Aromatherapy for Health and Peace of Mind

Aromatherapy for health and peace of mind

Have you ever encountered a smell that relaxed you, or put you in a good mood? Smell can be a surprisingly powerful sense for affecting the mood, and aromatherapy is case in point.

Aromatherapy is the use of all-natural, plant-based essential oils to promote feelings of peace, wellbeing, and inner harmony. The essential oils used in aromatherapy come from a variety of different medicinal herbs, and may be extracted from stems, flowers, seeds, roots, or bark.

Depending to some degree on the specific herbs used, aromatherapy can be used to provide a variety of health benefits. Aromatherapy stimulates olfactory (smell) receptors in the nose, which send messages to the part of the brain responsible for controlling emotions.

With the right smells, one can achieve feelings of inner peace and calm. Indeed, many aromatherapy treatments help to reduce anxiety and even combat depression.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is another condition that aromatherapy can help to improve, thanks to the relaxation provided by the smell of the essential oils.

For people who struggle with sleep issues, aromatherapy can help them achieve a full night’s rest. Improved quality of life is a common outcome as well, especially for people who have chronic health conditions.

Aromatherapy is particularly effective and enjoyable when combined with massage. Best of all, you can actually relive some of the benefits of an aromatherapy massage by using the same aromatherapy blend at home. Our sense of smell can conjure powerful associations from memory, so home use of aromatherapy after a massage is an excellent way to remind your body and your mind of how good you felt.

There are a number of ways to enjoy aromatherapy blends. One common method is to burn the oils in a diffuser, an essential oil burner that spreads the scent throughout the room. Another method is to apply a few drops to a handkerchief, and then hold it up to your nose.

Another way to enjoy aromatherapy is by mixing the essential oils with other oils or skin lotion, and then applying directly to your skin. Since different people respond to this method differently, it’s probably a good idea to test it with a small dab of the mix to make sure you don’t develop any skin irritation or rashes.

Aromatherapy oils can also be diluted and used in bathwater. Note that it’s very important to dilute them, as the essential oils are very highly concentrated.

About Touch uses a number of very special blends made from select, carefully chosen all-natural specialty herbs.

For example, our Relaxation Blend is a soothing mix of Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata), lavender (Lavandula augustifolia), Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), Tangerine (Citrus reticulata), Bergamot (Citrus bergamina), and orange blossom (Citrus aurantium). The blend is designed to produce an aroma that will relax your mind and body, helping you to let go of stress and anxiety.

Our Calming Blend is another good example. A mixture of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), petitgrain, which is from the orange tree (Citrus aurantium), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata), cedarwood (Cedrus deodora), fir needle (Abies alba), Lavandin (Lavandin hybrida), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), and Tangerine (Citrus reticulata), our Calming Blend is designed to help you let go of tension and achieve a state of inner calm and peace.

On the other hand, you may want something to help you feel more energetic. Our Vitality Essential Oil is a rousing mixture of frankincense (Olibanum), palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii), lavender (Lavandula augustifolia), bergamot (Citrus bergamina), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and sage (Salvia officinalis). It’s designed to help you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and full of life, without the jittery highs and crashes of caffeine.

If you’re interested in the benefits of aromatherapy and massage, we’d love to hear from you. Combined with massage, aromatherapy can help you achieve wellbeing in both body and mind.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Simmons, Creative Commons.