What is Aromatherapy Used For | What Oils to Use

What is Aromatherapy Used For | What Oils to Use
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What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the practice of using therapeutic oils (essential oils), volatile liquid plant materials, and other aromatic parts of the plant to promote physical and psychological well-being.

Fragrance oils (and other synthetic ingredients) do not offer the benefits of aromatherapy like therapeutic oils. Read ingredient labels closely before buying.

Therapeutic oils are absorbed into the body either through inhalation or through direct skin contact. When inhaled, the oils activate nerve cells in the nose, stimulating the brain and producing positive emotions, and are absorbed into the bloodstream, combating various physical conditions. When applied to the skin, it also enters the bloodstream and helps relieve many symptoms.

Some therapeutic oils have a calming effect, while others are invigorating. Different oils are used for different conditions and, normally, more than one oil is used.

What is Aromatherapy Used For?

The following are common conditions aromatherapy is used for and the therapeutic oils that can help.

What is aromatherapy used for physically?

  • headaches (peppermint, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, and marjoram)
  • high blood pressure (frankincense, clary sage, ylang-ylang, marjoram, lavender)
  • fatigue (grapefruit, basil, peppermint, citronella, patchouli)
  • insomnia (chamomile, mandarin, sandalwood, geranium, neroli)
  • memory (lemon, anise, rosemary, peppermint, sage)
  • nausea (clove, peppermint, rose, chamomile, lavender)
  • colds and flu (ginger, melissa, orange, bay laurel, tea tree)
  • bronchitis (lemon, eucalyptus, vetiver, frankincense, sandalwood)
  • menopausal symptoms (clary sage, German chamomile, tarragon)
  • PMS (rosewood, peppermint, ylang-ylang, rose)
  • low libido (vanilla, rose, jasmine, patchouli, heliotrope)
  • skin conditions (eucalyptus, German chamomile, lavender, clary sage)
  • digestive disorders (German chamomile, bay laurel, peppermint, tarragon, thyme)

What is aromatherapy used for psychologically?

  • stress and anxiety (chamomile, lavender, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, jasmine)
  • depression (frankincense, myrrh, juniper, sweet orange, spruce)
  • uplifting (cypress, sage, lemongrass, rosemary, bergamot)
  • alertness (basil, lemon, clove, peppermint, jasmine)
  • grief (rose, clary sage, basil)

Candles, oil burners, a relaxing massage, and a warm, soothing bath containing therapeutic oils are some ways how you can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.

Never ingest therapeutic oils or use undiluted oils on your skin (tea tree oil does not have to be diluted).

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