February Article

Featured Article
Healing Hands-part of an aromatic tool kit
By Kelly Holland Azzaro, RA, CCAP, CBFP, LMT

As a professional practitioner who works with her hands on a daily basis to give holistic therapies (by way of aromatherapy, reflexology, Swedish, therapeutic, clinical, hot stone, acupressure, lymphatic, cranial sacral, Reiki, facial and scalp massage) for over twenty years, I sometimes take for granted how hard my hands really work for me and my clients. These hands of mine are strong yet soft to the touch from immersion in carrier oils and natural scrubs, sculpted from years of accurate work and aged like a fine wine, or better yet, a rich rose essential oil. My work seems to develop more each year as clients share how they benefit from the healing modality that massage and aromatherapy offers on many levels.

I could easily forget that essential oils offer amazing therapeutic properties and a variety of applications as this is second nature. Then a client will ask: 'Wow, what is that amazing scent on the tissue you put in the face cradle for me?' I place a different scent for each client. A simple recipe would be one drop of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and one drop of lemon (Citrus limonum), two of the most attainable and easy to use essential oils in aromatherapy, to help that client achieve relaxation and stress relief. The lemon also helps most clients let go of the brain fog from a day or week filled with mental tasks, cluttered thoughts and decisions. The lavender tops off the relaxation process by producing a sense of peace and the ability to breathe deeply and let go of tension.

This gets me to wondering how it is that such easy going scents elicit such instant changes in a client, shifting their energy from tense to relaxed, stressed to calm, chatty to snoring. Is it the instant aroma to brain effect, the agreeability of the scent, the client's appreciation for the extra benefit of essential oil therapy and the touch of caring, experienced hands?. Though we know the power of the nose to brain and lungs to blood, I'm sure it is a bit of all these benefits combined. The effort of taking the time and energy to learn about true aromatherapy and how it can be added into so many holistic therapies, especially massage therapy, is surely something that is well worth the effort and investment.

When times are stressful for clients and they come to you for the gift you give in your own healing hands, isn't is wonderful that you have an aromatic tool kit filled with aromas of therapeutic and emotional value? Clients also give you the opportunity to grow and learn. Each session brings the potential to expand your awareness of effective essential oil applications, massage techniques and to generate the abundance of health, happiness and prosperity for both of you. (I personally feel that a massage session without essential oils is like the proverbial day without sunshine.)

Take a look at your hands and be grateful for the strength that they provide in your work, the gentleness they offer by extending a helping hand to someone in need, the wisdom seen in the faith, love and life palm lines and then the gift of passing all onto others by teaching and example. Hands are indeed healing tools on many levels.

Give back to your wonderful hands by treating them with love and respect. Here are a few aromatic ways you can treat yourself and others to a special hand pampering:

Aromatic Hand Exfoliant Scrub Recipe: 4 ounce size

Turbinado and white sugar: 3 ounces total (mix these sugars in a ratio based on your needs: turbinado is a natural sugar that is larger grained then simple white sugar while white sugar offers a lighter texture for more sensitive skin)

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) or your favorite carrier oil:

1 ounce

Pure Essential Oils of:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 4- 6 drops

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) 8-10 drops

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) 8 drops

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) 4 drops

After scrubbing each hand, remove the aromatic sugar granules with a moist warm towel (or rinse under sink if self applying) and follow with a hand massage using your favorite hand cream or try the recipe below:

Healing Hands Oil Treatment: 4 ounce size

Base: 4 ounces of: Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) and Apricot Kernel oil (Prunus armeniaca) (or make a base out of your favorite carrier, such as sweet almond oil or, for a thicker consistency and intense moisture combine olive and avocado oil)

Essential Oils:

Carrot Seed (Daucus carota) 4-6 drops

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) 4 drops

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 4-6 drops

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) 4-6 drops

Note: Recipes are for topical use only. If irritation occurs discontinue use. Keep out of reach of children and pets.


Kelly Holland Azzaro, RA, CCAP, CBFP, LMT, is a Registered Aromatherapist, Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner, Certified Bach Flower Practitioner, Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner and President of NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy).

Kelly has over 20 years professional experience and educational training in Canine and Equine Acupressure-Massage Therapies, Intuitive Animal Communication, Crystal-Gemstone Therapy, Reiki, Aromatherapy and Flower Essence Therapy for people and their animal friends. Kelly has also created 'Ashi Aromatics Blends', an all natural botanical product line for both people and pets. Kelly Holland Azzaro is approved by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a Continuing Education Approved Provider. She offers classes in Animal Aromatherapy and Flower Essences for Pets. To learn more about Kelly visit her website www.ashitherapy.com

Would you like to contribute an article for a future NAHA E-newsletter? Click here to download the Writer's Guidelines.