Your sense of smell is a powerful thing! There are many who believe that harnessing your sense of smell can have a beneficial impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Aromatherapy is the holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils to improve the health of body, mind and spirit. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, essential oils have been used for more than 6,000 years for therapeutic purposes, including by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Romans and Greeks. Today, the oils used in aromatherapy are collected from various natural sources, like leaves, flowers and barks. Popular scents include lavender, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, frankincense, oregano and more.
The benefits of aromatherapy can be widespread, such as helping reduce stress and anxiety, relieving headaches, and improving the quality of sleep. Which essential oil (or blend of oils) you use would depend on what kind of symptoms you are experiencing. Some of the most popular oils include:
Lavender oil: Many find this scent relaxing and it is often used to help reduce stress or improve sleep. Other oils to help with stress and anxiety are chamomile and rose.
Peppermint: This oil can help aid with digestion, as well as help relieve headaches and tension.
Sandalwood: Used to increase focus, it can also help reduce stress, anxiety and help with sleep quality.
Ylang-Ylang: This oil can be used to help with nausea, as well as headaches.
Always talk to your doctor before using aromatherapy to treat a medical condition.
What is your favorite essential oil? How do you use it? In a bath? On a bracelet? A roller? Diffuser? Tell me below in the comments :)