DavidWolfe.comAromatherapy has become more and more popular as a natural alternative treatment. What is aromatherapy? It’s the process of using essential oils to help improve physical and emotional well-being. Benefits of aromatherapy include relaxation, improved sleep quality, healthy skin and much more.
What is Aromatherapy?
So what is aromatherapy exactly? Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine which uses essential oils for healing. There are over 40 therapeutic-grade essential oils, made from different medicinal plants, herbs, flowers, roots and trees. The oils can be inhaled or applied to the skin with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, to help heal various health problems, from insomnia and fatigue to pain and inflammation. What is aromatherapy good for? Keep reading to find out!
Benefits of Aromatherapy
1. Promotes Relaxation
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to promote relaxation. Studies have shown that certain oils can help calm the body and reduce stress. Essential oils that fight anxiety include lavender, bergamot, clary sage and vetizer. These oils help promote relaxation, relieve muscle spasms and reduce physical signs of stress, like sweaty palms and a racing heart. (1)
2. Improves Sleep Quality
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to improve sleep quality. Oils that have a calming effect on the body can help fight insomnia, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, hot flashes and other issues that cause poor sleep. To get a better night’s rest, try lavender oil, chamomile oil and rose oil.
3. Treats Respiratory Issues
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to treat respiratory issues. Aromatherapy oils that possess antiseptic properties can help cleanse the air of bacteria and mold that can cause respiratory problems. Essential oils for allergies include tea tree oil, lemon oil and basil oil. Citrus oils can help fight sinus infections, colds, coughs and congestion. Essential oils for sore throat pain include eucalyptus, clove and peppermint.
4. Improves Skin Health
What is aromatherapy good for when it comes to your skin? Clary sage essential oil, along with tea tree, berry, lemon, lavender and frankincense, can help fight bacteria on the skin that causes acne. These oils work as an antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal to help fight inflammation and heal insect bites, rashes and other wounds. (2)
5. Helps Manage Cancer Side Effects
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to help manage side effects of cancer, such as nausea, fatigue, pain, insomnia and depression. Essential oils for depression include roman chamomile, lavender, orange, bergamot and ylang ylang. Essential oils that can help reduce pain, anxiety and side effects of cancer treatments include frankincense, ginger, lavender, rose, neroli and clary sage. (3)
6. Soothes Pain and Inflammation
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to soothe pain and inflammation caused by sore muscles, headaches and achy joints. Some of the best oils for headache include spearmint, rosemary, frankincense and peppermint oil. To help fight inflammation and relieve pain, add ginger, myrrh, turmeric or orange oil to an Epsom salt bath.
7. Fights Fatigue
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to fight fatigue and improve concentration. In a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, researchers found that lavender essential oil had positive effects on overall mood, while rosemary oil was able to increase alertness and reduce anxiety in participants. (4)
8. Improves Libido
Benefits of aromatherapy include the ability to boost libido. Studies have shown that clary sage, sandalwood, rosemary, geranium, ylang ylang and neroli oil are able to increase blood flow, improve hormonal balance and naturally treat sexual dysfunctions.
9. Improves Digestion
Benefits of aromatherapy include improved digestion. Oils like ginger, turmeric, grapefruit, peppermint, lemon and chamomile can help reduce acid reflux, relieve nausea, soothe indigestion and even prevent morning sickness.