Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years as a holistic healing treatment. Ancient cultures in Egypt, China, and India have incorporated natural plant extracts for promoting well-being. It has been proven to be an effective way to promote better mental and physical health. Aromatic components are used to soothe the mind, calm the senses, and relax the body. It has a calming effect on our bodies that leads to sound physical and mental development.
Aromatherapy majorly contains substances that were previously used mostly for religious purposes across the globe. However, as time progressed, these elements have evolved as healing components that affect both the psychological as well as physical growth.
This article discusses the health benefits that these aromatic components have to offer.
What is Aromatherapy?
The term “aromatherapy” was first mentioned in a book in 1937 by Rene Maurice Gattefosse – a French perfumer and chemist. If you suffer from anxiety, insomnia, depression, or other mental issues, aromatherapy can be one of the best solutions for you that you must try at least once.
It involves aromatic plant products such as balms, resins, and oils to help you reduce stress and anxiety. These components are healing properties that are used for both physical and psychological benefits. Aromatherapy oils are made of peels, roots, bark, petals, flowers, etc. When an essence is created out of these ingredients, it becomes an essential oil that is used as aromatic components.
Lavender, chamomile, lemon, bergamot, and cedarwood are some of the most popular essential oils used in aromatic therapies. Several products that are used as a part of it include inhalers, bathing salts, diffusers, aromatic spritzers, facial steamers, hot or cold compresses, and clay masks.
8 Major Health Benefits of Aromatherapy
There are several aromatherapy benefits that will enhance both your physical and mental health. The top eight benefits of aromatherapy that you can expect are listed below.
1. Stress Reduction
An aromatherapy massage is known to have a calming effect on the human mind that leads to stress reduction. Considering the amount of pressure every individual has to deal with on a daily basis, stress becomes inevitable.
Essential oils work wonderfully as far as stress reduction is concerned. The massage helps to calm your nerves and lower your blood pressure level and heart rates to maintain a healthy balance in your body.
2. Anxiety Management
Some of the best aromatherapy oils that are effective in managing anxiety are jasmine, chamomile, lavender, rose, and bergamot.
A study conducted by the American College of healthcare sciences showed how patients who were given hand massages with a blend of lavender oil, bergamot oil, and frankincense oils reported suffering from little to zero anxiety afterwards for a few days. Aromatherapy has a healing power that helps you cope with your busy schedule and manage mental health.
3. Improved Attention Span
If you are someone who deals with an extremely low attention span, aromatherapy oils can work wonders for you. They improve your brain function, soothe your nerves, and lower your blood pressure level which eventually helps you improve your focus span. The best oils that you can use to improve your attention span are basil, rosemary, and sage.
4. Improved Sleep Schedule
Due to the hectic schedule of our everyday life, many of us tend to have an unhealthy sleep schedule that affects the quality of our lives immensely. The first and foremost step that you need to take to adopt a healthier lifestyle is to correct your sleep schedule.
An aromatherapy massage with an essential oil blend can improve your sleep. Lavender oil is one of the most popular oils that improve your sleep quality and help you calm your mind before you go to bed.
5. Energy Booster
If you suffer from extreme fatigue or tiredness, aromatherapy will work like a cup of fresh black coffee for you, which also offers long-lasting effects on your physical and mental health.
Essential oils, specifically lavender oil, citrus oil, and lemon oil are rich in antioxidants that have energising properties in them. Essential oils increase blood oxygen concentration which can reduce the feeling of exhaustion and tiredness throughout the day.
6. Healthy Digestion
Even if you suffer from an upset stomach, diarrhoea, or indigestion issues, an aromatherapy massage can stimulate your digestive enzymes immensely.
Ginger oil is the most popular component when it comes to reducing abdominal pain. Peppermint oil is also believed to be helpful for stomach related issues. Apart from that, fennel and juniper berries are extremely useful to control digestion issues.
7. Balances Hormone Levels
Rose oils, sage oils, geranium, and thyme are extremely effective when it comes to managing the hormones in your body. Even if you suffer from PCOS or infertility, aromatherapy can be effective in increasing your oestrogen production. Women who experience symptoms of lower levels of oestrogen as a result of menopause are more likely to benefit from aromatic components.
8. Pain Management
Several studies have come up over the years to show how aromatherapy oils can be used to reduce physical pain. Specifically gynaecological or post-operative pains can be controlled by eucalyptus, ginger, thyme, chamomile, and turmeric oils. Those who use aromatic components regularly for massages are less likely to suffer from chronic physical pain.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy is being used in Indian, Chinese, and Egyptian cultures effectively for ages now, primarily, for its healing and therapeutic benefits. Aromatic oils soothe your nerves, calm your senses, and promote good health. If you are looking for an all-natural treatment for an overall healthcare purpose, look no further than an aromatherapy massage. It can boost your energy levels as well and help you get rid of anxiety and stress from your day to day life.
