Alternative Medicine LifestyleAlternative Medicine Lifestyle

Natural Health and Wellness

Aromatherapy

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Aromatherapy for Mental and Physical Health

Aromatherapy for Mental and Physical HealthNeurologists will tell you the sense of smell is more strongly related to your memories than any of your other senses. Accordingly, practitioners of aromatherapy swear by the use of the aromas from essential oils for both brain and body-based health benefits.

This is one alternative medical practice which is starting to be accepted by the traditional medical community.

Hospitals and health care providers in the UK and the United States routinely use aromatherapy diffusers and essential oils in emergency rooms and for rehabilitation protocols.

Another practice that has been around for thousands of years, aromatherapy uses the essence of plants, shrubs, herbs, trees and flowers to create an aroma that produces certain healing properties.

In most cases, a diffuser combines a few drops of essential oil with water or a carrier oil to infuse your atmosphere with a healing aroma.

Aromatherapy Improves Brain Function and Physical Illness

Aromatherapy oils are effective tools for healing, and specific aromas can lead to physical and mental health and wellness.

Inhaling the aromas can improve brain function, which includes memory improvement and recall, plus they are used externally too to hasten healing of physical illness and injuries.

Aromatherapy Health Benefits

There are many benefits to using aromatherapy.

For example, it has been proven effective for improving the health of your skin and hair, soothing PMS symptoms, menstruation, inflammation, and other health conditions such as stress, fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. These are just a few conditions that respond favorably to aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils

There are over 90 essential oils that are used for practicing aromatherapy. Popular essential oils include lavender, lemongrass, rosemary and chamomile. These are just 4 popular oils! There are many others in the dozens available that people would want to add to as their own favorites.

There are several ways to implement the use of these oils into one’s lifestyle, the main two being direct inhalation or topical usage.

For example, these oils can be dispersed into the surrounding air via reed and mist diffusers and lamp scent rings. Steam inhalation is also quite effective in helping with colds and influenza.

Essential oils can also be used as lotions for massages and baths, as soaps, shower gels, perfumes, facial toners, shampoos, and other natural products to promote skincare.

As essential oils are highly concentrated, a little goes a long way. You can add a few drops to a carrier oil, such as almond oil. This is especially recommended if applying to the skin.

These products can additionally be used in various household items, such as trash cans, laundry machines, sink drains and vacuum bags, as well as clothing drawers to freshen them up a bit and give the house an overall calm feeling. Some essential oils are also excellent insect repellents and pesticides.

Unlike some other forms of alternative medicine, aromatherapy has been gaining momentum in the traditional medical community. It has been embraced by some traditional doctors as a way to treat symptoms of “small” illnesses, such as colds and acne.

Today more people are looking for alternative treatment methods and aromatherapy is an easy one to learn about and use. As lifestyles are much more stressful and hectic than ever before, usage often starts with using aromatherapy – lavender essential oils in particular – as a stress-reliever.

Aromatherapy is a natural healing approach that is hundreds of years old, yet still has relevancy in our modern world.

 

 

 

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Essential Oil Blends Use in Aromatherapy

oilPeople who seek aromatherapy treatments generally are looking for either a way to organically treat an emotional disturbance, or a way to enhance another alternative medical treatment. While the use of aromatherapy in conjunction with other alternative medicine therapies is generally overseen by the practitioner of the other therapy (i.e. an acupuncturist or a massage therapist), aromatherapy for emotional disturbance is generally applied at home.

This involves the study and correct use of different essential oils in blends that will help the person achieve the desired effect. Some of the most common blends are those used for energy, anxiety, insomnia and stress. Some stores sell pre-made blends for common ailments like these, and if you don’t have a lot of experience in blending oils this might be a good place to start. But for those who are more experienced with oils, blends can be made at home with a basic selection of essential oils.

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Common Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Lavender2There has been a huge number of people interested in aromatherapy over the course of the years. The reason for this could be the interest in alternative therapies. Regardless of the reason, major retailers have jumped onto the aromatherapy bandwagon and now provide easy access to a number of common essential oils.

Some of the most popular essential oils seen in stores today are those used for emotional wellbeing. These oils are often packaged according to their desired effect and not by what they treat. For example, aromatherapy oils like lavender, which help ease anxiety, are often used in products labeled “relaxation”. Rose and ylang ylang are often packaged as “romance” products, though their actual use is to treat stress. It is important for aromatherapy practitioners to be aware of the actual uses of the oils and not just the corporate labels.

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Aromatherapy Soothing Smells

EssentialOilsA lot of people like to use different smells in their homes to cover unpleasant odors. In fact, there is a whole retail industry based on the public’s desire to eliminate unpleasant smells from their homes. Plug-in air fresheners, potpourri sprays, and scented candles are not necessarily aromatherapy products. These scents are not meant to soothe; rather they are meant to disguise.

Aromatherapy is actually the practice of using plant oils and extracts to bring about a sense of wellbeing in people. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with other alternative medicine treatments like massage therapy. There are approximately 90 essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy treatments, and each one has a unique profile and individual purpose. But some essential oils are used together to create an effect that is different than that of the oils when used individually.

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Calm Your Cats and Dogs with Aromatherapy

aromatherapy_for_petsIf you have pets, you know that they experience emotions. They can suffer from anxiety, fear, and stress. One way you can help your pets to remain calm and stress-free is to provide aromatherapy for them.

Aromatherapy has been popular with people for thousands of years but now many people are finding that their pets benefit as well. Animals, particularly, have a strong sense of smell and can be affected in positive ways by essential oil use.

Essential oils are the best way to provide aromatherapy. These are made by pressing the oils out of various plants. These extracted oils contain strong aromas as well as medicinal properties.

To use them for aromatherapy, you have a few options. Some can be applied directly to the skin so that they can be inhaled. You can also apply them to an essential oil diffuser which will fill a space with the aroma. In addition, you can add oil to a cotton ball or washcloth and place it in the vicinity of your pet.

Before using essential oils on your cat or dog, it’s important to do your homework and make sure that a particular oil is safe for their use. There are several common oils that can be used for pets.

Lavender. Lavender can be used to help bring calm to your cat or dog. It can also be used to relieve allergies and skin problems. This can be added to the pads of their feet as well as to their fur.

Chamomile. Just at soothes people, chamomile can be soothing for pets. It’s safe for both cats or dogs and can be applied along with an equal part of carrier oil to the pads of your cat’s or dog’s feet. You can also add it to their ears.

Citrus oils. Citrus oils can be used in a diffuser, but shouldn’t be added directly to a pet’s body. The scent of citrus can be very soothing, but it can be too strong for pets gentle systems when used directly. This includes orange and lemon.

Ylang ylang. Ylang ylang can be combined with other oils such as rose and clary sage to help your dog feel more relaxed. This does need to be diluted with a carrier oil in order to be applied directly to your animal.

When it comes to using essential oils, it’s important to make sure that you’re using oils that are appropriate and safe. Cats tend to be more sensitive than dogs. If you’re unsure, the best way to use the oils is to diffuse them in your home so that they’re not making direct contact but provide a pleasant aroma.