Most people have heard a about aromatherapy but do they understand what it is?
Even though the name of this ancient healing tradition is more or less self-explanatory, there are still many things about aromatherapy that many people don’t know about.
Aromatherapy is a kind of natural healing tradition, or approach that involves the use of aromas for physical, emotional, and mental healing. Aromatherapy uses essential oils distilled from herbs and flowers to create soothing and healing aromas.
How does aromatherapy work?
Most people with little or no experience with herbal medicine does not realise how volatile most essential oils actually are. What do we mean by describing them as volatile? Volatile simply means that their molecules will quickly evaporate into the environment. Every time that you inhale the aroma of an essential oil, the unique components that are active in the aroma will mix and react with the olfactory membranes that are present in your nose. These olfactory membranes in your nose are directly connected to the limbic system and hypothalamus that is located in your brain. Your brain reacts to these inputs in a specific way depending on the essential oil that is being used.
These two areas of your body both play a very crucial role in how your mind, emotions and entire body are regulated.
However, aromatherapy does not simply have to do with sniffing different essential oils. Many essential oils can also be applied directly onto the skin. Doing this is often doubly effective because not only are you inhaling the scent of the essential oil, it is also being absorbed into your bloodstream.
Essential oils often vary in cost tremendously.
You can think of essential oils as fine wines–some are finer than the others, and their cost will generally reflect this difference. The cost of pure essential oils is usually a reflection of their availability and the methods necessary in order to procure and produce them. For example, you can probably procure an ounce of pure lavender oil for approximately five dollars or so because lavender is a fairly common plant and it is easy to harvest. However, you might pay $250 for half an ounce of rose oil, depending on the kind of rose. However, investing in a good supply of healing, therapeutic essential oils is an important investment in your overall health.
In order to get the most out of aromatherapy, most herbalists and naturopathic doctors also recommend investing in a diffuser. A diffuser is a special device that is used to disperse essential oil into the air. Most diffusers are very inexpensive. Atomizers will also work fine in most cases. You can even purchase a special aromatherapy pottery ring that can be fitted over a light bulb for a relatively small price.
What sort of health ailments can aromatherapy treat?
Aromatherapy can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of a variety of ailments, including stress, depression, digestive problems, skin problems, hormone imbalances, and respiratory problems.
Most essential oils are very potent, but they are generally very safe to use, especially if you follow the recommendations on the label.
Most essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin without first being somehow diluted.
