Aromatherapy

 

Ancient people had started using oils from plants to heal minor illnesses. They rubbed it by their palm and burnt it on fire before putting on bruises and wounds. The term "aromatherapy" was coined during 1928 by a French chemist. It is composed of two words namely: “aroma” which means scent and “therapy” which means treatment. Aromatherapy as an energizing and relaxing treatment is said to have evolved over the centuries.

As the years passed, they have better ways to make these plants can be used easily. They soaked the leaves, flowers, barks, and roots of aromatic plants into some oils. After that, they sieve it to separate the liquid.

The plants use in making essential oils are the following: basil, bergamot, black pepper, cedar wood, chamomile, coriander, cypress, fennel, garlic, ginger, jasmine, juniper, lavender, eucalyptus, Melissa myrtle, nutmeg, pine, rose, citrus, peppermint, rosemary, and sandalwood.

Each plant has specific benefits. For example, eucalyptus oils help in aiding congestion. If you want to cure depression, Jasmine oil is good. Lemon, orange and other citrus oils help increase alertness and help in improving moods.

On the other hand, lavender oil helps reduce anxiety and improves sleep. If you have trouble in digestion and you experience nausea, peppermint oil is the solution. Rosemary oil is good for pain relief and muscle relaxation.

These are some of the benefits you can get from the essential oils. But it must be noted that these oils are only complementary medicines. Aromatherapy is an alternative complementary medicine and should not be used as the major treatment. It is only an addition to the healing process of the standard medical care.

The essential oils are absorbed into the body with two main ways. It is through inhalation and absorption by the skin. When an essential oil is inhaled, it activates the nerve cells and stimulate the brain. It produces positive feelings and emotions. Substances of the essential oils go into the lungs and then quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. It then provides physical therapeutic benefits.

Massage therapists use essential oils to incorporate with a hot stone massage. They use different kinds of oil for the clients' smell preference. It doesn't only help for the easy gliding of the stones on the body but also helps in the blood circulation. Aside from that, hot stone massage with the combination of this oil is good for relaxation and stress reduction.

Aromatherapy treatments have both physiological and psychological effects. The combination of hot stone massage and the medicinal and therapeutic qualities of the essential oils can soothe, revitalize, uplift the spirit, encourage positive thinking and boost the immune system and enable the body to heal itself.

Therefore, aromatherapy can be helpful in healing various conditions and promoting emotional well-being. The psychological benefits of aromatherapy are spirit uplifting, mental clarity, stress relief and mood improvement. On the other hand, essential oils can help in the circulation system, support immune system, regulate human hormones and aid skin regeneration. It is to name a few of the physical benefits.

It not only alleviates stress and improves mood but it is also a successful treatment for many minor disorders for which doctors cannot always find a gentle solution.

Aromatherapy can be used for pure enjoyment. Keep in mind that a healthy mind can often translate into a healthy body. The two will go hand in hand and help promote the other. Though it is an old tradition, it is still widely used today.