Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy has been used throughout history for many reasons.The method has been used for healing purposes, for eliciting reactions, and to promote deep relaxation. Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment approach that utilizes essential oils extracted from plants to support health and well-being. It can be used in many different ways: The essential oils can be messaged into the body. Different oils are used on the skin for different purposes. For example, eucalyptus oils are used for decongestion and lavender oils are used to elicit a calming effect. Another way to use essential oils are as roller bottles. This is an easy and simple way to have aromatherapy on the go. Simply roll the oils onto the skin for soothing purposes. You can also place about 2-3 drops of essential oils into a diffuser. The essential oils infused into a diffuser can create a calming and relaxing scent. When you breathe in the essential oil, your olfactory system is stimulated.
The olfactory sensory system has sensory receptors in your nose that allow you to recognize and interpret over 10 trillion different smells. You can learn more about the Olfactory System in our previous blog.
Aromatherapy can be used as body oil where it is deeply massaged into the skin for muscle relief. Whether you use these essential oils as a whole body message or infuse it into a diffuser, it’s good for your physical, emotional and mental health. There is plenty of research on how lavender influences the amygdala, the brain's emotional center. For example, lavender has been linked to releasing those feeling good hormones and promoting a calming and restful effect. It can also be used to treat the skin from rashes and burns. Another great essential oil is peppermint which has been known to increase energy levels and revitalize your overall health.
Aromatherapy has both physical and psychological benefits. In this blog, we will discuss how you can include aromatherapy into your daily routine to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety for you or your child.
Benefits of aromatherapy:
Promotes relaxation and calming effects
Reduce anxiety and stress
Improves with digestion
Boosts immune system
Helps with insomnia
Eases muscle soreness and pain
Helps with headaches and migraines
Can be used as a destresser
Arousal modulation
How to do it yourself?
You can create aromatherapy cotton balls with your favorite essential oils. It is easy to make and fun to work with. All you will need are three items:
Materials:
Your favorite essential oil
Cotton balls
Tape
Small mason jar (optional)
Steps:
Have your materials laid out on a flat surface or table
Take your favorite essential oil and the cotton balls. Drop 2-3 droplets of the essential onto the cotton ball.
Take a cotton ball and attach it on your shirt close to the chest area. You will need to place the cotton balls close enough to your nose you are able to smell it.
Take the tape and tape it in place.
You add as many cotton balls as you’d like but you really only need up to 3.
If you don’t want it taped to your shirt, you can also place the cotton balls in a small mason jar with holes on the cover. This is also a great way to repurpose the cotton balls.
Remember, the more drops of essential oil you use, the stronger the scent will be!
Other ways to use essential oils:
Diffuser - drop 2-3 droplets into the diffuser to create a calming and relaxing scent.
Roller Ball - to provide a soothing sensation onto the skin.
Eucalyptus Rub - to relieve muscle aching and soreness after a workout.
Bug Repellent - drop a few droplets of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place it in areas prone to spiders and ants to keep them out. Spiders and ants hate the scent of peppermint!
We hope you enjoyed this week's blog post on aromatherapy. Let us know in the comments if you plan to use this DIY aromatherapy for you or your child!
—-
Essential oils - https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f89dcb4360c137d6d330369/0722fe69-7e9f-4dc2-b29c-15512579ec02/Aromatherapy+smaller.jpg?format=1000w
Cotton balls - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/137641332353423769/
Oils - https://www.hsn.com/products/livepure-essential-oils-variety-3-pack/20570291
Tape - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/214976582201857513/
Cotton balls with oils - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44543483805878997/