How Does Aromatherapy Work?
Aromatherapy has been used for generations and has become increasingly popular in the last few years. However, how does aromatherapy work? Let’s first look at what it is. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to promote a healthier body and mind. Essentials oils are plant extracts that are distilled and diffused into the air for fragrance. Some of the things they are made of are flowers, leaves, fruit, and even bark. The term “aromatherapy” was started by a chemist in France named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. He wrote a book called, “Gattefosse’s Aromatherapy”, that is about some of his finding for uses of essential oils.
How Do They Work?
So how does aromatherapy work? Research on the use of essential oils is limited, but there are smaller studies that have been done to show they can be helpful. Some of the things they are known to help with are anxiety and depression, quality of life for people with chronic health conditions, and sleep. Many people even rely on aromatherapy from essential oils to help with nausea. Peppermint is a very commonly used scent for this.
Essential oils can be inhaled or applied directly to the skin. Little research has been done on the safety of ingesting them. It is recommended to only use them externally. If using externally on the skin, remember to be wary of too much sunlight or tanning. It is also recommended that people do not diffuse them in high traffic areas. People react to scents differently and what may be soothing for someone can have negative health impacts on another.
When essential oils are diffused, they produce scent molecules. These molecules travel from the olfactory nerves to the brain. The part of the brain that is affected by the scent molecules is the amygdala. This part of the brain is known as the emotional center of the brain. For aromatherapy, some people use diffusers or even hold the bottle of essential oils up to their nose.
Essential Oils to Avoid
Not all essential oils are made equally. Some are better quality than others. To get the best results, it is important to use pure essential oils. Pay attention to labeling and how they are bottled. The pure essential oil will be in a dark brown or blue glass bottle to protect the quality. They will also have information on the purity, the Latin name for the plant, and information on where it was grown on the label. Be sure to make sure it is 100% pure essential oil with no added fragrances.
For the most part, the essential oils used for aromatherapy have a good reputation. Many people all over the world claim that it has improved their lives. Some people even use aromatherapy for a better night’s sleep. Check out our article, Bedtime Routines for a Better Night’s Sleep, to learn how you can sleep better. Want to start selling liquid vitamins through Matsun Nutrition? Click here to learn more and get started!
