Aromatherapy is a practice that has been around for centuries and is gaining more and more popularity in our society today. Put in a very simple and easy to understand way, aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils and specific scents, such as lavender, vanilla, jasmine and lemon to improve one’s mood, overall health as well as to reduce high levels of stress.
Sense of Smell
Our sense of smell is very well developed, not to mention strong. Scents have a way of working on the brain to stimulate memory, relax, energize and make a person feel just plain happy to be alive and kicking! As an example, lavender is an herb with a very calming scent often used to help people fall asleep. In days gone by lavender was sewn into pillows to help encourage restfulness and it was also sprinkled on handkerchiefs to sniff whenever a person felt nervous or tense. A number of products for babies, such as powders, lotions and oils contain the ingredient lavender.
Soothing to the System
Whether it really is soothing to the nervous system or works because of the power of suggestion, nobody really knows for sure. But aromatherapy does do the trick and is fast becoming more and more recognized as a viable method of calming down and reducing a heavy stress load.
How can Aromatherapy Reduce Stress?
Pour a few drops of an essential oil of your choice (I recommend lavender) in a bath and then take a long soak. Ahhh. Both the enchanting scent and the luxurious soak will do your body and mind a great deal of good. Just relax your mind and feel those worries melting away!
When you’re feeling stressed and nothing else seems to help, sniff a calming scent such as lavender, rose or sandalwood in the same way that you would breathe in a whiff of a new perfume.
Here’s a good one to try, handed down to me by my maternal grandmother- use aromatherapy as a deodorizer for a room. Here’s how to do it: Pour a small amount of vanilla into a pan of water and then simmer it on the stove. Whatever you do, do not allow the pan to boil dry. The smell it gives off will delight you and make your home smell amazing!
Aromatherapy and massage were made for one another. Go ahead and make your own massage oil. It’s simple to do, just add a few drops of your favorite oil to an unscented oil such as almond and then reap the benefits. Ahhh! I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the result!
Word of Caution
These are just a few ideas for incorporating aromatherapy into your life to lessen stress. A word of caution though- it’s not a good idea to use essential oils full strength on your skin, as they can be highly irritating. Instead dilute them first with a carrier oil. One of the best to try is almond. For those unsure as to what a carrier oil is, let me explain.
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils, also referred to as base oils or vegetable oils, are used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to skin. They “carry” the essential oil onto the skin. Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. Carrier oils are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils taken from the fatty portions of the plant. Carrier oils do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils do. Examples of carrier oils are sweet almond, avocado, grape seed, apricot kernel, peanut, olive, pecan, sesame, macadamia nut, evening primrose, walnut and wheat germ.