Calm Yourself in a Whole New Way- Try Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an ancient art that has been used for thousands of years as an aid to both emotional and physical well-being.

The practice of aromatherapy can be traced back as far as the ancient Egyptians who made use of the therapeutic powers of essential oils. It is also a practice that people in China and the Far East have been using with much success for a long time.

Aromatherapy can be used for many purposes. The most common of these include stress reduction, pain relief, sleep problems, restlessness and calming the mind and body.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils and specific scents, such as vanilla and lavender as a way to improve mood and to improve a person’s overall well-being. Many people don’t realize how strong their sense of smell is. It is also well-developed as the brain responds to fragrances. The smell of a particular plant oil can soothe the brain, conjure up past memories and make it possible for a person to become more invigorated. Suddenly the experience of being alive takes on a greater meaning and there is less tension, anxiety and unrest in the person’s being.

It has been theorized that aromatherapy has a positive and relaxing effect on the nervous system. Yet others believe that it works simply because it is suggested that it will. No one really knows. Aromatherapy is ancient and holds many mysteries that Western society has yet to fully understand or that the practice is willing to reveal. Despite its secretive nature, aromatherapy can benefit everyone.

Let us look at an example of this. Lavender is a type of herb that has a very calming scent to it. It is commonly used to help those who have trouble falling asleep. Many years ago lavender was placed inside pillows and then sewn into them. It was believed that the person who laid their head down on the pillow would have a restful and peaceful night’s sleep.

Yet another common scenario for lavender was that it was sprinkled on handkerchiefs and sniffed when needed. Why was that? It was thought to calm the nerves and make a person feel less tense and uptight.

If you ever look closely at products marketed for babies you will discover that many of the lotions, creams, oils and powders include lavender as an ingredient.

Essential Oils for Aromatherapy

There are many different types of essential oils used in the practice of aromatherapy but the most common and recommended ones include:

• Chamomile
• Eucalyptus
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Rose
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood
• Marjoram
• Jasmine
• Neroli

You may be very familiar with some of these oils but not so much with others. The oils can be used to treat everything from skin problems to indigestion to premenstrual pain to infections to, as previously mentioned, calm the nerves. For example, chamomile can be purchased as a tea. Its calming properties on the stomach are well documented. This is an excellent tea to drink if you are preparing to fly and are feeling nervous and apprehensive.

Essential oils for aromatherapy can be added to a bath and then soaked in for a feeling of total relaxation. Always remember however that a little goes a long way. They can also be sniffed in much the same way that you would take in the scent of a perfume that appealed to you.

Many people believe that aromatherapy and massage go well together and therefore make their own massage oil. Together the two combined make for a very relaxing experience! Aromatherapy candles are also very popular if you prefer to smell the scents in your home but not have them on your body.

To learn more about aromatherapy please visit these sites:

http://www.aromaweb.com/
http://www.aworldofaromatherapy.com/

Samantha