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5 Things You Must Know About Aromatherapy

1. Aromatherapy is an ancient art and science

The origin of the word Aromatherapy: "aromatherapie" was only coined in the 1928 by Rene Maurice Gattefosse. However, this healing tradition which utilizes scents and natural essential oils has been long practiced by our forefathers since they started using herbs, roots, grasses, and leaves in medicine.

Although people may respond differently physically and emotionally to scents, there is a certain group of essential oils that promote a natural healing effect in the mind, body, and soul. These essences that come from fruits, flowers, plants, and trees are quite potent. The herbal extracts undergo a careful process of distillation to make sure all the healing and positive components of the herbs are properly obtained.

2. Aromatherapy is a hands-on practice

Aromatherapy is often combined with massage to reduce stress and relax the body. It can also be used along with acupuncture or the use of pressure points to relieve certain health conditions.

You can study the effects of any of your favorite scents by using essential oils as a room freshener or air purifier. Then allow the scent to take effect on your body just through the aroma. The art of combining scents takes many years to perfect. There is no danger in experimenting scents to achieve your desired results. But for a first timer it is generally recommended to stick with single scents and a maximum of five scents if you plan to blend them.

3. Aromatherapy naturally enhances your mood

Scents are a great way to pick up your day. Instead of drinking another cup of coffee to fight your sleepiness, try reaching for a lemon or orange essential oil to energize your mood. Lemon extracts give you a sunny and zesty feeling. It is also good in strengthening the mind and getting your focus back.

If you're having a stressful day, citrus-based essential oils such as Orange can help you ease your worries. Other popular essential oils are chamomile, rosemary, and sage. Chamomile can ease muscle aches, while rosemary is known as a mood booster, and sage is use to alleviate insomnia.

4. Aromatherapy brings a balance in everyday living

Essential oils can go along way if you know how and where to use them. There are many books available in Amazon and your local bookstore about Aromatherapy that covers the properties and effects of essential oils and where to apply it in a day-to-day basis.

They can be added in your bath to soothe your tired body. Be careful in applying essential oils on your skin. They can burn the skin since most of them contain alcohol. Add a carrier oil to like almond, grapeseed, or sunflower to dilute the essential oil. Plant essences can be also taken internally. Add some of the oil like rosemary to a glass of water to promote good digestion.

5. Aromatherapy promotes natural healing treatment

The odors that pass through our nose have a powerful effect on our physical and emotional state. The end goal of Aromatherapy is not to replace Western medicine but to enhance a sense of well-being in every individual through the use of herbal and natural scents derived from nature.