The answer to what is Aromatherapy dates back to the ancient cultures in India, Egypt, China, and elsewhere natural plant extracts were found in components like resins, balms, and oils. Humans have been leveraging the Aromatherapy benefits for thousands of years.
The term “Aromatherapy” was first coined by a French perfumer and chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse who saw the healing potential of lavender for treating burns. He wrote about this discovery and the use of essential oils in treating medical conditions in a book that was published in 1937. Now that we know the history of Aromatherapy, let’s find out what exactly does it mean and how it can help in healing the mind and the body.
Aromatherapy is a specific type of holistic treatment that uses natural plant extracts, usually in the form of scented essential oils into a massage. Sometimes it’s also known as essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy is a Swedish massage therapy that treats the mind, body, and spirit. It has been effective in enhancing both physical and emotional health.
To understand what is aromatherapy, we need to know that during aromatherapy massage, the scented essential oils are applied to the body which enters the skin through the hair follicles that acts as the gateway for oils to enter into the bloodstream and circulate around the body. When you inhale these scented essential oil molecules or absorb them through your skin, they are thought to promote beneficial changes in your mind and body by affecting your brain’s limbic system.
How does Aromatherapy Works?
Now that you know what is aromatherapy, let’s see how does it work and affects our mind and body.
The scented essential oils used in aromatherapy are either inhaled through the nose or applied to the skin using different products such as diffusers, aromatic spritzers, body oils, lotions and creams, massage oils, inhalers, clay masks, hot & cold compresses, bathing salts, and facial steamers. You can use these products alone or in any combination.
In aromatherapy massage, when you inhale these scented essential oils, the smell receptors of your nose get activated and communicate messages directly to your brain’s limbic system. This limbic system is responsible for your emotions, memory, appetite, and even sex drive. Inhaling scented essential oils extracted from natural plants stimulates different bodily responses, such as breathing patterns, blood pressure, and heart rate.
It’s important to note that essential oils are powerful and need to be diluted before use. They are usually combined with different carrier oils such as avocado oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. The beauty of these essential oils is that each has an array of unique healing properties, uses, and effects.
Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy, meaning it does not provide a cure for diseases, rashes, or illnesses. However, it is very effective in the conventional treatment of various health conditions. Aromatherapy has an array of benefits that we will discuss in detail below:
1. Reduces Stress
Stress is part and parcel of human lives and affects everyone in different ways. Sometimes the stress is manageable and sometimes it’s not. However, there are many ways to manage high-stress that can be caused by a variety of reasons.
To help people relax and wipe out their stress, therapists use lavender essential oil, which is scientifically proven to calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure, heart rate, and rewire the brain to promote relaxation. Along with lavender, essential oils like lemongrass, geranium, jasmine, and chamomile are also effective in dealing with stress.
2. Relieves Anxiety
Anxiety relief is another major aromatherapy benefit that people enjoy. Anxiety disorder is a serious mental illness and many people suffer from it on a daily basis. For this reason, people are always looking for a natural solution and essential oils have helped them greatly. Patients have reported less pain and depression upon receiving aromatherapy massage blended with essential oils like rose, lavender, bergamot, and chamomile.
3. Energise and Uplift
Are you often exhausted and mentally dead by 3 pm? The coffee also hardly helps in recovering from the dreaded afternoon slump? The next time you experience such low energy try a natural alternative to caffeine i.e. essential oils. Therapists usually prefer using citrus oils, especially lemon, as they are filled with antioxidant terpenes such as limonene, which have naturally energizing effects. So get ready to say goodbye to fatigue and stay energized throughout the day by using essential oils like peppermint and lemon.
4. Reduces Physical Pain
Various massage therapies work wonderfully to alleviate different kinds of physical pain. Here, talking about aromatherapy, it has been found effective in decreasing pain specifically, gynecological, postoperative, and obstetrical pain. Essential oils like eucalyptus, turmeric, chamomile, thyme, and ginger are used in aromatherapy massages to reduce physical pain. It is one of the great aromatherapy benefits.
5. Improves Sleep Quality
People who struggle to get sound sleep regularly end up with different physical and mental health conditions. Aromatherapy can help them get a restful sleep. The scented essential oils are known for their natural sedative properties and often considered as an effective sleep aid. Lavender oil in particular is scientifically proven to promote sound sleep.
6. Aids Digestion
Aromatherapy benefits range from healing physical and mental health issues. If you frequently suffer from upset stomach, diarrhea, or indigestion, aromatherapy and essential oils can help support digestive health by stimulating enzymes, which help break down nutrients. Ginger oil has proven healing properties to reduce abdominal pain and relieve gas. Essential oils like ginger, peppermint, fennel, juniper berry are all effective in promoting healthy digestion.
7. Boosts Immunity
Our body immunity plays a major role in fighting various infections and diseases. However, modern medicine is hampering the resistance to antibiotics. This is where essential oils come in and play a key role in strengthening your immune system. Essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties that aid in fighting infections. Oregano is the best example supporting this statement as it is popular for antiviral and antibacterial properties that protect the body against bacterial infections.
As you by now know what is aromatherapy and what are the aromatherapy benefits, we wish to let you know that, Organic Therapy by Jasmine Mah offers a wide range of multidisciplinary therapies and Thai massage in Winnipeg. Jasmine Mah is a registered massage therapist in Winnipeg with over 30 years of experience.
She has helped people cure their illnesses and live a healthy life. Aromatherapy is one of the prime services provided at Organic Therapy after acupuncture therapy. They use only organic essential oils in massage therapy to help people relax and get rid of all the stress, anxiety, physical pain, and other mental illnesses.
Final Thoughts
Aromatherapy is gaining more recognition in the field of science and medicine as people are witnessing the healing powers of essential oils. Aromatherapy is a holistic and natural approach to healthcare. We hope, this article has helped you understand what is aromatherapy all about and what are the different aromatherapy benefits that you can enjoy.
