Essential Oils: For Aromatherapy

|Have you ever stopped in your tracks after smelling an incredible aroma? Imagine this scenario: Your eyes close as you inhale the intoxicating smell of a flower and you feel an instant wave of relaxation and calm wash over you. If this experience sounds familiar to you, then you have already encountered the incredible benefits that aromas can provide.

​Aromatherapy, "also referred to as Essential Oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.  It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process".

Essential oils are a great way to experience the benefits of aromatherapy. Essential oils "are simply a mixture of volatile aromatic compounds. These compounds are able to interact with the olfactory, or smell, receptors in the nose. Our sense of smell can have a profound effect on our emotions, and simply inhaling the aroma can elicit an emotional response. The smell receptors located on the upper surface of the nasal cavity make direct links with the limbic system of the brain, where the scent is perceived and processed".

This article will explore the benefits of aromatherapy, as well as different methods of experiencing aromatherapy using essential oils. 

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Benefits of Aromatherapy

​There are a multitude of benefits that can be gained from practicing aromatherapy techniques with essential oils. For many, life has become so busy that self-care or relaxation techniques seem to go by the wayside so easily. Aromatherapy can be a great way to incorporate daily acts of self-care into your everyday life.

​Here are just a few benefits to consider if you are considering trying out and experiencing the from aromatherapy practices:
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• Reduce difficult emotions including stress or anxiety
• Increase benefits of mindfulness practices
• Aid in the treatment of sprains, strains, and repetitive movement injuries
• Relieve nausea
• Support hormonal balance
• Support healthy breathing
• Reduce nasal congestion​
• Uplift mood 
• Relieving headaches/migraines
• Help with insomnia/sleeping issues
• Chronic or acute pain relief
• Reducing inflammation
• Enhancing immunity
• Augment meditation practices

Have you already been found aromatherapy beneficial in  your own life? Consider sharing your story and how aromatherapy or essential oils have helped you in the comments below.

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Methods of Aromatherapy

There are many different methods that you can use to start enjoying the benefits of essential oils through aromatherapy. Some of the application methods of aromatherapy are:
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• Home or portable diffuser
• Wearable diffuser necklace
• Fun aromatic playdough
• Spa techniques like soap or fizzing bath bombs
• Using an essential oil roll-on applicator topically
• Discovering different blends of essential oils 
• Massages combined with other lotions such as coconut oil
• Aromatic spritzers or air fresheners

​For myself, my favourite way of experiencing aromatherapy in my daily life is to use a home diffuser with a few drops of lavender essential oil. It creates a calming environment that helps me to relax and unwind at home, and takes only seconds to setup. ​

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More Essential Oil Resources:

• A Guide to Using a Nebulizing Diffuser for Essential Oils
  
• Homemade Lavender Oatmeal Goats Milk Soap​
• Essential Oils: With Pets

​Thanks for reading and be sure to share your experience of using essential oils for aromatherapy in the comments below!​

References: ​naha.org, doterra.com

​Essential oils are highly concentrated and as such should be used with great care, particularly with children, pregnant women, or those with medical conditions. The statements and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. The links on this page may be embedded with affiliate links for products that I may receive commission from.