Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils of plants in treatments.

The essential oils are extracted from plants, trees, flowers, fruits and grasses using a variety of methods.

The treatments to use aromatherapy can be massage, which combines the power of touch with a blend of essential oils.

Bathing, we all know the beneficial effects of a good long soak in the bath after a hard days work. Water itself has many therapeutic effects and when combined with essential oils, each enhances the potent effect of the other. Another option is though inhalation, you can do this by putting essential oils on a tissue and inhaling. Alternatively essential oils used in a burner or an good quality aromatherapy candle can enhance the aroma in the room.

Essential oils are readily absorbed into the skin. When applied in a massage or a bath there is a small amount which is inhaled via the lungs and enters the bloodstream.

The aroma has a subtle effect upon the mind, and a powerful influence on the central nervous system. This is why we at Mandala Aroma believe it is so important to use the highest, finest quality of essential oils and where available preferably organic. Your skin is a living breathing organ and absorbs what you put on your skin.

Fragrance houses know well the effects of aromas, and researchers are discovering odours that influence our mood, emotions, evoke memories, make us feel attractive to the opposite sex.

An aspect of essential oils is the effect they have on the mind is the balance between left hand side and right hand side of the brain. We know the left side of the brain is more to do with logical and analytical thinking, the right hand side is associated with intuitive and creative thinking. When both sides are in balance we experience a feeling of balanceand calm.

Experiments carried out on volunteers, showed that when they inhaled essential

oils, the E.E.G. equipment showed the activity of the both sides of the brain came into closer symmetry with one another. The tests went on to show that certain essential oils. E.g. Rosemary, which we associate with clarity, showed brain - rhythm patterns of alertness.

The essential oils of rose and neroli, we know for being calming, showed brain - rhythm patterns associated with meditation.

What really inspires me, is the synergistic effects of blends. When two or more oils are blended well together, an effect is created within the blend that has shown to boost the properties within the essential oil. This has been well documented through the use of GLC (gas liquidchromatography) an instrument used to identify the constituents of an oil or blend.