A Simple Guide to the Benefits of Aromatherapy - By: Dave Lakins

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote a healthy lifestyle and can improve your overall wellbeing. It is just one of many forms of alternative or complementary medicine. The oils can be used simply for their fragrance or also in correlation with a massage. During a massage treatment, the oils are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and are also inhaled through the nose. This causes the body to relax and reenergize.

While you may not be able to get a massage every day (but wouldn’t that be nice?), you can find ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your everyday life. Burning essential oils in your home creates an atmosphere of relaxation and calmness. If you’re not able to burn the oils, you can always use reed diffusers to accomplish the same effect. Essential oils can also be used on dry and tired skin with fantastic results.

Pure essential oils are very useful in aiding relaxation, alleviating stress and emotional problems, strengthening the immune system, fighting infection, relieving aches and pains, overcoming insomnia, and promoting health and overall wellness in the body. A person’s sense of smell can be very powerful and by simply inhaling a particular fragrance your body releases endorphins, affecting your mind in a way that instantly makes you feel good. While the aromatherapy will not cure a disease or illness, it can certainly go a long way towards making a patient more comfortable.

There are many blends that can be made up by an aromatherapist. Depending on what your needs are, will depend on what blend will be most effective for you. For example, if you need help relaxing, Cephalic, which is a blend of Lemongrass and peppermint, is great for clearing the mind. Neroli, Jasmine, Rose, or a blend of Lavender, Geranium, and Clary Sage are a great anti-depressant. Grapefruit and Juniper are helpful for arthritis sufferers. No matter what blend works for you, make sure that the oils are good quality.

Buying essential oil

If you are buying online or in a shop, look for oils that are 100% pure and check whether a supplier is a member of the Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC). You don’t want to put something into your body that will contaminate or harm you. There is a wealth of knowledge available and many aromatherapy suppliers will have websites and online shops. Look for retailers who are knowledgeable about the oils that they sell. They should know the botanical (or latin) name of the plant an oil comes from, which part is was extracted from, how it was extracted, and which country the plant grew in. Some retailers go as far as chemically testing each batch of oils that they sell and assure their purity and quality.

It's also a good idea to look for a retailer who specialises in supplying essential oils only for aromatherapy, as the food and perfume industries have different requirements. Finally, don't be afraid to ask questions - it's the best way to assess whether a retailer is knowledgeable, helpful, and reputable before you buy from them.

Choosing an Aromatherapist

There are several factors to consider when selecting an aromatherapist. First of all, they should be accredited and qualified. Check to make sure they have valid insurance and qualification certificates from a recognised aromatherapy organisation or college. Therefore, they should be trained in anatomy, physiology, massage, and aromatherapy. You will also want to smell their blends. The fragrances should calm you, not distract you. Ask about the quality of the oils they use and whether their supplier is a member of the ATC? Ask what the benefits of the oils would be.

There has been a resurgence in the use of natural remedies and aromatherapy over the last few years as society perhaps become less willing to take pills hoping the problem would go away. But Aromatherapy offers a perfect alternative to mainstream medicine.

About the Author

Duncan Bain is a Director of Natural Touch Aromatherapy and has been involved with aromatherapy for many years. He has visited many of the countries where his essential oils are produced ensuring quality of product.

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