What do you think of when you hear the word aromatherapy? If scented candles, bubble bath, and room sprays come to mind, you are not alone. You’re wrong, but not alone. It’s not about pleasant scents that make you feel romantic or nostalgic. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for improving or maintaining health and beauty; it is considered both an art and a science. Essential oils are liquids that occur naturally in various parts of plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, woods and spices which are extracted by various means (distillation, expression, or other processes of extraction).

The medicinal use of herbs and essential oils dates back some 5000 years. Ancient texts from India, Egypt, China, the Middle East and parts of Europe document extensive therapeutic use of plant products for numerous health concerns. Throughout history, extraction methods and scientific testing have changed, but the foundational interdependence of humans and the rest of creation is unwavering. Nature provides us with everything our bodies need to thrive.

The introduction of synthetic pharmaceuticals 60 or 70 years ago was a very exciting development in medicine, and there is certainly great value in the products and technology that are available to us today. However, we have also begun to see the damage that is being done to our bodies from overuse of synthetic medicines and a correlating underuse of plant materials. The same is true of our diets; we are killing ourselves with food-like substances while eating fewer and fewer actual foods.

It is time for purity to reappear in the products we ingest. That is the undercurrent of why I decided to launch Aperia. The name is a slight twist on the Latin word aperio, meaning “to uncover, lay bare, reveal, and make clear”.  My desire is to re-explore this ancient form of wellness and make it clear to a generation that has largely forgotten it.

Aromatherapy massage is a gentle technique that stimulates the nervous system, which can help with insomnia, pain management, and stress. It also includes some work on the lymphatic system, which is great for flushing toxins out of the body. Musculoskeletal work and pressure point manipulation are incorporated throughout the massage, but without the deep pressure that leaves you feeling bruised and achy.

I offer several other services in my practice, including anti-cellulite treatments, facials, and reflexology. For every appointment, I choose essential oils that are of most benefit to your particular needs, taking into account your health concerns, current medications, and desired results.