If you step into any healthy food store, you’ll notice a shelf with aromatherapy oils and sprays that will make you feel energized just by looking at them. Aromatherapy products have a wide range of treatment and are a popular purchase among people who are leading a healthy lifestyle. The sales are on the rise, but according to experts, not all aromatherapy products are equal in quality.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using extracted aromatic aromas from plants in order to balance the body and bring harmony to your wellbeing. The term was invented in 1937, and has become a widely accepted term for beauty items, diffusers, lotions and other products. However, according to Jessie Violet, a massage therapist from the University of Pittsburgh, just because something is labeled aromatherapy, it doesn’t mean it’s natural.
“Some of the aromatherapy products on the market are not regulated by the law at all – they are common products sprayed with a bit of perfume. If you want to get the real deal, you must learn to read the label of these products,” she says.
Violet continues by saying that proper aromatherapy products contain words such as essential oil extracts. Otherwise, it’s just a scented product which works through the idea of your personal preference of scent. However, just because a product says it will relax you doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone. This is personal, so it might be better to pick the one that really works in your case.
For example, studies have shown that lavender does relieve anxiety and stress, but the lavender-scented products don’t have the same properties the products with lavender oil have. It’s very important to find brands that don’t lie about what’s in their products. Find a brand that really uses lavender oil and extract, and you’ll definitely benefit from it.
Where to start
It depends on your problems. For anxiety or stress, experts recommend a product that contains rose oil. This oil can also work against skin problems as it has the ability to treat blemishes and redness on the skin. According to Violet, lemon oil is one of the most popular essential oils on the market thanks to its ability to refresh your body and mind as well.
Naomi Crosby, a 20-year old student from Pennsylvania, says that lavender has helped ease her mind for years. She rubs a few drops of the oil on her neck every day before going to bed, and her mind enters a calm state.
She also says that rubbing a bit of the oil on your pillowcase works, as the oil soothes your mind while sleeping. However, due to the potent aroma, it might be best to dilute it with a bit of water first.
As we already said, the reactions to a scent are personal. Lavender may have worked for Crosby, but it might not work for everyone. The most commonly used oils are lemon oil, clary sage oil, eucalyptus oil and ginger oil. If you’re suffering from digestive problems or are feeling tired during the day, experts recommend inhaling a bit of orange essential oil in the midday.
“Aromatherapy is a powerful tool if you know how to use it. However, you need to do your own research and start small. Aromatherapy has become such as popular thing nowadays, so it’s important for customers to learn the difference between essential oils and aromatherapy, and of course, get the right products,” Violet says.
Source:huffingtonpost.com
