The Scent of Lavender can Help You Relax and De-Stress.
The Science Behind Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is seen as a holistic or complementary approach to healing the mind and body. It has incredible therapeutic properties. Essential oils are breathed, consumed, or rubbed in aromatherapy. Plants, flowers, bark, and other natural resources are used to extract essential oils. Essential oils, which are 100 percent pure, have medicinal properties and are used by millions of people across the globe to enhance their health, assist relaxation, reduce stress, and change or create a certain mood.
The ancient Chinese, Indians, Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were the first to do this. Aromatherapy was founded in 1928 when French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé examined the traditional use of essential oils for treatment. According to Gattefossé and other aromatherapy specialists, fragrances sensed by the nose enhance communication with the brain’s emotions and memories.
According to this hypothesis, breathing in a certain essential oil causes your brain to behave in a specific way. Experts think that essential oils interact with enzymes or hormones in the blood. However, based on the experience of the millions of individuals who use essential oils, it is apparent that they have an overall effect on our bodies.
Transforming Your Mood
Aromatherapy uses essential oils to change your mood. Depending on the mood you wish to modify, you’ll utilize different essential oils in your therapy. Simply identify your mood problem or the emotion you wish to achieve (romance, happiness, calm), and then apply the essential oils according to the directions.
Below we have outlined some common moods you may experience or want to experience, and some of the essential oils used for transformation.
- Anxiety: Bergamot, neroli, sandalwood, lavender, germanium, wild orange, and vanilla are popular essential oils in treatment of anxiety because they induce feelings of calm, rejuvenation, and relaxation. These oils can be used individually or blended to create an aromatic experience. A full body massage with a blend of lavender, sandalwood, and vanilla could be the perfect way to unwind an anxious mood.
- Lethargy: Basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and germanium are beneficial oils to someone struggling with fatigue. One method of application could be to include a few drops of peppermint oil in the base of your shower. As you inhale the peppermint and steam, you will be stimulated and awakened. A diffuser will fill the room with energizing scent and get you going in no time!
- Anger: Roman chamomile rose, neroli, lime, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and patchouli can help a person get a grasp on anger and brings feelings of calm and peace. These work great as a chest rub. Please note that the use of essential oils in massage oil forms requires that they be blended with a carrier oil, such as canola, olive oil, or jojoba oil, just to name a few. This is because applying pure essential oil directly to the skin can cause burns. The typical formula is 2 drops of essential oil per one teaspoon of carrier oil.
- Grief: Cypress, Palo Santo, frankincense, vetiver, and rose are used in the maintenance of grief. Find a blend of oils with aromas you find soothing. Combine this blend with oils like grapeseed or jojoba, then massage on the skin for mental relief or use the pure essential oils in a diffuser.
- Confidence: Ylang ylang, orange, jasmine, cedar wood, fennel, and pine are essential oils associated with increased self-confidence. Vaporize the oil or oil blend of your choice in your personal or professional environment to find greater confidence when needed.
- Creativity: Cloves, bergamot, lemon, patchouli, and neroli are oils commonly used by creatives. Vaporize oils in your creative space and before bed to help promote creativity. Aromatherapy can be your muse.
- Concentration: Basil, black pepper, lemon, hyssop, and cypress are oils associated with memory and concentration. When prolonged attention is required or you feel your attention slipping away, you can inhale this scent through a diffuser or even a pocket-size aromatherapy aromatic stick for increased concentration.
- Intuition: Clary sage, juniper, myrrh, St. John’s Wort, and carrot seed are essential oils used to increase awareness. Inhale these oil(s) to help create peace of mind and open up the opportunity for heightened intuition.
- Passion: Cardamom, jasmine, rose, sandalwood and patchouli are all sensual aromatics. Massage the oil or oil blend of your choice on your body to awaken your senses and tap into an unlocked passion. Rose or jasmine also work great in a diffuser to fill the bedroom with a romantic scent.
Holistic Approach
Instead of reaching for a prescription or over-the-counter drug, think about the holistic solutions accessible to you. Of course, you should always follow your doctor’s advice, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try natural therapies as well.
Although antidepressants and other regularly given drugs may seem to be a fast cure, essential oils may improve mood. Aromatherapy may also be a great addition to traditional medical treatments as a complementary therapy.
This old method has several advantages. You should be able to locate the most effective aromatherapy approach to improve your mood with little study and trial.
