Danica Collins – Managing Editor, Underground Health Reporter ™

This 6000-year-old healing therapy was used by the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Indians, Greeks, and Romans, all of whom applied aromatherapy in many different forms: cosmetics, perfumes, medicinals…you name it! Today, cultures around the globe still exploit its healing properties, using aromatherapy to alleviate pain, anxiety, and depression, and even to help heal infections and arthritis! Whether inhaled or applied topically, aromatherapy is a worthwhile alternative healing therapy to have on hand.

What Is Aromatherapy?

aromatherapy can be used to treat from flickr MargAromatherapy is the use of concentrated extracts of essential oils from plant parts—the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms— to heal and restore…and it’s a bit of a recycled art.

French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé stumbled upon the healing effects of essential oils when he applied lavender oil to a burn. He went on to examine the effects of different types of essential oils on burns, skin infections, gangrene, and wounds in soldiers during World War I. Impressed by the oils’ medicinal properties, Gattefossé founded the science of aromatherapy in 1928. Today, this “science” is practiced by health care providers around the world, such as nurses, doctors, massage therapists, physiotherapists, and midwives, to name a few.

How Aromatherapy Heals

Researchers aren’t exactly sure how aromatherapy works, but there are two main theories. The first puts the “aroma” in aromatherapy. Scientists believe that the aroma of the essential oil molecules activates smell receptors on the nose. These receptors then send a signal to the amygdala and hippocampus, two areas in the brain responsible for storing and processing memories and emotions. When these areas are stimulated they “wake up” brain cells that influence physical and mental healing. For instance, lavender oil works in the same manner as sedative drugs by activating brain cells in the amygdala.

The second explanation for the healing powers of aromatherapy is especially applicable to topical aromatherapy. Scientists theorize that essential oil molecules mix with the blood, thereby impacting hormones and enzymes.

Aromatherapy Applications

Aromatherapy can be used to treat…

  • Pain relief
  • Hair loss
  • Constipation
  • Insomnia
  • Itchy skin
  • Psoriasis
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Several clinical studies confirmed that the use of essential oils of rose, lavender, and frankincense reduced anxiety and fear in pregnant women. Peppermint oil has been shown to calm nausea and vomiting during labor.

In terms of pain relief, aromatherapy has clinical support as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, cancer (treated with topical chamomile), and headaches (treated with topical peppermint). Patients required fewer pain meds when being treated simultaneously with essential oils.

Many essential oils are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and citrus oils in particular enjoy a stellar reputation as immune system boosters!

An easy way to indulge in aromatherapy is to diffuse essential oils in a diffuser. Just add water, several drops of essential oil, plug in, and let the mist do the work. You can also apply essential oils topically, but be sure to dilute in a carrier oil like sweet almond oil or sunflower oil. Massage into skin and inhale deeply!

 

If you liked this article, then you’ll love these:

Danica Collins is a natural health specialist and the managing editor of the Underground Health Reporter. She is also the spokesperson for Think-Outside-the-Book Publishing, the publisher of The One-Minute Cure: The Secret to Healing Virtually All Diseases, which reveals the scientifically proven therapy that creates a condition in the body that is uninhabitable by disease. Danica reports daily to over 250,000 readers, bringing them the most popular health news on the market, new cutting-edge, anti-aging technologies, and some of the best-kept health secrets in the world. www.UndergroundHealthReporter.com

Comments

comments