Aromatherapy for Beginners: Scents to Uplift, Balance & Calm

Bath & beauty companies have led us to believe that aromatherapy is

beneficial for relaxation, skin care & bathing. While it definitely helps you in these regards, medical aromatherapy—a scientific approach to aromatherapy that uses the potent natural chemical constituents found in essential oils—can also dramatically affect your pain, inflammation, boost your energy, improve your sleep & improve healing.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of natural oils from flowers, plants,

trees, resins & other elements in nature that have healing properties for you.  Aromatherapy is as old as nature itself, but humans have been using the art and science of aromatherapy therapeutically for at least 6000 years. There is plenty of archaeological evidence to suggest that aromatherapy oils were regularly used in the ancient temples of Egypt, Greece and Rome. Our ancient ancestors must have observed that the scents of flowers, trees and other plants had an impact on their stress levels, anxiety, sleep, mood, pain and more.

Not only is aromatherapy one of the most powerful & fast acting natural

therapies available to you, it can be a supremely enjoyable experience. Fragrant scented oils absorb through your skin into the bloodstream during massage. Alternatively, they can be diffused into the air where they are inhaled through your nose, giving many of the molecules direct access to your brain. Thanks to our drug, surgery & radiation-based system of medicine, most of us have been led to believe that your medicine must be harsh to be effective; aromatherapy seems too pleasurable to be effective medicine, but because it quickly gains access to your blood & your brain, impressive results are common & often fast-acting.

When you smell essential oils:  the oil-based potent plant extracts, you’re

actually breathing in molecules of essential oils wafting in the air around you, which send signals directly from the cells in your nose to your brain. Your brain then sends messages back to your body depending on the original message sent to your brain, which varies depending on the scent (or scents) & the chemical constituents they contain. These signals then act accordingly, either to reduce your inflammation, relax your nervous system, boost your mood, increase your energy or reduce your pain;  or some other action depending on the initial chemical constituents detected in the essential oil.

Over the last several decades, research at some of the world’s leading universities on the effects of essential oils on your pain, inflammation, infection, depression, dementia, & many other symptoms, & they have found them effective for many of the ills we experience.

Essential oils have unique therapeutic traits & can contain over 100

chemical constituents, each of which produces unique effects in your  body. Even the same plant grown in different conditions can result in different chemical constituents & have different therapeutic effects on you. Additionally, each plant can produce more than one type of oil, for example—there are 2 types of essential oils derived from the orange tree: neroli oil from the blossoms & orange oil from the peel of the oranges. But it isn’t necessary for you to understand the complex chemistry of these plants & their oils to reap the rewards they offer you.

Oils can be divided into 3 main classifications depending on their properties, including:

1) Uplifting

Uplifting oils tend to boost your mood & your energy levels. Most of the

citrus oils are considered uplifting. They include: bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, neroli & wild orange. Peppermint is also one of the main uplifting oils.

2) Balancing

Balancing oils tend to regulate your imbalanced hormones & your brain messengers known as neurotransmitters, which have a balancing effect on your body. Some balancing oils include: frankincense and clary sage.

3) Calming

Calming oils tend to relax your nervous system & some even have sedative

properties to improve your sleep quality. Some of the calming oils include: lavender & vetiver.

Many oils span multiple categories & can have any combination of uplifting, balancing & calming properties. For example, while frankincense is balancing, many people also find it calming.

Choosing Oils

It is important for you to choose high quality oils since the therapeutic effects are greatly diminished in lesser oils. While there are many types of oils in the marketplace, few are produced to maintain the integrity of the plant. Avoid oils from some of the large bath & body product shops since these oils tend to be extremely low grade, are frequently diluted with other cheaper oils & often contain synthetic or toxic ingredients. Some even contain cancer-causing & hormone-disrupting ingredients like phthalates.

Also, avoid oils that are labeled “fragrance” oils, “perfume oils” or “natural-like” oils since they’re usually synthetic chemicals that offer no therapeutic value whatsoever.

Instead choose undiluted, pure essential oils. Keep in mind that some claims their products are “pure” or “natural” but these terms mean nothing as there are no quality control standards required to be met to make these claims. Choose a company that insists on independent, third-party testing to ensure the integrity of the oils you want to use.

Because essential oils are highly concentrated, a little goes a long way. It is best for you to use them as directed. Avoid taking the essential oils internally unless you are skilled in this art. Also you should avoid contact with the delicate mucous membranes of the eyes & mouth. It’s always best to dilute an essential oil & conduct a test patch on your inner wrist & wait 48 hours.

Some oils can cause photosensitivity—that means that they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. These oils typically include citrus & bergamot oils. Avoid using these oils within a few hours of direct sun exposure.

Enjoy your journey into the world of aromatherapy!

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I found this to be such good info if you’re new to aromatherapy as I am. I recently got some orange oil & bought it, mostly, because I like the scent of oranges… Do any of you use aromatherapy, & what do you use it for? I’d love to hear from you about this by leaving me a comment below…  I’m always up for learning something new in the world of nature.

Enjoy your day!