by guest blogger Shana Smith
Why Aromatherapy Works
The essential oils used in aromatherapy are extremely concentrated distillates of some of the most beneficial plants known to man. When administered properly, they can have potent and measurable effects on your mind and body. When administered to the nose, essential oils stimulate your olfactory receptors, sense organs that are strongly tied to your brain's limbic system. Smell is the only sense so strongly linked to this part of the brain, and the limbic system is otherwise primarily concerned with emotions, behavior, and long-term memory.
Aromatherapy is often combined with massage in order to give you a two-pronged stress-busting tool. In the same way that relaxing aromas are carried directly to the emotional core of your brain, essential oils massaged into your skin and muscles have an immediate relaxing effect.
A Sampling Of Essential Oils
While you can easily find hundreds or even thousands of different essential oils, it's a good idea to stick with a few tried-and-true favorites when you start using aromatherapy to deal with stress. Great starter oils include:
* Lavender
This earthy, floral oil is used for so many different purposes that it's often called the "universal" oil. It's a potent tool for encouraging mental and physical relaxation, making it ideal for stress relief.
* Vanilla
The scent of vanilla evokes feelings of comfort, safety, and homeliness for a lot of people. Professional aromatherapists theorize that this is because the scent of vanilla is extremely close to that of mothers' milk. Vanilla aromatherapy promotes tranquility and mental clarity.
* Chamomile
Used for a wide range of herbal treatments, chamomile also makes an excellent oil for aromatherapy. When you're using chamomile to combat stress, make sure you get oil made from Roman chamomile. This variety has very strong anxiety-relieving powers.
* Frankincense
The exotic smell of frankincense is often recommended for treating stress. Frankincense is also very good for your skin, making it ideal for massage-based aromatherapy.
* Rose
Rose oil is often quite expensive as it takes a vast number of flowers to extract usable amounts of oil. Rose oil's ability to alleviate depression makes it well worth the cost for many aromatherapy devotees.
Using Oils Correctly
When you buy essential oils for aromatherapy, make sure you purchase pure, all-natural oils that contain only the herbal ingredients you're looking for. Impure or adulterated oils will not be nearly as effective for helping you get rid of stress.
Essential oils can be used in a variety of different ways. You can add their scents to the air around you with a diffuser or burner, take gentle sniffs directly from the bottles or add them to your favorite massage oils. Make sure you review all of the instructions provided with your oils and any equipment (e.g. burners and diffusers) before using them.
Note that essential oils are STRONG. Direct application to the skin can be harmful. Pure essential oils need to be diluted in a "carrier" oil (jojoba, almond, coconut, and olive are all popular) before use, especially when you're relieving stress with a massage. Whenever you use a new oil, check it by applying a small amount (after blending) to a clear patch of skin. Check for any reactions before using your oil on a larger area.
If you're still searching for a great technique for relieving stress, give aromatherapy a try! It's simple, flexible, and effective for a lot of people. You don't have anything to lose and you stand to gain a more peaceful and balanced outlook on life.
Shana Smith is a natural health enthusiast and successful business owner. She owns a site, AromaTherapy4Mom.com, which is dedicated to natural health remedies and aromatherapy.
See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.
