There’s a lot of confusion about exactly what aromatherapy is and how it helps promote health and well-being. Aromatherapy uses essential oils extracted from plants and herbs to harmonize and give balance to your general health, not just in your body, but in your mind and spirit as well.
Not everyone who uses aromatherapy is ill. Some enjoy it simply for the soothing and relaxing properties it holds. When your mind is well and at peace, it often creates a healthier body.
How is Aromatherapy Used?
It may surprise you to learn all the areas aromatherapy has been successfully used. The oils have an affect on your central nervous system and depending on the oils used, can relieve anxiety and depression, calm and relax you, even to the point of helping you fall asleep. Other oils are uplifting and stimulate you. There are no adverse effects with aromatherapy, it’s inexpensive, and you can use it anytime of the day or night.
It’s often used for pain relief in the natural childbirth process. Many women don’t want the traditional methods used in most hospitals today. They prefer to totally experience the entry of their child into the world. In a similar vein, aromatherapy is used with much success by women suffering harsh menstrual cramps or going through menopause.
Combining aromatherapy with massage can make the results of both therapies even greater, with huge improvements in well being and increased levels of relaxation. In those cases, the oils used aromatherapy are absorbed through the skin as well as through the nose.
Some Common Oils and Their Uses
You can do your own aromatherapy with the purchase of the oils and a burner, or you can add oils to your bath for a truly uplifting or calming experience, depending on the oils you choose. If you use a burner, you should know that the oil must be diluted in water before adding to the burner. Generally only about three or four drops of oil needs to added to about 10 drops of water.
Lavender is a commonly used oil with a variety of applications. It serves to calm you and also has antibacterial properties which help skin heal after being burned. The relaxing power of lavender is helpful at bedtime to allow you to fall asleep. It also relieves headaches.
When mixed with peppermint, another widely used essential oil, you can overcome lethargic moods or fatigue. Peppermint will stimulate you, and improve your mental clarity, your mood, and your memory.
Peppermint, and similar oils, like ginger, juniper, rosemary, clove, and eucalyptus decrease congestion. If you need to lower your stress levels, try jasmine or rose. When you’re feeling blue and your spirit needs a lift, the citrus oils will help. Use lemon, bergamot, or mandarin.
For women, clary sage and geranium are very successful in hormonal imbalance. And for balancing your entire body as you go through menopause, use both of them, along with lavender, chamomile, melissa, bergamot, or ylang ylang.
Warm regards,
Christian Goodman