Aromatherapy is the practice of using scent to improve health and well-being. Essential oils are extracted from plants to create fragrances that can be inhaled or used in massage, bath salts and other products.
These oils stimulate the olfactory nerves in your nose, which send messages to parts of your brain that control emotions and body functions. Research suggests certain oils can help ease anxiety, reduce headaches and nausea, and treat other conditions.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses scents from oils extracted from flowers, herbs and trees to help balance and harmonize body, mind and spirit. These oil extracts are used in a variety of ways to promote health and well-being by improving mood, relieving pain, treating headaches, and more.
When you smell an essential oil, it releases tiny molecules into the air that go through your nose and stimulate the olfactory nerves in your brain. These nerves send signals to different parts of your body, triggering specific physiological responses like lowering stress levels and easing anxiety.
Aromatherapy is safe for most adults, but it’s best to talk to your doctor before trying it, especially if you have any medical conditions. For example, people with high blood pressure should avoid stimulating oils like rosemary and spike lavender. And women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid oils that have estrogen-like compounds, such as fennel, aniseed and clary sage.
How does aromatherapy work?
Aromatherapy uses essential oils (aroma-producing extracts) to stimulate the sense of smell. The scent of these oils can affect your mood, mental health and physical health.
These oil molecules enter your nose and stimulate smell receptors in the olfactory bulb, which sends signals to parts of your brain that control emotions and memory. Some of these chemicals trigger hormones and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which can improve depression, boost mood, relieve anxiety and stress, and increase energy levels.
You can use scented products with essential oils in many ways, such as adding them to bath salts or using an aromatherapy diffuser to fill the room with their scent. But be sure to consult your healthcare provider before trying aromatherapy. They can help you find a safe and effective treatment plan that works with any other medical treatments you’re receiving. They may recommend certain oils and techniques to help manage your anxiety symptoms. They can also help you avoid any side effects that are common in some people.
What are the oils used in aromatherapy?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that can be inhaled, applied topically to the skin or sometimes taken by mouth. The oily liquids contain natural fragrance compounds that have powerful physiological effects. Many pounds of plant material go into the production of just one bottle of essential oil.
Among the most popular essential oils are lavender, chamomile and tea tree oils. These can be used to help with sleep, reduce stress, soothe sore muscles and joints, improve concentration and boost immunity.
Inhaling a few drops of lavender or chamomile oil may help lower anxiety levels, according to several small studies. Research on a few other oils suggests they may reduce nausea, and the antimicrobial properties of oregano and peppermint may help treat infections. Ingestion of essential oils is not recommended unless under the guidance of a trained professional, however. Taking them by mouth can cause a variety of adverse side effects, including rashes, asthma, liver and nerve damage and harm to a fetus.
What are the techniques used in aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy involves the inhalation of essential oils or their application to the skin. The scent of a oil stimulates the smell receptors in the nose, which send messages through the nervous system to impact the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions.
The oils can be diluted and applied to the skin in lotions or massaged into the muscles, used in a bath or added to an oil diffuser. They can also be incorporated into other personal care products like face toners, shampoos and conditioners or liquid soap.
The use of aromatherapy has not been subjected to the same rigorous scientific study as many other CAM therapies, but some research suggests that it may be effectivein helping with certain complaints. The CDC recommends talking to your healthcare provider before trying it at home if you have any health concerns. For example, if you are pregnant or using blood thinners, you should avoid certain oils like camphor and pennyroyal because they can be toxic.
