How Aromatherapy Can Benefit You And Your Family
Saturday, July 4th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
When I last visited the store, it seemed as though everywhere I turned there were many different products promising results, which were simply based on the fact that they contained a specific aromatherapy scent, which would include candles, oils, and shampoos. But, there was one key question that kept popping up in my head: are all these aromatherapy treatments just fluff, which are aimed at selling more products to consumers or could they be linked to some actual research?
Aromatherapy as a practice has been around for centuries dating back to the ancient Egyptians however as individuals we experience this phenomenon in our everyday lives with out even being aware of the fact. How many times have you walked down a street or into a room and suddenly gotten a whiff of something that brought back wonderful memories or just made you feel great and energized? Every time this occurs you are experiencing aromatherapy; it is just occurring passively in your daily life.
The bottom line is aromatherapy is indeed based on science and more specifically the science of psychoneuroimmunology which studies the interactions between the psychological, neurological and immune system. Research has shown that there is a very strong correlation between positive and negative experiences and our immune system as well as our psyche. Further more the old adage mind over body is indeed recognized by science and the modern medical field. With this being said, anytime you can give your mood a boost creating a more positive outlook through the use of aromatherapy you are ultimately strengthening your body, mind and spirit.
You will find that aromatherapy actually works because it utilizes your sense of smell, which is your strongest sense. Dislike other, your sense of smell has a path that leads directly to the brain, but more importantly that it has a direct path to your limbic system.
It has been scientifically and medically proven that through this direct portal, aromas are able to directly affect conscious thought and your reactions, because the limbic system is responsible for our memories (from short to long term), learned responses, and our emotions and feelings.
You will find that although aromatherapy does utilize a person’s sense of smell, by triggering some specific areas of the brain, it will also work by directly absorbing some essential oil molecules into the body. It will do this whether through the bronchial tract (if using steam distillation) or through massaging or soaking the skin with the oil.
This dual absorption enables you to receive all the benefits of essential oils however it is important to research the essential oil of interest as each one works more efficiently when applied differently. For instance peppermint has long been known for its ability to calm digestive problems and does work best for this specific application when inhaled while others work better when massaged into the skin.
It is important also to recognize that although certain essential oils have specific benefits they do not work equally for each individual. For instance Lavender is considered to be very effective in calming the mind, body and spirit however if you do not like the fragrance of Lavender it will not have the same effect on you, therefore it is important to work with the essential oils that you enjoy.
This is easy to do because many essential oils have similar or overlapping benefits, leaving you with a number of options for one particular issue. Another option is to mix a couple or a few essential oils together to create your own fragrance that you enjoy and can ultimately receive the vast benefits they have to offer.
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