Aromatherapy is using the essential oils of plants and flowers to promote well being. Aromatherapy is not just scented candles or oils.
A way to use natural oils to heal the body is called Holistic Aromatherapy. For example a drop of thyme oil under the tongue can cause someone with the first symptoms of a cold or flu to feel better.
Psycho Aromatherapy shows the way smells affect our moods. The way the human body responds to scents is why and how aromatherapy works. It has been said that the olfactory nerve takes the smells of essential oils and carries them to the parts of the brain which uses our hormones and emotions.
When essential oils are used in bath and beauty products they are also absorbed through the skin. This causes them to be transferred to the nervous and muscular system. This explains why you feel more relaxed when using items such as candles with such scents as lavender and ylang ylang. This is also why massage oils are so popular.
Essential oils have chemicals in them that can be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and even antiviral. Essential oils are made from plants. Not all plants have essential oils. The most common form for extracting essential oils is steamed distilled. Some oils such as citrus or lime are cold pressed.
Essential oils are concentrated so 1 drop goes a long way. Applying essential oils to the skin directly usually causes irritation. Many people use carrier oils with the essential oils such as sweet almond oil or grapeseed. This helps dilute the products so that they can be used without causing irritation. Essential oil blends help to make the desired fragrance you like.
Aromatherapy is a great way to reduce stress. It is also fun to experiment with different blends and scents. It is a fun way to find out what you like and what others you are close to like.