Pyhtotherapy & Aromatherapy

Phytotherapy

Phytotherapy, or herbal medicine, is known as the science of therapy with botanical agents or the science of using plants to treat or prevent medical conditions. Many people use herbal medicines to directly treat a medical problem, to support ongoing modern medicine treatments or moderate the symptoms. The words botanical and herbal are often used interchangeably, and they essentially mean the same thing.

People across the world have been using plants to treat medical conditions for literally thousands of years. Hippocrates, who was an ancient Greek physician and often referred to as the father of medicine, reported over 500 plants that could be used for medicinal purposes. We have similar such writings dating back to ancient times in many cultures in the world. This really makes sense when one thinks about what tools people had at their disposal before the advent of modern medicine. In those times, if people used the wrong plant or an ineffective plant, it could literally mean the difference between life and death.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils, which are obtained from aromatic plants and trees. The aim is to rebalance and maintain physical and psychological wellbeing, combining essential oils and carrier oils with massage, topical applications or inhalation. In some cases, essential oils are taken orally (this is not recommended unless under the direct supervision of a professional aromatherapist). Aromatherapy is a fast-growing branch of complementary medicine, and its cosmetology applications have challenged and revolutionized the traditional skincare and beauty industry. It encourages the use of other natural products such as plant oils (or carrier oils), hydrosols, dried herbs, plant extracts, sea salts, sugars, grounded kernels, clays, and muds.

In plants, essential oils act as plant hormones, regulating their functions and coordinating the production of vitamins and enzymes. Essential oils can also perform the same tasks when used in humans, they can act as neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes, and therefore play an active role in balancing our general functions.

In our network of clinics, we do not encourage the internal use of essential oils and their application without dilution (with a carrier oil or cream) unless under the direct supervision of a qualified professional aromatherapist who is ideally trained as a ‘medical aromatherapist’. We always recommend safe oils and blends based on the individual’s age, conditions and requirements.