What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to
promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy.
Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of
the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional
health. Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science. Recently,
aromatherapy has gained more recognition in the fields of science and medicine.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are basically plant extracts. They're made by steaming or pressing
various parts of a plant (flowers, bark, leaves or fruit) to capture the compounds
that produce fragrance. Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin. A massage
therapist might add a drop or two of wintergreen to oil to help relax tight
muscles during a rubdown. Or a skincare company may add lavender to bath salts
to create a soothing soak.
Aromatherapy has an array of benefits. It’s said to:
- manage pain
- improve sleep quality
- reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety
- soothe sore joints
- treat headaches and migraines
- alleviate side effects of chemotherapy
- ease discomforts of labor
- fight bacteria, virus, or fungus
- improve digestion
- improve hospice and palliative care
- boost immunity
Top Essential Oils for Stress & Anxiety
- Lavender Essential Oil: One of the most common essential oils for relaxation is Lavender. Lavender essential oil is a must have if you regularly experience stress and anxiety.
- Rose Essential Oil: Rose essential oil is extracted from rose petals and its scent is renowned for soothing emotions, headaches and balancing hormones.
- Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: Extracted from the Indonesian Cananga tree, Ylang Ylang essential oil promotes feelings of comfort and joy. It simultaneously reduces heart rate, improves your mood and promotes relaxation.
- Bergamot Essential Oil: Bergamot essential oil is produced from the peel of the aromatic citrus fruit. It is an effective antidepressant due to its mood enhancing qualities, promoting feelings of joy, freshness and energy. Bergamot essential oil improves blood circulation, stimulates hormonal secretions and digestive health, bringing balance to the body.
- German Chamomile Essential Oil : If you love chamomile tea, you will appreciate the calming effects of Chamomile essential oil. Chamomile promotes inner calm, reduces anxiety and calms the nervous system. It can also be used to reduce inflammation of the digestive tract, regulating mood and stress levels
- Melissa Essential Oil: Lemon Balm, also commonly known as Melissa, has been used for hundreds of years. Known for its medicinal and uplifting qualities, it has also been given the name “elixir of life”. Melissa essential oil calms the mind, boosts immunity and strengthens the nervous system. It can act as a antidepressant and release feelings of sadness and worry.
- Jasmine Essential Oil: Jasmine essential oil is widely used in parts of Asia as a natural remedy for anxiety, stress, insomnia and depression.
- As you explore the uses of essential oils, pay attention to how the different oils and methods of use affect you.
- Always talk to your doctor before starting any aromatherapy treatment. Remember that aromatherapy is meant to be a complementary therapy. It’s not meant to replace any doctor-approved treatment plan.