Benefits of aromatherapy

Aromas play an important role in our lives, some can lift your mood and improve your well-being, while others cause a lot of negative emotions. Aromatherapy is designed to help a person improve their mental state and have a beneficial effect on the whole body.

History

The history of aromatherapy began more than 6 thousand years ago. In those days, it was used not only for medicinal and prophylactic purposes, but also for conducting ritual events. Aromatic compositions were used in Egypt, Rome, Greece, as well as in China and India. In modern medicine, they started talking about it in 1907, and publications on the topic of “aromatherapy” appeared only in 1937. The first doctor to use aromatherapy in practice is named Jean Valnet. This surgeon of French origin used oils to improve the health and morale of wounded soldiers during the Second World War.

Types and methods of application

Oils can be formed in different parts of plants: roots, stems, flowers, etc. Each plant has its own aroma and possesses unique properties inherent only to it. For aromatherapy, essential oils are used in:

• inhalations;
• compresses;
• massages;
• rubbing;
• baths. The effect of oils on the body occurs through the respiratory organs, through the skin and mucous membranes. Pads and sachets with herbs in linen bags are common. They are useful and can be used as desired. The bad thing is that these herbs, evaporating rather quickly, lose their useful properties, and the bag tends to absorb dust settling on it, which can also cause allergies. Oils are from seeds, such as apricot, grape, peach and others. From citrus fruits, such as orange or grapefruit, various flowers, such as marigolds, geranium, jasmine and others, as well as from cedar, cypress and juniper. They are extracted from nuts, for example, nutmeg or almonds, various herbs, such as mint or wormwood. They all differ in smell and effect on the body.
  More than 3,000 oils are produced in the world. But for constant use, it is enough to choose no more than 10 types, which must always be kept on hand.
  It is worth choosing those that are most pleasant and cause positive emotions. Even if the oil is considered incredibly useful, but in a particular person it causes a negative sensation or discomfort, then it is better not to use it. There will be little benefit from it, besides, from an unpleasant smell, a bad mood or even a headache will appear.

How to use it correctly at home

Home aromatherapy is needed so that there is a pleasant aroma and fills the room with positive emotions. Home aromatherapy is available in several ways:

• use an aroma lamp, this method will be especially convenient for beginners. Using the device is quite easy. This aroma lamp has 2 parts, into one of them, the upper one, water is poured and 3-5 drops of oil are added. A candle is placed in the lower part and lit. During heating, the water evaporates along with drops of oil and fills the room with a miraculous aroma;
• you can use mechanical devices that spray a mixture of water and oil into the air;
• a bath with aroma oil also has a rather strong effect, but first you will have to dilute up to 8 drops in milk or honey, since it does not dissolve in water, then add to the bath with water;
• when performing a massage, oil can be added to a natural cream, which will have a positive effect.
  In home aromatherapy, it is important not to overdo it with the amount of oil. If there is too much of it, then the mood and general condition may worsen or lead to a severe allergy.
  All oils, before applying to the skin, must be pre-tested for a possible skin reaction.

Benefits

• promotes regeneration;
• nutrition of the body at the cellular level;
• energizes;
• boosts immunity;
• destroys most bacteria and viruses.
  Oils contain a large amount of vitamins and pheromones, as well as hormones, and even natural antibiotics.
  The oils contain a complex chemical series of elements, thanks to which they have an irreplaceable pharmacological effect. When they enter the human body, they are able to eliminate various diseases and their causes. Aromatherapy benefits of use:
• antiviral effect;
• antibacterial;
• pronounced antifungal;
• sedative effects;
• stimulating;
• healing.
  Oil helps oxygen penetrate into cells, thanks to which the necessary nutrition is delivered. The total presence of oils in the body is no more than 20 minutes, after which all enzymes leave it. They can be called natural filters that prevent the body from becoming clogged.
  The positive effect of oils is noted on various body systems:
• immune;
• digestive;
• heart and blood vessels;
• bronchi and lungs;
• genitourinary;
• endocrine;
• nervous;
• skin;
• musculoskeletal. The smell is of great importance; for application, it must be pleasant and evoke pleasant emotions. Always test for an allergic reaction. Aromatherapy in medicine allows you to regulate the treatment of the body, thanks to it, not a separate organ is healed, but the whole body. Small concentrations have an irreplaceable therapeutic and prophylactic effect. It includes processes in the human body that contribute to self-regulation, prevention of diseases and improvement of health in cases of chronic diseases. Aromatherapy in psychology will help to achieve a harmonious state and calmness.

Contraindications

Aromatherapy contraindications:

• the presence of a serious kidney disease, juniper oil is contraindicated, as is thyme or pine;
• suffering from epilepsy, it is generally recommended to use any oils with caution, but the greatest harm can be caused by basil or rosemary, as well as thyme and sage;
• the presence of heart or vascular diseases, it is forbidden to use pine and fir oils, use basil, mint and juniper, as well as ylang-ylang, lemon, melissa and tea tree with great caution;
• childhood, it is better to refrain from using essential oils altogether, at least until adulthood. There is an active process of returning a person to everything natural. Oils will help to recreate the most comfortable conditions for the human body during recovery and for the prevention of diseases. They are natural and do not contain harmful components. Choose the aroma according to your taste and mood. Everyone can do this, thanks to the fact that there are quite a lot of them from a wide variety of natural ingredients.