Essential Scents for Winter Wellness

Rawhiti Estate’s new aromatherapist Megan Johnson works with one of the most powerful of the five senses – smell – to improve a person’s quality of life.

Until recently, Megan was treating people at the Dove Hospice in Glendowie, looking after people with life-threatening illnesses. She recently decided to broaden her career and the range of people she works with.

“I loved working at the hospice, and I met so many great people there, but I didn’t just want to help the sick. I would like to help as many people as I can, and that is why I moved to Rawhiti Estate, with its wonderful wellness focus and facilities.

“Our residents in the Independent Living apartments lead an active lifestyle and aromatherapy is a fantastic solution when it comes to unwinding and allowing the body to recuperate after a busy day or week.”

Aromatherapy uses extracts from aromatic plants for healing purposes and to aid physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Aromatherapists use small amounts of extracted oil, known as essential oils, that are absorbed through the skin during a massage, or inhalation.

Megan says that aromatherapy is a relaxing experience for most people as they allow themselves to drift off and they often feel rejuvenated after a session.

“It is great to see when someone physically relaxes in front of you. The shoulders drop back, legs lie gently on the table and the person looks at total ease,” says Megan.

Megan's aromatherapy toolkit is full of wonderful smells.

She has loved her work from the moment she began studying her Diploma of Aromatherapy 15 years ago.

“From the very first time I was in a room with someone, selecting the appropriate essential oils and treating their ailments, I knew this what I wanted to do. It was, and still is, such a privilege to help people at whatever their stage of life might be,” she says.

Megan has further expanded her knowledge of holistic healing by gaining a Level Three Certificate in Reiki, a Qualified Massage Certificate and Oncology Massage Training.

Megan is especially fond of performing Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. She says it “simply needs to be felt to be understood.”

Megan is currently developing a weekly aromatherapy workshop for residents, staff and the local community to be held at Rawhiti Estate.

“Aromatherapy may not be for everyone, but I urge people to give it a go and see how they feel after having a restorative massage.”