What Is Aromatherapy? Causes, Uses, Benefits, And Side Effects

For those who don’t know, Aromatherapy has been around for more than a good long thousand years. Humans have believed in the use of aromatic plants since ancient times, especially prevalent in the medical histories of India, Egypt, and China, due to the psychological and physical benefits of the same. 

In this article, we will dive into the depths of aromatherapy and find out details of more on the same – from what is aromatherapy to its uses and benefits, we are leaving no stone unturned in giving you all the information that you need about the same. 

Keep reading to find out more about the origins of aromatic components and how those components can benefit us!

What Is Aromatherapy?

It is almost impossible that you have never heard about the term Aromatherapy. But in case you haven’t wondered what aromatherapy is totally fine because we are here to tell you all about the same. So scroll down and find out more details about this thousand-year-old medical treatment. 

Simply put, aromatherapy is a holistic treatment that aims to heal and promote well-being with the help of natural extracts from aromatic plants. Another name for the same is ‘essential oil therapy.’ By using essential oils, Aromatherapy works on medicinally improving your physical, mental, and spiritual health, thereby boosting both your emotional and physical health. 

This medical practice is now looked at as both sciences as well as a form of art. In fact, the field has received much recognition and attention in both the world of medicine and science. 

The Origins Of Aromatherapy:

As mentioned above already, the concept of Aromatherapy has stayed for more than thousands of years. The ancient cultures practicing medicine in India, Egypt, and China were known for using components from aromatic plants for both religious and medicinal purposes. Often used in balms, oils, and resins, these components were said to have psychological and physical benefits. 

If you trace the history of distillation of essential aromatherapy oils, the evidence emerges in the 10th century with the Persians, though we can assume the same has been used long before that. After this, we could trace published data about essential oils in 16th century Germany, followed by 19th century France, where it was finally figured out essential oils could be utilized for treating diseases!

Although the 19th century witnessed the rise of medicinal doctors and chemical drugs, the German and French identified the relevance of natural plant extracts for treating diseases. 

The year was 1937 when French chemist and perfumer René-Maurice Gattefossé first coined the term ‘aromatherapy’ while writing on a topic as part of a book that was published in the same year. After discovering how lavender could heal and treat burns, the perfumer was moved to explore more. Thus, the book that was published in this context spoke at length about how essential oils can treat illnesses. 

How Does Aromatherapy Work? 

If you have no idea how aromatherapy works, we will tell you all about it! The treatment typically uses olfactory nerves and the sense of skin absorption with the hell of certain products for healing and soothing you physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

The products that the treatment uses are as follows, 

1. Aromatherapy diffuser,
2. Aromatic spritzers,
3. Facial Steamers,
4. Inhalers,
5. Bathing Salts,
6. Cold and hot compresses,
7. Clay masks, and
8. Body lotions, oils, and creams for topical application or massage.

Please note: You can either use the products mentioned above in combination or even alone.

Did you know that there are as many as a hundred essential oils out there? In most situations, consumers tend to use the most popular alternatives – every individual essential oil comes with its own set of benefits, uses, healing properties, and effects. When you choose to combine a few alternatives of the same, you can even opt for creating more benefits. 

The Natural Benefits Of Aromatherapy: 

It is pretty well known that Aromatherapy has several benefits. Scroll down and find out the benefits of the same, 

1. Improves the quality of sleep,
2. Reduces anxiety, stress, and agitation, 
3. Manages pain, 
4. Soothes joins that are sore, 
5. Treats migraines and headaches, 
6. Eases labor-related discomforts, 
7. Fights fungus, bacteria, virus, 
8. Improves digestion, 
9. Boosts immunity, 
10. Alleviates chemotherapy-related side effects,
11. Improves palliative and hospice care

Unproven Claims: 

Even though the popularity of bath and body works aromatherapy in daily lifestyle culture is immense in 2022, there’s still a lack of evidence in scientific contexts. In fact, scientific evidence about the same is considered to be a little restrictive and lacking. When you think about it, you will realize how research on and evidence of aromatherapy in treating the following diseases continues to be lacking, 

• Heart diseases, 
• Alzheimer’s disease, and
• Parkinson’s disease. 

The Conditions That Aromatherapy Might Resolve: 

The importance of aromatherapy is pretty widespread and vast – naturally, the same has a lot of potentials to treat plenty of conditions as the ones mentioned below. 

1. Insomnia,
2. Fatigue,
3. Asthma,
4. Depression, 
5. Peripheral neuropathy,
6. Menstrual Issues, 
7. Alopecia,
8. Inflammation,
9. Menopause,
10. Erectile dysfunction
11. Cancer, and
12. Arthritis.

Side Effects Of Aromatherapy:

Figuring out what aromatherapy massage might sound interesting immediately after finding the benefits of the same. But we would suggest that you stick around a little while and find out what are the side effects of this treatment. So scroll down and check out the side effects of aromatherapy as mentioned below!

1. No Direct Contact

The essential precaution that you must keep in mind while opting for essential oils is not to bring them under direct contact with your skin. In fact, we suggest using a carrier oil that can help you dilute the effects of essential oils. Moreover, always do skin patch tests before you start using essential oils. 

2. Consult Medical Help

If you are pregnant or currently breastfeeding, it’s best to use essential oils only under expert medical supervision. The same holds true for children as well. Make sure that you or your child does not end up swallowing any oil, and also avoid citrus oils if you are going to be exposed to the sun since these can make your skin relatively more sensitive to sunlight.

Other Side Effects: 

The side effects of aromatherapy are as follows, 

• Rashes,
• Asthma attacks,
• Skin Irritations, 
• Headaches, 
• Nausea, and 
• Allergic reactions

Frequently Asked Questions:–

The World Of Aromatherapy: The One That Stayed

Now that you know all that you need to find about Aromatherapy, finding an aromatherapy spa that’s close to your neighborhood might not be a bad idea. Instead of constantly deliberating whether or not you should opt for this treatment, why don’t you give this historically relevant treatment a try this year? 

Don’t forget to let us know in the comments below if this article proved to be beneficial in any way!

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