Aromatherapy. Even the word has a relaxing and calming sound to it.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils in order to improve and enhance an individual’s health and well-being. While it is not a miracle practice it is a very basic and natural way to manage and reduce stress in your life.
Essential oils can be thought of as concentrated extracts that are taken from the roots of plants, as well as the bark, flowers and leaves of plants. Examples of these include orange, rosemary, roses, lavender and sandalwood. Aromatherapy is not a new concept by any means. It dates back to ancient times and was even made reference to in the Old Testament.
Lessening Stress with Oils:
You may wonder how aromatherapy can be of help when it comes to stress. If you are constantly facing situations in your life that are stressful then stress can become overwhelming and downright harmful to your well-being. The scents of essential oils can be used to relax and soothe because they produce chemical responses in the brain that can help to center the mind and make stress more manageable.
Our noses play an important role in this process as they are the entry by way scents make their way to our thinking and feeling center – the brain.
Olfactory cells are found at the top portion of each one of our nostrils. These cells capture the scent of the essential oil and then take those impulses and transport them to the limbic system in the brain.
It is the limbic system that not only controls the way in which we respond to stress but also stores and recalls all of our memories (it is our very own memory lane!) and processes all of our emotions. The limbic system is connected to our sense of smell. How we respond to stress also starts here which explains why what we smell can have a strong effect on stress.
Plant Essences – Something for Everyone!
If you would like to try aromatherapy for stress relief but are not sure what plant essence appeals to you the most then experiment with a variety of them. There are many essential oils from plants that can lead to a calmer and tranquil state of mind.
The wonderful thing about aromatherapy is that it is simple to do and is not expensive. You can dip a cotton ball in the oil, inhale it and let it take over your senses and improve your mood. Aromatherapy can be enjoyed by anyone practically anywhere. This makes it a very versatile natural therapy for stress.
If anxiety and tension are weighing you down then try a combination of geranium, lavender and patchouli.
Lavender and geranium can also be used on their own to relax the body and mind and to relieve stress. As a type of nerve sedative chamomile and Melissa earn high marks. Chamomile can also be effectively used by itself as a stress and anxiety reducer.
Clary sage is beneficial when you have a strong desire to relax.
When it comes to depression and/or insomnia sandalwood can be very effective. Sweet marjoram is helpful when it comes to reducing high levels of anxiety and tension. Juniper berry is also an anxiety reliever and is worthwhile when you are feeling red hot with anger!
Samantha
Alternative Health for Today 
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