Aromatherapy: What, How and Why?

Most of us have at least heard of aromatherapy and formed some kind of judgement either way around it. But how much do you really understand about aromatherapy and its uses?

Aromatherapy was termed to describe a variety of traditional healing methods which all use plant essential oils or other scented plant compounds for healing. 

The common misconception of aromatherapy is that it's just nice smells that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. This can definitely occur but it’s so much more than just that. The actual aromatic molecules which you are inhaling or absorbing are being introduced to your body, incorporated and then elicit a reaction or healing chain of events in you. It’s actually rather scientific. 

For physiological ailments particular essential oils are used which the practitioner knows to affect specific muscles, organs, hormones or systems within the body. Even using properties such as antimicrobial or antifungal properties for various conditions is extremely effective. 

Some essential oils can act directly on the nervous system, for example lavender which when inhaled increases GABA, a hormone needed for inducing relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety. There are a variety of other essential oils used for all kinds of mental health conditions and concerns. 

There is the other side of the therapy as well however, the spiritual or energetic, the impact on the subtle body. The use of essential oils and plant aromas in mindful and spiritual practices is a timeless practice which still occurs amongst many other modalities today. Try it for yourself in your own practices to feel the full strength of the impact for yourself. 

There are so many ways we can all benefit from it, whether it's simply using natural scents in our own house or visiting a practitioner who uses aromatherapy themselves. So if you haven’t tried this beautiful healing modality before, why not give it a go?