Aromatherapy is considered by some people as a 'new age' therapy and they are sceptical towards its use and effectiveness. The roots of Aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years before the birth of Christ, to a time when the use of aromatics was first recorded in human history. In reality, the history of aromatherapy is inexorably linked to the development of aromatic medicine, which in the early days was itself combined with religion, mysticism and magic.

This was a time when the ancient Egyptians first burned incense made from aromatic woods, herbs and spices in honour of their gods. They believed that as the smoke rose up to the heavens, it would carry their prayers and wishes directly to the deities. Eventually, the development of aromatics as medicines would create the foundations that aromatherapy was built upon.

Today, Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. We are at last unfolding the final secrets of the Egyptian mysteries, revealing aromatherapy to be one of the finest ways to combat the detrimental effects of stress, restoring the beauty, tranquility and harmony of Nature into the lives of everyone. It is widely used at home, clinics and hospitals for a variety of applications such as pain relief for women in labour pain, relieving pain caused by the side effects of the chemotherapy undergone by the cancer patients, and rehabilitation of cardiac patients.

Essential oils are distilled from plants, this is mans way of extracting nature's own healing mechanism. By using these plant oils we are truly going back to nature and re-discovering the knowledge our ancestors possessed and used.

Early man burnt aromatic plant materials and would probably have noticed the effect the different aromas had upon their moods, relaxed, happy, excited or drowsy. They would have also noticed which plants the animals of the day would eat or rub themselves against to heal them. Animals instinctively know which plants will be helpful to them.

The Greeks discovered that the aromas of certain flowers were relaxing or stimulating, they captured these aromas in Olive oil which were used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Greek soldiers would carry Myrrh in pouches to treat wounds inflicted in battle.

Hippocrates, who is known as the 'father of medicine' wrote 'Let medicine be your food and your food be your medicine.' He valued discernment, self-effacement and devotion in physicians. These values are still important and taught to medical students today, know as the 'Hippocratic Oath'.

Little is known what was happening in Europe, as there are no detailed records, but they would have used locally grown herbs, Lavender, Thyme and Rosemary. In Medieval times, plant material was strewn onto floors & pomanders 'oranges embedded with cloves' were popular. The people at this time believed that infections were transmitted by smell and the aromatic materials were used to protect them.

From the 17th Century, new experiments were taking place and chemical substances began to be used in medicine, some of which were extremely harmful. Selenium was discovered at this time and later in the 18th and 19th Centuries, caffeine, quinine and morphine was discovered and is still in use today. The discovery of synthetic materials led to plant materials being used less but had the advantage of medicines being easily carried as people moved around. It is these discoveries that have led to the medicines we use today.

Aromatherapy is becoming more popular and the benefits are being recognised as we search for alternative or complimentary ways for our medicinal care.

We are re-discovering natures healing mechanism.

Moisturisers, Cleansers, Exfoliators and Toners have been specially blended for each skin type, named after Celtic (Scottish) Goddesses and have their own beneficial properties as follows:

Arnamentia (Celtic Goddess of healing & purification) for Sensitive Skin - Sensitive Skin requires soft and gentle oils and our blend of lavender, camomile and geranium offers this. Lavender oil, soothing for sore, irritated and inflamed skins. Encourages healthy skin tissue re-growth. Camomile oil is a soft and gentle oil, often used in baby care products to soothe and calm sore and inflamed skin. Geranium oil has a balancing action upon the skin and has the added benefit of astringent properties.

Coventina (Celtic Goddess of beginnings & inspiration) for Dry Skin - Re-hydrate and nourish your skin with our dry skin range containing specially selected essential oils. Lavender oil encourages healthy skin tissue regrowth and is soothing on any sore or inflamed patches of skin. Patchouli oil is a natural moisturiser and also encourages healthy new skin tissue regrowth. Soothing on rough and sore patches of skin. Sandalwood oil is especially beneficial for dehydrated skins being a natural moisturiser.

Belisama (Celtic Goddess of water & healing) for Normal Skin - Rose Geranium is used for its subtle 'rose' aroma and for its astringent and balancing properties upon the skin. Frankincense oil helps to regulate sebum production maintaining a balanced secretion. Also ideal for skin in need of a lift and this in turn makes this blend ideal for mature and wrinkled skins.

Harimella (Celtic Goddess of protection) for Oily Skin - Beat the shine! Containing specially selected essential oils to balance sebum (oil) production. Lemon oil emits a clean fresh aroma and has astringent properties. Grapefruit oil can detoxify congested and oily skin. Geranium oil has a balancing effect upon sebum production and is beneficial for congested, oily and sluggish skins.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Cleansers for all skin types. A gorgeous soothing product to help remove dirt from deep within the skin pores. You can use this product before or after exfoliating to achieve a thorough cleansing of your skin and leave it feeling fresh and revitalised. Use a pea sized amount, massage into the skin using circular movements and remove with a cotton wool pad. To refresh and remove any remaining cleanser, use one of our matching toners before applying a facial moisturiser.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Exfoliators for all skin types. A gentle exfoliator which you can simply apply with your fingers using a circular motion but being very careful around the delicate eye area. Leaves the skin looking translucent and clearer and also creates a stimulating effect to wake up tired looking skin. Allows better makeup application and your moisturiser can absorb more readily. Rinses off easily.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Toners for all skin types. This toner comes in a spray bottle so that you can just spritz your face after your cleaning regime and before you apply your moisturiser, or place some on a cotton wool pad to gently soothe the skin. It helps to close up the pores and restore the skin's natural PH balance. These toners are designed to penetrate pores, refresh and cool your skin while clearing away excess oil, impurities and dead skin cells that were not removed with your cleanser.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Moisturisers for all skin types. Using this luscious and beautiful smelling cream on a daily basis is the key for that fresh look. Well-moisturised skin is soft and supple, giving you a healthy glow, and skin ages less quickly. Regularly using this moisturiser can prevent the skin from drying and chapping, thus slowing the aging process. After your cleansing/exfoliating and toning routine, apply the moisturiser all over your face in circular motions with your fingertips being gentle around the delicate eye area. Also apply to your neck area using an upward sweeping motion to keep your neck area well moisturised and supple too.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Mango & Shea Body Whip in Vanilla. This absolutely gorgeous and rich cream smells so good you'll want to eat it (but don't :D). Mango butter is a natural emmollient. It has been widely used in the Tropics and Rainforest regions in skincare for its softening, soothing and protective properties. Moisturising and softening for dry and rough skin. Soothing and calming for sore, inflamed and irritated skin conditions. Use regularly to help keep those wrinkles at bay. Apply liberally all over the body, it will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and smelling delicious.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Whipped Shea Body Butter with the most exotic and luscious smell of coconut. If you want your imagination to drift away to a remote island being gentle warmed by the sun, then this cream will do it for you, the smell will definitely caress your senses. Our Whipped Shea Butter treats your skin by rehydrating, softening and nourishing with its amazing properties. Shea butter is extracted from the seeds of the Karite tree, indiginous to Africa. It absorbs easily into the skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue and can be used in pregnancy too to discourage stretch marks. Shea butter can also be used as an intensive hair conditioning treatment, just apply to dry hair and leave for up to 2 hours. To remove, apply shampoo to your hair before you use water and massage into the hair, this will remove the shea more easily. Why compromise and use other products which only contain a small amount of this wonderful natural moisturiser when you have the opportunity to pamper your skin with this luxury home spa treatment.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Cooling Foot Gel is available in two sizes (100ml and 50ml). If you have hot or tired feet, you can refresh and revive them with our 'Cooling Foot Gel'. It like dipping your toes into the cool turquoise sea. Our foot gel contains Aloe Vera to cool and soothe (refrigerate for a instant refreshment), and Peppermint Oil to wake up your feet, also to cool and deodorise. Our foot gel also contains Tea Tree Oil to keep your feet healthy and fresh and Lemon Oil adds a hint of citrus and is a mild astringent. Just smoothly liberally over your feet, or even better, ask someone else to do it for you!

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Cooling Foot Scrub. If you want to pamper your tired feet, this gorgeous foot scrub has its own exfoliating properties with oils which you can massage into your feet. This helps stimulate the skin and disperse toxins. Our foot scrub contains exfoliating salts and oils, Aloe Vera to cool and soothe (refrigerate for a instant refreshment), and Peppermint Oil to wake up your feet, also to cool and deodorise. Our foot scrub also contains Tea Tree Oil to keep your feet healthy and fresh and Lemon Oil adds a hint of citrus and is a mild astringent. Just smooth it on all over your feet concentrating on the areas with harder skin e.g. heels - or even better, ask someone else to do it for you! It is easily washed off in the bath or shower.

Iona Cosmetics Aromatherapy Collection Eye Gel. A cooling and soothing eye gel containing Aloe Vera to help with tired and puffy eyes. It also contains Seaweed which can draw toxins out of the skin. It can also be used to gently remove eye makeup using a cotton wool pad. You can refridgerate the eye gel for a more cooling and soothing experience. This eye gel is suitable for those with a sensitive skin.