| Geraldine Howard Aromatherapy Genius! | |||
|
 Geraldine Howard is President and Co-founder of Aromatherapy Associates, a UK company formed in 1985 to develop specialised aromatherapy products and treatments to a professional and therapeutic standard for spas worldwide. With more and more people looking at aromatherapy as a different type of therapy. We caught up with Geraldine to find out what its all about. FF: How did you get into working with aromatherapy? I was at the London College of Fashion and met some amazing teachers and was lucky enough to be offered a great job, learning with some of the real pioneers in aromatherapy, such as Micheline Arcier and Dr. Jean Valnet. That was way back in the early 70’s when people tended to think of it as rather ‘new age’ and certainly only a few took it seriously. However, I was fascinated by the thought of using natural essential oils to improve your wellbeing. Even at college I was mixing natural things in my kitchen to make beauty products. It was strange, but I believe it was meant to be and it was a real turning point in my life. FF: Can you tell us the benefits of aromatherapy? Essential oils work on a physical and emotional level to improve the general state of health and wellbeing. On a physical level, because essential oils are made up of very small molecules, they are able to penetrate into our blood stream and can help many problems. They are used extensively in the spa industry to help ease muscular aches and pain, improve circulation and ease sinus congestion. In skincare products, by penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin, essential oils can have a positive effect by optimising the cellular renewal process, enhancing blood circulation and addressing problems such as acne, eczema and ageing skin. On an emotional level, the aromas of essential oils can have a dynamic effect. The sense of smell is the most primitive of our senses and is linked to the deepest parts of the brain which govern basic instincts, memories and emotions. FF: What advice would you give to our readers who want to include aromatherapy into their daily life? There are numerous ways essential oils can benefit everyday life – I would suggest using an essential oil blend to help boost energy in the morning – our Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil contains a zesty combination of pink grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry to really help invigorate. Have a home fragrancer in your home/office and add a blend of oils to suit your mood, and in terms of skincare, I cannot recommend facial oils highly enough – they deliver a goodness and nourishment that only essential oils can give.  FF: What aromatherapy would you recommend for our readers to use if they want to relax, and how do they use them? Either use our Light Relax Bath & Shower Oil, which combines a therapeutic blend of lavender, ylang-ylang and petitgrain to help ease stresses and promote gentle relaxation. If a good night’s sleep is required, our cult-hero, Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil, combines a blend of vetivert, camomile and sandalwood to really help aid deep relaxation. These oils can be applied to the torso before showering, or one capful can be added to a warm bath. Alternatively, add a few drops of our Relax Room Fragrance to our Home Fragrancer to keep an air of calm in your office, or home. FF: What are you most popular products? Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil has won over 10 awards in the UK and is our hero Bath & Shower Oil. Our Miniature Oil Collection, which contains one of each of our 9 Bath & Shower Oils is also a hugely popular gifting product and our De-stress Muscle Gel has amazing loyalty, the ultimate proof that it really works. Our Face Oils are our most popular skincare – particularly the Revitalizing Face Oil, which contains a blend of Rose & Frankincense for intensive nourishment and anti-ageing properties. FF: What is the most popular treatment at your spas? Our signature treatment, the Real Aromatherapy Experience, is a hugely popular choice for spa goers. It is the real, traditional aromatherapy experience that uses carefully applied spinal pressures, foot reflex sequences and Swedish and neuromuscular techniques to target the nervous system, helping ease away stresses and strains and bringing both body and mind back into balance. FF: What is the most powerful form of aromatherapy? Inhalation and absorption of essential oils- inhalation of blends can help offer relief for emotional issues and absorption, via a carrier oil, delivers benefits deep down into the skin. FF: Can you give us some information about where our readers can find out more for what’s available, and where? www.aromatherapyassociates.com
|