What is aromatherapy?
By definition, aromatherapy refers to the therapeutic application of plant essential oils, usually diluted in some vegetable carrier oil. Aromatherapy enhances psychological and physical well-being, so it has a lot more than just a pleasant smell or perfume.
Essential oils are usually extracted from different parts of aromatic plants before being distilled into a highly concentrated form. Essential oils are commonly used as an aromatherapy tool for sleep problems, to improve mood and relieve stress.
How long has aromatherapy been around?
For over 5,000 years, aromatherapy has been a trusted practise among cultures spanning the globe. It was used in spiritual, therapeutic, hygienic, and ritualistic purposes in ancient India, China, Egypt, Greece, Roman Empire and Native America.
When medical doctors became more focused on using chemical drugs, the French and German doctors still recognized the role of natural botanicals, aromatherapy as valuable practise.
Recently, aromatherapy has gained more recognition in science as there are growing clinical studies that point to the therapeutic properties of essential oils.
How does aromatherapy treatment work?
Healing vibrations from aromatherapy work through the sense of smell and skin absorption. Our understanding of smell is estimated to be 10,000 times more acute than other senses. The aroma stimulates olfactory system in the nose and sends impulses to the part of the brain faster than sight or sound. The olfactory system is connected to the limbic or emotional part of the brain also parts that controls breathing, heart rate, stress levels, and hormone balance.
The smell can trigger powerful emotional memories through the limbic system and provokes a cascade of reactions, both physically and emotionally.
Therapeutics properties apply only for 100 percent pure, natural essential oils; it shouldn’t contain any artificial additives or synthetic ingredients.
What are the aromatherapy benefits?
Daily lives stress cause different issues in mental and physical health. When you want to take a break from everyday stress from work, school, or even at home, smell a perfume or scent that does you right. High vibrational natural scent affects your mind, soul, and body, bringing everything into the perfect harmony between concentration, calmness, and lightness.
Aromatherapy has a lot of benefits, such as:
- sleep improvement,
- reduce stress, anxiety
- treat headaches and migraines
- ease discomforts of labour
- improve digestion
- boost immunity.
The scents of nature are the root of our olfactory memories; every perfume made with them makes us experience an intricate blend of complex emotions.
Whether you’re looking to ease pain, recharge, or enhance your massage session, the benefits of adding aromatherapy are countless.
Remember that aromatherapy is not meant to replace any doctor-approved treatment plan.
What are the aromatherapy side effects?
There are some precautions you should be aware of when using an essential oil, especially if you take any prescription medications. Generally, most essential oils topical or inhaled are safe to use.
Always do a skin patch test before using essential oils, since citrus essential oils may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You should avoid some essential oils directly on your skin and never swallow it unless it is advised otherwise.
Side effects of using essential oils can include rashes, allergic reactions, skin irritation, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea. If your skin gets red, irritated, itchy, bathe the affected area with a carrier oil or full-fat milk.
Pregnant women or breastfeeding, children under 5 should use essential oils with caution and under the supervision of a doctor.
How Do You Choose the Right Blend?
Choosing an essential oil blend can depend on the purpose you are seeking, an energy boost or relaxation. You can pick a combination most suited to lift the mood simply via smell or needed vibration via topical application.
Niche perfumes combine unique and sometimes daring olfactory nuances, and by nature, they are as unique as the people who wear them.
How to use it?
If you are feeling exhausted, dull or stressed, try diffusing a few drops of essential oil in to help relax and unwind.
You can also apply aroma perfume to pulse points, such as the collar bone, neck, wrists, and inner elbows. Only a few drops of aromatherapy oil is needed at a time.