Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Essential Oils are so beneficial, from boosting mood, improving our sleep, reducing anxiety and pain to reducing inflammation and increasing energy levels. The benefits of oils are numerous, leaving skin silky soft by locking in hydration, oils provide a strong skin barrier, great for dry and irritable skin.
Essential oils that are used in aromatherapy are highly concentrated extracts derived from the flowers, leaves, stems, or roots of certain botanicals. They contain the essence or aroma of the plant from which they have been extracted and they also contain the plant’s healing ingredients.
Aromatherapy using essential oils works via three pathways – inhalation, diffusion, and absorption through the skin. The main benefits of aromatherapy are related to physical and emotional well-being. It is a complementary therapy that can be used in conjunction with other therapies to enhance their benefits.
For generations, our ancestors have known the powerful effect that certain types of herbs and flowers can have on the human body and mind.
An important element of aromatherapy is synergy, the combination of numerous essential oils that can actually create a more powerful effect than the oils would have on their own. This is why blending essential oils is such an important part of aromatherapy. It is important to always consult with trained aromatherapists, as some essential oils can cause side effects if mixed improperly.
THE BENEFITS OF AROMATHERAPY
Relieves Stress
- Some of the best essential oils for stress relief are lemon oil, peppermint, vetiver, bergamot, lavender, and ylang-ylang essential oils.
Acts as Antidepressant
- In terms of the best essential oils to use for reducing depression, most specialists suggest peppermint, chamomile, lavender, and jasmine.
Reduces Headaches
- Some of the best essential oils that have been connected to reducing headaches and migraines are peppermint, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and rosemary essential oils. You can also mix these oils in a carrier oil and spread that oil onto your skin, scalp, neck, and temples. Some of the best carrier oils for headaches include almond, avocado, coconut, apricot kernel, and sesame oils.
Increases Energy Levels
- The best essential oils for giving yourself an energy boost include black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, angelica, jasmine, tea tree, rosemary, and sage.
Speeds Up Healing
- Some of the most popular essential oils for speeding up the healing process of the body include lavender, calendula, rosehip, everlasting (helichrysum), and buckthorn essential oils.
Regulates Sleep
- The best essential oils for managing sleeping habits and having a healthy, sedative effect on the body include lavender, chamomile, jasmine, benzoin, neroli, rose, sandalwood, sweet marjoram, and ylang-ylang essential oils.
Improves Digestion
- Citrus essential oils are normally the best for treating digestive conditions, including lemon and orange, but some studies have shown that dill, clary sage, ginger, fennel, chamomile, and lavender as being effective as well.
Strengthens Immune System
- The most effective essential oils that boost your immune system include oregano, frankincense, lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, and eucalyptus essential oils.
Relieves Pain
- The top essential oils, both for professional and personal use, include lavender, chamomile, clary sage, juniper, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils.