If you suffer from chronic pain, anxiety or insomnia, aromatherapy may be able to help relieve some of your symptoms. Aromatherapy involves inhaling the scent of essential oils, which are concentrated aromatic compounds extracted from plants and flowers. The most commonly used essential oils include lavender, peppermint and tea tree oil. By inhaling the scents of these oils, you can improve your health in several different ways.
Clearing up confusion about aromatherapy
The term 'aromatherapy' is often used to describe either a set of practices that involve the use of essential oils for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual purposes or the use of fragrant substances in general. These definitions are often interchangeable but it's important to understand what you're looking for when you search for aromatherapy information.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a healing therapy that uses the natural aromatic compounds found in plants to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual balance. The use of these scents dates back to ancient times when people would use them for medicinal purposes or as an offering in religious ceremonies.
How to use aromatherapy
The first step to using aromatherapy is to make sure you know what type of scent or oil you want to use. You can choose from a variety of scents, but each one will have different effects on the body and mind depending on the oils used. Lavender, for example, is often used for calming purposes because it promotes relaxation, whereas peppermint is typically used to promote wakefulness or alertness because it’s stimulating.
What are the different types of aromatherapy oils?
There are a number of different oils that can be used for aromatherapy and they all have different purposes. Some common ones include lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, bergamot, lemon, neroli, and frankincense. Lavender is said to have calming properties while eucalyptus is a good choice if you're suffering from congestion or respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis.
Do essential oils really help with allergies, stress, pain and sleep problems?
Essential oils are natural substances extracted from plants or other natural sources, such as herbs or flowers. You may be wondering how these oils affect the body, so let's take a look at some of the most common ways you might use essential oils to boost your health:
1) Improve sleep quality - Research on aromatherapy and sleep quality has found that certain scents, such as lavender, help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by reducing stress levels.
What blends are recommended for specific conditions?
The following is a list of oils commonly used for specific purposes:
Eucalyptus Oil, for congestion relief and decongestant Lavender Oil, for its soothing properties Rosemary Oil, for headaches and migraines Peppermint Oil, for allergies and nausea Tea Tree Oil, for colds. These are just a few examples but with all the options available you are sure to find the perfect fit for whatever you're feeling!
How long does it take to experience relief?
The effects of aromatherapy vary depending on the type of oil you use, how often you use it, and what problem you are trying to solve. For instance, if you are trying to reduce stress or anxiety, then the time frame will be different than if you were trying to treat a headache or help with sleep issues. In general though, most people begin feeling relief in about two minutes when using inhalation therapy for anxiety symptoms but this may take longer for other conditions like headaches or sleep disorders.
Are there any side effects or risks involved with using essential oils?
The main risk of using essential oils is the possibility of a negative reaction to an oil's scent or to certain ingredients used in the oils. For example, people who are sensitive or allergic to citrus may have a negative reaction to lemon oil. Essential oils should not be applied directly on skin without diluting them first because they can be quite strong and could irritate the skin if applied too vigorously.
How do I purchase quality essential oils?
Essential oils are fragile and need to be properly stored to ensure they retain their potency over time. One of the most important things to consider when purchasing essential oils is the quality, grade, and purity of the product you purchase. The price should reflect this purity with a more expensive oil being more pure than a less expensive oil. If someone tells you an essential oil is therapeutic grade but it doesn't say where it was produced or who distilled it, ask them where they bought it from. It's not enough to trust that the company making the claim is telling the truth because there have been reports of fake products out in stores. Be sure to read reviews before making a decision on which brand to buy from and always go for brands that include 100% organic ingredients in their products.
Are all essential oils safe to use on my skin?
Many people believe that essential oils are only safe to use on the skin if they are diluted with a carrier oil, but this is not always true. Some oils should never be used undiluted on the skin, such as tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil, while others should only be used sparingly, such as lavender or peppermint essential oils. There are also some oils that are safe to use full strength on the skin, including frankincense and ylang ylang oils. Always check with your doctor before using any essential oil in an aromatherapy treatment or bath.
