Aromatherapy uses scents (essential oils) to promote physical and emotional well-being. It’s not a replacement for medical care, but it can be used to complement other treatments.
When inhaled, certain scents activate smell receptors in your nose. These send signals to parts of your brain that control emotion and can help manage pain.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, or fragrant extracts from plants, to promote health and wellbeing. It is based on the theory that certain scents can affect your mood, such as feelings of relaxation or energization.
The oil is inhaled, usually through a diffuser, or applied to the skin. Various types of oils are used, including those from Roman chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, frankincense and cedarwood.
Each oil has different healing properties, and combining oils creates a synergistic effect. It’s important to use high-quality essential oils, which you can find online and in some health food stores.
It’s also important to note that most essential oils must be diluted before being applied to the skin, as they are extremely strong and may cause irritation. You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for dilution. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, some oils should be avoided because they can be absorbed through the skin and pass to the baby.
How do I use aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It uses essential oils to manage symptoms and boost well-being. It’s often used alongside conventional treatments for conditions like anxiety.
Aromatherapists use different combinations and concentrations of essential oils to create specific mind-body effects. These effects are created by chemicals called terpenes, which make up the majority of an oil’s scent. For example, limonene has been shown to reduce labor pains and nausea, while linalool has calming effects.
Aromatherapy is most commonly used by inhaling the oils or applying them to the skin. But it can also be used in a bath or as a massage. When applied to the skin, essential oils penetrate the tissues and interact with your olfactory nerves and hormones. The terpenes in the oils can stimulate or calm your nervous system, depending on the oil and its chemical composition. The terpenes in lavender, for instance, have been shown to relieve anxiety.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy uses pure, fragrant oils extracted from the seeds, stems, needles and leaves of different plants. They contain many active components that can help relieve symptoms of certain medical conditions and promote mental health.
The smell of certain scents triggers parts of the brain that store memories and emotions — such as stress and anxiety — and relaxes the body, which can lead to better sleep and a more positive mood. For example, the scent of lavender has a calming effect and decreases activation of the nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response (such as sweaty palms or racing heart) when used in aromatherapy (7).
Research shows that aromatherapy may help reduce trait anxiety — an anxiety that people feel on a regular basis, rather than in specific situations (8). People with cancer or other health conditions might use aromatherapy to lower fatigue, nausea, aches and pains and depression (9). Talk to your healthcare provider about trying this complementary therapy.
What are the risks of aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy can have some risks, particularly if the oils are used undiluted or they aren’t of high quality. It’s important to choose high-quality oils and dilute them with a carrier oil before applying to the skin. Undiluted essential oils may irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions. People with sensitive skin should avoid citrus and menthol oils, as they can trigger a reaction and make the skin more susceptible to sunburn.
It’s also important to talk to your healthcare provider before using aromatherapy. They can help you identify which essential oils might benefit your specific health concerns and what techniques to use safely. They’ll also be able to tell you which oils might not be safe for certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy and asthma, or if they could interact with medications you’re taking. This is especially important if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
