| The French model of aromatherapy believes in the | | | | used in medical practice much like pharmaceutical |
| efficacy of therapeutic grade essential oils as nature's | | | | drugs are used. Gary Young who developed the |
| medicines and uses them quite liberally, getting the oils | | | | Raindrop Technique studied with French doctors |
| into the body in several different ways. The French | | | | learning the medicinal properties of oils and how they |
| model is the most extensively practiced model of | | | | can benefit us in our quest for wholeness and health. |
| aromatherapy in the world. This approach to the use | | | | In the Raindrop technique a series of nine oils are |
| of essential oils includes diluting them and rubbing the | | | | dropped from a space of about six inches from the |
| whole body, using them undiluted (neat) on trouble | | | | body onto the spine and then feathered lightly into the |
| spots, inhaling them and taking them internally. The | | | | skin. A few additional steps are used to massage the |
| British model of aromatherapy comes out of a | | | | oils into the deeper tissues. Only a few drops of each |
| massage therapy approach and therefore believes | | | | oil is used. These oils are oregano, thyme, basil, |
| that these oils should generally be diluted in low dilutions | | | | cypress, wintergreen, marjoram, Aroma Siez (a |
| so they can be massaged over the whole body. A | | | | muscle relaxing blend), peppermint, and Valor (an |
| German model of aromatherapy primarily uses the oils | | | | energy balance blend.) |
| for inhalation but does take them internally. All of these | | | | Using essential oils undiluted or "neat" on the body can |
| models of aromatherapy are valid and have their | | | | cause minor reddening and heat in the tissues. |
| place in assisting people to attain wholeness and | | | | Normally this is nothing to be concerned about. Many |
| health. | | | | of your over-the-counter creams and rubs for sports |
| Raindrop Technique is Consistent with the French | | | | pain do the same thing. Blondes, redheads, and people |
| Model of Aromatherapy | | | | who have toxic systems are more susceptible to this |
| This means essential oils are used both diluted and | | | | temporary reddening of the skin and can easily be |
| undiluted on the body. It is the French who have led the | | | | remedied by application of a pure vegetable oil to the |
| way in a resurgence of interest in essential oils. In | | | | affected area. This essentially dilutes the oil and the |
| France, therapeutic grade oils (not perfume grade) are | | | | warming effect. |