Nowadays aromatherapy is being used in yoga studios, massage centers and spas as the so called “alternative treatment”. However, a few people know what aromatherapy is exactly. The aim of this article is to give you some basic knowledge on this topic and I will share with you my favourite essential oils which I use almost daily.

Firstly, essential oils are made using different plants, flowers, herbs, roots, etc. – which are proven to have beneficial effects on improving physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Maybe you are wondering why you should trust this “treatment” and if it has any effect at all on the human body. Nobody obliges you to use aromatherapy if you do not want to. However, it is a fact that for over 5,000 years this method has been a trusted practice among cultures all around the globe. Natural healers use aromatherapy to manage pain, improve sleep quality, reduce stress, overcome symptoms of depression or sooth sore joints.

These days over 30 different essential oils are available in health stores, online or in the pharmacy.

How do essential oils work?

Essential oils are derived from a wide variety of healing plants. Whenever being inhaled or applied to the skin, these oils have been shown to help people with different health problems without the need of medications.

Aromatherapy can be used in different ways:

1. Inhaling oils
2. Massage therapy utilizing oils
3. Soaking in an oil-infused bath
4. Diffusing essential oils into the air
5. Aromatherapy oil candles

Can YOU benefit from aromatherapy?

If you consider yourself an individual from the listed-down-below people, you can definitely benefit from the healing power of essential oils.

People struggling from:

• Stress or anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Pain(muscle/joint)
• Infections in the respiratory system
• Digestive problems
• Skin disorders
• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Fatigue

It is proved that aromatherapy has positive effects on the immune system and central nervous system.

However, it is really vital to use pure essential oils rather than fragrances or synthetic ingredients. The actual results can be achieved depending on the quality of the oils and the dosage.

Benefits:

Relaxation:

Certain essential oils can help people who feel stressed to relax. Lavender and chamomile are such oils. Their scent is shown to have a calming effect which lowers activation of a part of the nervous system.
Results from a study show that people who received aromatherapy say that they have noticed an improvement in their mood and felt less stressed and more positive.

Note: You can start with adding five to seven drops of lavender/chamomile to your bathtub.

Improvement in sleep quality

Most commonly the essential oils used for stress relieve are also used in the improvement of the sleep quality as they make you feel less stressed, therefore- sleepier. For instance- you can use lavender, chamomile, rose or ylang ylang.

Note: An hour before bedtime, try diffusing essential oils using aromatherapy candle or oil burner. This way, you will directly inhale the tiny particles.
Add four to seven drops to your candle.
P.S. Your room will smell great!

Respiratory issues

Some oils have antiseptic properties which help cleanse the air from different kinds of bacteria. This can contribute to problems such as coughing, sneezing or congestion.
All the citrus oils can help improve the immune system and reduce fatigue.

My recommendation here would be to choose from eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, lemon, oregano and tee tree.

Skin health

Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is one of the most widely used oils for treating skin problems because of its antiseptic and antifungal qualities.
Lavender, juniper berry, lemon, orange and frankincense are useful for treating acne.

Note: You can make your own aromatherapy oil spritzer. Add ten to twenty drops of oil in a spray bottle containing four ounces of water. In addition, you can use your spray whenever and wherever you want.

Pain and inflammation

A combination of different oils can be inhaled  for pain from headaches such as peppermint, spearmint, rosemary, frankincense, almond, avocado, coconut, apricot kernel.

Increase in energy levels

We can all use more energy when it comes to the hectic daily tasks of our life. Stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes and energy drinks can have a detrimental effect on our body. However, there are essential oils which are believed to increase circulation, raise energy levels and stimulate the mind and body.
If you are looking for this effect, use pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, rosemary or sage.

Essential oils combinations

Here are suggestions of mixtures of essential oils depending on their effect on the overall health.

• Energizing –> Peppermint + rosemary
• Distress –> Lavender + Jasmine
• Clear sinuses –> Eucalyptus + Peppermint
• Balance –> Sage +Mint + Tea tree
• Sleep tight –> Lavender + Chamomile
• Wake up –> Peppermint + Lemon + Frankincense