Aromatherapy is a practice of holistic healing therapy that uses natural plant extracts (essential oils) to “heal” your well-being. It has been around for thousands of years, used in ancient cultures like India, China and Egypt. During this time, they used plant extracts in balms, resins and oils for religious and medical reasons.

Today, most essential oils are inhaled through air diffusion or applied topically onto the skin for relaxation or to reduce stress and anxiety.

Aromatherapy’s methodology of inhalation is that scent molecules from the essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves to the brain, affecting the emotional centre.

Maybe you’ve seen influencers rave about essential oils on social media, but you’re yet to try it yourself. We’re here to breakdown the use of aromatherapy so you can see if it’s use might be right for you!

Medical benefits

A study at Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, on rosemary oil’s impact on brain performance showed a positive link between improved memory and cognition, specifically in older adults.

Another study of one of aromatherapy’s most popular scents, lavender, found that this essential oil slightly improved anxiety before surgery.

You might as well try some out yourself to see if they could benefit you.

Diffuser

Not sure how to use your essential oils? Well as mentioned before, a preferred method is a diffuser spreading the oils into the air.

This method could provide possible benefits like pain relief or sleep patterns. And if that doesn’t work, it will at least make your room smell great!

Try an aromatherapy massage

An aromatherapy massage implements essential oils into a massage session to add an extra layer of relaxation. You can choose from a variety of scents from lemon, ginger, eucalyptus, the list goes on!

But before you dive in, be sure to consider the possible sensitivity your skin may have to essential oils. You can speak with your massage therapist in advance for more information or to discuss the potential of doing a patch test.

Aromatherapy accessories

Travel with your essential oils in the form of a necklace, bracelet or keychain; these accessories are built with absorbing materials so you can apply your essential oils throughout the day.

Whether you are a firm believer or skeptical of aromatherapy, we hope you learned a little more about the practice!

And if you’re looking for a way to boost your self-care routine, why not give it a try and see how it benefits you?

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