If you’ve ever been transported to a moment in time from a single sniff of a particular scent, you know the power of fragrance. It evokes the past because our brains create powerful links between scent and memory. These types of associations are often deeply personal—a whiff of the perfume your mother wore when you were a kid takes you back to childhood, a particular dish cooking reminds you of your grandfather’s kitchen. Scent is emotional. So it makes sense that it can also help alleviate our bad moods, relax our muscles and calm our minds. Aromatherapy has many benefits, especially when it comes to stress and relaxation—here are a few.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment that uses scent—often derived from plant extracts—to encourage wellbeing. The belief is that stimulating the olfactory system can be beneficial and that different scents have distinct benefits that can be harnessed for different treatment purposes. It’s an ancient practice, with roots in traditional Chinese medicine, India, Egypt, Greece and Rome, but has only more recently become known as aromatherapy (a term coined by a French chemist in the 20th Century).
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is primarily used to treat stress and anxiety and to help promote relaxation and calm through mood enhancement and improving sleep habits. Some practitioners will use it for things like pain management as well. Studies suggest that the type—and quality—of essential oil used is key to unlocking its holistic benefits.
How can you practice aromatherapy?
There are many ways to practice aromatherapy. If you’ve ever been to a spa you know that the mood of the environment is set through scent, and this can be true for any space. Room diffusers, candles, oil melts can all be used to perfume physical spaces and immerse you in a mood-enhancing scent. But you can also make it a more personal experience as well. Topical applications, like creams, body oils and massage oils, can all be used on your person or in a bath to reap the rewards of aromatherapy, too.
How do you use aromatherapy oils?
Using aromatherapy oils is a great place to start, as they’re versatile and can be used in different ways. Adding a few drops to a room diffuser (some humidifiers allow for this as well), or in your favourite unscented cream makes for an aromatherapy boost to your existing daily practices.
Using scent therapy
Different scents have different effects. Some will be uplifting and joyful, while others will be soothing or relaxing. Choosing the scent with the right effect will help to achieve your aromatherapy and wellness goals, so choose wisely.
Lavender aromatherapy benefits
Lavander is well known for its calming and relaxing affects. It’s therefore often used to help with sleep, anxiety and can even help reduce pain from headaches.
Eucalyptus aromatherapy benefits
Eucalyptus is often considered an air purifier so it’s no wonder that it’s commonly used to clear congestion (perfect for cough and cold season)—but it’s also invigorating and can provide mental clarity. (Often you’ll find fresh eucalyptus hanging in the shower—the steam helps to release some of the oils and makes for a great scented start to the day.)
Citrus aromatherapy benefits
Citrus is generally thought to be happy, uplifting and invigorating. Lemon specifically can boost your mood, increase your energy and help with mental alertness.
Chamomile aromatherapy benefits
Known for its soothing nature, chamomile can promote relaxation and calm. It’s often taken in tea form before bed to improve sleep, but is also a great scented addition to the bedroom for similar effects.
Mint aromatherapy benefits
Peppermint is invigorating, but it can also help with digestion and ease nausea. In aromatherapy it can also be used to relieve headaches and provide mental clarity or focus.
