IFA: Aromatherapy can ease stress

People who suffer from stress may want to consider a course of aromatherapy to prevent the development of further health problems.

According to Sue Mousley, chair of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA), stress can lead to the onset of a number of health complications.

She said: "People who are stressed often suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, skin problems, anxiety, insomnia, that leads on to physical symptoms like heart attacks, ulcers, things like that."

However, Ms Mousley explained that aromatherapy treatment could help ease stress levels and subsequently help prevent the development of other conditions.

"By reducing those stress levels you can start to work on the symptoms, but then you get to the cause of it which is the stress. It is two-pronged - you give relief to symptoms, then you start working on the real problem which is the deeper problem below. That is the benefit of the treatment," she added.

Ms Mousley stressed that benefits could be gained from a single session but admitted that long-term benefits would be offered from regular treatments.