Alternative treatments like aromatherapy are now offered in therapeutic practices, including massage centres, yoga studios, spas, hospice settings, and chiropractic offices. So what is aromatherapy, exactly?
Aromatherapy essential oils are made using dozens of medicinal plants, flowers, herbs, roots, and trees grown all over the world. These plants have proven powerful effects on improving physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. For over 5,000 years, aromatherapy has been a trusted practice among cultures spanning the globe. Natural healers turn to aromatherapy for aromatic essential oils’ many antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects.
So, what is aromatherapy used for? Some of the most common reasons that people use it include managing pain, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, overcoming symptoms of depression, soothing sore joints, and even battling the effects of cancer. Some popular aromatic oils you might recognize include tea tree, lavender, and peppermint oil, used in everything from toothpaste to laundry detergent.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is a therapeutic holistic healing procedure used for over 6,000 years. When essential oils were first discovered, their benefits for improving a person’s physical and mental health were not well known. However, with time, the use of different essential oils to target various ailments and their use in aromatherapy has become more popular.
Facts About Aromatherapy
The foundation of aromatherapy is the use of different essential oils. These oils are commonly by-products of vegetable raw materials, plant parts, or citrus fruits. Since the oils are obtained by processes such as distillation, they are extremely potent and have varying degrees of antimicrobial activity. Many essential oils have antioxidant, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Aromatherapy can be applied in different ways. Some common methods include topical applications, massages, and inhalation. Aromatherapy, through inhalation, uses essential oils in a diffuser or a steam bath. The evaporated oil droplets provide a pleasant smell and help the body fight against respiratory problems such as chest congestion. It also stimulates the body’s olfactory system, which helps soothe and relax the mind. Topical application and massaging of essential oils include mixing the oil with a carrier oil to reduce its potency. It is then massaged into the skin to boost blood circulation in that area and increase absorption.
Is Aromatherapy Safe?
As is the case with most natural products, one may or may not be allergic to them. Thus, it is important to do an allergy test before using any new essential oil for aromatherapy purposes. If the test on a skin patch does not cause any itching, inflammation, or irritation in 24-48 hours, it should be safe to use.
How Does Aromatherapy Work?
Since essential oils are extracted from natural sources such as flowers, bark of trees, and herbs, they comprise cells that contribute to the essence of the plant or tree. This essence has an extremely strong characteristic scent. When extracted and made into an essential oil, the essence is highly concentrated. When the oil is used in aromatherapy, it activates the smell receptors in the nose. These receptors then send messages to the brain via the nervous system. It is said that different scents activate different areas of the brain. For example, some oils may activate the limbic system responsible for one’s emotional responses. Other oils can impact the hypothalamus, which releases serotonin, a feel-good chemical in the brain that fights stress and anxiety. On the other hand, topical application of the essential oils causes a sensory response in the skin, which travels to other parts of the body, such as the joints, relieving pain and discomfort.
Health Benefits of Aromatherapy
1. Improves Sleep
One of the major benefits of aromatherapy oils is that they help to de-stress. Often, insomnia can be a result of extreme stress, fatigue, and anxiety. Using essential oils in a diffuser or aromatherapy candle can be extremely beneficial. When used in a diffuser, oils like lavender, rose, ylang-ylang, and chamomile release tiny particles into the air. This air, when inhaled, sends signals to the brain. The scent triggers the feel-good parts of the brain, leading to a blissful night of sleep.
2. Relaxation
According to studies, patients who suffered from anxiety and stress reported that their perceived levels of anxiety were significantly reduced after aromatherapy sessions. They also felt positive, energized, and relaxed following the therapy. Oils such as lavender and chamomile calm the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for physical stress-related symptoms such as a faster heartbeat and sweaty palms.
3. Joint Pain
Topical application and massaging of aromatherapy oils on stiff joints and tense muscles can cause a world of difference with consistent use. The oils are said to be absorbed into the skin, thus working on the target problem areas. Ginger oil and turmeric oil are highly beneficial in treating joint pain.
4. Treat Respiratory Problems
Certain citrus aromatherapy oils such as peppermint and lemon have antiseptic properties that help cleanse the air of harmful fungus, bacteria, and moulds responsible for respiratory problems such as consistent sneezing, congestion, and cough.
5. Treat Skin Problems
Diluted essential oils such as lavender, lemon, juniper berry, and Helichrysum can be used directly on the skin and scalp to fight dandruff, itching, acne, inflammation, and rashes. Tea tree oil is one of the most famous aromatherapy oils used to promote better skin quality, as it has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
6. Reduce the Severity of Cancer Symptoms
With cancer comes a lot of pain, discomfort, and stress. Thus, aromatherapy is highly sought out by patients suffering from cancer for pain management and stress reduction. Some oils also reduce the severity of symptoms such as nausea, aches and pain, fatigue, and depression.
7. Digestive Issues
Aromatherapy oils can also treat digestive issues such as acid reflux, indigestion, ulcers, and nausea. Even morning sickness and PMS are said to be relieved by using oils such as ginger, peppermint, chamomile, and lemon. These oils have gastro-protective properties that fight ulcers and infections.
8. Fights Infection
Many essential oils have antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Thus, using them in aromatherapy will help the body fight off infections by killing harmful bacteria. This is a great all-natural home remedy to keep your home and yourself healthy.
9. Inflammation
Aromatherapy oils such as myrrh and ginger can be applied to any inflamed area in the body for instant relief. For those seeking relief from headaches and migraines, using oils such as rosemary and peppermint can be highly beneficial.
10. Boost Immunity
Research showed that when aromatherapy was practised using citrus oils on patients, their immune function improved, and the neuroendocrine hormone levels were normalized. Aromatic oils such as orange oil can also restore immunosuppression caused by stress.
Oils That Are Used For Aromatherapy
Though there are about a hundred different essential oils that can be used for aromatherapy, here are a few popular ones that have proven benefits with consistent use:
1. Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy. Lavender oil has therapeutic properties for the skin and body and works as an antidepressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory agent, and antiseptic. Its exquisite smell makes it a great choice for stress and anxiety patients. The oil also acts as a healing aid against flu, colds, and migraines.
2. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile is extracted from the leaves of the Roman and German Chamomile plants. Known for its soothing and relaxing characteristics, the oil is widely used in aromatherapy. Extracted by steam distillation, the oil is quite potent and must not be used during pregnancy. Apart from being a powerful soothing agent, chamomile also prevents digestive inflammation, allergies, and acne breakouts on the skin. The oil also has antidepressant properties and is known to elevate one’s mood instantly.
3. Bergamot Oil
A strongly citrus-scented essential oil, bergamot is extracted from the bergamot tree and finds its application in aromatherapy, colognes, and perfumes. The oil is used to treat stress, anxiety, and depression. However, using bergamot oil mixed with carrier oil on the skin can help treat skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. For those suffering from digestive problems, bergamot can prove beneficial.
4. Rosemary Oil
Extracted from the flowers of the rosemary herb, this oil is used extensively in aromatherapy as a mental stimulant. Using a few drops of the oil in a humidifier provides relief from chest congestion and sinusitis problems. Rosemary oil is also useful in treating digestive disorders and problems related to the liver and gallbladder. The oil’s analgesic properties make it ideal for relieving cramping muscles, migraines, and headaches.
5. Lemon Oil
Lemon oil is a citrus oil known for its clean smell. When applied topically during aromatherapy, the oil relieves stiff joints and reduces pain caused by arthritis. It also helps with skin irritation, fights acne, alleviates headaches, and acts as a natural immunity booster. Another great citrus essential oil known for its sweet, refreshing aroma and beauty benefits is orange.
How to Choose an Aromatherapist
If you are new to aromatherapy, chances are that you may have many questions and not enough answers. This is where a consultation with a certified aromatherapist will help. The consultation will illuminate your lifestyle, health, and any health concerns needing attention. The aromatherapist will help devise a suitable treatment plan to combat the issues. Choosing an aromatherapist will depend on the health issues you want to target, your budget, and the seriousness of your symptoms.
Risks and Side Effects
Certain types of aromatherapy oils are not recommended depending on a person’s specific medical history, allergies, or level of sensitivity. Unless otherwise noted, most essential oils should be kept away from infants and children. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, always make sure that any essential oil you use for aromatherapy is safe and won’t pose any risk. (Many do.)
Although essential oils have generally shown minimal adverse effects, potential risks include:
- Ingesting large amounts/intentional misuse, which can cause toxicity
- Skin irritation, especially when used in large amounts
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Photosensitivity to sunlight
In general, only use oils internally when you know they’re completely pure and you have no medical condition requiring medications that can interact with them. Using aromatherapy oils internally can sometimes be toxic and very harmful, so do your research and ask a professional for an opinion if you ever have any concerns or questions. Always start with the lowest dose possible.
If you have sensitive skin and want to use aromatherapy oils topically, always dilute oils with a carrier before applying them to your skin, looking out for symptoms such as a rash, redness, or swelling (especially when in the sun). Photosensitive essential oils include bergamot, lemon, lime, bitter orange, and angelica root. Citrus oils and oils with menthol (including peppermint) can irritate sensitive skin, so use these carefully and perform a patch test first.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy, with its rich history and diverse applications, offers a natural way to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By understanding the benefits, applications, and precautions associated with essential oils, you can harness the power of aromatherapy to improve your quality of life. Whether you’re looking to alleviate stress, improve sleep, or manage pain, aromatherapy has something to offer everyone. As with any therapy, it’s important to approach it with knowledge and caution, ensuring a safe and beneficial experience.
FAQs
1. What are the best essential oils for stress relief?
Lavender, chamomile, and bergamot oils are highly effective for stress relief due to their calming and soothing properties.
2. Can aromatherapy help with respiratory issues?
Essential oils like peppermint and lemon have antiseptic properties that help cleanse the air and alleviate respiratory issues such as congestion and cough.
3. Is it safe to use essential oils during pregnancy?
Some essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, always consult with a healthcare provider or a certified aromatherapist before using essential oils.
4. How do I perform an allergy test for an essential oil?
Apply a small amount of diluted essential oil to a skin patch and wait 24-48 hours for any itching, inflammation, or irritation.
5. Can essential oils be ingested?
Ingesting essential oils can be toxic, so it should only be done if the oil is completely pure and under the guidance of a professional. Always start with the lowest dose possible and consult an expert.