What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is an alternative system of medical treatment that involves the use of essential oils and aromatic plant compounds, and a practice in which scented oils are inhaled through the nose or rubbed on the body during a massage. It helps relieve anxiety, depression, nausea and high blood pressure

History of Aroma Therapy

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses the medicinal properties of the essential oils of plants and herbs. The use of plant essential oils dates back to the ancient times in Egypt , Italy , India , and China . French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy in 1937, when he witnessed first-hand the healing power of lavender oil on healing skin burns. Today, aromatherapy is widely practiced in North America and Europe . It is often integrated into holistic treatments, and is used in spa treatments and products such as candles, massage oil, and other relaxation products.
The essential oils used in aromatherapy are plant volatile oils from the flowers, leaves, stems, buds, roots, seeds, bark, resin, or fruit rinds that have been extracted using steam distillation, water and stem distillation or cold-pressing.

How Aromatherapy Works

Essential oils can affect almost every organ system in the body. Each essential oil has a unique pharmacological effect, such as anti-bacterial, antiviral, diuretic, vasodilator, tranquilizing, and adrenal stimulating.
When an essential oil is inhaled, the molecules enter the nasal cavity and stimulate the limbic system in the brain. The libic system is a region that influences emotions and memories and is directly linked to the adrenals, pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, the parts of the body that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, stress, memory, hormone balance, and breathing. This makes the effects of essential oils immediate in bringing about emotional and physiological balance.
Essential oils can be toxic when taken internally so they should only be taken orally under the guidance of a qualified professional.

Taking a bath can be a very relaxing experience. It is a great stress reliever, and can really help a person to relax and recover from a long, hard day. To help enhance the bath time experience, many people use essential oil, aroma salts or bathing powder. These are dissolved into bath water, and wrap the user in a cloud of pleasing, transporting aroma.

Music therapy is the use of live or recorded music to help provide distraction from symptoms and side effects and to promote relaxation. Using music in a therapeutic way can also ease communication for people who don't always feel comfortable expressing feelings. It can help to increase feelings of well-being, reduce anxiety and reduce physical symptoms such as pain and nausea

Massage is a hands-on method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body using the hands, fingertips, and fists. Massage can include a variety of types of pressure and touch. A massage can be light, concentrating on the skin, or deep, focusing on the underlying layers of muscle tissue.

Studies have demonstrated that massage can offer some health benefits for people with cancer. Massage has been found to be helpful for anxiety, pain, fatigue, and immune function.

Lavender : release from stresses, helpful to a deep sleep

Jasmine : relief from melancholia, helpful to create a romantic mood

Peppermint : enhancement of concentration, prevention of sleepiness, helpful to cold and snuffle, etc

Green apple : Refreshing smell