What is aromatherapy and what are its benefits?

Aromatherapy is a therapeutic discipline based on enveloping us in a pleasant feeling of harmony and happiness to strengthen us mentally and awaken the inner energy necessary for healing.

If you want to opt for an alternative to traditional spas or massage centers, you may be interested in this type of natural treatment that has so many benefits for mental and physical health. Below, we tell you in more detail what aromatherapy is, what it consists of, and what its benefits are.

What is aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses the aromatic oils of various plants, woods, and flowers from nature to help cure or reduce the symptoms of certain diseases or health problems such as anxiety or depression. It mainly consists of promoting relaxation through the aroma given off by essential oils, which have a direct effect on the mind and body.

Several scientific studies have demonstrated the power of essential oils to change the perception of pain, reduce anxiety levels, or alleviate physical and mental discomfort.This is why more and more countries, such as Japan and the United States, are introducing this technique in different areas of life, such as hospitals to help patients improve their mood, or in offices to create a more pleasant work environment.

Likewise, this therapy focuses on the sense of smell, since the area of the brain Associated with this sense is the same one in which memory is found. Hence the famous term known as "olfactory memory," which we discuss in greater depth in the post. That's why people respond to smells emotionally much better than with other senses. Sometimes a scent is the best way to awaken memories we thought were forgotten.

Benefits of aromatherapy

• For anxiety and stress: thanks to the relaxing properties of aromatic plant oils and flowers, aromatherapy is very popular for its ability to combat anxiety and depression.
• Aromatherapy for sleep: likewise, it is a technique that will help you combat insomnia and fall asleep.
• Gastrointestinal discomfort: helps regulate intestinal flora.
• Respiratory infections and other diseases: aromatherapy is also used as a complement to medicine to treat and relieve the symptoms of some diseases or health problems such as bronchitis, arthritis, colds, dermatitis, skin eczema, cramps, circulatory problems, or even hangovers.
• Improves the quality of life: Aromatherapy is a technique that everyone can practice, as it promotes relaxation and envelops you in a feeling of complete peace of mind. It helps improve concentration, put you in touch with your inner self, and generally improve your quality of life.

How is this treatment applied?

There are different ways to apply this treatment and enjoy all its benefits and properties. The two most popular are these:

• Airway or respiratory route: The best technique for direct inhalation is to boil water with pure essential oils, so that the concentrated aroma in the water vapor is inhaled through the respiratory system.
• Through the skin: It is also very common for essential oils to be absorbed through the skin, since aromatic molecules quickly reach the circulatory system through the skin. For correct absorption, it is best to perform a massage on the area where they are applied. For this, creams, bath salts, or essential oils diluted in other vegetable oils are used. You can also try an aromatic bath with aromatic essences for a feeling of complete relaxation and well-being.

Oils used in aromatherapy

The essential oils of plants and flowers are the undisputed protagonists of aromatherapy. Already in ancient times, in civilizations such as China or Egypt, they were used to embalm bodies in their funeral rituals or for other medicinal purposes. On the other hand, in the medieval and Renaissance periods, it was also very common for doctors to use them to combat the symptoms of certain diseases thanks to their properties.

As for which are the most used oils in aromatherapy. Lavender, rosemary, ylang-ylang, tea tree, and bergamot oil are some of the most popular oils used in this technique thanks to their many properties. Depending on the oils used, aromatherapy will have certain health benefits. By the way! We recommend you take a look at our post on the best essential oils for perfumes, with very pleasant and exquisite aromas. As you can see, aromatherapy is a natural technique full of benefits that will undoubtedly improve your life. If you haven't tried it yet, what are you waiting for?