Some of the natural things that we encounter in life stink (e.g., Voodoo lilies, Warminster broom and Carrion flowers).
Fortunately, there's an array of pleasant smelling options. A favorite choice for many people is offered by a number of alternative medicine practitioners who use a centuries old healing and relaxation approach known as aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is reliant on highly concentrated essential oils taken from an assortment of plants. The aroma given off by the plants is believed my many to directly affect our body, mood, and collective well-being in a more profound way than merely getting a whiff of something that smells nice. According to competent practitioners, these soothing scents may directly affect two brain structures, the amygdala and hippocampus that are linked to our experience of memory and emotions. With this unique combination, aromatherapy can influence multiple sensory perceptions.
Practitioners use many essential oils containing compounds called terpenes that are absorbed rapidly by the body and reportedly affect specific brain functions. A common scent is lavender, generally regarded as a calming form of oil. In contrast, rosemary and lemon oils are found to be more stimulating. Agreement about the way aromatherapy works remains under debate, and some presume other chemical interactions between essential oils and our body may influence the outcome.
There are studies showing that aromatherapy is nothing more than an elaborate, expensive form of "smelling the roses," with no valid verification of physiological impact of essential oils. These studies further construe that many peoples' expectations influence their overall aromatherapy experience.
Interestingly, only one constant was found among studies of aromatherapy. The smelling of pure lemon oil enhanced a positive mood in a majority of test subjects. Nonetheless, the majority of psychologists interviewed during the study remained skeptical saying that various perfume scents could produce comparable results. Enjoying the smell is a realistic objective, but expectations of some form of therapeutic enhancement can be problematical. Regardless, studies of aromatherapy remain under way around the world, and there are some regions where practitioners are highly sought and revered for having positively treated forms of dementia, reducing the agonizing side effects of cancer treatments, combating depression and anxiety, and numerous other mind and body ailments.
In case you're wondering, I have tried aromatherapy as an adjunct stress reliever and found it to be very calming. In fact, other practitioners such as massage therapists, acupuncturists, and hypnotherapists use it in combination with their primary treatment modalities. I find a number of aromas quite calming and use them in my home. For example, lighting a candle is an inexpensive and easy way to produce a pleasant scent.
There are numerous ways to experience aromatherapy and determine if it may be of benefit for you. An easy and popular device is a diffuser that spreads the scent of an essential oil throughout a room. Delivery options include a spray, the placement of drops of an essential oil around you, or by diluting the essential oil with one or more additional oils that can be massaged into your skin.
Aromatherapy, like most mainstream or alternative medicine therapies, has some potential side effects that should be considered before use. Here are the most commonly reported side effects reported by users:
Women with high risk for breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid lavender and tea tree oil, which present estrogen-like effects.
People diagnosed with and being treated for asthma may discover that some essential oils trigger an attack.
Pregnant women should avoid all essential oils until discussing the use of them with their doctor.
People with high blood pressure should avoid essential oils, specifically rosemary.
Some essential can oils cause skin irritation and rash, so people prone to skin sensitivity should discuss the use of oils with their dermatologist prior to beginning a regimen.
Some rare side effects have been reported, including headache and nerve-related issues.
Each person has unique body chemistry. Because someone you know uses specific oil for a medical issue that you're also experiencing, don't assume you'll get identical results and without any side effects. Opt for a logical approach for using aromatherapy and begin with a discussion with your primary care doctor to determine which oils may or may not be advisable for you.
While aromatherapy cannot cure an illness, it often complements mainstream treatments and helps to ease some side effects and symptoms.
By taking the aforementioned precautions, you'll probably be able to stop and smell the roses and have a pleasant result.
