Aromatherapy -- answer to a Question

I was recently asked if aromatherapy actually works.  Although I do not believe it will cure all that ails you, I do recognize that the scent of herbs in my home gives me more energy and does help my husband and I fight illnesses.  

What is aromatherapy?

Imagine if a whiff of a particular scent—from lemon to lavender—could shift your mood, reduce stress levels, or provide you a dose of much-needed zen. This is the fundamental belief behind aromatherapy, an ever-growing wellness trend. While this practice has become more mainstream in recent years, there are a few items to keep in mind if you want to partake.

In most cases, people diffuse essential oils, made by distilling the oil from botanicals, to create various scent profiles in their home. In their best form, essential oils are 100% plant oils, pure and not mixed with other oils.  So stay away from extracts which are alcohol extractions or perfume oils which are usually an essential oil mixed with a base oil.

Avid aromatherapy fans use their oils for a variety of purposes, but some popular wellness goals for the practice include:

• Improving mood

• Providing calmness 

• Clearing sinuses

• Reducing stress

• Setting a tone of a room (think: relaxing or energetic) 

• Scent diffusion alternative to candle-burning 

Plus, it's worth noting that The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate essential oils, so paying attention to ingredients is very necessary. Organic essential oils are distilled directly into an oil, but contamination from chemicals is widespread in non-organic products.

Why to use the scents

As The Mayo Clinic points out, some studies have suggested that aromatherapy can benefit our sleep patterns, help us cope with anxiety and depression, and improve the quality of life for those with chronic health conditions and pain. That said, if you have any worrisome symptoms, you should always discuss your concerns with a trained medical professional.

One big drawback of aromatherapy is the idea that it's a cure-all. Some ardent DIY-ers may be inclined to reach for oils when they should be reaching out to health professionals. So while aromatherapy shouldn't be considered your only resource when dealing with specific issues, proper use of aromatherapy does provide many meaningful benefits.

It can help you relax.

For nights when your mind is racing, consider diffusing or applying lavender essential oil. This can help calm your senses and cut down on distractions, Fowler explains. In fact, she calls lavender's ability to soothe legendary, and believe it or not, accidental.

It can help you sleep more soundly.

If you're having trouble catching Zzzs at night, you're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults do not regularly get enough sleep. Choose a soothing, comforting aroma like lavender oil, which has been proven to decrease blood pressure and heart rate when inhaled. Add a few drops to your aroma diffuser about an hour before you're ready to go to sleep. Choose chamomile or peppermint oil

The soothing effects of chamomile oil and its benefits in bringing about sleep are more general than specific. When diffused in the air, the subtle floral aroma has a calming and relaxing effect on the mind. Roman chamomile in particular--with its fresh, apple-tinged fragrance--is ideal for staving off anxiety. Peppermint oil is great for promoting restfulness by clearing your head, both figuratively and literally. The pleasant aroma of peppermint oil can be relaxing, but more to the point, if you suffer from any seasonal allergies or dust sensitivity, nothing will ease your symptoms better or more quickly than diffusing some peppermint oil in the air of your bedroom. Once you finally find relief for those sore nasal passages, the move to relaxation and then sleep is sudden and satisfying.

 It can help you manage stress.

For those days when the meetings pile on and your to-do list never gets shorter, fighting stress is vital to make it to the end of the day. Certain oils are ideal to try, depending on what's causing your stress. If your personal stress has an element of anxiety, then you might be best suited toward citrus oils, which have been shown to help relieve anxiety. If your stress leaves you feeling off-centered or disconnected, oils from wood like frankincense and sandalwood may be best. If stress has an element of depression with it, you might want to choose something more uplifting in the mint family.

It can boost energy and focus.

Scent is such a powerful sense, it can stimulate surprisingly strong reactions in your body.  Just as lavender promotes calmness and relaxation, bright or spicy scents like citrus, peppermint, and ginger are energizing.  Diffusing these scents can help promote focus, alertness, and productivity, making them great for the morning or as a midday pick-me-up.

Making aromatherapy part of your daily routine by diffusing energizing oils like citrus, peppermint, ginger, eucalyptus, or lemongrass immediately after you wake up.

Ways to use the Scents

• So add your essential oils to reeds and place in a small vase to diffuse into the air.

• Add a few drops to a piece of terra cotta in a dish or a decorative piece of clay.

• Inhale them, either directly out of the bottle or by using a diffuser or humidifier. 

• Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil and apply it directly to your skin. 

• Get creative and add the mixture to a body wash, shampoo, or bath.

• Search essential oil in the blog search box for numerous recipes using essential oils for these things and more.