Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used medicinally for hundreds of years in many cultures. Ancient Chinese burned incense to foster harmony and well-being with the Egyptians using plant oils for both cosmetics (they are credited for the invention of perfume) and medical reasons (embalming the deceased in clove, myrrh, nutmeg and cedar wood). The first book on the subject, Complete Herbal, was published by the English physician and herbalist Nicholas Culpeper in 1652. It was the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattesfosse who coined the term aromatherapy and published his tome of the same name in 1937.
In aromatherapy, plants are heated through boiling or steaming until their oils vaporise. The oil is then used for massage, steam inhalation, bath oil or as a vaporiser for living spaces. There are plenty of beautiful options to vaporise oils so they diffuse your living area. Mine is from In Essence, a great Australian company that makes beautiful wooden ultrasonic diffusers that use vibration rather than heat and has a seven-colour LED light and an auto shut-off function.
Research shows that scents can alter brainwaves and, therefore, have an effect on behaviour, including stress. Aromatherapy uses essential oils
to treat, influence or modify the mind and body promoting health and well-being. Aromatherapy has been used to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Aromatherapy is commonly used by laypeople to influence mood. As with most things, scents are very personal; experiment to find the fragrance that suits you. Available options and their benefits include:
Lavender is calming and reduces stress (great for treating anxiety, insomnia, mild depression and restlessness). Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil can also be used topically to treat bug bites and minor burns
Rosemary increases blood flow to the cerebrum (the largest part of your brain that manages conscious thought) and is therefore great for concentration and attention
Eucalyptus reduces tension and anxiety
Rosemary stimulates contentment, improves performance and lower cortisol levels
Peppermint increases memory and alertness and is used as a pick-me-up
Grapefruit is a naturally refreshing and recharging
Ylang-ylang is calming and reduces alertness (perfect in preparation for sleep)
Lemon is energising, acts as an antidepressant and stimulates the immune system
Lemongrass increases alertness (it also has natural insect-repelling abilities)
Cassia wards off sickness (thanks to its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties)
Clary sage balances hormones and treats insomnia
Cinnamon fights inflammation (it’s also anti-parasitic)
Basil acts to boost energy
Lime acts to lift the mood, particularly useful in mid-afternoon
Bergamot acts to reduce stress and combat depleted energy levels
Pine is invigorating and boosts metabolism
Sweet orange (my personal favourite scent) boosts positivity, morale and promotes a happier mindset. It has also been shown to improve performance, focus and productivity
You can use essential oils singularly or mix them together (a cinnamon and clove mix makes for a festive smell at Christmas). You can also buy pre-mixed blends to take the guesswork out of ratios (I have a great headache blend that I love).
It is important to note that essential oils can be expensive so shop around and explore options online.
