Aromatherapy Spells Relief
By the staff of Heartland Human Services
Although many may be skeptical that scent alone can be healing, researchers conducting worldwide studies have pronounced that aromatherapy has significant health benefits. Aromatherapy, in practice pairs essential oils (plant extracts) with particular ailments. Essential oils may be inhaled, rubbed into the skin, or used in a warm bath. Scientists believe the oils activate neural pathways between the nose and the brain's limbic system that controls emotions. The oils stimulate relaxation and battle bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Researchers have found certain essential oils especially helpful with specific ailments. Essential oil of rose reduces anxiety, frankincense eases pain, and peppermint soothes nausea and cures headaches. An English study found that smelling lavender helped end insomnia as well as sedative medications and without side effects. An American study of cancer patients states that smelling peppermint, ginger, lavender, or mandarin essential oil relieved chemotherapy-induced nausea.
If you are looking for stress relief or health improvement without a prescription, you may want to consider aromatherapy. Health food stores and the Internet are good places to get started. Several easy to find discount stores also sell aromatherapy candles and other supplies.