Amazing Uses, Facts and Health Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been used for over 5000 years to cleanse and heal the body. The ancient Egyptians used aromatic waters and resins in ceremonies and rituals, while the rich perfumed themselves with scented ointments, made by infusing aromatic plants in oily or fatty substances. Ayurveda medical texts describe the use of aromatic essences in many of their treatments. The Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and the Arabs all used aromatic plants and their oils for treatment as well as in their ceremonies and beauty care. Aromatherapy draws on the healing powers of the plant. but instead of using the whole plant as in herbal medicine, aromatherapy uses the extracted essential oils of the plant. It turns out those ancient healers who use essential oils are right. Modern research shows the right fragrances can have mega multiple benefits.
In aromatherapy inhalation, application to the skin, and baths, are the principal methods used to allow the essential oils to enter the body. Essential oils stimulate the senses and, when used on a regular basis, can increase our awareness and appreciation of life.
On an emotional level, essential oils can help to bring to the surface suppressed feelings of anger, fear, jealousy, or resentment, which could eventually express themselves as physical health problems such as, bodily pains, indigestion, overweight, and insomnia. In marma therapy specially blended essential oils are used to stimulate and revitalize marma points on the body, allowing the body to release negative, emotions, and stress. Once within your system, the essential oils will work to re-establish harmony and revitalize those systems or organs where there is a malfunction or imbalance. Different essential oils have different effects on the mind and body. A trained therapist will be able to identify which oils are suited for your specific condition. When dealing with emotional problems, essential oils could form part of an overall strategy that might include diet, coaching, massages, meditation, and yoga. However, the following is a general indication of the use of certain oils for helping balance the emotions.
To improve your sleep.
We have a recipe in our bodies that tells our bodies to go to sleep and when that gets disrupted with racing thoughts. What the aroma does is send a message to the brain to tell the body what to do to get prepared to go to sleep. If you are having trouble falling asleep, using a diffuser throughout the night to burn essential oils, like neroli, marjoram, lavender, true melissa and Roman chamomile, should be a part of your bedtime routine. What happens in your body is that your temperature starts to go down. Your heart rate starts to go down, and your hormones start to move in the direction towards sleep.
Aromatherapy can reduce stress and anxiety.
There are oils such as, cedar, wood or sandalwood, or even ylang ylang that can calm you down and not sedate you, and one of the things that those types of aromas can do is soothe that part of the brain. Therefore, as brain activity decreases, the heart rate decreases. In order to calm the system while driving, using a full-sized diffuser in your car may not be practical, but there are portable diffusers that plug into your car’s, 12-volt auxiliary ports.
If you work in an office, you can use a USB flash drive sized diffuser that plugs into your computer. Another way is just to take a cotton ball, put it in a glass jar and leave it on your desk covered, and then when you need to go ahead and use it, you can breathe through that.
Aromatherapy can benefit your life is if you’re feeling blue.
It can improve your mood. Any of the citrus oils, such as lemon, orange can help to improve your mood.
As far as more energy or focus or motivation try peppermint or eucalyptus, or even rosemary. With a few exceptions, putting pure essential oils directly on your skin might cause irritation. For general use,a few drops of essential oils are added to a carrier oil such as almond, coconut,or olive, in order to dilute it. Using a diffuser is always a good and safe way to take advantage of the power of aromatherapy. Always use organic oils as they are better for you.
Remember, it is always advisable to check with a qualified therapist or healthcare provider before undertaking any treatment. Let me know if these tips on aromatherapy have been useful to you.
