Aromatherapy and essential oils have been around for ages, but what exactly are the benefits of using them? Firstly, what is aromatherapy all about? It is the art of using essential oils that are organically extracted from plants to promote health and well-being. Using these potent scents, an experienced aromatherapist can harness them to improve physical and mental health. It’s an amalgamation of art and science, and lately, the science community has started giving more recognition to it.
Aromatherapy has been around for more than a millennium and goes as far back as the ancient civilizations of China, India, and Egypt. During those times, essential oils were often used as medicine and for religious rituals. They’re most valued for their positive effects on the mind and body.
Though the distillation of essential oils goes as far back as the 10th century, it wasn’t until the 19th century that medical doctors perfected the distillation process. This advancement in technology coincided with the growing interest in using essential oils to treat illnesses.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
When used alongside conventional medicine, aromatherapy can help alleviate the symptoms of some illnesses. However, aromatherapy should never be used in lieu of proper medical care. There’s evidence that aromatherapy can reduce the symptoms of the following:
- Nausea
- Pain and body aches
- Anxiety, agitation, stress, and depression
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Muscular aches
- Headaches
- Circulatory problems
- Menstrual problems
- Menopausal problems
- Alopecia, or hair loss
- Improve digestion
- Boost immunity
What Essential Oils to Use
There’s a huge variety of essential oils available on the market for aromatherapy, and each oil serves a different purpose.
We have compiled a list of essential oils available from our shop and their benefits:
Cedar Wood
- It has been shown to offer pain relief and reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Lowers stress and anxiety.
- Promotes better sleep and relaxation.
- Topical use has been shown to be effective against resistant acne.
- It possesses antiseptic properties.
Lemongrass
- It acts as an antibacterial agent.
- This oil helps reduce inflammation because of an active ingredient called citral.
- There are antioxidants that help your body to fight off free radicals that cause cell damage.
- It’s been known to help relieve nausea.
- It can help reduce the symptoms of stress by combining it with a massage.
- Like lavender, it helps with migraines and headaches.
Rosemary
- It stimulates brain function, which promotes concentration and alertness.
- Topical use of this oil on the scalp can promote hair growth and can reduce itching.
- It can act as a bug repellent in the garden. Mix it with some water and spray it around your bug-infested plants.
- Increases blood circulation by expanding your blood vessels and allowing warm blood to reach your fingers and toes.
How to Use Essential Oils
How do you get the benefits of essentialoils? It usually comes down to two ways. Inhaling them and absorbing them through your skin.
Using a Diffuser
One of the easiest ways of enjoying the benefits of aromatherapy is by simply inhaling them. You can buy an essential oil diffuser from most online stores. You simply start by adding water up to the fill line on your diffuser, then add up to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil, and you’ll be enjoying the pleasant scent and reaping its benefits in no time.
Putting it on your Skin
You can use essential oils on your skin through a massage or simply a topical application. You can mix some essential oil with a carrier oil and then massage it into your skin. Try to concentrate on areas where your muscles are tense to relieve the tension. Light a few candles and darken the room to make it a more relaxing experience.
Sabai arom carries a wide range of products dedicated to aromatherapy and essential oils. If you need advice on selecting the right product for yourself, don’t hesitate to contact us, and our aromatherapists will be happy to assist you.
