"Scent treatment" has been practised for millennia in countries such as China, India and Egypt. At that time, plant substances with a beautiful aroma were added to lotions and oils, which had not only medical but also religious functions. Today, aromatherapy is also widely recognised. But what exactly is it and what benefits can it bring us? This is what we will address in the pages of our article today.
Aromatherapy - what is it?
Aromatherapy is considered one form of alternative medicine. The term itself, the aforementioned 'scent treatment', dates back to 1937 and was coined by a French perfumer and chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse, who included it for the first time in his publication on the use of essential oils to treat a number of conditions.
The Polish Aromatherapy Association (PTA) explains that aromatherapy is nothing more than the introduction into the body of active substances with many health-promoting properties, usually derived from essential oils. This can be done through the respiratory tract - inhalation or inhalation - or through the skin - massages, baths or compresses. Importantly - essential oils should not be taken orally. It is also not advisable to apply them directly to the skin in undiluted form.
What benefits can aromatherapy bring you?
The main task of aromatherapy is to positively influence your mood, mind, mental and physical health and cognitive functions. The essential oils used in this type of therapy are all-natural substances with a beautiful, intense aroma, extracted from live or dried plants. They are a mixture of various chemical compounds, such as esters, ethers, aldehydes or ketones, for example. The oils also exhibit a wide variety of properties. It should be emphasised that they are mainly therapeutic and not medicinal. They can, however, be used auxiliary in the case of many different ailments. This is because they have an impact on general health and mood enhancement. This is extremely important when fighting illness. So what are the specific effects of aromatherapy with essential oils? In the list of positives, we can mention, for example:
- relaxing, de-stressing and soothing effect (e.g. lavender, bergamot, orange, ylang-ylang and patchouli oils),
- sedative effect (especially lavender, ylang-ylang, mint, grapefruit and lemon oils),
- reduction of stress and anxiety (For these ailments, it is best to use oils with citrus scents, e.g. lemon, orange, bergamot, petitgrain, or floral scents - lavender, ylang-ylang),
- improving the quality of sleep (e.g. lavender oil),
- alleviation of muscle and joint pain (Use rosemary, mint or tea tree oil for massage in this case),
- relief of headaches, even migraine headaches (Lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus oils are particularly recommended),
- combating viruses, bacteria and fungi (especially when using oils with antiseptic properties, such as lemon peel),
- help against colds, runny noses and sore throats (Eucalyptus, peppermint or tea tree oils are most recommended in this case).
You can find all the essential oils mentioned in the article in our offer. So we strongly encourage you to visit our shop and wish you successful shopping!
