Aromatherapy! Sounds super fancy, right? Well, it smells and works just as fine as it sounds! 

Aromatherapy is known to activate your olfactory senses by the use of Essential Oils to send messages through your nervous system to your brain.

It essentially is a healing treatment which uses natural plant extracts to enhance your health and natural well-being. The cells that impart the plant’s fragrance are referred to as its ‘essence’. When extracted, these essences are known as essential oils.

Aromatherapy uses these essential oils to promote physical and mental health by improving the state of both your mind and body. It has been around for ages as a rejuvenating procedure to relax the body and calm the mind.

The oils may activate certain areas of your brain, like your limbic system, which plays a role in your emotions. They could also have an impact on your hypothalamus, which may respond to the oil by secreting relaxing neurotransmitters like serotonin.

Some therapists also suggest that when you put essential oils on your skin, it acts as a stimulus for your skin and other parts of the body, like your joints.

Benefits of Aromatherapy:

1. May help in relieving pain and fatigue.

2. Can help reduce anger, anxiety, stress and improve sleep quality.

3. Certain essential oils are known to boost immunity.

4. Certain essential oils are known to improve digestion and reduce headaches.

5. Aromatherapy is known to have a calming effect on the body that relieves stress and anxiety.

Here are some popular Essential Oils and their benefits:

1. Peppermint: It is known for its fresh scent and is applied topically to relieve itching, muscle pain, and headache.

2. Rose, Chamomile, Lavender: improves mood thereby reducing stress, anxiety, and anger.

3. Tea-Tree Oil: Is known to treat acne, infections and scarring. It is a popular ingredient in several over the counter cleansers, creams, topical treatments and spot treatments for its antibacterial properties.

4. Sandalwood: calms nerves and increases concentration power.

5. Cinnamon: It is an effective treatment for acne and clogged skin.

6. Hyssop: Is known to minimize scarring, inflammations and redness.

7. Rosemary: It is popularly used to release tension and fatigue thereby having a calming effect.

8. Frankincense: This essential oil has a soothing and meditative effect on the body.

9. Eucalyptus: It clarifies the body and provides relief from the common cold.

Since Aromatherapy functions as a complementary therapy, it is suggested to consult your doctor before getting started with sessions so that the essential oil therapy can be tailored to work with any medical care or treatment you’re receiving. This will also help avoid the risk of unwanted or allergic reactions. 

Hence, aromatherapy is an efficient method  to uplift your mind, body and soul. But, aromatherapy may not suit everybody and can cause irritation, unwanted reactions, redness or worsen health issues like Asthma. Hence, it is always advised to consult your doctor and do a patch test before trying any new experiment for yourself. Meet you in our next article!