CategoriesAromatherapy Energy Clearing & Feng Shui Tips & Advice

Aromatherapy

Welcome to this fortnights blog. Today we are taking a look at aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has ancient origins and can be traced back to several ancient civilizations. The practice of using aromatic plants and their extracts for healing purposes can be found in the traditions of ancient Egypt, China, India, and Greece. The Egyptians were known for their use of aromatic substances in religious rituals and embalming practices. In India, the use of plant essences and aromatic oils is deeply rooted in Ayurveda. The Greek physician Hippocrates also utilised aromatic plants for their therapeutic properties. The term “aromatherapy” was coined in the 20th century by René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist, who extensively studied the medicinal effects of essential oils. Since then,aromatherapy has gained popularity as a complementary therapy worldwide.


Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing practice that utilises the aromatic properties of essential oils to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Some of the benefits of aromatherapy include:

  • Stress relief: Certain essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang, have calming properties that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and promote relaxation.
  • Mood enhancement: Aromatherapy can uplift mood and improve emotional well-being. Citrus oils like lemon and bergamot are known for their energizing and mood-boosting effects. A favourite of ours at Quest is May Chang.
  • Improved sleep: Essential oils like lavender and chamomile can help promote better sleep by inducing a sense of relaxation and easing insomnia symptoms.
  • Pain relief: Some essential oils possess analgesic properties and can help alleviate pain and discomfort. Peppermint and eucalyptus oils are often used for relieving headaches and muscle aches.
  • Enhanced cognitive function: Certain scents, such as rosemary and lemon, are believed to enhance concentration, memory, and mental clarity.
  • Respiratory support: Essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint can provide relief from respiratory issues, congestion, and promote easier breathing.
  • Skin care: Many essential oils have beneficial effects on the skin. Tea tree oil, lavender, and frankincense are often used for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties.

It’s important to note that while aromatherapy can offer various benefits, individual experiences may vary, and it’s essential to use essential oils safely and consult a qualified professional for guidance if required.


How to Enjoy Aromatherapy

There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy in your own home. One of the simplest ways is to dilute a few drops of your chosen oil into a diffuser, which creates a beautiful scented mist and can a powerful way to lift your mood. You could also try adding a few drops of your chosen oil to a warm bath to create a relaxing and aromatic experience – perfect for releasing daily stresses. If you enjoy massage, why not try adding a few drops with a carrier oil. Just remember to perform a patch test first.

If you aren’t sure about using essential oils, there other things you can try. For example, incense, scented candles and reed diffusers all make excellent alternatives. Don’t be afraid to explore all options until you find the one that is right for you.


We’ve Got You Covered

At Quest, we have so many wonderful aromatherapy options for you. In store we have a wide selection of essential oils (our own brand and Star Child), diffusers (electronic and tealight burners), scented candles, incense and incense burners. So, if you’ve been thinking about exploring aromatherapy, look no further. Below is just a small selection of items we have available. As always, remember, if you aren’t local to Epsom, we can still offer advice over the phone on 01372 878606.


Upcoming Workshops

We’ve got online meditations, workshops and in-person courses running. Please contact us on 01372 878606 if you’d like to book or require any further information.

CategoriesSpirituality

The Power of Incense

Whether it’s a holiday in India, a ceremony in a church or a visit to your local holistic shop (e.g. us) then you’ve definitely smelt incense before. Taken from the Latin word Incendere, which means burning, incense is used to define all the woods, gums, plants and resins that release a scent when burnt. Because of this, incense can take many different shapes and smells.

Incense has been around for thousands of years, dating back to Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. It is commonly used in sacred rituals in all religions and cultures and is found in many temples and churches – it’s mentioned in the Bible as one of the gifts offered to Jesus. There is even an old legend that a Queen lost her kingdom after an attack, and that during her escape she asked God for a gift to console her for the loss of her children and lands. So with every one of her tears, trees with fragrant gums began to grow.

There’s so many different scents of incense with all different properties, so you are bound to find something to create the mood you desire – whether you want to be relaxed or energised or cleansed. So how does this work? Well it’s all down to the smell receptors in the nose, which send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system. This is the part of the brain that controls emotions!

At Quest, we have two main brands of incense: Stamford and Satya. We’re often asked what the difference is, and it’s all down to how it’s made. The Stamford incense is dipped – a stick is put into a liquid form of incense. The Satya is hand rolled – a powder form of incense is clumped around a stick. Both use natural ingredients, the only difference is that Stamford uses essential oils whereas Satya uses resin, herbs and spices.

So now you know you what incense is, lets tell you how it works! It’s simple – all you need is an incense holder, an incense stick and a lighter or match. Place the stick in the hole of your incense holder and light the end so that it’s alight. Once it’s established, blow out the flame so the stick is a burning ember. And there you go – keep your stick away from drafts and let the aroma fill your space!

So now you’re an expert in incense, all that’s left is to pick a scent! Go for whatever you fancy. The thing with incense is that you don’t really know what it smells like until you burn it. We will link some of the popular ones below, so try them out and you may find your new favourite too!