Ahh, The Soothing Benefits of Aromatherapy

You don’t need to spend big bucks on visiting an upscale spa or naturopath to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. As a matter of fact, there are cheaper and more convenient ways to get the most out of this ancient old practice without even having to leave the comfort of your home if you so desire!

First, here’s a little Aromatherapy 101 to get you started. Aromatherapy basically means what it sounds like; treatment using scent. The scents I’m talking about come from essential oils which come from plants, roots and barks. Don’t worry; you don’t need to go extract these oils yourself! They come already packaged for you and can be found at many pharmacies, health stores and even online and if you take the time to shop around a little, you can find them at very reasonable prices!

Since we’re on the subject of where to find essential oils, you should know that while buying bottles of pure essential oils will give you the most for your money because of potency, you can also buy bath oils, lotions and even candles that are infused with essential oils to do the trick. Products that contain natural ingredients are the ones that you should look for to ensure the best results.

Now, let’s talk about how to use these oils since there are several ways. The most common ways are to use it in a diffuser so that you distribute the scent into the air around you or to use it in your bath since the warm water and steam will also send it into the air around you so that you can benefit from it. Some people also like to wear it on their skin by dabbing a little on the pressure points like behind the ears or wrists and you can also use a body lotion containing essential oils to keep the scent with you throughout the day.

Different aromas are used to treat different things, so when choosing your oils you should consider what benefits you’re after. Here is an example of what some of the scents are used for:

Lavender: Used for stress, anxiety, irritability because of its soothing and calming effect.

Peppermint: Can energize and lift your spirits and is also great for sore muscles.

Eucalyptus: Also known to energize but more often used to aid with congestion.

Chamomile: Used to help insomnia or sleeplessness.

Ginger: Helps with nausea and also has an energizing effect.

Cinnamon: Helps with low blood pressure.

Geranium: Used for relief of symptoms associated with menopause.

Ylang Ylang:  Aids in depression, anxiety and frigidity

So whether you opt to fill your home with scent of essential oils using a burner, soak in a tub laden with the scent, massage it into your body with an oil or lotion or even just sit back and burn an aromatherapy candle; you can enjoy the same benefits of this centuries old art without the costs associated with getting professional treatment.