What is Aromatherapy & What Is It Used For?
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing practice involving the use of essential oils that are derived from plants. These powerful oils can help to promote physical, psychological, and mental well-being. When you smell essential oils, the receptors in your nose send messages to the parts of your brain that impact emotion and pain. They are now used therapeutically in massage centers, chiropractor’s offices, yoga studios, spas and even in hospice settings. Many rehab centers incorporate these oils into various treatments due to their healing power. Aside from using them in treatment settings, you can also purchase and use essential oils at home. By diffusing one or more oils into the air, inhaling oils from the bottle, making an oil-infused bubble bath or rubbing oils onto your skin, you can experience the power of plant essential oils in your home.
Health Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has long been a trusted practice by many cultures for:
- Promoting relaxation - certain essential oils like lavender, chamomile and bergamot are known for their stress-relieving properties. For example, lavender is known for having a universally calming effect that can reduce the nervous system’s fight or flight response and physical symptoms of stress.
- Reduce pain and inflammation - if you experience sore muscles from intense exercise, aching joints from chronic conditions, internal or external inflammation, headaches or menstrual cramps, essential oils can be inhaled, diffused or applied topically to soothe your pain. Common oils for relieving pain include ginger, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
- Managing side effects of cancer - for patients with cancer, aromatherapy can be used for stress reduction, nausea or pain management. Essential oils are often combined with meditation, massage or acupuncture for additional stress relief. These oils not only help with physical side effects of cancer/cancer treatment but can also help with depressive mood. Common oils for cancer patients are neroli, rose, lavender and geranium.
- Digestive Support - oils like ginger, turmeric, grapefruit, lemon and peppermint can help ease stomach pain, nausea and indigestion.
How to Use Essential Oils Safely at Home
While essential oils can provide life-changing benefits, it is essential to be aware of how to use them safely at home. Many people think that essential oils must be safe to use because they are natural. While they are concentrated and potent, they may cause adverse reactions if not used properly. It is important to consult with a doctor or aromatherapist before treating any malady using oils. It’s also crucial to do your research to ensure that the oils you use are high quality, pure, and free of synthetic ingredients. Before applying oils directly to your skin, dilute the oil using a carrier oil like jojoba oil, avocado oil or sweet almond oil with a 1:1 ratio. Other safe ways to use essential oils:
- Spraying bedding and linens
- Diffusing into air with essential oil mister
- Steaming by adding oil to boiling water
Aromatherapy to Treat Addiction
While recovering from addiction, it is important to find ways to take care of yourself and generate positive energy and emotions for your healing journey. Other benefits of aromatherapy for people recovering from addiction include:
- Nausea alleviation during detox
- Better quality of sleep
- Enhanced immune system
- Less feelings of anxiety and depression
By mindfully incorporating essential oils into addiction and mental health treatment, you may be able to alter negative emotions related to cravings. It’s important to work with trained clinicians or aromatherapists if you desire to add essential oils into your recovery journey. Finding a center that offers a personalized approach to healing will ensure that you can safely add aromatherapy to your treatment plan, while keeping in mind any medications that could potentially interact with the oils. Aromatherapy can certainly be integrated into a holistic treatment plan with professional and medical guidance.