Aromatherapy is a fascinating alternative medicine that has existed for hundreds of years, dating back to its popularity in the 11th Century. Aromatherapy utilizes plant materials known as essential oils, that can be inhaled by the user for a variety of mental and physical health benefits. Usually used to improve mood, help alleviate stress and anxiety, and even as a supplemental medicine, there are actually many incredible incentives to aromatherapy just waiting to be discovered.
Within aromatherapy, a major component for its success is synergy, that combines multiple oils to create a more powerful medicinal aid than just one essential oil. Please be cautious before combining oils and make sure you do your research!
Here are some incredible soothing benefits to aromatherapy that we found for the newbie essential oil user.
Numerous Health Benefits
Perhaps one of the most popular uses for aromatherapy is for stress relief. The compounds of many essential oils have been known to help alleviate stress and anxiety, soothe your mind, and act as a natural relaxant to calm your nerves and muscles. There are many different oils that can help for stress relief, with research finding that essential oils such as turmeric, ylang-ylang, lavender, bergamot, and peppermint being the most effective. It was also found that lemon oils can be effective in not only relieving stress, but reducing anger and outbursts.
Second to stress relief, another popular use for aromatherapy is to reduce the symptoms of depression, with essential oils being an effective alternative to pharmaceutical antidepressants. Many essential oils that work will in relieving anxiety such as peppermint and lavender can also be effective for depression, but other oils such as chamomile and jasmine can be used.
Increase Energy Levels
A lesser known benefit to essential oils is that essential oils and aromatherapy can be effective in increasing energy levels. While everyone can use some extra energy for their day, many do not want to deal with the side affects of caffeine or energy pills. There have been studies find that many essential oils can increase circulation while elevating energy levels, and even stimulate the body and mind. The best oils to use are black pepper, cardamom, clove, sage, rosemary, and tea tree.
Aids In Healing
Many essential oils can be used to aid in increasing healing within your body. Many studies have found that due to the increased oxygen and blood flow near wounds, the anti-microbial properties of some essential oils can be used to protect the body. Some of the most popular to use can be lavender, calendula, rosehip, and buckthorn. A number of these oils can also be used to treat the skin, helping to reduce the severity and discomfort of psoriasis and eczema.
Strengthen Immune System
Aromatherapy can be an effective alternative to helping strengthen your immune system. Studies have reported that the anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and antibacterial effects of essential oils can aid in protecting the system from a numerous amount of illness and infections. The most popular essential oils to use are oregano, turmeric, frankincense, lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, and eucalyptus.
Improve Digestion
Essential oils being used to help improve digestion has been a newly researched study, recently becoming more popular. It was found that through aromatherapy practices, certain oils can help alleviate constipation, ease indigestion, bloating, and can speed up metabolism. Most studies believe that citrus essential oils are the most effective, but other popular essential oils such as fennel, ginger, chamomile, and lavender can be used to treat digestion issues.
Whether you want to use essential oils and aromatherapy for medicinal purposes or just for added comfort, be sure to do your research or consult with a certified health professional. Once you do, enjoy!
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-Patrick
