Our culture in the United States is extremely stressful, and people are always looking for a way to reduce that stress. Meditation, massage, yoga, deep breathing, subliminal music and aromatherapy are just a few of the ways we’re trying to relax and treat the symptoms of a high-stress life. The “new age” technique I know the least about is aromatherapy, so I decided to do a little research to increase my own knowledge and share it with my Health Products For You friends.

 

At first I was surprised to discover that aromatherapy originated in England in the early 1900s. When I thought about it a little more, I realized that the time period was pre-antiperspirant. Sniffing at a nosegay or scent-soaked handkerchief in order to avoid more offensive odors, was a form of aromatherapy. Right?   Or envision the Victorian lady swooning on the settee with her lace hanky pressed to her nose. It was probably moistened with lavender if she had a headache, or Jasmine if she was in the mood for love, or citronella to chase the mosquitoes away.

 

The definition of aromatherapy, or essential oils therapy, is using a plant’s aroma-producing oils (essential oils) to treat disease. Essential oils are taken from a plant’s flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind or roots. The oils are mixed with another substance (such as oil, alcohol or lotion) and then put on the skin, sprayed in the air, or inhaled. You can also massage the oils into the skin or pour them into bath water.

 

It is believed that fragrances in the oils stimulate nerves in the nose. Those nerves send impulses to the part of the brain that controls memory and emotion. Depending on the type of oil, the result on the body may be calming or stimulating.

 

The oils are thought to interact with the body’s hormones and enzymes to cause changes in blood pressure, pulse and other body functions. Another theory suggests that the fragrance of certain oils may stimulate the body to produce pain-fighting substances.

 

So what do you think? I want to give it a try. I do like the idea of different scents making us feel

better, instead of using drugs. If you would like to relax with aromatherapy, we have some very

tempting goodies on the website. Enjoy.