Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health.
What is aromatherapy and how does it help me?
What Is Aromatherapy and How Does It Help Me? Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being.Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit.It enhances both physical and emotional health.
Why to use aromatherapy?
The Health Benefits
- The Health Benefits First things first, let’s chat about the amazing health benefits of essential oils. ...
- The Emotional Benefits We live in a high-stress world, so it’s no wonder that 75% of Americans revealed they’ve experienced moderate to severe stress in the last 30 days. ...
- The Environmental Benefits We’re over chemicals, and so is the planet. ...
Why do people use aromatherapy?
Use essential oils with caution if you have:
- hay fever
- asthma
- epilepsy
- high blood pressure
- eczema
- psoriasis
How to use aromatherapy to help ease anxiety?
Using Aromatherapy for Relieving Your Stress
- Research. Relatively little research is available on aromatherapy. ...
- As a Stress Relief Tool. While aromatherapy isn’t the magic ‘cure-all’ that it’s sometimes made out to be, it does appear to have proven effects as a stress reliever.
- Candles. Candles are great for aromatherapy. ...
- Diffusers. ...
- Body Products. ...
- Massage. ...
- Meditation. ...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of aromatherapy?
One of the pros of aromatherapy is that it has few side effects, however, one of the cons is the fact that you can have an allergic reaction. Some people are also very sensitive to the smell and cannot use it. Another downside to using aromatherapy is that many of the oils are not pure.
What is the aromatherapy meaning?
Listen to pronunciation. (uh-ROH-muh-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of complementary and alternative medicine that uses plant oils that give off strong pleasant aromas (smells) to promote relaxation, a sense of well-being, and healing.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy oils?
Apart from providing a pleasant smell, aromatherapy oils can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits. Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain.
What are the effects of aromatherapy?
In addition, depending on the oil's characteristics, aromatherapy has been recognized to have antibacterial, wound-healing, immune enhancing, antidepressant, and calming curative effects [20]. Studies on the clinical effects of aromatherapy have shown that it alleviates stress and increases sleep quality.
How can I do aromatherapy at home?
Add a few drops of eucalyptus or lavender oil to your laundry detergent for a fresh fragrance. You can also use an aromatherapy fragrance spray for a lingering scent on your clean linens or even while ironing clothes.
What is the difference between aromatherapy and essential oils?
Aroma oils are milder and can be used more generously than the more intense essential oil. But essential oils are usually a combination of far more individual fragrances and usually smell with a lasting effect.
Why is aromatherapy good for stress?
Aromatherapy is commonly used to treat a wide variety of mental and physical problems from stress and anxiety, to headaches and digestive issues. The essential oils used in this practice trigger messages to be sent to your brain's limbic system, which controls your emotions, memory and how we learn.
What are the 7 essential oils?
7 essential oils to use and whyLemon. Energizing and purifying. ... Lavender. Calming and relaxing, decreasing general discomfort. ... Peppermint. Eases motion sickness and nausea. ... Bergamot. Eases pain, aids in digestion. ... Orange. Energizing and purifying, combats unpleasant odors. ... Roman Chamomile. Calming, relieves pain. ... Marjoram.
What aromatherapy is good for stress?
A quick look at the best essential oils for stressBest for relaxation: Lavender.Best for sleep: Chamomile.Best for meditation: Orange.Best for anxiety: Sandalwood.Best for stress: Clary sage.Best mood lifter: Lemon.Best for diffusing: Bergamot.Best for topical use: Rose.More items...•
When do we use aromatherapy?
Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy, a kind of complementary medicine that uses smell to improve your health or applied topically to the skin. Studies have shown that essential oils may help: Boost mood. Improve job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness.
How does aromatherapy affect the brain?
Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin.
Does aromatherapy work for sleep?
Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oil scents or vapor in hopes of obtaining positive health effects. Research demonstrates that because smell affects sleep, incorporating certain essential oils into your bedtime routine may help people sleep better.
What is aromatherapy?
Center. Aromatherapy is a complementary medical approach used by trained professionals. Aromatherapy is a complementary medical approach used by trained professionals. It involves the use of concentrated essential oils that are distilled from plants (flowers, stalks, and leaves) for their therapeutic properties.
How to use essential oils?
These essential oils can be prepared and used in numerous ways: to be inhaled, massaged into the skin in dilute form, and swallowed as teas or tinctures. Some of the most common aromatherapy methods include: 1 Smelling aroma: Open the bottle of the essential oil and take deep breaths of the aroma coming from it. This is the old, traditional way of aromatherapy. 2 Steam inhalation: Put two to four drops of the essential oil in a bowl of hot water. Take a towel over your head that covers the sides of the bowl as well while you inhale the steam. The towel arrangement will allow most of the vapors to stay inside the area covered by it. 3 Diffuser method: You will find various electric diffusers and candle-based diffusers in the market. You just need to put few drops of essential oil in the diffuser and burn the candle or switch on the electric diffuser. The essential oil gets liberated in the form of fumes, which you can breathe in. 4 Dry evaporation: Put a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball or a piece of cloth and smell the cotton ball/cloth to inhale the aroma of the oil as it disperses. For better sleep at night, you can put the drops on your pillow.
What is lemongrass oil used for?
Apart from its mood-boosting aroma, lemongrass oil is suggested to be used as an effective remedy against candidiasis caused by the yeast Candida albicans. Candidiasis is a fungal infection that most commonly affects the mouth and vagina.
Is essential oil regulated by the FDA?
Headache. Remember that essential oils are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you are suffering from any health conditions and are planning to take aromatherapy, discuss with your healthcare provider. Get in touch with an aromatherapist to know about the risks and benefits of aromatherapy.
Is aromatherapy safe?
Evidence suggests that aromatherapy is generally safe. However, a few side effects can occur with the inhalation or skin application of essential oils. Remember that essential oils are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Is lavender essential oil good for you?
However, for some conditions, research shows that aromatherapy with some essential oils can have health benefits. These benefits include: Lavender oil: Many people find the aroma of lavender oil relaxing. It has been used for relieving anxiety, stress, and depression and having good sleep. Some studies have suggested that aromatherapy ...
Does peppermint oil help with irritable bowel syndrome?
Peppermint oil : Based on some evidence, peppermint oil can be used for irritable bowel syndrome. It is also widely used in treating dental problems such as dental caries.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy, or essential oil therapy, refers to a range of traditional, alternative or complementary therapies that use essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds. Essential oils have been used for nearly 6,000 years, with the aim of improving a person’s health or mood.
Why is it important to know the quality of essential oils?
essential oils, it is important to be aware that light, heat, and oxygen can affect the integrity of the oil. Products should come from a respected and trustworthy source, to be sure of the quality. Following instructions carefully reduces the risk of compromising the user’s health.
How do essential oils affect the body?
As the molecules reach the brain, they affect limbic system, which is linked to the emotions, the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance. In this way, essential oils can have a subtle, yet holistic effect on the body.
How long have essential oils been used?
Essential oils have been used for nearly 6,000 years, with the aim of improving a person’s health or mood. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) defines aromatherapy as “the therapeutic application or the medicinal use of aromatic substances (essential oils) for holistic healing.”. In 1997, the International Standards ...
What part of the brain is stimulated by essential oils?
Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain. Molecules that enter the nose or mouth pass to the lungs, and from there, to other parts of the body.
How to use essential oils?
Using aromatherapy. A range of essential oils may help boost health and wellbeing. Aromatherapy is normally used through inhalation or as a topical application. Inhalation: the oils evaporate into the air using a diffuser container, spray, or oil droplets, or breathed in, for example, in a steam bath.
Can you mix carrier oil with aromatherapy?
If the oil is to be mixed with a carrier, the individual should tell the aromatherapist or massage therapist about any nut allergies, because carrier oils are often obtained from nuts and seeds. Aromatherapy can have side effects, but these are normally mild and do not last long. They include: Nausea. Headaches.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
The benefits of aromatherapy can be widespread, such as helping reduce stress and anxiety, relieving headaches, and improving the quality of sleep. Which essential oil (or blend of oils) you use would depend on what kind of symptoms you are experiencing. Some of the most popular oils include:
What is the best essential oil for stress?
The benefits of aromatherapy can be widespread, such as helping reduce stress and anxiety, relieving headaches, and improving the quality of sleep. Which essential oil (or blend of oils) you use would depend on what kind of symptoms you are experiencing. Some of the most popular oils include: 1 Lavender oil: Many find this scent relaxing and it is often used to help reduce stress or improve sleep. Other oils to help with stress and anxiety are chamomile and rose. 2 Peppermint: This oil can help aid with digestion, as well as help relieve headaches and tension. 3 Sandalwood: Used to increase focus, it can also help reduce stress, anxiety and help with sleep quality. 4 Ylang-Ylang: This oil can be used to help with nausea, as well as headaches.
What is the best oil to use for stress?
Lavender oil: Many find this scent relaxing and it is often used to help reduce stress or improve sleep. Other oils to help with stress and anxiety are chamomile and rose. Peppermint: This oil can help aid with digestion, as well as help relieve headaches and tension.
How are essential oils made?
They are made by steaming or pressing different parts of a plant, which then captures the compound which produces the fragrance. These oils can be absorbed in many different ways, such as adding to a diffuser or through a massage.
Why do people use aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy massage is used for a variety of different reasons, including relaxation, pain management, and improved mood. These are also some of the basic benefits of massage therapy. Adding essential oils is thought to enhance such benefits. Some of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy include:
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for certain benefits. Examples include lavender, orange and bergamot, and eucalyptus. These “aromas” are all plant-based derivatives from herbs, tree extracts, and flowers.
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy itself consists of the manipulation of muscles and lymph nodes through professional pressing and rubbing techniques. Some types of massages include: deep tissue. Swedish. prenatal. hot stone massage. Essential oils can be added on to any type of massage for aromatherapy purposes.
What essential oils are used in massage?
ginger. lavender. lemon. orange. peppermint. tea tree. Aromatherapy is often added to a traditional massage session as an extra service. The massage therapist might diffuse an essential oil in the room during your session or they might add a few drops of oil to massage lotion and apply it directly to your skin.
How to get rid of oils after massage?
Do drink water before and immediately after your massage and consider having a snack. Take a warm shower after your massage. This helps remove any oils left on your skin. Your massage therapist is also your first source for questions about an aromatherapy massage experience.
What are some examples of aromatherapy?
According to the NCCIH, stimulating oils to boost mood have been found effective in some studies. Examples of these include lemon, orange, and tangerine.
Is aromatherapy bad for you?
Aromatherapy massage risks. There are generally few risks associated with aromatherapy massage. One consideration is possible sensitivity to the essential oils used during your session. Your massage therapist should always dilute the oil with massage lotion or a carrier oil before applying to the skin.