Aromatherapy

Wikipedia defines aromatherapy as “a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health.”

My family used to, quite amusingly, refer to it as “smell yourself well”.

Despite the Wikipedia definition if you take a wander around Boots you’ll see “aromatherapy” slapped on hundreds (maybe thousands) of products that might not have much in the way of essential oils at all, because it’s become a very generic term.

However, in most spas, even if they don’t mention the word aromatherapy, you’ll find a lot of attention is paid to burning the right kind of oils or even incense to help you to relax and enjoy your visit.

And aromatherapy may play even more of a part in choosing the right oil for your massage - with many spas offering you several massage oils to smell so you can choose the right one for your mood or condition.

Aromatherapy is one of the simplest ways you can bring your spa home with you - either by buying signature scents from the gift shop, picking up another (hopefully natural) option, or even by thinking twice about which washing powder you use day to day.

I tried specific aromatherapy treatments at the Salon Sensoriale in the Terme di Chianciano Spa but found them a little boring to be honest. I much prefer the combination of aromatherapy with steam rooms - Thermae Bath Spa do this extremely well, with four different rooms and scents, and also the steam room at Mandarin Spa, Hong Kong which made me feel I was being steamed like a dumpling as the aroma was so yummy!

For a first rate Aromatherapy experience I recommend the Thermae Bath Spa (reviewed in Bath Spa Princess).

Follow @PearlEscapes

Pearl's Blog

Email pearl@pearlescapes.co.uk