The Benefits of Aromatherapy

You probably know that aromatherapy helps you relax but it can also help alleviate the symptoms of many other health conditions. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of aromatherapy.

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using natural aromatic essences to balance your body, mind and spirit and promote good health. It uses essential oils that are extracted from any number of plants: herbs, roots, flowers, seeds and even bark. It is often called a complementary medicine which is used alongside traditional medical treatments.

Use it to reduces stress

Aromatherapy helps relieve stress. Specifically, the scent of lavender has been shown to reduce stress and help relieve pain. Other studies show stress levels decreased among cancer patients who used aromatherapy.

Use it to lift your spirits

Feeling blue? Some scents help improve your mood. Citrus and other vibrant aromas can help reduce feelings of depression.

Use it to relieve pain

Aromatherapy can help alleviate pain. Many scents, specifically chamomile, sandalwood, clary sage and lavender, have the ability to reduce muscle spasms  and stiffness.

Use it to  lower your blood pressure

Aromatherapy can help some people relax enough that their blood pressure reaches a healthy range.

How to incorporate aromatherapy into your life

1. By massaging

Fragrant essential oils are usually mixed with carrier oils like olive, almond, jojoba or grape seed oils. Since essential oils are so highly concentrated, you must mix them with a carrier oil to prevent damage to your skin. When used during a massage, the carrier oil spreads the scent all over your body where it can soak into your skin. You can do a massage yourself, have a friend or loved one do it or seek out a professional massage therapist for an aromatherapy massage.

2. By inhaling

There are many ways to breathe in aromatherapy scents. You can simply put a few drops of an essential on a cloth, hold it under your nose and breathe in. Another simply method is to add very hot water and a few drops of essential oil to a contain and inhale the steam. You can also use an essential oil burner or vaporizer to spread the scent into an entire room where you can breathe it in throughout the course of a day.

3. By soaking 

Add a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath for an effective aromatherapy method. The heated water creates vapors which you inhale during your bath, and the oils soak into your skin. All you have to do is sit back and relax!

The health benefits of aromatherapy are without question so pick up some essential oils and get started today.