Although essential oils and aromatherapy have been around for years, the market has begun to explode as more and more people have started turning to alternative forms of medicine to solve their health problems. Many women have begun recognizing the numerous benefits that pure essential oils can offer.
Below, we provide an overview of the relationship between aromatherapy and essential oils, the benefits that essential oils offer women, and some of the most effective oils to consider if you’re looking to try them for the first time.
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health of the:
Mind
Body
Spirit
The practice, which could be considered both an art and a science, was first documented in literature in 1937 by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé. Gatteefossé published a book describing his experience researching and using essential oils to cure a wide range of physiological ailments.
What Is The Relationship Between Aromatherapy And Essential Oils?
Essential oils are plant extracts used in aromatherapy. There are multiple extraction methods available, with the selected process based on the type of plant used. For instance, aromatherapists can extract essential rose oil from the petal of the rose plant while also extracting essential citrus oil from the rind of the plant.
Today, more people are practicing aromatherapy than ever before. Patients typically put the essential oils in a diffuser and inhale them, or dilute the oils to apply them topically, perhaps after taking a nice, hot bath and drying off with luxury bath towels. Essential oils are incredibly potent, much more so than most people realize — they can be 75-100 times more concentrated than whole herbs. Although you should still buy dried herbs online today as a source of other great health benefits.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the essential oils used in aromatherapy could be beneficial in relieving anxiety and depression, improving sleep, and reducing the symptoms of chronic health conditions. Different oils offer different benefits. We’ve taken the time to compile a list of some of the most commonly used essential oils and the benefits of each.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils, and for good reasons. The oil offers a wide array of health benefits. The oil is particularly useful for promoting relaxation and sleep, especially when placed in an aromatherapy diffuser. One study involving middle aged women with insomnia found that after three months of lavender aromatherapy, the women’s quality of sleep improved drastically.
Studies have also found that lavender could be useful in relieving pain from menstrual cramps, especially when applied topically. People have also had success in treating alopecia aerate when applying lavender topically, with studies from the Archives of Dermatology finding that lavender, when combined with rosemary, thyme, and cedarwood, promoted hair regrowth.
Lastly, lavender is a natural antiseptic that has many antibacterial properties. Topical application could serve as a natural remedy to help heal wounds and burns. Other benefits of lavender essential oil include:
- Stress relief
- Increase in circulation
- Relief from muscle spasms
- Relief from stress, agitation, and anxiety
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is another versatile essential oil that provides a long list of health benefits. Like lavender, lemongrass contains antibacterial properties that could help heal wounds naturally. Research has even found that lemongrass can fight against drug-resistant bacteria known to cause blood infections, pneumonia, and other severe infections. Similarly, studies have found that lemongrass contains antifungal properties and reverses the effects of:
- Ringworm
- Athlete’s Foot
- Jock Itch
Lemongrass is also a natural anti-inflammatory and can help treat chronic inflammation. Initial research had concluded that lemongrass could treat chronic inflammation either when inhaled through a diffuser or when applied topically. Furthermore, lemongrass contains antioxidants that help your body fight free radicals. Lastly, lemongrass can also potentially regulate blood sugar and reduce cholesterol.
Orange
Orange essential oil is incredibly rich in d-limonene. For years, scientists have speculated and researched whether d-limonene has anti-cancer properties. One study from the Journal of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research concluded that the d-limonene in oranges slowed the growth of cancerous cells in the lungs.
Orange is also well-known for its ability to boost the immune system. The essential oil can make it easier for the body to absorb vitamin C, thus creating a stronger immune system. Inhaling orange essential oil can promote healthy white blood cell counts.
Much like the other essential oils on this list, orange also contains antibacterial properties. Some research has indicated that the oil could fight against bugs that were resistant to antibiotics, such as Staphylococcus Aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium. Orange essential oil is an excellent choice as a room deodorizer and decongestant as a result.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil is vital to cognitive function. The oil increases blood circulation to the brain and central nervous system. Stimulating the brain helps improves things such as memory, alertness, and concentration. Many people have also said that applying the oil topically to their temples provides relief from headaches and migraines. Additionally, there is research indicating that breathing in rosemary could help relieve symptoms of dementia.
Like many other essential oils, rosemary could be an effective stress-reliever. It could also prevent fatigue and stimulate your body. Studies have found that those who inhaled rosemary oil were about 25 percent less tired than those who inhaled a placebo oil.
Choosing The Right Essential Oil
If you’re interested in using essential oils as a natural remedy, there are many options available for you to do so. When browsing essential oil products, you’ll discover that there are both pure and blended options. Pure essential oils provide 100 percent of a natural ingredient, while blends combine various oils into a single vial for ultimate health benefits.
While you could certainly purchase many pure oils and blend them yourself, many people find that pre-made blends are significantly more convenient. For instance, our Deep Calming Essential Oil Blend can help promote relaxation and ease tension by combining Lavender, Orange, and Rose Geranium, among others.
About Utama Spice
For more than 20 years, Utama Spice has specialized in creating products that harness the raw power of nature. Every one of our ingredients is 100 percent natural, allowing us to deliver products of the highest quality. Check out our News Section to learn more about our natural aromatherapy products and the benefits they offer.
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