Today, massage therapy is one of the most popular jobs on the market today, especially in Canada. This is because, unlike the Untied States, a Registered Massage Therapist can work across provinces with very little additional training. In fact, to add on to such training, most individuals work through an online course and testing in order to do so.

As such, a new organization which identifies as the National Massage Therapy Alliance has replaced the old Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance. An alliance which requires that each therapist complete training through an affiliated training program in the province in which one intends to do such business. In addition, each therapist must be a successful graduate from a curriculum which is recognized by the province in which one has attended school.

Although, as many students and individuals who have ever had a massage knows, when it comes to massage there are many different styles and techniques taught and used throughout the world. In Canada, one must complete training in a specialized area then continue to add on other areas once one is registered. Of course, after doing so, one is registered to provide at least one massage technique.

Such coursework can be obtained through one of a variety of programs offering training in body work, reiki, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, shiatsu and therapeutic touch. So, one may want to research which style of body work one is most interested in providing. Although, as there are many areas of specialized massage therapy, once registered most individuals continue training in other areas in order to provide a combination of services at some point in their career.

For, although massage therapy can be an excellent field, one must complete many hours of coursework to become a registered massage therapist. For example, in Ontario, the requirement is twenty two hundred hours of coursework, followed by continuing education before one can become registered. This is to help prevent individuals from working without a license and running the risk of a lawsuit against the organization with which one is registered.

Also, as of April 1, 2009, the Canadian First Ministers have declared that professions such as massage therapy be regulated and massage therapists be allowed to work across all provinces. Therefore, if one has trained in one province, chances are with a short online course and testing, one can work in all provinces within Canada. To this end, although one may want to attend training in their home area, one is no longer limited with regards to which provinces in which one can provide such services.

In addition, if one desires to become a registered massage therapist in Ontario for example, one can also work in other provinces as long as one has passed the online test and is certified to do so. Otherwise, one can get in great trouble for providing massage services for which one is not licensed or registered. To this end, if one is not a registered massage therapist in Canada, one may want to be cautious about offering such services.

As for costs, while nowhere near expensive as the United States, going to school in Canada for massage can be less expensive. However, federal funding is only allowed to those on the Canadian council. Therefore, one may want to save and study the different forms of massage to decide which one is most interested in before beginning such training.

In addition, one may want to attend a school which operates on a non-profit basis as fees range from $500 to $700. Whereas, in the neighboring United States, one can spend a great deal more money on such training. Therefore, it is a great profession for individuals living in Canada.

To this end, if one desires to become a registered massage therapist in Canada, there are many options for doing so with regards to training. However, although one can work across provinces, one may want to specialize in s specific area of training then add on to such training at a later date. For, in doing so, one can earn the money through a massage practice in one style of massage in order to pay for training in order to build skills in other styles over time. Regardless, no matter which style of massage one decides to provide, one is providing a service which allow individuals to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle by offering a service which heals and relaxes body, mind and soul.

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What could cars and permanent laser hair removal cost doubtless have in common, you ask? Well, ever wondered why folk regularly buy there cars in different towns, sometimes even different states? The answer is straightforward. Different agents offer different deals. With this specialised permanent hair removal technology it’s no different. Different doctors charge different costs. So, how much will laser hair removal cost you? When you buy a vehicle, the accessories, the extras, are what make the price go up. And just like with vehicles, what you want is affecting how much you can pay.

O.K, why are the prices so different? When purchasing a new car, the air conditioner, power windows, even the carpets are all factors in the final deal. In the case of laser hair removing, the “accessories” differ but the general effect is the same. The qualifications of the doctor performing the procedure, the appliances they use and the amount, and even the area, of unwanted hair all make a difference in the final cost. The price for a new auto you see on television is rarely the amount you pay before driving it off the lot. It is the base value. So, is there a base worth for laser hair removal? The North American Society of plastic surgeons asserts, “yes!” In a report, they estimated the average laser hair removal cost for this sort of process to be $429, though often one session can go for anywhere from $400 to $500.

Everybody knows the tires cost more than the mirrors. With laser hair removal, the value of a process can change also depending on the area of the body that’s going to be worked on. Face hair, the bikini area, your legs – the charge for each will differ. If you’d like to get a little body work done, on your chest or arms as an example, you can expect to dish out between $350 and $600. The asking price for some custom detailing, shall we say under your arms, can go for $250, perhaps as high as $350. The more conned out the ride, the bigger the hit to the wallet.

Despite its advantages, laser hair removal produces uniform leads to all patients. Many variables could affect the result, and some patients often require more sessions than others to provide the same results. Though the technique is highly sophisticated and controllable, there are no total guarantees in laser hair removing. One should so distrust any advertisements that guarantee reduction or elimination of hair by this system. High-profile clinics practicing laser hair removing do not make such deceptive and misleading claims. It is advisable to avail of treatment at such hospitals, instead of at those that use showy advertising to draw clients. Trusting in clinics that offer ‘discount’ laser hair removing is another mistake. The stern systematic parameters applicable in this technology and its use aren’t open to reach a compromise.

Another factor to consider is excess consumption of beta-carotene. This crucial nutrient is in carrots, squish, and some dietary additions, and is important for great eye and immunological response health. Unfortunately, ingesting large quantities of beta-carotene can set off a yellow or orange non permanent tint to the skin, absorbing the laser light. Since beta-carotene can stay in the skin for months after consuming it, just like a tan, it will take quite a while to fade before you can get good laser hair removal results. Another thing that might impede your results is the thickness of your hair. Coarse hair gets the most satisfactory results, and fine hair is really difficult to get rid of. Whether or not the fine hair is dark, it may take longer to get perfect results.

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Many women have unwished-for hair they want to remove, either by non permanent hair removal measures or by permanent hair removing measures. Lasers are a new modality for the quick, delicate removal of unwanted hair. laser hair removal cost is utilized for folks who need to remove undesired body hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and bikini line. Unwanted face hair is one area where girls will often consider permanent hair removing or laser facial hair removal. Laser hair removal works best on light skin with darker hair, because it is less complicated for the laser to hone in on the dark pigments. Those with light colored hair in unwanted places typically need more sessions, or can’t have the procedure done at all . Lasers could cause local damage by selectively heating dark target matter in the area that causes hair growth while not heating the rest of the skin.

There are several creams and gizmos on the market that aid women in face hair removal and body hair removal. Hair remover creams use chemicals to melt the hairs at the skin’s surface. They’re regularly used for face hair removal or removal of hairs around the bikini line. Waxing is a good way of removing unwelcome body and facial hair. There are a number of special waxing kits available for purchase, some of which include totally natural ingredients. People can also get their hair waxed at beauty salons.Shaving takes away the hair at the skin’s surface. Shaving products include razors, disposable razors and electrical razors.

Knowing who to get treatments from is important too. An inexperienced or unqualified person could end up doing more harm than good. Requirements for laser hair removing change by state. Most states are very stern though, requiring the process only be done by a therapist, registered nurse, or nurse practitioner. Remember that this is a medical procedure, and should be treated as such, so electrologists, spa staff, or perhaps a medical assistant shouldn’t be performing this process on you. Some places to steer clear of are those that offer rebates guarantees, or don’t seem professional, medical, or give you any worried feelings. There is no way to guarantee results with laser hair removal, so those establishments offering a warranty are providing the most unlikely. Also, a good medical center should have a great reputation to sell themselves, not a discount to reel you in. Be weary, your skin is your most valuable, and significant organ.

Once you have decided that you are a good laser hair removal candidate, can afford the treatments, and have found a good professional to administer your treatments, it is very important to grasp a few things about the process to help you understand your results. Understanding the method helps you not to get frustrated if long-lasting results are not achieved quickly enough for you. One of the most vital things to understand is why it takes more than one treatment to get choice results. The laser hair removing process affects hair in the anagen phase the most. The expansion cycle of hair is named the anagen phase. The hairs on your body grow in cycles, so not all hair will be in a growing cycle at the same time. By repeating the laser hair removing process, all the hairs can be caught by the light in their anagen phase eventually, causing better permanent results.

Laser hair removing is perhaps the most expensive hair removing methodology , however , as a classic method, long-term cost could equate to the costs they incur in temporary hair removing techniques. If you choose this method of hair removal, you need to do a little research and consult several before deciding on a express site. It is not good in such cases to go with the price but the quality and professionalism of the services we provide, this to make sure you get the results you seek.

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Massage therapy has been practised for thousands of years.

The healing benefits associated with massage have been well documented for centuries.

Current massage techniques are still based on the ancient techniques used centuries ago to drive out pain from the body and promote well-being.

Among the many benefits derived from massage are increased energy levels, improved circulation and lymphatic drainage, the healing of injuries, alleviating stress and combating insomnia.

Lots of different ways to massage and varying techniques are practised worldwide.

Massage is generally broken down to a particular area of the body. This can be a body massage working on the muscles of the upper and lower body, head and scalp massages and the newer technique of facial massage.

Do you want to learn massage quickly and easily? It really is simpler than you think.

Learning massage techniques at home will allow you to gather the skills necessary to treat family, friends and loved ones to an increased sense of well-being. You may even be able to start that small home-based business to earn some money.

To get the most out of the massage and ensure it’s beneficial to the giver and the receiver, the environment where the massage is carried out should be one of complete comfort and tranquillity. Optimum results will be achieved if the body and mind are completely at ease.

Firstly you need to ensure that you have located a peaceful area at home which is quiet and restful where you will have no distractions. Once you have located this quiet, peaceful area where you can commence your treatment, and both you and the person receiving the massage are comfortable and relaxed then the massage therapy can begin.

Most massage treatments use a little massage oil on the hands to ensure smooth, fluid movements and strokes. Many different types of oil exist and the type used will depend on the desired benefit of the massage. Some oils may promote a sense of calming and relaxation, whilst others might be invigorating or used to promote healing of an injury. Apply the oil or lotion to your warmed hands and then begin to work on the desired area.

Massage techniques can vary widely depending on the desired outcome. For babies and children, the techniques will be lighter and in most circumstances only the finger tips will be used with light pressure. For a relaxation massage, the movements will of medium to light pressure with calming strokes and techniques and can cover the entire body. For sport injuries and muscle problems, the movements are more firm and concentrated on the specific target area.

Massage is recognized world wide as a healing therapy and its popularity is increasing rapidly. New techniques are continually being introduced to the Western world, and along with these come many new benefits and results.

More and more people want to learn massage quickly and easily in their own home, so that they have the resources to enrich the lives of not only those around them but also themselves throughout complete relaxation of mind and body.

You’ve been given some tips on home massage. You will no doubt by now realise that is can be easy to learn massage quickly and easily in the comfort of your own home.

Knowing how to massage will offer you countless benefits to both you and all of your family and friends.

Learn more about how to learn massage quickly and easily. Visit Julie Peters’s site where you can find out how easily you can master massage therapy in the comfort of your own home and what it can do for you.

There is nothing other like a lovely massage if you like to relax and enliven your muscles. There are numerous of massage you can make use of for your wellbeing and re-energized. The Swedish Body Massage, Ayurvedic Body Massage, Japanese Body Massage, etc. Are just a number of the numerous types. Though the techniques differ, there is one thing shared in all the types and that is the use of body massage oil.

Body Massage oil acts as a lubricant for smoother movement of hands on the skin. This lubricate does not aid just this purpose. Nearly all body massage oils are developed from extracts of herbs and flowers and therefore have proven beneficial when the special effects are combined with body massage.

Essential oil has better absorbency than any lotion, a body massage helps it access further into the skin. Oils are known to contain lots of nourishment, depending on which one you pick. This nourishment can fill lost nutrition from the skin. After a massage your skin will become more soft and elastic.

Oils also reduces dryness and increases elasticity. You can use essential oils which can really relax your mind as well as body muscles, in so doing granting you complete overall optimistic wellbeing effect. These are also beneficial to skin and relieve aches and pains along with aforementioned positive effects.

You need not go to a body massage parlour regularly, a number of of these massages can take place at your house. Especially the ones involving face, limbs, hair, etc. However, a body massage parlour would be the best if you would like to include an all body massage that includes body massage.

There are loads of qualities that body massage oils hold, these are antifungal, aromatic, rich in Vitamin E and proteins, are absorbed better by the skin and increase softness. These also have curative qualities. You may find some of the injuries being resolved after a good body massage. However, these injuries are small injuries like scratches, etc. Large injuries should be taken care of medically.

Body Massage followed with a sauna will provide you a confident wellbeing effect. Sauna’s heat environment will help the skin to absorb Essential oil more effectively. This would mean better effects of massage and sauna as well. It is not a must to use oil prior to sauna. When the oil has been absorbed by the skin, its work has been completed and needs to be removed from the skin. This can be done effortlessly by steam inside sauna. Also ensure you take a lovely bath after massage and sauna.

Body Massage after a sauna will ensure complete relaxation and skin care. I hope you enjoyed reading my article, if you would like to read more about oil massage please click on oil massage now.

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Infused Calendula oil has long been used as a component of natural skin care preparations for its special soothing properties. The oil of the flowers had not been available as an essential oil for most of its history, as the flowers had been too delicate to process in the typical steam distillation process. With the recent introduction of the Supercritical cold-extraction process, a concentrated Calendula CO2 essential oil is now readily available, making it very easy to include this wonderful concentrated in any skin care and wound healing recipe. This new Calendula extract has been the subject of much research over the last several years, confirming its nearly miraculous regenerative, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions — further encouraging its use for natural skin care products, whether purchased already blended or for you to make a personal formula at home.

The Brilliant Calendula Flower

Calendula flowers, a particular kind of Marigold, is a genus of 20 species of herbaceous plants in the Daisy family. Calendula infused oil — made by soaking the flowers in olive oil — is highly regarded as a base of soothing skin formulas, with cooling and hydrating effects. It has been a popular ingredient in formulas for eczema and baby’s needs — or anywhere skin irritation is being addressed. The infused oil had limitations in that the base oil needed to be the infused oil itself, limiting other carrier or base oils included in the formula. Even very small quantities (1-3%, or 8-24 drops per ounce) of the essential oil added to your recipes can have dramatic results

Calendula Essential Oil Made Available By High Technology

With an essential oil of Calendula finally available, great flexibility of formulation has been afforded to the home user. This oil is often noted as Calendula CO2, indicating the use of pressurized carbon dioxide (the natural gas which becomes liquid at high pressures) used for extraction of the active constituents of the flowers. The product of this new extraction process has been the subject of MANY scientific inquiries, available through pubmed.gov, the database of the National Institute of Health. A search for “Calendula” currently produces 195 results, with abstracts published in peer-reviewed journals around the world.

A Look at the Research

The researchers, prompted by the great historical use of this flower as medicine, have investigated a great many of its healing properties. These include the speeding of wound healing, potent anti-inflammatory action, strong anti-oxidant activity, and a myriad of protective effects to various organs. The research notes that the extract actually increases the speed at which skin cells form, has uniquely strong antioxidant activity due to the red and orange pigmentation, and prevents damage to the liver and kidneys when they’re exposed to toxic chemicals. The conclusions of these studies indicate quite clearly the efficacy of the flower extract in a wide variety of applications. So how can we make use of this oil?

Making Healing Recipes at Home

The easiest uses of Calendula essential oil will be in externally-applied topical formulas. Simply include a few drops per ounce of your recipe. For example, an excellent wound-healing AND anti-inflammatory blend could be made with 3 milliliters of Helichrysum italicum essential oil (a profound wound-healing and pain relieving essential oil) and 1 milliliter Calendula essential oil in a base of equal parts Tamanu, Coconut and Rosehip seed oils. This would be useful for treatment of wounds after accidents or surgery (while it should not be applied directly to open wounds — around the open area would be fine). A stronger formula would be useful for deep tissue injuries, like sports injuries, muscle strains, sprains and the like. Use up to 25% Helichrysum and 5% Calendula in a simple base of pure Jojoba oil, massaging into painful areas up to 3 times daily. This type of formula utilizes the strong anti-inflammatory action of Helichrysum along with the wound healing and antioxidant effects of Calendula to speed healing and relieve pain of connective-tissue damage. Calendula is safe for use with both children and the elderly, though the overall concentrations of these formulas should be reduced accordingly depending on the age group (there are many online references for essential oil concentrations with different age groups). Beyond wound healing, simply antioxidant activity in skin preparations will limit free-radical damage that is often associated with skin aging, making Calendula a great ingredient in every beauty-care recipe.

Liver and Kidney Protection Through Reflexology

Calendula’s organ-protective effects can be utilized by applying the essential oil to the feet, which are highly receptive to the energetics of essential oils. The liver and kidney points are directly behind the ball of the foot, at the front of the arch. One can make one ounce of an organ-supportive blend by using 3 milliliters of Calendula, 1 and 1/2 milliliters each of Helichrysum italicum, Blue Tansy and Carrot Seed essential oils in organic Coconut. Regular massage in the area described with this blend is intended to ‘clear’ these organs and support their healthy function. With further dilution, this formula can be massaged in the low back and abdomen for further therapeutic support.

An Excellent Safety Profile

Calendula essential oil has been listed by the FDA as being safe for ingestion in commonly-used amounts. What does this mean? When essential oils are ingested, they are typically consumed by the drop, and usually in the range of only 1-3 drops per day. Ingesting the oil may be a way to utilize the liver and kidney anti-toxicity protective effects described in the research. While typically essential oil ingestion is frowned upon in the United States, the real challenge is proper education about dosages. Calendula CO2 extract specifically should be quite tame, although perhaps the most tasty thing one has ever put in their body! Ingestion of 3 drops daily, put in an empty cellulose capsule if you like, may impart a range of benefits, from antioxidant activity, to chemo-protective, to antibacterial and antiparasitic potential actions.

Conclusion: Calendula Essential Oil is Worth A Look!

Calendula is a profoundly-healing plant, with both extensive folklore as well as scientific research supporting its use. An effective and easy method of using Calendula essential oil is to use it therapeutically in instances of skin irritation and wound healing of all varieties. Calendula and Helichrysum essential oils synergize to enhance the rate of wound healing, the reduction of inflammation, and therapeutically for injuries to the musculoskeletal system (painful joints, muscles, tendons and so on). Calendula extract has also been noted by researchers as supportive and protective for both the kidneys and the liver, and has other protective effects for nearly every aspect of one’s physiology. If these effects of Calendula seem like something you or your loved ones could use, its long history of direct application in therapeutic use along with scientific validation make it a worthwhile product to investigate further.

Have you ever had a hot stone massage? It’s great if you already have, but you are sure missing a great body treatment if you haven’t experienced one yet. A hot stone massage frees the tight as well as dense muscles of your body. It also soothes a lot off tissues that are situated all over the body which finally calms down your mind and spirit.

This therapy will certainly take away all your frustration, even for the time being. You may still be wondering what a hot stone massage is and what it really does. Well, a hot stone massage is a variation of a regular massage where water-heated, smooth rocks are utilized to heal different spots of your body. The stones are mainly used to relax the tense, agitated muscles of your body.

Not every stones or rocks you see on the ground can be used for this particular treatment. The hot stones that are used are mostly the smooth basalt rocks from volcano. It is for the reason that these stones are magnificently grained due to the rapid cooling of the earth’s lava, these fine stones can keep heat very well. The rock?s size, weight and form all differ depending on which type of massage the client needs.

Usually, the bigger basalt rocks are utilized on the lower back or abdominal area. As for the tinier ones, those are usually used in between the toes. The therapist also utilizes a number of heated as well as oiled stones to massage on the client body where the stones cannot be kept.

Some people believe this is simply a rich and luxurious method to use up their hard working money. In fact, this is not correct at all. Actually, there are many benefits you can obtain if you take a hot stone massage. as soon as the hot stones are used on your body, it improves your blood circulation and calms down your nervous system. This is the reason it is known to calm you psychologically. The result is that the hot stones re-balances your body and works to relax your muscles and tissues. As the outer muscles are calmed the masseuse normally then starts rubbing on deeper tissues. Every muscle tension is released from the high temperature of the basalt stones.

Relaxation methodologies regularly can help people get rid of the strain and tension in their lives that also account for sleep Problems permitting them to get a good night’s sleep.

Yoga is a popular method for relaxation and will also have similar effects like acupuncture. In another study, participants were subjected to many minutes of mental stress. Then they were the subject of various relaxation strategies, for example listening to nature sounds or classical music.

Only those that did Yoga significantly reduced the time it took for their blood pressures to return to normal. Yoga is a form of progressive relaxation.

Respiring is one of the simplest techniques to relax. Breathing influences virtually all facets of us, it is affecting our mind, our moods and our body.

Simply focus on your breathing, after a little time you can feel its effects right away.

There are many respiring techniques that will help you lower stress.

Another easy way to achieve relaxation is exercise. If you are feeling irritated a simple half-hour of exercise will often settle things down. Though exercise is a good way to lose pounds, it does not show you how to manage stress reasonably. Exercise should also be used together with other exercise programmes.

One good way of relaxation is getting a therapeutic massage with natural aromatherapy concentrated oils, this is beginning to become a favorite way to unwind.

To gain full relaxation, you want to fully surrender to the handling and touch of a professional therapist as the warm essential oils are massaged into your body.

There are a few kinds of massages that also give assorted levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation.

Another technique of relaxation is Biofeedback. The common biofeedback-training program encompasses a 10-hour sessions that’s often spaced 7 days apart.

Hypnosis is one controversial relaxation technique. It is a good alternative for people who believe that they haven’t any idea what it feels like to be relaxed. It is also a good alternative for people with stress related health issues.

These relaxation techniques are some of the strategies you are able to do relaxation. Another reason why we need to relax, apart from lowering blood pressure in folks and decreasing the chances of a stroke or a heart attack, is actually because stress produces hormones that suppress the immune system, relaxation gives the immune reaction time to recover and in doing so function better.

Relaxation reduces the activities within the brains’ limbic system ; this is the emotional center of our brain.

Additionally, the brain has a periodic need for a more articulated activity on the right-hemisphere. Relaxation is one technique of achieving this.

Relaxation will really be of good use once a relaxation system is constantly built into your way of life. Select a method that you think you can do continually.

So, over to you, make a point to visiting your local beauty centre..and relax!

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions and minds.

Feeling stressed, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a miserable day, the smartest thing to do is relax, but what is the easiest way to relax?

Watching TV might be a form of relaxation for some, but isn’t a recommended system by experts. When we watch television we are snowed under with commercials, adverts, sounds and photographs. So how do we achieve relaxation?

If there are thousands of ways we will be able to get stressed, one of them isn’t meeting cut offs, there are also many ways we can relax.

In up to date studies, pros have determined that heart illness has a link to anger and irritability is linked to psychological stress. Too much stress brings about ischemia that can lead to or cause a coronary. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this matter.

Managing your anger and angle is significant to heart health, and relaxation can help you manage stress.

One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation. Recent studies have also shown this system might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for coronary and stroke. Folk practice transcendental meditation by repeating uttering soothing sounds while meditating, this is to achieve total relaxation.

The analysts revealed that followers of transcendental meditation noticeably reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared with those who did not practice transcendental meditation.

Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, appears to reduce high blood pressure by initiating several body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, ease pain, and reduce anxiety.

One superb way of relaxation is getting a beauty massage with natural aromatherapy essential oils.

To gain full relaxation, you need to absolutely surrender to the handling and touch of a pro specialist.

There are many kinds of massages that also give various levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation, whilst you are there your trained consultant will debate with you other types of beauty treatment and body care to compliment your beauty regimen.

Humans have treasured essential oils for their medicinal and sensory properties for thousands of years. As concentrated, precious substances, the oils and resins from aromatic plants have played important roles in healing therapies and religious worship across the globe. The effort required to reduce large masses of plant matter into oils made these liquids extremely special commodities in early civilizations. Nowhere in literature is this more apparent than in the Bible. In both the Old and New Testaments, essential oils were prized as symbols of wealth, healing, generosity and faith. From the use of cedarwood and hyssop for physical healing in the book of Leviticus, to Mary of Bethany anointing of Jesus’s feet with her life savings of spikenard in the book of John, essential oils played, and continue to play, an important role in the spiritual lives of Jews and Christians.

The distillation process for essential oils is a relatively new phenomenon that requires a still and a large amount of water to steam out the essential oils. Most likely, the oils we read about in the Bible were infusions of plant material into other more common oils. This, however, does not reduce their potency or their cultural and historical significance. Frankincense, myrrh and the other oils of the Bible were held in high esteem and difficult to obtain. Regardless of their distillation process, creating an aromatic oil has always been a labor-intensive project.

We find about twelve essential oil plants listed in the Bible: juniper, myrtle, spikenard, frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, cinnamon, cedar, cedar and sandalwood, hyssop and cypress. One part of the puzzle that is unclear to modern scholars is whether all these plants were used as essential oils or if they were herbal plant remedies. Regardless, the Bible certainly makes reference to the Jews and Christians using these plants for anointing and also for medicine. There are varying interpretations of how many healing plants mentioned in the Bible were used for medicinal or sacred purposes. However, contemporary aromatherapy still recognizes these oils as important ingredients in the essential oil repertoire, and it is clear humankind has valued these plants for thousands of years.

The plants found in the Bible thrive in a dry, desert climate with limited rainfall. This sparse landscape has provided some of our most revered essential oils. The essential oils of the Old and New Testaments are derived from a number of plants, ranging from barks to flowers and berries. Cinnamon, also known as cassia, is a pungent-smelling tree bark that rolls on itself when it is desiccated. Other trees, like cedar, juniper, cypress and aloes (sandalwood), were used for wood as well as healing and religious ritual. Another beloved aromatherapy plant that grew well in the Mediterranean was myrtle, a flowering shrub. The resins – galbanum, myrrh and frankincense- also came from trees. The sticky masses were included in incense and frequently lit directly for use in rituals. These valuable substances were prized for their heavy aromas and their ability to keep for many years. Just like in Biblical times, frankincense and myrrh are still employed in instances when heightened states of spiritual awareness are desired. At last, spikenard, sometimes seen as nard, is an herb found in Asia. Treasured for its unique scent, spikenard was brought to the Mediterranean and used in perfumery.

When searching for Biblical references to medicinal plants, the Old Testament is the place to begin. Myrrh, one of the first oils to be referenced, can be found in Exodus 30:23-29. After wandering in the desert after their escape from Egypt, the Israelites, led by Moses, were asked by God to have an anointing oil made for the ritualistic objects in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. This portable altar was carried as the Israelites roamed for forty years in the desert. The oil, which was made from olive oil, cinnamon, cane and myrrh, was used to transform the ritual implements into sacred instruments. The process of anointing both humans and objects can be found throughout the Bible as an act of faith and worship.

The birth and death of Jesus both contain references to aromatic oils as offerings. Matthew 2:11 recounts the arrival of the magi at the time of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem. Following a guiding star, these kings arrived where Mary had just given birth and offered the baby frankincense and myrrh, oils which are still used today to induce spiritual awakenings. During Jesus’s life, he was anointed with oil of spikenard on two different occasions, once by a woman who broke a jar and poured it over his head and once by Mary of Bethany. Mary, who had purchased the spikenard with her life savings, anointed Jesus’s feet and rubbed the oil in with her hair. In each instance, the bestowal of oils were a gift of great worth.

Today, the oils of the Bible are frequently used in aromatherapy for healing physical ailments, connecting with spiritual or meditative states and even as offerings in religious contexts. Many of these oils have been used in unison, such as frankincense and myrrh, for thousands of years. Their widespread cultivation and our appreciation for their medicinal qualities have traversed the globe as Jews and Christians have continued to respect and use these rare oils. While aromatherapy as it is practiced today is a relatively new field of medicine, the use of medicinal oils is actually as old as civilization itself. By learning how these plants were used during Biblical times, we can connect to traditions that have recognized the relationship between humankind, the plant world and spiritual awakening.