Aromatherapy: How It Can Benefit You!

What Is It?

Aromatherapy is an alternative way to improve physical, emotional and spiritual health! Across the world, this has been a trusted remedy for over 5,000 years! By inhaling or topically applying essential oils derived from healing plants, you can help yourself in many ways, including managing pain, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, overcoming symptoms of depression, soothing sore joints and even battling the effects of cancer.

How Is It Conducted?

Aromatherapy can be conducted in several effective ways.

1.  Rubbing the oil directly into the skin.

2. Inhaling the oils through the nostrils from the top of the bottle or through a cloth.

3. Diffusing oil(s) into the air.

4. Massage therapy using essential oils.

5. Taking a relaxing, oil-infused bath.

What Are The Most Popular, Essential Oil Producing Plants?

• Herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano or peppermint. Leaves from eucalyptus plants. Grasses, such as lemongrass. Fennel seeds. Zest from fruits such as oranges, grapefruit or lemon. Flowers, including rose or geranium. Wood or bark from trees including cedar or pine. Roots from ginger. Resin from frankincense trees and many more!

Who Can Benefit From Aromatherapy?

If you suffer from any of the following health conditions, you will most likely benefit from the healing powers of aromatherapy...

Chronic stress and anxiety, depression, insomnia and trouble sleeping, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory infections, digestive upset, PMS and menopause symptoms, skin problems or disorders, including bites, rashes, bruising, cellulite or acne, as well as blood sugar fluctuations, cancer and fatigue!

So, What Are The Health Benefits?

• An Increase In Relaxation- there are certain essential oils used in aromatherapy practices, including lavender and chamomile, that can help people who feel stressed or anxious to relax overall. Combine a relaxing essential oil with a bath and you're bound to experience a relief of any stress or anxiety present in your mind.
• Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep- since some essential oils have the ability to reduce stress and anxiety, they can also be used to calm you down before bed time. This will improve the overall quality of your sleep and allow you to sleep deeply and for a longer time! Try diffusing the oils into the air of the room you are sleeping in and lay down while taking deep breaths through your nose! 
• Help Treat Respiratory Conditions- some aromatherapy oils have antiseptic properties that aid in the cleansing of the air of bacteria, fungus and mold that can contribute to respiratory problems, such as congestion, coughing or sneezing. Citrus essential oils have been found to improve the overall function of the immune system and reduce depression! By rubbing a citrus oil directly on your chest or neck, you will be able to inhale the particles and improve your respiratory health!
• Reduce Inflammation And Ease Pain- if you experience tight or tense muscles, achy joints, inflamed tissue injuries, or pain from headaches, several essential oils can be inhaled or applied directly to the troubled area for some relief! A few essential oils that have been known to have these healing properties include, ginger, myrrh, turmeric and orange.
• Libido Booster- clary sage, sandalwood, rosemary, geranium, ylang ylgang and neroli are all essential oils that improve libido, raise energy through increased blood flow and treat sexual dysfunctions. These oils will balance hormones throughout your body!
• Improve Digestion and Reduce Nausea- many aromatherapy oils, such as ginger, turmeric, grapefruit, peppermint, lemon, chamomile and eucalyptus, can help reduce acid reflex, ulcers, nausea, indigestion, morning sickness or stomach aches due to PMS!

There are many great essential oil diffusers in stores and online for you to purchase! Important specifications of a great diffuser include, tank size, automatic shut off, the ability to use citrus oils (some are not compatible with citrus oils), run time and coverage! If you have a diffuser already that you love, leave a comment to help others make a good choice in diffusers!

You can also purchase essential oil candles that provide you will all the same health benefits! I recommend finding a soy-based candle because soy wax is the best alternative to paraffin wax candles. Paraffin is distilled from petroleum, which we know is not healthy for our bodies!

Hope you found this post full of helpful information and that you try aromatherapy to benefit your health!

- Lily Choi Natural Healing