On Aromatherapy
It’s happened to all of us at one time or another: you’re walking past a storefront, testing out candles, or using the shampoo in a hotel shower and suddenly you’re transported back to a specific childhood memory that you’d long forgotten. Somehow, the scent that found you was strong enough to evoke an image so clear, you’d swear it had only happened yesterday! Our olfactory system is strongly associated with our memories, both short- and long-term, so it’s no wonder aromatherapy is such a widely-used and effective treatment for a large range of people.
Aromatherapy is
“the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit...When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain.”
The practice has been used for centuries, across different cultures, and recently had a resurgence among many in the holistic healthcare field in the United States. It has been found to aid with the symptoms of: asthma, depression, fatigue, insomnia, inflammation, and arthritis, and has also been shown to fight bacteria, fungus, and viruses while improving digestion and boosting immunity! Many people use essential oils for this purpose, ingesting them or using a diffuser to fill the room - we’ve found that a candle works well for this purpose, too! Consult the list below to find the perfect scent for you.
For an improved mood:
- Geranium
- Lemon
- Lime
- Orange
- Palo Santo
For relaxation:
- Blue Tansy
- Lavender
- Patchouli
- Tangerine
- Cedarwood
- Eucalyptus
For sleep:
- Clary Sage
- Sandalwood
- Valerian
- Vetiver
For focus:
- Frankincense
- Lemon
- Rosemary
- Ylang Ylang
What are your favorite aromatherapy combinations? Comment below with your recommendations!