If you have health problems such as anxiety, depression or insomnia, you may be interested in learning about aromatherapy. In this type of treatment , plant extracts called essential oils are used – either by breathing them in with the help of a humidifier or by putting them on the skin – to take advantage of their beneficial properties , which will vary depending on the plant. You want to know more? In this article we tell you what aromatherapy consists of and all the benefits you can get from it.
How aromatherapy works
Aromatherapy is a therapeutic discipline that uses plant compounds extracted from the essential oils of certain plants to improve health and mood by restoring balance and harmony to the body and mind through inhalation or application to the skin.
Aromatherapy takes advantage of the fact that the highly concentrated aroma of natural essences stimulates areas in the nose called odor receptors, which send messages through your nervous system to activate certain parts of the brain such as the system. limbic -which plays an important role in emotions- or the hypothalamus, which causes the secretion of substances such as serotonin, essential for a good mood.
Essential oils, the key to aromatherapy success
Essential oils are made from certain cells of certain flowers, herbs, and trees , such as bark, roots, peels, and petals. These cells that give a plant its fragrant smell are its “essence.” When an essence is extracted from a plant, it becomes an essential oil.
Not all products made with plant essences are essential oils. True essential oils are entirely natural and do not mix with other chemicals or fragrances . They are made using a specific process that does not change the chemistry of the plant. Lemon, orange, lavender or tea tree are some of the essential oils that are regularly used in aromatherapy.
Health benefits of aromatherapy
Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
Stress is a part of life and it affects everyone in different ways. Although it is almost impossible to avoid, there are ways to handle it. Lavender essential oil has been scientifically proven to reduce stress. Lavender calms the nervous system , lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and reconfiguring brain waves to help you relax.
Increase energy
Just as there are essences that serve to relax as the aforementioned lavender, there are also others that achieve the opposite effect: stimulate the nervous system in a natural way to increase the energy of our body . Aromas such as mint, lime, lemon, tea tree or rosemary have this effect.
Helps to focus
Do you find it difficult to pay attention to the task at hand? When it comes to improving concentration, memory, and cognitive performance, essential oils like rosemary can work wonders.
Improve sleep
As for effective aids in improving sleep quality and fighting insomnia, essential oils are popular for their natural sedative properties. Lavender oil has been scientifically proven to promote restful sleep : in a study published in Nursing in Critical Care , lavender oil improved sleep quality among coronary intensive care unit patients who inhaled lavender oil for 15 versus those who did not.
