The term aromatherapy was coined in the 20th century, but the practice has been around for thousands of years. It is believed that the Chinese were one of the first cultures to use the scents of plants to promote health through the burning of incense. The word aroma implies the process of inhaling the scents from oils into your lungs for therapeutic benefit. Plant oils in the most essential form were used to promote both mental and physical well-being.
The use of all-natural essential oils for medicinal, cosmetic and therapeutic purposes continues to grow. Many people have found the results of using aromatherapy to be far greater than man-made medications and with far fewer side effects. Today, many people are trying to get back to nature. People have seen first-hand the dangerous effects of synthetic chemicals and processed medications.
Aromatherapy is natural and consists of essential oils in various forms to promote healing. Essential oils are derived from all-natural products such as plants, trees, fruit, etc. There are over 100 essential oils commonly used today and they are used to treat a variety of different ailments.
Aromatherapy can help relax the mind and get rid of everyday stress that people suffer from. It can enlighten the mood and alleviate stress symptoms such as the feeling of depression, heaviness, and sadness. Of course, it cannot cure the actual psychological problem and if you are thinking along with these terms, you are in for a disappointment. Aromatherapy only helps to alleviate the surface effects of stress but not the underlying causes and psychological problems.
It provides an improvement in common ailments such as indigestion, acne and other skin problems and also PMS and menstruation. The therapy has been known to help stop dysmenorrhea, a condition wherein a person feels pain in the abdominal area due to menstruation.
Below are some essentials oils with their use as listed:
1. Rose
The fragrance of attar roses harmonizes our well-being and awakens our perception of love, beauty and harmony in all creation. Roses have a floral scent and is used as a middle note in perfumery. It is used to treat stress, depression and symptoms of menopause. It is also somewhat used as an aphrodisiac and is one of the safest of all essential oils.
2. Lavender
The essence of lavender is that it contains sedatives and have a relaxing effect on the third hyperactive chakra. Its soft, warm vibration help dissolve and process stagnant emotions.
Lavender has a floral scent and it is used as a top note in perfumery. It is used to treat just about everything from acne to vertigo and is one of the safest in all the essential oils and one of the few that can be used directly on the skin. Lavender buds are also boiled like tea and consumed internally.
3. Jasmine
Jasmine enables opening the mind to images and visions which carries the message of deeper truth. It sharpens our senses and combines the energies of the third eye chakra with the heart chakra. A floral and oriental scent is used as a middle note in perfumery and it’s used to treat depression, stress, dry skin and even labour pains. It can also be used as an aphrodisiac.
4. Peppermint
The refreshing scent of mint dissolves blockage and helps one get rid of old confining through patterns. It clears and brightens the mind, stimulating concentration.
Peppermint has a minty scent and is used as a top note in perfumery. It is used to treat headaches, nausea and flatulence as well as vertigo. It should not be used if a person has a fever and should not be taken internally as it can be toxic. Those with epilepsy should avoid taking it.
5. Sandalwood
Sandalwood oil has often been used in the East to increase sexual energies and evaluate union with a beloved couple to the plane of a spiritual experience.
In addition, it stimulates fantasy and awakens joy for creative action. The vibration of sandalwood produces the integration of spiritual energies in all planes of our thinking, feeling and action.
It is used as a base note in perfumery and the scent is both woodsy, floral and rich. It can be used to treat mild depression and skin conditions.
6. Ylang-Ylang
This refined oil is extracted from the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree which is one of the best-known aphrodisiacs. It has a relaxing effect and at the same time opens you to a more suitable sensory sensation. Its sweet aroma conveys a feeling of security from which you trust the flow of your feelings again. Stagnant or excited emotions crawl and dissolve.
7. Cedarwood
The harsh aroma of cedarwood oil unites you with the earthy forces and essence of nature. It helps to gather energy, transmit tranquillity and a feeling of security in the blossom of mother earth.
There are different types of cedarwood namely Atlas and Virginia.
Atlas has a woodsy scent. it is used as a medium note in perfumery and the treatment of cough, stress, dermatitis, acne and arthritis. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
Virginia on the other hand has the same medicinal use as Atlas cedarwood but it is also used as an insect’s repellent. This may be safer to use but should not be used by pregnant women.
8. Lotus
Lotus blossoms are the symbol of beauty and spiritual completeness. Although the enlightened person lives in the mud (earthy) material world, this is no way of affecting their true self in his union with God. Light and harmony radiate out of such people spreading love, joy and knowledge to the world. The scent of the lotus flower bears the same message, guiding the receptive and ready soul on its path to unity.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy has become a very popular treatment method in the world of alternative medicine. It has become particularly popular and effective in areas where there are problems relating to emotions such as stress and depression. It incorporates essential oils to deliver a therapeutic solution and are safe when used as directed. The essential oils should not be taken internally, they are for external use only.
