The Power of Aroma & Touch: Nature’s Healing Potential

Selection of aromatherapy oils

Have you ever enjoyed the soothing and therapeutic experience of a lymphatic massage, coupled with the relaxing aromas of nature’s finest botanicals?

If not yet, you are missing out on a truly transformative experience that can have a profound positive effect on your overall well-being.

At The Lavender Clinic, we bring together the powerful yet subtle effects of aromatherapy and lymphatic massage.

This combination not only offers a delightful sensory journey, it also delivers significant therapeutic benefits that can help:

  • Alleviate inflammation
  • Provide natural pain relief and
  • Boost your immune system

Let us take you on this journey – imagine the gentle caress of skilled hands, expertly manipulating the lymphatic pathways, while the air is filled with the captivating scents of rosemary, clove, peppermint eucalyptus and lemon myrtle – each carefully selected for its analgesic properties.

Imagine the tangy freshness of different varieties of citruses or the hypnotic sweet allure of rose, jasmine and sandalwood.

These are only a few essential oils that work in harmoniously with lymphatic massage, acting as natural pain relievers and inflammation fighters, allowing your body to find relief from discomfort.

The therapeutic benefits extend far beyond physical relief.

Aromatherapy, combined with lymphatic massage, can also aid in the reduction of lymphedema, a condition characterised by excessive fluid build-up in the lymphatic system and presenting as disproportionate swelling in different parts of the body.

Specific essential oils boast lymph-stimulating properties, helping to promote healthy lymphatic circulation and alleviate the discomfort associated with this condition.

At The Lavender Clinic, we use carefully selected essential oils to customise the client’s blend and provide the best outcomes from their massage treatment.

The anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties of the essential oils used in our treatments work in tandem with the lymphatic massage to promote a balanced and robust immune response, helping to keep you feeling your best.

For an exceptional mind and body experience, try our lymphatic massage with the power of our expertly selected and beautifully scented botanicals.

Embrace the power of aroma and touch, and let me guide you through a journey of healing and rejuvenation through the benefits of aromatherapy and lymphatic massage.

Aromatherapy for Menopause – Mood Boosting Botanicals for Emotional Resilience

Lavender in raw and liquid format on table

The first hot flush catches you by surprise. One minute, you’re calmly working at your desk, or out and about shopping, walking the dog or collecting your teen from a sleepover – and the next, you feel like your internal thermostat has been tampered with and you can’t explain why you feel such intense heat waves rushing through your body.

This goes on repeat, randomly and relentlessly for many months.  After visiting your GP and having numerous health checks – all of which confirm you are in the clear about anything sinister going on.  You and your GP suddenly realise this could just be the beginning of menopause – or, more precisely, peri-menopause.

We’ve read about it, perhaps discussed it with friends, sisters, mums, aunts and health professionals; however, we are always unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster, the anxiety, irritability, brain fog and mood swings that often accompany these hormonal changes.

You know there are hormone replacement drugs; however, these are not always suitable for all women and sometimes have adverse effects on women who suffer from blood clots or have a history of cancers that are affected by HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

It is worth knowing that we do not have to endure such drastic changes to our emotional and physiological state.

Aromatherapy offers the potency of botanicals to help soothe the menopause journey.

While HRT can help manage physical symptoms, many women seek complementary natural therapies like aromatherapy for emotional support during this transitional time.

According to a National Health Statistics Report, around 50% of women use some form of complementary approach, including herbs, massage, or mind and body practices to help manage menopause.

 

The Science Behind Scents’ Uplifting Effects  –   Aromatherapy harnesses the power of aromatic plant compounds to positively influence the mind, body and emotions.   When inhaled, these natural aromatic essences, in the form of molecules, travel directly from the ‘olfactory nerves’ to the brain through the Limbic System (the brain’s emotional centre, which controls emotions, memories, stress level and hormone balance).  This stimulates the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters like Serotonin.  The aromatic molecule will also reach the lungs, where the molecules will pass into the bloodstream and be carried throughout the body.  This is the most effective application for mental and emotional benefits.

A clinical study found that inhaling specific essential oil blends helped reduce anxiety, depression, and overall menopause symptom scores in post-menopausal women.   Other research indicated aromatherapy can decrease menopause-related irritability, insomnia, headaches, and joint and muscular pain.

 

5 MOOD-BOOSTING AROMAS for MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS –  

Clary Sage – this herb’s warm, earthy scent is known for promoting calmness and relieving stress, feelings of anxiety and irritability around menopause. It also helps minimise hot flushes.

Rose Geranium – the rosy, slightly earthy, uplifting aroma of rose geranium is a favourite for combating hormone-related mood swings, anxiety and depression during the menopausal transition. It also offers balancing effects.

Lavender – renowned for its soothing and sedative properties, lavender can ease restlessness, insomnia, and nervous tension associated with menopausal changes. Its calming floral, slightly herbaceous scent promotes overall relaxation and helps quiet an over-active mind.

Bergamot – this sunny citrus fragrance is prized for reducing stress and fatigue and uplifting emotions during menopause’s emotional turbulence. Its unique citrusy scent stimulates the release of dopamine, a mood-boosting neurotransmitter.

Ylang Ylang – the rich, exotic, slightly fruity scent of this tropical flower helps alleviate menopausal irritability and fosters a sense of calm, peace, and emotional balance.

Rose – the alluring and soothing scent of rose. In a number of clinical studies in 2012, groups of women used rose essential oil through aromatherapy to try and ease feelings of depression during menopause. The studies found that inhaling and using rose essential oil topically in massage, stimulated the release of dopamine. Research studies have concluded for some time that dopamine plays a pivotal role in helping with symptoms of depression, which may occur during menopause.

A Unique Aromatherapy Synergy  – as an aromatherapist, I always recommend blending multiple essences to create synergistic formulas that are even more potent than single-note oils.

For maximum mood-enhancing benefits during menopause or peri-menopause, try combining two or more of the beautifully scented essential oils listed above. While some oils have similar benefits to others, their aromas, properties, and, more importantly, their chemical makeup are all different to one another.

Creating a simple aromatherapy routine with uplifting scents provides vital emotional support and respite during the hormonal unpredictability of menopause. Embracing botanical aromas can empower you with renewed strength, serenity, and emotional resilience.

Benefits of Abdominal Massage and the use of Essential Oils

When contemplating a massage, the abdomen may not be the first area that comes to mind. However, abdominal massage has a rich history spanning centuries and cultures and boasts numerous health benefits. This often-overlooked practice has been demonstrated to not only alleviate stomach complaints and enhance digestion but can fortify the body’s immune function.

Abdominal massage is a gentle form of massage concentrating on the muscles surrounding the abdomen, and it employs various techniques that are both painless and non-invasive.  This therapeutic approach extends beyond mere relaxation, offering relief from an array of symptoms such as constipation, bloating, and muscle tightness. The positive impact of abdominal massage is not confined to physical well-being alone; it extends to mental health, providing relief from pain and anxiety associated with the stomach, digestive system, and reproductive organs, including the pelvic floor.

The ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda has a strong focus on Nabhi massage, which literally translates as wheel, centre or naval.  Warm oil, often medicated with herbs depending on your dosha, is applied to the area around the belly button.  The area is massaged in a clockwise direction, following the path of the large intestine, travelling up the right side of the abdomen, across and then down on the left side.

Stomach massage is also rooted in ancient Chinese medicine and has been used for centuries to detoxify the body and enhance digestive health. Emotional stress often manifests in the gut, and abdominal massage aids in reducing tension, promoting emotional healing, and resulting in fewer digestive complaints. Tongmai Tiaoshen Chinese abdominal massage has also been shown to improve sleep quality in chronic insomniacs.  The gentle pressure applied in a clockwise motion stimulates muscle relaxation, leading to improved digestion and a reduction in issues like gas, bloating, and cramping.

Benefits of abdominal massage

  • Alleviating constipation

Clinical trials demonstrate that regular abdominal massage can improve chronic constipation by increasing bowel movements and decreasing colonic transit time.  Abdominal massage is also very safe and effective to use on babies and children who are suffering from constipation.

  • Reducing PMS pain

Abdominal massage can be very beneficial for women experiencing pain and dysmenorrhea symptoms, mitigating pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and indigestion. By reducing muscle spasms, relaxing the stomach and pelvic floor muscles, and improving overall mood. Abdominal massage offers relief from abdominal and pelvic discomfort associated with menstruation, ovulation, and reproductive conditions.

  • Boosting immune health

A significant portion of the immune system resides in the gut, with an abundance of lymph cells and a healthy gut contributes to overall health and immunity. Abdominal massage stimulates the areas around the lymphatic ducts and helps to propel immune cells into the blood stream to combat viruses and diseases.

  • Improving posture

The abdominal muscles play a crucial role in the core muscle group, impacting posture and susceptibility to injury.  Tight abdominal muscles can result in a change of posture due to the constant contraction of a muscle.  Abdominal massage can help to loosen tight muscles and increase strength in weak muscles.  Regular abdominal massage can enhance elasticity, fluidity, and enhance range of motion.

 

Various essential oils can also be added to a carrier oil to enhance efficacy; the following are good choices for abdominal massage.

Ginger oil
Ginger can be used to soothe a stomach internally; however, it can also be applied topically to reduce bloating.

Chamomile oil
Chamomile is very soothing and calming and not only eases cramping pain but can also reduce bowel inflammation.

Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil can help to reduce the symptoms of bloating and help to eliminate gas.  It can also calm the muscles reducing cramping pains.  Peppermint can also be drunk as a tea to help with bloating.

Cumin oil

Cumin oil is used for pain, cramps, and detoxing.  It can help with IBS symptoms like diarrhea and constipation.  Avoid exposure to sunlight and avoid whilst pregnant.

Fennel oil

Fennel can help with digestive ailments including constipation.

 

When you perform abdominal massage and employ a range of soothing and comforting techniques, such as deep strokes, skin rolling, wringing, and kneading, you will find it can help balance the body in several ways… leaving you feeling relaxed and well!

What are “practitioner-only-products”?

Vitality

It can be confusing. Some “practitioner-only” brands are only available through qualified health care practitioners. Others are more easily available.

The idea behind the “practitioner-only” designation is simple. The majority of “practitioner-only” brands focus on producing higher quality, more potent products. Such products are manufactured to maximise impact and effectiveness, and therefore should only be accessed under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

Naturopaths and nutritionists for example, are trained in herbs and nutrients. They understand how the ingredients will affect you. Taking advice from a health professional on what products to take ensures safety risks are minimised and products are appropriate for your individual health needs.

This is not to say all “retail” products are inferior.

 

Quality

What does this mean? Practitioner products are generally of a higher quality, and more potent, but how is this defined? Within both the broad retail and “practitioner only” categories, quality can vary significantly due to many factors including active ingredients, encapsulation, dosage, molecular weight, excipients used, conditions a plant is cultivated in and supporting evidence (1). To keep things simple we’re going to focus on 3 key areas:

  • Ingredients
  • Bioavailability
  • Excipients

 

Ingredients 

Along with the importance of co-factors and ingredients being at a therapeutic dose, mineral absorption and bioavailability may be enhanced by the form the mineral comes in. Chelated minerals are minerals bound to a chelating agent which is designed to enhance their absorption in your body. An amino acid chelated mineral is a mineral (like calcium) that has been molecularly attached to an amino acid. Common amino acids used to make mineral chelates include aspartic acid, lysine and glycine. In general, animal studies indicate that chelated minerals are absorbed more effectively (2).

 

Bioavailability

Bioavailability is influenced by many factors from both the host (human) and from the supplement itself. Bioavailability refers to how efficiently your body can use a nutrient.  The commonly accepted definition of bioavailability is the proportion of the nutrient that is digested, absorbed and metabolised through normal pathways.

It has also long been recognised that gut microbes contribute to the biosynthesis and bioavailability of vitamins and nutrients.  Maintaining a healthy gut is vitally important for proper nutrient synthesis and absorption as the gut microbiota synthesises certain vitamins and nutrients (1).

Bioavailability is also influenced by other factors including diet, nutrient concentration, nutritional status, health, and life-stage (3).

 

Excipients

Excipients selected for product formulation vary across the pharmaceutical and complementary medicine industries. The role of the excipient should not be underestimated, particularly when it comes to generic pharmaceuticals. A number of pharmaceutical excipients are known to have side effects or contraindications. For example, excipients may make up to 90% of a product formulation and may be synthetic or sourced from plants or animals (4).

Depending on the medication/supplement type, excipients may be nil to low. Powders and capsules generally require fewer excipients than tablets due to binding and coating ingredients required for a tablet.

Each excipient serves a specific purpose for the proper performance of the supplement dose and form, i.e. capsule, tablet, powder or liquid.

 

Effectiveness and accessibility 

As practitioner products are generally more potent, this lends itself to supervised use under the instruction of a qualified health professional. As such, practitioner only products are not as accessible to the general public. Indeed practitioner only products are designed specifically for dispensing by a healthcare professional in accordance with section 42AA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (5).

 

How can I access “practitioner only products”? 

If you are not currently working with a healthcare professional, you can find a practitioner here via vital.ly platform.

 

References

1 Pressman P, Clemens RA, Hayes AW. Bioavailability of micronutrients obtained from supplements and food: A survey and case study of the polyphenols. Toxicology Research and Application. January 2017.
2 Goff JP. Invited review: Mineral absorption mechanisms, mineral interactions that affect acid-base and antioxidant status, and diet considerations to improve mineral status. J Dairy Sci. 2018 Apr;101(4):2763-2813. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-13112. Epub 2018 Feb 4.
3 Michael, Hambidge. (2010). Micronutrient Bioavailability: Dietary Reference Intakes and a Future Perspective. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 91. 1430S-1432S. 10.3945/ajcn.2010.28674B.
4 Haywood, A., & Glass, B. (2011). Pharmaceutical excipients – where do we begin? Australian Prescriber, 34(4), 112–114.
5 Australian Government. Department of Health. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Australian regulatory guidelines for complementary medicines ARGCM. Version 7.2, February 2018.[Internet] [ cited 2021. September 12th]. Available from:https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/australian-regulatory-guidelines-complementary-medicines-argcm.pdf