Aromatherapy

Smell Your Way to Feeling Great – An Overview on Aromatherapy

Literally, aromatherapy means “a treatment using scents.” You have probably heard the word and had a vague idea of what it means, but do you really know what aromatherapy it is? It is actually a holistic treatment. It is usually used to take care of the human body through the use of scents and fragrances. These scents are made into a part of baths, are inhaled directly, or made to engulf an entire room in the smell. Holistic healers use it to treat pain, skin disorders, stress and even fatigue. It is true that it is often effective as the brain is stimulated through the fragrances via the nerves in the olfactory system, which gives you the ability to smell.

Of all the alternative medicines out there, aromatherapy is the fastest growing. That is because it can easily be used at home, in hospitals, in offices, or virtually anywhere. It is used to help labor pains, migraines, and any number of other discomforts. It has even been used to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with chemotherapy.

Where did aroma therapy come from, though? It has actually been around a long time, 6000 years in fact. Aromatherapy was used by ancient Greeks, the pyramid building Egyptians, and through out the Roman Empire. Scents and fragrances were even used in the burial of the dead and embalmment. It regained popularity in 1930 when the term was coined by a chemist, Frenchman Rene Maurice Gattefosse.

So how does the whole aromatherapy thing work? Basically the idea is to stimulate your sense of smell, which is powerful. Scientists know that the odors we smell often times can have a big impact on how we feel emotionally. IN fact, doctors have found that patients who lose their sense of smell can often end up with psychiatric problems like depression or anxiety. Many experts believe that scents travel through the cilia in our noses and into the limbic system. The limbic system is the part of the brain that controls our mood, memory, emotions, and ability to learn new things. As a result, there are a number of ways that aromatherapy can help. There is evidence that it can help with behavior, sleep problems, postpartum discomfort, colds, stress, and even male sexual response. The point is that aromatherapy has a number of uses that range greatly.

For the most part, aromatherapy is completely safe. There are, though, some safety issues to keep in mind when working with it, especially on your own. Remember, first of all, that the oils used are often very potent, don’t use too much. If you use too much it actually loses its effect and can actually become a negative. You should also be aware of allergies you or others around you may have in response to certain scents and oils. Do not consume any essential scented oils as some are very toxic. Keep these things in mind and you can have a successful aromatherapy experience.

If you are thinking of getting into aromatherapy, there are some beginner ways to do so. First of all, it is best to start with easy aromatherapies like candles and bath oils. You may want to look at some lotions in your local holistic shop as well. Start with some of the more basic scents and oils as well. For instance, Clary Sage is a good one to start with. It I used to treat everything from menstrual problems, to high blood pressure, to stress. It is easy to get and easy to use. Also, you may want to get your hands on some Eucalyptus, which is good for muscle soreness, skin infection, and is used as an insect repellant.

So you may be into holistic medicine and not even know it. Aromatherapy is a fantastic first step into that world, or simply an accent to traditional medicines. With roots in some of the great ancient civilizations, aromatherapy has survived the test of time and doesn’t look to be going anywhere any time soon. It is something you can use easily in many places and can get started in easy. There are a number of books and websites that can help you get your aromatherapy started with very little baseline knowledge.

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