How Does Aromatherapy Work?
Aromas can bring up strong memories of people and places because of all our senses, the sense of smell is most strongly linked to the subconscious. Scents cause immediate, intense responses because they’re processed by the part of the brain that controls memory and emotion. The sense of smell is strongly linked to our most basic survival instincts, such as appetite and sleep. Aromatherapy uses this connection to create a sense of well-being and promote healing, using aromatherapy oils for their fragrance and ability to produce profound changes in the mind and body. They're very effective in treating stress-related conditions, and are frequently used as home remedies.
How does Aromatherapy work
Essential oils have varying physical and psychological benefits. Aromatherapy helps many conditions because the oils can be antiseptic, warming, cooling, astringent, stimulating, soothing, relaxing, sedative, decongestant or antispasmodic. These highly concentrated, flammable oils are extracted either through steam distillation or by cold-pressing a specific part of the plant. Then they're mixed with a carrier oil such as almond oil, or diluted in alcohol before being inhaled, applied to the skin or sprayed in the air. Aromatherapists believe certain aromas can improve your sense of well-being and alleviate emotion related disorders. Studies measuring the heart rate, muscle tension and skin temperature of test subjects before and after inhaling different scents support this belief. These studies show aromas affect your stress, behavior and performance levels. Inhaling certain fragrances cause positive moods to increase, and negative moods to decrease. As you breathe in aromatic molecules, they stimulate odor-sensing nerves. This sends a message to the limbic system that triggers a calming or energizing effect on your body, depending on the oil you used. When the oils are massaged into your skin, they're absorbed into the blood and circulated throughout your body. But whether the aromas are stimulating glands to produce hormones that fight pain and inflammation, or are reacting with hormones and enzymes in the bloodstream, aromatherapy is currently enjoying the sweet smell of success as its popularity soars!
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