Aromatherapy is the practice of using extracts from nature’s botanicals to heal our bodies and minds. Essential oils are at the root of aromatherapy and the number of scents available is far too vast to cover in this one article, but we will mention some of the more popular aromas as we move through the benefits.
How To Practice Aromatherapy
Adopting a regular use of essential oils in your daily regimen is easy and will help you with some everyday issues you might not have considered. There are three ways that you can incorporate these scents into your life.
◉ Inhalation
Smelling the many aromas that are available in the form of essential oils is one of the most popular ways to use them. This is probably because so many of them are pleasing to the olfactory organs. When you mix a few into the water of an aromatherapy diffuser, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make in a room.
◉ Topically
Massaging essential oils into the muscles is another popular way to reap the benefits these extracts offer. You should never put any essential oils directly on your skin. They should be diluted correctly with a good carrier substance like fractionated coconut, sweet almond, avocado, and jojoba oil.
◉ Ingestion
Of all the ways you can use essential oils, this is the least utilized. This is probably because there are quite a few that are dangerous to consume, so some users feel it’s better to stay on the safe side and only use the first two. As a beginner, you should never consume essential oils until you consult a professional.
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◉ Cautions
If you are pregnant, nursing, just had surgery, or are dealing with any other medical issues it is important to talk to your healthcare expert before proceeding. Essential oils are pure volatile compounds extracted from a variety of botanicals and can be harmful if used incorrectly.
Benefits
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at what good they can bring to your life.
◉ Antibacterial
Bacteria is good for us in some forms while others can make us ill. While we don’t want to eradicate all bacteria, getting rid of the harmful ones naturally can be done with aromatherapy. You can diffuse some peppermint and lavender to rid the air of bacteria or you can create a cleaning solution using some eucalyptus.
◉ Antifungal
Just like bacteria, fungi can be eradicated with the right essential oils. Toenails are a popular gathering spot for fungus, and a blend of tea tree, lemon, and jojoba oils applied topically should get rid of the pest.
◉ Destress
Stress can be a killer, especially if we leave it unchecked and unreleased. Avoiding stress is helpful but managing unavoidable stress is just as important if you are looking to diminish the weight things like work and family can leave on your shoulders.
◉ Help You Sleep
Insomnia is an issue for millions of people around the world. Pharmaceutical companies have their solutions, which can be addictive and are synthetic for the most part. When you put some essential oils in your diffuser at bedtime the lingering aroma drifting off to sleep becomes easier.
◉ Eases Pain
Pain comes in all forms. There are muscle strains, headaches, and arthritis to name a few. Some scents, when applied topically, at the area where you are experiencing pain, can diminish it greatly, and in some cases make the pain disappear altogether.
◉ Lifts Your Mood
Whether you feel down because you suffer from clinical depression or if you are just having a bad day, some scents like lavender and orange can add a burst of happiness in the air when you smell them. Scents are powerful and can evoke emotions like joy.
◉ Boosts Immunity
Our immune system keeps us healthy when pathogens threaten us. Keeping our immune system working at its best is imperative, especially if you live where the weather can turn cold, rainy, and snowy. Scents like eucalyptus, cinnamon, and clove are wonderful for giving the immune system some extra strength.
◉ Fights Acne
Pimples and blemishes are a problem for people of all ethnicities, genders, and ages. When your hair follicles become clogged with oil they get irritated and infected. The result is a red bump on your face that is hard to disguise. Essential oils for acne include rose, tea tree, oregano, and cinnamon.
◉ Helps Focus
Whether you work from home or find that you get easily distracted doing household chores there are a number of scents that can help you center your attention to the task at hand. Vetiver, lavender, and cedarwood are just a few.
◉ Strengthens Cognitive Function
Our brains are an important part of our bodies. Without it we could not exist. As we age our cognitive abilities can become weak. Sometimes diseases like Altzheimers and dementia reduce brain function and leave the sufferer forgetful or worse. Scents like bergamot, lemon, and peppermint can boost cognition.
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Conclusion
There are so many ways essential oils and aromatherapy can help us live our best life. There are so many to choose from, we suggest you make a list of why you want to start and what scents are helpful for your conditions.
When you find some check out what other benefits they can bring. That way you purchase scents that can be used for more than one issue. If you want a pain-killing massage oil for your post-workout or looking for a natural remedy for migraines, aromatherapy might be just what you need.
