What Is Aromatherapy?
The application of essential oils to meet specific requirements is known as aromatherapy. Through the skin, the oils have a direct impact on the chemistry of the body. Essential oils, which are more frequently referred to as volatile liquid plant components, are used in aromatherapy, a type of alternative medicine. The compounds that give plants and trees their scent are extracted and found in essential oils. Small glands found in the petals, leaves, stems, and bark of numerous plants and trees create the oils. In nature, scents are released gradually, but when a plant is burned or crushed, the oil glands explode and a considerably stronger perfume is emitted.
The exact beginnings of the art of aromatherapy are unknown. It is thought that the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans may have introduced the Chinese to the use of therapeutic oils in the west. The term “aromatherapy” was created by a French scientist named Ren-Maurice Gattefoss to describe the technique of employing plant oils therapeutically. According to legend, he burned his hand while working in a perfume factory in the early 20th century and immediately reached for some lavender oil and applied it to the burn. He was so astounded by how quickly and effectively the burn healed that he started researching plant oils’ capacity for healing.
The first recorded use of plants in England was in the 13th century and from then on essential oils have become widely used as perfumes, antiseptics and medicines.
How Does Aromatherapy Work?
Aromatherapy usually works by massage. The stress-prone areas including the back, shoulders, and legs are usually massaged as a calming treatment. By utilizing an oil burner or adding them to a bath, aromatherapy oils can also be inhaled. People of all ages are said to benefit from aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is said to be effective in treating a wide range of ailments, including nerve disorders, sadness, rage, and stress.
What Are Some of the Plants Used in Aromatherapy & Their Benefits?
Eucalyptus oil is often used in combination with Mint to provide relief for the airways when suffering from a cold or flu.
The scent of black pepper is pungent and spicy. It is frequently used to relieve muscular aches and pains and to increase circulation. Since it increases circulation, it is also helpful for bruising. It’s safe and advised to combine Aromatherapy with a sensual massage.
In addition to being used as an antibacterial, lavender oil is also used to treat small burns and cuts, to calm and relax, and to treat headaches and migraines.
Yarrow oil is known to reduce joint inflammation and to relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-ylang oil are used as aphrodisiacs.
Lemon oil is used to relieve stress due to its uplifting properties.
So, does aromatherapy work?
Even if there isn’t enough evidence to support the idea that essential oils can affect you by enhancing your sense of smell or by being absorbed through your skin, in theory it is possible to predict the effects of the oils based on their chemical composition. The hypotheses have not, however, been definitively proven to be true or false by science, and there has been minimal investigation into whether they are correct or incorrect.
