated from the limbic system of the brain. |
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Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant, concentrated oils from parts of plants, such as their flowers, fruit, stalks, roots, and bark, for the purpose of improving a person's health and well-being.
Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses the essential oils found in plants for their healing or medicinal properties.
As a holistic therapy, aromatherapy is believed to benefit both the mind and the body. As far back as the time of the Egyptians, fragrant oils were recommended for bathing and massage, and plant fragrances were used against the plague in both ancient and medieval times. However, not until the 1930s was aromatherapy formalized by its advocates as a specialized branch of herbal medicine.
Aromatherapists select particular oils for certain conditions, using a plant's essential oils or aromatic essences, which are the concentrated substances produced by plants for specific purposes such as repelling insects or enemies, storing energy, or attracting pollinating insects. Each oil has its own scent, as well as its own claimed healing characteristics. Some are considered antiseptic, some anti-inflammatory, and others stimulating or relaxing.
These oils enter the body through inhalation and absorption. Inhalation can be as simple as putting a drop of oil on a handkerchief (to promote relaxation) or a few drops into steaming water (to relieve congestion). Massage is the most common form of absorbing the oils directly into the body through the skin, and is considered the most effective method. A visit to an aromatherapist could last as long as one and a half hours and usually begins with an interview. After the therapist gains an understanding of the patient's concerns and needs, whether for stress relief or a physical condition, the therapist will select a blend of oils and mix them in a neutral carrier like vegetable oil. The mind is affected by aromatherapy via the sense of smell. The concentrated aroma is said to initiate a complex chain of events within the body. First, the aroma enters the nose and is received by the cilia or fine hairs that are linked to the olfactory nerve, which then transmits its converted, electrical message to the brain itself. This message is received in the limbic system, the more primitive part of the brain, which has been called the "emotional switchboard of the brain." Stimulation of the brain's limbic system is considered a direct pathway to influencing an individual's mood, emotions, and overall alertness. Aromatherapists emphasize that essential oils can affect the chemical activity of the brain and therefore produce both psychological and physical changes. Consultation with a well-trained, skilled aromatherapist may determine the effectiveness of the treatment on specific conditions.