Aromatherapy

Wellness dictionary

Little ABC for your spa-break questions ...

In their treatment discriptions, wellness hotels often use technical terms, which are hard to understand for potential guests. We have therefore collected and defined the most relevant terms in our small wellness ABC. A tip: Our wellness dictionary also supports word requests. You don't need to know the exact wording.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a treatment using essential oils for therapeutic reasons. The inhalation of essential oils is the method used in conventional medicine because it has been scientifically recognised.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant essences which are acquired through steam water distillation, peel pressing or extraction. Its various characteristics and treatment fields result from the numerous ingredients – depending on the oil there can be up to four hundred components in oil.

Essential oils are versatile. They can aid relaxation, improve concentration, purify the air in a room or simply contribute to better wellbeing. Some essential oils have disinfecting qualities that can help prevent colds.

The type of oil used will depend on which type of aromatherapy has been chosen by the practitioner. If a scientifically recognised aromatherapy is used, the choice of oil will depend on what is stated in a pharmaceutical reference guide.

Other forms of aromatherapy use a more intuitive choice of essential oils that orientate towards traditional Chinese medicine; the Yin and Yang principle to find oils which balances both sides.

Essential oils can be dissolved in hot water and drunk for internal treatments, diluted with neutral oil for massages and can be used in a steam inhalation or sprayed in a room.

Aromatherapy can be combined with many other therapies. It is considered complementary when combined with Bach flower therapy.

It is advisable to avoid the use of essential oils when exposed to direct UV sun light or a solarium because it can cause a skin reaction. It is also recommended not to put undiluted essential oils directly onto the skin as it can cause skin irritation or a skin rash.