Beauty: Soothe away stress with a treatment that smells as good as it feels

Just like Bisto, this 30-year-old company’s potent blends have the power to make you go “ahhhh” with every inhalation. Especially the award-winning Deep Relax oil, which includes a zzz-inducing blend of sandalwood, vetiver and chamomile, rather than the ubiquitous blast of lavender that you might expect.

Up until now, however, I’d never experienced any of their treatments. And, so, I followed my olfactory apparatus to Edinburgh’s Hotel Missoni Spa, where they’ve just launched 11 Aromatherapy Associates therapies, as well as a selection of exclusive products.

I went for the signature 90-minute Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience which, according to them, uses acupressure to stimulate the nervous system, lymphatic drainage to improve circulation, and Swedish and neuromuscular techniques to help relieve muscle tension.

This kicked off with a questionnaire, so that my therapist could assess my needs. Stressed, tick; dry skin, tick; sore muscles, tick.

Then there was a smellathon, which involved sniffing a couple of the oils that my therapist, Zoe, had deemed to be appropriate.

I swithered, but eventually settled on the Muscle Ease option, which contained frankincense and rosemary (honestly, it’s definitely not recommended, but I could have drunk that stuff).

Then it was up onto the treatment bed, face down, while hypnotic music (featuring an unidentifiable Chinese wind instrument) played in the background.

Zoe gently palpated acupressure points on the back of my neck, before setting to task on my back.

The unusual thing about this treatment was that she spent time working on the sides of my body, using sweeping movements along my ribcage.

This felt wonderful and, according to her, there are some major muscles in these areas – such as the obliques –which are often neglected in other massages.

She also focused on acupressure points along the sides of my spine, and used blissfully long and repetitive strokes on my calves.

Once I’d turned over, a warm pad containing lavender was placed over my eyes, and another on my abdomen.

Then the front of my legs were rubbed, before my feet were given some TLC, with Zoe stimulating my aching arches and tired little piggies.

This treatment also incorporates a tum massage, which was next.

Using a gentle nudging technique, she worked her way across this area with circular motions, to stimulate the gut.

All that was left was a shoulder and scalp rub, before a spritz of refreshing toner signified that my time was up. Sad, as I genuinely didn’t want this treatment to end. The combination of these products and Zoe’s ministrations is surely the ultimate aromatherapy blend.

Aromatherapy

Associates’ Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience, 60 minutes for £60, or 90 minutes for £80

Hotel Missoni, 1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh (0131-220 6666, www.hotelmissoni.com).