Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils can have a profound effect psychologically and physically.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a natural healing practice that uses the oils extracted from plants, known as essential oils, to support emotional, mental, and physical well-being. At its heart, aromatherapy is about nurturing ourselves through scent and sensation.
The word "aromatherapy" (aroma-therapy)was introduced in the 1930s by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefosse. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, like lavender, chamomile, or citrus, to calm the mind, ease tension in the body, and eucalyptus oil to relieve colds or tea tree to use for infections and create a sense of peace in our surroundings.
These essential oils are often used in a variety of gentle, everyday ways: diffused into the air to create a relaxing atmosphere, added to a warm bath, or blended into oils or lotions for massage. When we breathe in these aromas, they send messages to the brain that can help us feel calmer, more balanced, and even uplifted.
Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years. Ancient cultures like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese used aromatic plants in their healing rituals, baths, and spiritual practices. Today, it’s become a popular form of self-care, especially for those seeking natural ways to reduce stress and reconnect with themselves.
At its core, aromatherapy invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and find small moments of stillness in our busy lives.
Benefits of Aromatherapy.
How aromatherapy can help :
Women’s issues - Support to help with UTI, Thrush, Vaginal dryness, Period related conditions.
PMS, Menopause - Help support and ease mood swings, and related emotional stress.
Assists with pain management - Helps ease pain related conditions caused by injury and general wear and tear. Reduce knee pain, sciatica or piriformis syndrome.
Excellent for respiratory issues - Ease symptoms of colds, congestion, chest complaints and sinus infections.
Soothe skin conditions such as contact dermatitis, warts, cold sores and children's known conditions like school sores..
Calm the mind and nervous system to reduce feelings of overwhelm and tension
Relax the body and promote a deeper and more restorative sleep..
How we can apply/ use essential oils.
Although essential oils are classified as ‘natural’, used incorrectly or excessively may cause some reactions.
There are different application methods we can use to help with certain complaints.
They include:
1/ Always dilute essential oils, whether it’s in a carrier oil, in a balm or cream base, in an unscented shower/bath gel or in similar products suitable to carry essential oils.
2/ Inhalers are easy and very handy to use. They are ideal for colds, sinus issues and to help ease stress and anxiety.
3/ Roller bottles are easy and helpful to use as personal perfumes, to help with sleep issues, ease anxiety, depression and stress, and colds.
4/ Balms are wonderful, they provide much-needed moisture to dry skin, great as lip balms, cold/flu or breathe easy balms, nappy rash and many other uses. A balm can hold more essential oils than cream can.
5/ Creams can have essential oils added as a perfume blend, to tackle certain skin issues for example, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, after sun care, plus other conditions.
6/ Diffusing essential oils. Using an ultrasonic diffuser is not only safe but a great way to diffuse oils. Most of these diffusers will stop working when they run out of water, so check that out
Depending on the size of the room, you may only need 3-4 drops for a small room or 8-9drops for a large open room. It’s recommended to operate for an hour, then turn off for an hour. If using it for longer or shorter, turn it off for the same time. Open doors and windows to allow for air to be cleared.
It is reported that essential oils can remain airborne for many hours.