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The Benefits Of Aromatherapy In Holistic Health
Aromatherapy, by definition, is the therapeutic use of the essential oils of plants. Centuries ago, and up through today, it has been used to relieve stress, calm the nerves, and nurture the soul. Currently, you will find aromatherapy in a wide range of settings, from homes to hospitals. Aromatherapy is quickly becoming prominent in the fields of alternative and holistic medicine.
Aromatherapy, by definition, is the therapeutic use of the essential oils of plants. Centuries ago, and up through today, it has been used to relieve stress, calm the nerves, and nurture the soul. Currently, you will find aromatherapy in a wide range of settings, from homes to hospitals. Aromatherapy is quickly becoming prominent in the fields of alternative and holistic medicine.
Essential oils that are derived from plants is the foundation of aromatherapy. Properties of each oil can differ widely, from caustic to anti-inflammatory. An average household would only need to know around ten oils and their properties for simple use, although there are approximately three hundred varieties in use by practitioners.
Phenylpropane, the precursor of amino acids, are what essential oils are derived from. You may recognize amino acids as the building blocks of the human body. When you apply these oils to your skin, as in massage, they are transported to organs and systems of the body. Once there, they act to enhance the natural functions of these organs. While chemical drugs can remain in the body reaking havoc for days, months, and even years down the road, essential oils do not, as far as any research shows. They enter the body, where their benefits remain, and then leave, with no toxic markers left behind.
Essential oils each have their own chemical make up. It is within these that their benefits vary so widely. While some may be anti-bacterial, as in Tea Tree Oil, others may be anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-septic, or even a blend of benefits from jsut one oil!
Many have heard of tea-tree oil, it is one that is widely known and used for it’s antiseptic properties. You must be wary though, as essential oils can be dangerous if mishandled. When it comes to essential oils, as in so many other things in life, knowledge is power.
For instance, we have all seen so many products on the market that smell very nice and claim to be aromatherapy. This, unfortunately, is incorrect. Many times companies simply put synthetic perfume oils and other un-natural ingredients in their products and label them aromatherapy. These products do not provide even a fraction of the benefits that the natural products can supply you.
Being the fact that nearly 900 ingredients found in 98% of skin care products on the market in the US today are toxic, one must beware of what they put on their skin! A general rule-of-thumb is to be wary of products that do not list their ingredients and those that do not boast of having pure essential oils Look for products that contain pure essential oils on their ingredient list and avoid those that have words like fragrance.
Indulging yourself is not only good for the mind, but the body as well. In this fast paced world we live in it is necessary to take a much deserved break. We should not think of it as a treat, but rather a ‘treatment’. Aromatherapy treatments benefit us as a ‘whole’, and we should use this holistic, natural form of therapy as much as possible!! So much in the world today is fake, why not do something real for yourself & your family?