The word “aroma” means pleasant smell and “therapy” means treatment for mental or physical disorder. Aromatherapy is a treatment done by using scents. In this therapy liquid plant materials are used which are commonly known as essential oils. Essential oils are aromatic volatile liquids extracted from plants and their different parts:- flowers, leaves, barks, seeds, fruits, roots etc. Due to busy work schedule and pressure of work load in every day’s life persons get tired. Many people suffer from mental stress also.
Stress is one of our greatest enemies which resist us to lead a healthy, natural and peaceful life. People want to relax, want to get rid of mental stress and to lead a healthy and cheerful life. Moreover due to dust, pollution, exposure to sun and bacterial infection our skins are also affected. In order to maintain a soft, smooth and healthy skin we need to take care of our skin.
Aromatherapy is such a therapy which can give us relief from anxiety, mental stress, and pains; can relax our body and can improve our health condition. Not only that, it is very effective for the treatment of skin disorders and hair problems. So for our skin care and hair care we can take the help of Aromatherapy. Aroma or scents not only treat our bodies but also alleviate tension and fatigue and elevate our state of mind. The fragrances which are inhaled enter through our olfactory system, work on our nervous system and improve our moods. Though from ancient times this science of holistic healing to rejuvenate body and mind was known yet it was not so popular as these days. Aromatherapy is gaining popularity day by day as a form of alternative medicine. It is being used not only at home but also in spas, clinics and hospitals. Essential oils are concentrated so should not be used directly. Carrier oils, which are also vegetable oils, should be mixed for diluting essential oils. In Aromatherapy most commonly used ingredients are- absolutes, CO2’s and hydrosols. But aroma therapists also encourage the use of other complementary natural ingredients to achieve good results. These complementary natural materials include cold processed vegetable oils, jojoba which is a liquid wax, milk powder, sugar, sea salts, mud and clay.
Aromatherapy always discourages those products which are not natural and contain synthetic ingredients. So mineral oils or perfumed oils are not used in Aromatherapy as these do not provide the therapeutic benefits of pure essential oils.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
- Relieves muscular pains and relaxes our bodies.
- Relieves anxiety, mental stress and depression.
- Relieves ailments of headache, migraine.
- Strengthens immune system.
- Relieves pain of arthritis
- Fights cold, cough and flu.
- Heals wounds and protects wounds from being septic.
- Removes gases, clears bowels and aids digestion.
- Helps clear lung congestion, sinusitis and effective for asthma.
- Improves blood circulation, removes toxins and purifies blood.
- Improves urination.
- Fights bacterial and fungal infections.
- Helps cure skin disorders and makes skins soft and smooth.
- Fights dandruff and hair fall.
Author: S.N. Bhattacharya