Aromatherapy is the treatment or prevention of disease by use of essential oils, and is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person’s mind, mood, cognitive function or health. There are a variety of uses, such as: for pain, stress, and anxiety reduction, enhancement of energy and short-term memory, relaxation, hair loss prevention, reduction of eczema-induced itching, wound healing, muscular and rheumatic pain reduction, reduction of skin inflammation, improvement of sleep, improvement of fungal, viral, and bacterial infections, stimulation of the immune system, improvement of skin tone, relief from tension headaches, aid in digestive disorders, aid in women’s problems, relieve congestion, and to boost respiratory system strength.
Have you every wondered how aromatherapy works? Their are two basic mechanisms to understand the effects of aromatherapy.
- The influence of aroma on the brain. Studies have shown that aromatherapy has an effect on brain waves, and can alter behavior. To better understand aromatherapy benefits, it helps to know how your body processes smells. The sense of smell is pretty powerful – the body can distinguish around 10,000 different scents. As scents are inhaled, the smell moves across the olfactory nerves located inside of the nose and then up into the part of the brain that controls our moods, our memories, and our ability to learn. This area is called the limbic system, and, when stimulated, it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters, and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals.
- The direct pharmacological effects of the essential oils – aromatherapy works by absorbing essential oils into the skin and blood stream. One of the advantages to topical application of essential oils is that they can go directly to the spot where you need them the most.
An aromatherapy massage is a great way to reap the benefits of topical application of essential oils along with the soothing therapeutic benefits of massage. Sounds like you should try the LilyPad’s Aromatherapy Mists and Massage Oils – one of life’s affordable luxuries! You can also experience the powerful effects of aromatherapy each time you bathe by using one of the LilyPad’s naturally scented herbal soaps.
