Aromatherapy Sydney & Make-up artist Emiko Fukamachi-Dawes shares her love of this subtle yet profound healing art …
Eat this – it’s good for your beauty” are words often heard in Japan. For a long time, Asian food knowledge seemed more pervasive than in the West; everyone knew which foods gave you beautiful skin or shinier hair, or slimmed you down, or purified your system of toxins.
And yet the properties of aromatic plants have been recognised and used for health and beauty purposes for many centuries in the West. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks in particular, had a rich history of using aromatic plants.
In the early 20th Century, the word “aromatherapy”, which literally means “treatment by the use of scent”, was credited by a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. In 1910, a laboratory explosion caused his hands to be badly burnt. After immersing his hands in lavender oil, he found the oil not only healed his hands quickly, but also left them without scars or infection. Following the incident he devoted his life to the study of essential oils.
Essential oils, which are the aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruit, bark, grasses and seeds, are believed to contain therapeutic, psychological and physiological properties. These properties are mostly antiseptic, with other properties being antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, anti-depressant and expectorant.
About 160 essential oils have been identified so far. They may be inhaled, used in massage, skincare or added to baths. Depending on what you need, an aromatherapist may select an essential oil or blend a few for use.
Recommended Brands
Mediterrana: (08) 9249 7062
Springfields: (02) 9894 9933 www.springfieldsaroma.com
Sunspirit: (02) 6685 6333 www.sunspirit.com.au
Oil Garden: (02) 6685 6800 www.purityaustralia.com
Perfect Potion www.perfectpotion.com.au
Inessence www.inessence.com.au
Vapourising Methods
- 3-6 drops of essential oils, put in the bowl of the burner, can be used for various purposes:
- To disinfect a sickroom: Eucalyptus, Pine, Tea Tree, Frankincence.
- To freshen the air and cheer the spirit: Basil, Bergamot, Lavender.
- To keep insects at bay: Citronella, Geranium.
- To clear the head and mind: Peppermint, Hyssop, Rosemary.
First Aid: Lavender oil is very soothing and rapidly helps the skin to heal, usually without even leaving a scar. However, if you have a very sensitive skin or you are unsure, before applying oil directly to skin (only lavender and tea tree can be used for neat for first aid purposes), always do a patch test.
Bathing: The therapeutic effects of bathing have been recognized for centuries. Add from 5-8drops of your chosen essential oils( blend is better) to the bathtub while you are filling up with the hot water. Lavender & orange promote relaxation, rosemary & bergamot as an invigorating tonic, or marjoram & thyme for soothing tired muscle.
Massage: muscle pain maybe caused by stress or some other mental pressure. In such a case, the blend of essential oils created should relieve not only the muscle pain, but also stress with its properties and scent.A few drops of essential oils are always mixed with a larger measure of base oil, usually a light vegetable oil such as sweet almond, sunflower or grape seed oil.
Standard dilution is 25ml base oil for 12-13 drops or less. Patch test is always recommended and ask an aromatherapist for the suitable blend for you.Professional aromatherapists’ massage is a combination of swedish and lymphatic massage that uses essential oils blended for you to stimulate blood flow and lymphatic fluid.
Aromatherapy Sydney
Sydney City / Randwick
Catherine Bird Ph (02) 9314 7002
www.happyhorses.com.au
aromatherapy (for humans also!), remedial massage, herbalism,animal aromatherapy, vetprivate aromatherapy Sydney courses in her own home and clinic are available.
Mosman
Anne Biddle 8/ 24 Warringah rd, Mosman 2088
ph (02) 9969 5550 anne@mariannessence.com.au
aromatherapy, homeopathy, remedial massage, craniosacral therapy, iridologyspecialised in subtle energy body therapy combining with vibrational essences. In 12years experience for aromatherapy and healing work, she founded her own homeopathic base essence brand, Marianne Collection.
Manly Vale
Susanne Karlowats 3/ 2A Sunshine st, Manly Vale 209 3ph 9453-5675 9am-8pm Thurs, Sun
specialised in aromatherapy, remedial massage and pregnancy with 5 years experience.
Hurstville
St George Naturopathic Clinic
Peter Kelly 63 Moor st, Hurstville 2220
ph (02) 9580 6708
www.peterkelly.com.au
aromatherapy, remedial massage, naturopath and herbalist.Specialist in weight loss, children’s health, and anti-aging treatments.
Balmain
Balmain health food shop 281 Darling st, Balmain 2041
ph (02) 9810 3376 / open 9am-7pm
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, naturopath, iridology, nutrition
Mobile Therapist Sonja Apostoloff
0418 117 713
aromatherapy, remedial massage and pregnancy- pre and post natal.
Neutral Bay
Destiny Wellbeing Centre
Shop3, 143 Military rd, Neutral Bay 2089
Ph (02) 9953 9030
destinywellbeing@bigpond.com
Open: 7days
It’s a unique combination of an alternative & natural therapy clinic & retail outlet specialising in new age and unique products from both locally and overseas.
About the Writer
Emiko Dawes, originally from Tokyo, has traveled through Northern America, Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Bali and Thailand studying various type of salons and their services. After many years as an aromatherapist, she now specialises in bridal and wedding make-up in Sydney. To contact Aromatherapy Sydney email via emkoko999@gmail.com or follow her on twitter www.twitter.com/makeupsydney
