If It Smells Good Is It Good Enough?
March 15, 2009 – 11:23 pmMany therapists ask me about diffusing essential oils in their practice space.  The first thing you have to decide is what do you want to offer to your clients. There are different grades of essential oils and which grade you use will determine the result you will get.
If I just diffuse an essential oil does it matter what grade I use? The answer is yes, if you want to receive the benefit of the essential oil. Can something that smells good but is not pure make you feel good? Sure. Think of cookies baking. They smell mighty good and can induce an emotional response but don’t you want more for yourself and your clients than a temporary response? Â
Most often, the essential oils found in spas and at essential oil retailers are Grade A (even if they say therapeutic grade on the bottle) which means they are manipulated to a standard. Any oil that is produced to smell the same from one bottle to the next is manipulated to meet the standard of smell. Nature does not adhere to this standard. A true therapeutic grade oil will have a different smell each time it is produced due to variations in soil conditions, weather, and other natural factors. What will remain the same is the therapeutic indicators which must be tested to insure purity and quality.
By diffusing a true therapeutic grade oil you will bring the whole property of the oil in the olfactory (the seat of emotions), and into the lungs where they can circulate through the body and continue their work at a deeper cellular level.Â
I began using essential oils by diffusing them at night for my son’s chronic sinus infections. He would breathe in the oils for hours, and due to the anti-inflammatory action of the oils, his tissues began to heal. I also diffused oils that were able to clean receptor sites, allowing cellular communication to become optimized. Through the process of diffusing the therapeutic grade oils as well as topical application, he was able to not only sleep through the night, but eventually be free of the infections. This is the power of choosing the right grade of oil to work with!
3 Responses to “If It Smells Good Is It Good Enough?”
Please be aware that anyone can be allergic or sensitive to ANY scented oil, whether “pure” or not. Also, your clients may have individual preferences – likes and dislikes – to any scent. As massage therapists it is important that we do not project our own preferences on our clients. In medical settings this is especially important, as clients may be already compromised by challenges to their breathing.
It is a good practice to check with your clients before they come to their appointment about their preferences and sensitivities. Many clients now are choosing scent-free options for massage therapy, to ensure the most enjoyable experience.
By Mary Rose on Apr 9, 2009
Mary Rose -
Thank you for your comment. However, what it tells me is that you don’t understand about using therapeutic grade essential oils so how could you ever convey the benefits to your clients?
It is important for you, the therapist, to fully educate yourself so you can educate your client.
How many people have you talked to that say “I don’t like massage?” Do you say that’s fine it’s your preference or do you educate them about the benefits of massage? You certainly can’t force them to have one but if you know what massage can do and you educate them, how likely is it that they will try it?
When used therapeutically, aromatherapy can help remove allergies and sensitivities by cleaning receptor sites and restoring proper bodily communication between cells.
Educating yourself on using therapeutic grade oils in your practice is one way to upgrade your practice and enhance your clients healing ability.
Warmly,
Maria
By Maria G. Turchi on Apr 26, 2009
Hello
Sometimes I also get question which you have given but till now I could not find any answer.I think you have cleared my all doubts.Its very good information about oil in this post.Thank you very much..
By myrtille on Nov 17, 2009