Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils from various plants and trees that promote emotional and physical well-being. The 100 percent pure and natural oils have been used for about 6,000 years by the ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. They have many different uses and are generally very affordable.
Here are five ways aromatherapy is good for your body!
1. It can help you sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for your overall health, both emotionally and physically. Too little sleep can cause your immune system to lower and may even put you at greater risk for depression. Seven to nine hours is generally recommended per night for adults. Lavender is a great oil to use for relaxing and helps promote feelings of tranquility. You can put a few drops in a diffuser in your bedroom, or even use an aromatherapy neck wrap while you are watching TV or reading a book before bed to help you relax.
2. It can help with muscles aches and pains
If you are feeling sore, you can use different essential oils in baths or in an oil blend that you massage the area with. Oils that are great for muscle aches include chamomile, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil. By mixing a carrier oil, like coconut oil or olive oil, with a few drops of one of these oils can make a great oil blend that you can rub on the area and then cover with a hot towel or an aromatherapy neck wrap. Muscle aches can happen from sitting at a desk all day at work. If you feel pain in your neck and shoulders after a long da’s work, you could use an aromatherapy neck pillow. Sipping on hot tea can also help you relax before bed while you use your lavender scented neck heat wrap.
3. It can help with anxiety and depression
If something has been going on at work or in your life that has you really stressed out, sitting with an aromatherapy neck wrap, or dropping some essential oils in your bath can really help you relax. Lavender, rose, and ylang-ylang is great essential oils to use for anxiety and can really help promote feelings of relaxation and tranquility naturally. For depression, essential oils like bergamot and lavender can really help beat the feeling of depression and make you feel more at ease about the world around you. Depression can interrupt sleep cycles and some people with anxiety or depression can suffer from insomnia. Lavender oil in a bath before bed can help you relax and get enough sleep for your health.
4. You’re dealing with cold and flu symptoms
While sick, you might have headaches or muscles aches are part of your symptoms list. If you are dealing with these type of painful symptoms, using aromatherapy can help you get through your sickness and make symptoms easier on your body. Eucalyptus oil can help with relaxing muscles, and a microwaveable heat wrap can also help ease the symptoms. Using lavender in a bath before bed can get rid of headaches, and help you fall asleep faster. A heated neck pillow is perfect to use when trying to watch TV or read a book while you are sick. You can even use it while you relax in the bathtub, or while you are laying in bed.
5. You have a rash or wound
Using aromatherapy can really help with skin issues, be it acne, a rash, an insect bite, or even an open wound. Mixing a carrier oil with a few drops of essential oil can be very beneficial for healing wounds. A great blend for this is helichrysum oil and lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil. Using a blend of jojoba oil and tea tree or juniper berry essential oil is great for acne as well.
As you can see, there are several amazing uses of aromatherapy! You can make your own custom oil blends, put some drops in a diffuser in your home, or even use an aromatherapy neck wrap to soothe any pain.
What is your favorite essential oil? Tell us in the comments!