Aromatherapy For Beginners: What is it?
Aromatherapy enhances your wellbeing
Aromatherapy is an ancient method of using the sense of smell to promote feelings of calmness, balance, peace, and harmony in peoples’ lives.
However, it was not until the 1920s that it got this name as we know it today. Aromatherapy uses essential oils to enhance a therapeutic feeling in your body and mind and can help both your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Aromatherapy has gained much recognition in science and medicine today. Even though this form of therapy is almost a thousand years old, there have emerged many modern ways of reaping its benefits in the present age.
In this article, I will take you through how you can make it a part of your home and life using products like aromatherapy essential oils and aromatherapy candles.
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1. Aromatherapy essential oils
Essential oils are derived from plant extracts by steaming or pressing various parts of the plant like flowers, leaves, bark, or fruit. This method helps to capture the elements that produce a beautiful fragrance. A single bottle of essential oil might have to be made using several pounds of a plant. Aromatherapy essential oils are available in clean and modern bottles.
The different varieties of essential oils include spruce, peppermint, lemon, grapefruit, and tea tree. These contain antibacterial properties that are a great way to refresh your mind and body. Aromatherapy essential oils are a natural remedy for many ailments, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Low appetite
- Dry mouth
Aromatherapy essential oils can be used through aromatherapy accessories such as necklaces, key chains, and bracelets that can be sniffed throughout the day. You can also purchase aroma sticks from the market. These are plastic sticks that have an absorbent wick to soak up the essential oil.
2. Oil burners
Oil burners are a very efficient way to fill up your home with soothing scents. The traditional oil burners come in the shape of a tripod that holds a beaker. The beaker contains scented oil. So here, you need to put a candle below the tripod, which heats the oil and releases the fragrance across the room.
Nowadays, there are electric oil burners available in the market as well. All you need is some water and a few drops of essential oil, and you are ready.
The rest is taken care of by the electricity, which helps release the scent into the air.
These electric oil burners are available in different shapes and styles like pot-shaped, porcelain, spherical, etc. These burners not only make your home smell good but also give it a visual aesthetic touch.
3. Aromatherapy candles
Aromatherapy candles have become immensely popular these days because of how easy they are to use and their long-lasting ability. These are usually available in a container that has wicks attached all the way through. All you need to do is find a safe place and light the wick. The candle is scented with fragrances like lavender or clary sage. Lighting these aromatherapy candles as you take a rest after a long day’s work can be a great stress relief.
4. Reed diffusers
Another way to enjoy your aromatherapy essentials is by using reed diffusers. Pre-blended oils are available, and these come with diffuser sticks made of charcoal or wood in most cases. You can also make your blends depending on the aroma you like and even build a diffuser using materials already available at home.
5. Non-reed diffusers
While reed diffusers are a great way to enjoy your aromatherapy essentials, there is also the option of using non-reed diffusers that function equally well. These are found in all shapes, sizes, styles and made using different materials. You can use non-reed diffusers in multiple settings. All you have to do is place a few drops of the essential oil on the stone, and the scent will get released instantly. Woodgrain diffusers are also available, which are not just meant for aromatherapy but also function as humidifiers.
6. Tech-based aromatherapy
It is a fact of the human body that when we smell the same fragrance for a long time, we build ‘scent fatigue’. Here, our scent receptors become saturated with the same smell, and it stops sending the scent information to the brain. As a result, we stop receiving this smell.
However, with technology, you can have a more versatile experience of aromatherapy. You can connect this device with your smartphone and switch from one scented aromatherapy essential oil to another.
Which essential oils are the best for you?
There are a wide variety of essential oils available in the market today. Which essential oil is best suited to your senses depends on what you are expecting from aromatherapy. However, there are a few aromatherapy essential oils liked by most people. These are:
- Lavender oil– This oil has proven to reduce stress and promote good sleep.
- Peppermint oil– Research has shown that peppermint oil can relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel (IBS) Syndrome.
- Lemon oil– Many people find the citrusy smell of lemon oil to be an instant mood lifter. This can be a great fragrance after a hard day to bring your spirits up.
- Tea tree oil– Originally, the Australian aboriginal people used this aromatherapy essential oil for healing wounds. The oil has a refreshing fragrance and is also used to treat acne or insect bites.
To sum up
In modern times, when we all are swamped with work or something else at all times, aromatherapy is a great way to treat our stressed mind and body.
While all the items mentioned in this article are beneficial in helping you relieve your body of all stress, try something more dramatic, like creating the perfect ambience to go with the fragrance.
So take a shower, get those essential oils ready, lean back on your bed, close your eyes, and meditate for some time as the beautiful scents surround you. Doing this will surely freshen you up for the day.
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I like how you mentioned that natural aromas could treat depression and anxiety. The other night, a friend told me he was hoping to find a black porcelain stone aromatic diffuser for their home environment. He asked if I had any idea where he could find one. I appreciate this helpful article. I’ll tell him that he can consult a well-known candle store as they can provide more information about the production process.
Thank you, John. I’m pleased the article was helpful. Cheers, J